Page 81 of Bishop's Flight
Bernard studied the photographs. “WithDutchin the name.”
“It’s late, not many people are around, and frankly it’s only the beginning of houseboat season according to what Lee could find,” Carwyn said. “I think we’ll do better to track activity than track the boat.”
“Agreed.” Bernard gave a sharp nod. “Rose and Agnes have already alerted their businesses in this area to be on the lookout for strangers. They have people in Boulder City, which is south of here, the Lake Las Vegas area, and Temple Bar Marina. They’ll report any unusual vampires so we can question anyone who doesn’t owe allegiance to Agnes and Rose.”
Carwyn raised an eyebrow. “Is that wise?” Las Vegas had become popular in the immortal world for its hands-off, don’t-ask-questions policy. It was one of the reasons they had so many vampires who came to the city for holidays.
“From a hospitality perspective? It could backfire.” Bernard crossed his arms. “But I advised them that a few grumbles were preferable to a quiet takeover from the shadows. Until Brigid and Lucas are found, hospitality comes second to security. One of the patrols has already picked up a couple of Russian-speaking vampires hanging around the South Shore in Lake Las Vegas.”
“And?”
“They claimed to be socializing at the country club. We’re holding them for now, and we called Oleg.”
Carwyn stared at the lake, feeling ill at ease. Agnes and Rose had water vampires on the payroll, but not many. He was worthless on a boat, and Brigid was apparently being housed in very small quarters with a human child she had to protect. For a young fire vampire like Brigid, it was a recipe for disaster.
“Boss!” A human came running up. “Possible lead. There’s an old guy at the store, says a foreign couple come in every morning to pick up the newspaper and snacks. They’re staying on a houseboat in the marina. They said they were on holiday.”
“Foreign? He couldn’t be more specific?”
The man shrugged. “I asked. He just said they were tall, white, and foreign.”
Bernard grimaced. “Did he know which slip?”
“He’s trying to call a dockhand he knows at the marina. Says the couple has been here for just over a week, keep to themselves, and don’t chitchat much.”
“Is there any way we can get down on those docks and just walk around?” Carwyn knew if he could get close enough to Brigid, even with her on the water, he would be able to find her. He could feel her frustration growing in his heart, and he was starting to worry she’d try something desperate to escape.
Like a badger in a barn.
Badgers could do damage. A whole hell of a lot of damage if they got desperate enough.
Brigid heard footsteps above them.Scurrying feet and a heavy clatter. Something that sounded an awful lot like a body dropped to the deck overhead.
“What was that?” Lucas looked up.
“I think something fell.”Something or someone.Brigid went to stand in front of Lucas, blocking the boy from anyone who came through the door. “Stay behind me.”
“Is it Zasha?”
“I think so.”
Lucas sounded nonchalant. “I don’t think they’re going to hurt me.”
You don’t know Zasha.
“Zasha gave your mothers a deadline to hand over the city,” Brigid said. “And that deadline passes tonight.”
“What does that mean?” His voice finally sounded a little less detached.
“It means that they may have figured out what you knew days ago.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Checkmate.”
Lucas’s dark eyes were wide. “Brigid—”
A thought sprang into her mind and she spun around. “Can you swim?”
It was a last resort, but it was better than nothing. Carwyn was not going to find them surrounded by water. She had no idea where they were, but they didn’t have time to wait for help.
“Y-yes.” Lucas’s eyes went wide. “I can swim.”
