Page 57 of Graced
“I’m sorry, but that’s evidence in a homicide investigation.Is there another number where we reach you?”
“No.Just this one.”
Lepos shook his head.“Sorry.”
Rhyne sighed.“Then I guess you’re going to have to come find me when you need me.”
“Sorry,” Lepos repeated.Giving Rhyne a sympathetic smile, he added, “Don’t worry.We’ll be able to find you.”
Rhyne turned to go back to his car.He knew the officer was watching him, but it was inconsequential.He needed a phone.He needed to find Nash and have a hard talk with the man.
The first would be easy.The second not so much.But he had a pretty good idea where his roommate could be found, and he was going to get answers to all the questions swimming in his head.
Grace was expecting him to save her.He wasn’t going to let her down.He’d do everything he could to find her.
Or die trying.
CHAPTER28
Answers
Rhyne hurried back to the house but not until he first stopped to buy another burner phone to replace the one he’d lost.Although he half expected this one to become his permanent phone, he wouldn’t be surprised if he never got the other one back.
He resisted the temptation to call Nash.Chances were, if the man was at the house and knew Rhyne was on his way there, he might try to skip out.That, or call Welsh to let him know.
No.He’d show up and confront the guy head-on.
“One way or another, I’m going to get the answers I need from him,” Rhyne muttered.
The one answer that he needed above all others was where Welsh and the others had taken Grace.Every minute that passed made finding her that much more crucial and difficult.He didn’t believe Welsh would drain her outright.The man still had dreams of keeping her hostage and bleeding her like a farmer milked his cows in order to sell off her miracle blood.But those dreams were tarnished now after the events at the hospital.Welsh knew the police were looking for him, and he’d probably figured out that he couldn’t rely on Rhyne to cover his ass.Just the opposite.Rhyne was looking for him, too, and the chances of one roommate finding the other were a lot better odds.
He slowed the car as he drew closer to the house.A vehicle he’d never seen before in the neighborhood sat parked against the curb several yards down the road.He knew the undercover cops sitting inside it were already on their radio inquiring about the vehicle pulling onto the driveway.
He was glad to see them doing surveillance.It gave him an odd sense of safety knowing they were keeping watch for Welsh.Even though he knew the men were no match for the vamp unless they used lethal force, at least their attempts to take him into custody would give Rhyne notice that the guy was nearby.
Instead of parking inside the garage like he normally did, Rhyne parked outside.He didn’t plan on staying long.Also, he wanted the guys watching the house and waiting for Welsh to get a good look-see at him so they’d know he wasn’t their target.
He also made sure to keep his actions casual and his movements slow.Not hurried, as if he wanted to get whatever done and leave as quickly as possible.Such actions would have heightened those men’s suspicions.
Dismissing the cops, Rhyne took special care when he entered the house.He’d noticed the lone bike sitting in the corner of the garage.The bike Welsh would have been using.However, Nash’s bicycle was noticeably absent.
Nash would be aware of someone entering the house.Grinning, Rhyne wondered how long it would take the man to realize it was him and not Welsh.
On the off chance it might still be there, he checked the vegetable bin in the refrigerator to see if that last blood bag had been taken.
“Welsh already drank it,” a voice wearily spoke from the living room.
Rhyne closed the door and went to join him.Dropping onto the sofa, he studied the man seated in the rocker recliner.That was Welsh’s personal chair.The man had put dibs on it the instant he spotted it when they initially moved in, and no one dared to sit in it, even if Welsh wasn’t home because Welsh would smell that person’s scent on it the instant he sat down.The fact that Nash had taken possession of it and was slowly rocking forward and back spoke volumes to Rhyne.
Evidence of Nash’s collision with the police car was still visible on his face and hands.The man’s clothing also bore signs with his torn and bloodstained jeans and shirt.It would take Nash a little over a week, maybe two, for all those scrapes and scratches to heal completely.Longer if he didn’t get the blood he needed to help speed his recovery.
Speaking of blood…
“You realize Welsh killed our supplier, don’t you?”Rhyne casually asked.
Nash nodded once.
Leaning his head back against the cushions, Rhyne confessed, “Welsh has screwed us over big time.And for the last time, if I have anything to do about it.”
