From moving on to an easier target, she said. Once I made sure he couldnt get to me.
Christ, Lowe muttered in weary disgust. Someday, that goddamn vamps going to get his
Trav, Hess said. It aint laundry day. Lets not air it in public.
Yeah, I know, but Jesus Christ, Joe, it aint like this is the first time.
It took Claire a few seconds to work out what they were all talking about, but then she remembered Eves poetry that shed looked through on the computerall romantic Arent vampires great? stuff until she was about fifteen, and thenno more romance. Brandon. Brandon tried to mess with her when she was fifteen.
And Jason was her younger brother.
What did he do to him? Claire asked in a very small voice. Brandon, I mean. Did hebite him?
Eve didnt look up, but her cheeks went pink to match her robe. Sometimes, she said. And sometimes it was worse than that. Were just toys to him, you know. Dolls. Were not real. People arent real at all.
Im afraid the same goes for Jason now, Hess said. Cant really blame the kid. He didnt have much of a chance. But I repeat, Eve, you cant blame yourself, either. You saved yourself, and thats important.
Yeah, I saved myself by screwing over my brother. What a hero.
You be careful with all that guilt, Lowe said. Itll pound you down. Your parents were the ones who should have stepped in, and you know it. Anybody willing to let their kids become toys, just to get ahead
Claire reached out and took hold of Eves hand. Eve, surprised, looked upshe wasnt crying, which was kind of surprising because Eve cried a lot. Her eyes were dry, clear, and hard. Angry.
Why do you think I left? she asked. As soon as I could. Between my parents and what Brandon made out of Jason
Claire couldnt think of anything to say. She just sat there, holding Eves hand. Shed never been through any of that. Shed grown up warm and safe in a house where her parents loved her. In a town where there were no such things as vampires, where child abuse and molestation were something that happened on the evening news, and if anybody had brothers who killed people, it happened in big cities, to people she didnt know.
All this was justtoo much to take in. And much too painful.
Its going to be okay, she finally said. Eve smiled at her sadly, but her eyes were still fierce.
No, she said. Dont think so, Claire. But thanks.
She took a deep breath, let go of Claires hand, and turned back to the two cops. Right. You guys hang out here while I get dressed.
Oh, sure, Hess said, and raised an eyebrow. It made his face look crooked, but maybe that was just the way his nose was; Claire wasnt sure. Not like were protecting or serving or anything.
Youre not even on duty, Eve said.
Busted, Lowe said, smiling. Were on our own for this. Hurry up, kidId like to get to sleep sometime today before I have to fight for truth and justice again.
Eve padded up the stairs, one hand on the railing, and Claire let out a slow, careful breath. Eve was kind of like an unexploded bomb right now. Claire ached to make it all better, but there was no way she could do thatand no way that Eve would even let her try, she thought.
She wished Shane would wake up. She neededwell, something. A hug, maybe. Or one of those deliciously warm kisses. Or just to look at him, all rumpled and grumpy with his hair sticking up at odd angles, sheet creases on his face, his bare feet looking so cute and soft
She had never thought of a guys feet as sexy before. Not even movie-star feet. But Shanethere was no part of him that wasnt sizzle hot.
More coffee? Hess asked, and waggled his empty mug. Claire sighed and took his and Lowes into the kitchen for refills.
She had just set the two ceramic cups down on the counter, and was reaching for the coffeepot, when a big, thick, sweaty hand closed over her mouth, and irresistibly strong arms yanked her backward. She tried to scream, and kicked, but whoever had her, really had her. She squirmed, but it didnt do any good.
Quiet, a rough male voice whispered in her ear. Shut up, or this gets ugly.
It was already ugly, at least from Claires terrified side of things. She went still, and the man holding her lowered her down enough to let her sneakered toes touch the floor. Didnt let her go, though.
Shed already figured out who it wasthe speaker, not the one holding herbefore Shanes dad stepped out into her view and leaned forward, scary-close. Wheres my son? he asked. His breath was nasty, and stank of booze. Breakfast of Collins champions. Just nod. Is he in the house? She nodded slowly. The hand muffling her mouth let her do it. Upstairs? She nodded again. Those cops in the living room? She nodded vigorously, and tried to think what she could do to get Detective Hesss attention. Screaming wasnt doing any good; the kitchen door was pretty solid, and it was useless to try to get sound past a hand that was about two inches thick. If theyd grabbed her when she was holding the mugs, at least she could have dropped them.
My kid likes you, Shanes dad said. Thats all that keeps you alive right now, you get me? So dont push your luck. I could always change my mind, and you could get buried out back with your little friend Michael. Now, my buddy here is going to let go of your mouth, and youd better not scream, because if you do, were just going to have to do some killing, starting with you and ending with the cops. And that vampire-wannabe girlfriend of yours. You get me? My son is all that matters to me.
Claire swallowed hard and nodded again. The hand pulled slowly away from her mouth.
She didnt scream. She pressed her lips together to hold in the urge.
Good girl, Shanes dad said. Now tell me what the cops are doing here. They looking for us?
She shook her head. They think youre gone, she said. Theyre here to take me and Eve to school.
School. He poured contempt into the word. Thats not a school. Its a holding pen for cattle.