Page 36 of The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag

She was quiet for a beat. ‘I think like most beings, you simply need to find something she wants and trade for it.’

‘How do I do that?’

‘How would I know? You’re the detective. Go detect. I’m hanging up now. I’m busy.’ The phone clicked off.

Actually, she’d talked longer than I’d expected. I tucked that away in the win box, despite her hostility.

Maybe I could get answers from Matilda herself with another box of doughnuts. Or, now she was getting them every day, I could find something else she liked: maybe some chocolate? Who didn’t love chocolate?

I noticed that Wilson had a flashing light to indicate voicemail. I pressed the button, played the message – and went pale as I listened to it. It was from John:This is Kamluck Logging, it’s an urgent message requesting the presence of Officer Barrington.

Oh my God – Connor!

Chapter 22

My floppy heart gave two solid beats as I grabbed my phone and dialled my mate. My call went directly to voicemail. Fuckity fuck-fuck.

I collected my coat, the vehicle keys and Fluffy then dashed out of the office, panic riding me. I should have called out to Gunnar and let him know where I was going but instead I just pounded the pavement to the SUV.

As I leapt into the Nomo vehicle, Fluffy jumped in through my open door and settled into the passenger seat, already alert and as worried as me. I fired up the engine, buckling my seatbelt as I tore out of the car park, then I did something I’d never done before: hit the lights and gunned it.

‘Please let Connor be safe,’ I begged the universe. I hadn’t been raised particularly religious, but with everything I’d seen I was willing to believe in a higher power. Heck, with all the spirits I’d seen, it would be hardnotto believe.

I raced the ten miles to Kamluck faster than I’d ever driven there before and pulled into the car park at the offices, a single wide trailer with faux-wood sides. Connor did his paperwork and met clients there, but mostly he worked outdoors with the men either logging or at the sawmill. He could be anywhere on the site.

Fluffy and I ran up the five metal stairs and flung open the office door. No one was there. Damn it! I scanned for signs of disorder or conflict. There was no blood, no evidence of fighting; both my eyes and my nose said everything was clean and hunky-dory. I looked at Fluffy for confirmation, but he didn’t indicate anything unusual.

We went out the back door towards the large warehouse several yards away. It housed an employee breakroom and a showroom for flooring and the fancy treated wood that needed to stay dry. Most regular boards were stored outside under cover.

Both rooms were empty, which was unusual since a lot of Connor’s employees were vampires and it was night time. Everyone should have been there hustling.

I yelled, ‘Anyone in here?’ but the only sounds I heard were my own voice and Fluffy’s breathing. My tension rose and I tried to push down my panic. I’d know if Connor was hurt, right? We had a nascent bond so surely I’d know if he wasn’t okay?

Fluffy and I raced to the bunkhouse. If John was off-shift he’d be there, and it had been his voice on the message. I pounded on the door, but didn’t wait for an answer before yanking it open and shouting, ‘John?’

There was a pause, then, ‘Bunny?’

‘Yeah!’ I stepped in, relievedsomeonewas around.

John came around the corner pulling on a shirt. ‘You got here fast. I was going to meet you at the office.’

‘What’s wrong?’ I asked, panting. ‘What’s going on?’

‘I’m not sure. I was just told to get you here. Apparently it needs to be seen to be believed.’

‘Is Connor alright?’

John studied me; my every emotion must have been scrolling across my face because he winced. ‘He’s fine! I’m sorry, Bunny, I didn’t mean to frighten you. Connor’s up the hill. His phone died and the snow has driven in rodents that have eaten all his charging cords. He told me to get you here pronto.’

My knees almost gave way in relief as I sent a silent thank you to the universe and waited for John to put his boots on. Now I knew Connor was okay my brain clicked into gear. I pulled out my phone and texted Gunnar to let him know what was going on.

I got a terse response:Saw you tear out of the office. Checked Wilson, heard the message. I’m right behind you.Itmade me grin to hear Gunnar call the office phone Wilson; my whimsy was obviously contagious.

By the time John was ready and we were walking out of the bunkroom, Gunnar was barrelling up the trail. ‘Sorry,’ I blurted before he could chew me out.

He pulled me into a hug. ‘I’d be the same if it was Sigrid. Do we know what’s the matter?’

‘I’m not sure yet. John says we have to see it.’

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