Part 19 (1/2)
Something seems to dawn on Lawson. ”Not very long, I'd say. First, you let me get you into the squad car without a fight. Now you're asking questions only a novice would ask.”
A novice? It's that obvious? ”I know enough about being a vampire,” I say menacingly, ”to know what to do with an insolent neck when I see one.”
But that gets a smirk. ”You should have told me the other night. Maybe I would have cut you some slack.” He tilts his head as though trying to bring something to mind. ”I know who you are. You're the one Donaldson let get away. You must be.”
They know about that, too? ”Where do you get your information?”
”I told you, confidential informants.”
”And how would the family of one of Donaldson's victims know that he was a vampire?”
”Anybody can find out anything for the right price.”
”From whom?”
”If you want something bad enough, there's always a way.”
”Anymore proverbs you want to mangle before you give me a straight answer?””There are people out there who deal in information like some deal in drugs. I can't give you a name.”
None of this helps David. Impatience is quickly morphing into anger, my vampire temper rising. Lawson senses the change.
”I've told you all I know. Your partner was taken by a vamp doctor-”
”What?”
”A vamp doctor. I told you. I don't know why or where he's being held.”
My heart starts pounding. ”You didn't say it was avamp doctor who took David. You just said it was a doctor.”
He shakes his head. ”No. I'm sure I told you it was a vamp doctor. A big wig-”
But I don't hear another word he says.
I decide to save time by releasing Lawson right outside the seash.e.l.l shop. I uncuff him as we get to the top of the stairs.
The construction crew is starting to wander back from lunch, and we get a few strange looks as we appear from the cave.
Especially Lawson, whose clothes are stained and torn from our tussle down below.
One of the hardhats glares at us. ”Can't you folks read? No Admittance. It's dangerous down there.”
I flash the badge. ”Official police business.”
He grunts and moves away, mumbling, ”More like monkey business from the looks of you two.”
Lawson is rubbing at his wrists. ”What about my wallet?”
But I've already slipped it back into my belt. ”I think I'll keep this as a souvenir.”
”How am I supposed to explain losing my badge?”
”I don't care.”
He stares at me a minute, decides it's useless to argue, and starts to open the car door.
I cut behind him and slam it shut. ”This is as far as you go.”
He looks like he can't believe what I just said. ”You're leaving me here? Like this?” He sweeps a hand down his ruined clothes.
”How am I suppose to get home?”
He's right. I should at least help him get home. I fish the wallet back out of my pocket, take the currency and credit cards from it, and hold those out. ”Here. I don't need these.”
He s.n.a.t.c.hes them out of my hand. ”Thanks for nothing.”
But his sarcasm is lost on me. I'm already in the Explorer and cranking it over. I roll down the pa.s.senger side window and lean toward him. ”One more thing. If you breathe a word of this, I'll come back for you.”
This time he looks as if he believes me.
Chapter Twenty-Nine.
A vamp doctor has David.
Nothing Lawson could have said rocks me like that one statement.
The implication is clear. My rational mind tells me that with all the vampires in San Diego, Avery may not be the only doctor.
But as far as I know, he's the only one who can connect David with me.
Why would Avery kidnap David? And if he did, is he also responsible for the fire?
None of this makes sense.
I glance at the clock on the dashboard. It's almost two in the afternoon. Avery said he'd be at the hospital until six. At least I'll have some time to search the house before he returns.
Avery.
My heart lies heavy in my chest. I thought we had a bond. More than the s.e.x and blood thing. He appeared to be helping me-first in finding Donaldson and then, David. Otherwise, what was the point ofBeso de la Muerte ?
Unless he thought I'd be killed there, too.
Could I really have been so wrong about him?