Page 20 of The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid

‘It was a good idea to get Sally to scry the girls,’ I said to Gunnar. ‘I’m annoyed I didn’t think of it.’

‘You’re not used to magic being your go-to option. Besides, Sally isn’t always here and she definitely isn’t always available. She’s a great scryer but it takes a lot of energy and it’s often a one-time deal. She won’t be able to check for the girls again for a few days. If I made her bite at the akpik too soon, it might have been a wasted nibble.’ His tone was regretful and I knew that he was thinking that he’d moved too early.

‘Not at all,’ I interjected. ‘We know now that the girls are somewhere local and somewhere dark.’

I explained what Connor, Stan and Liv and I had cooked up between us. With the ships and the plane locked down, thekidnapper couldn’t get the girls out of town unless he dragged them through the barrier, and after the recent deaths most people were now wary of crossing it. Even the hunters who regularly trotted through it were hesitating, and the barrier protestors had been noticeably quieter of late.

I told Gunnar I was planning on meeting Matilda later that day at Kamluck. The slight tightening of his jaw told me he wasn’t enamoured of the idea, but his lack of objection told me he knew it was a good one whether he liked it or not.

‘I’ll go help Liv and Stan,’ Sidnee declared. ‘My mer eyes can see in the dark far better than most. I can make sure they don’t miss anything.’

‘Good idea,’ Gunnar rumbled. ‘Bunny, you want to question the parents again? Make sure they haven’t had a ransom request they haven’t told us about?’

‘Sure.’ I filled him in on Pynk and her findings. ‘I’ll question the Robertsons about Kate’s internet stalker as well. I’ll take Fluffy – he can try again now the lemon smell will have cleared and he’s had a proper whiff of Essie. Hopefully he’ll pick up the same trail he found at her place somewhere at the Robertson’s house.’

‘That’s smart. You both keep the radios on,’ Gunnar ordered. ‘Let’s keep communication open. I’ll man the fort and dig deeper into any other reports of missing girls. April has already started pulling folders for me. But you let me know if either of you need back up and I’ll roll out before you can say “save me, boss”.’

I gave him the smile he expected but Sidnee didn’t. He went on, ‘The drunk has been dispensed with, yes?’

‘Yeah,’I confirmed. ‘Mafu’s daughter picked him up this morning.’

‘So we all know what we’re doing. Let’s get this case moving.’

‘Yes, boss!’ I offered a cheeky salute but even that sass didn’t put a smile on Sidnee’s face. My worry deepened.

One problem at a time. I had to focus on the girls. Thomas could handle himself. Probably.

Chapter 12

I was secretly pleased when Faye Robertson opened the door because her dour husband had seemed less than co-operative. Then again, he’d been a lieutenant to the vampire King of the US; no doubt, he felt he could deal with the matter without the interference of local bumpkin cops.

Faye’s perfect blonde hair was less coiffured today and thrown back in a simple pony tail. ‘Officer…’ she squinted at me ‘…Rodent? Is everything okay? Did you find her?’ She looked on edge as if she hadn’t slept.

I never thought I’d see the day where Fanged Flopsy seemed a better option but I’d take it over Officer Rodent any time. I shook my head. ‘It’s Bunny, and sorry, no. I have some more questions. May I come in?’

She deflated. ‘Of course. My husband is out – but anything you need.’ She ushered me into the sitting room, gestured at a chair and took the one opposite.

‘We managed to extract some information from Kate’s laptop. It looks like she was being tracked – she was contacted on several platforms by someone called Scott Evans whom she subsequently blocked. Did she mention this?’

Faye looked dismayed. ‘No, she didn’t say anything.’ Her crossed legs started to shake as her foot bopped up and down.

‘Do you know of anyone who showed more than a regular interest in her?’

‘No. Nothing like that.’

‘Have you had any messages since she disappeared? Anyone demanding ransom?’

Her eyes shifted. ‘Um, no.’

She was lying: I’d bet my whole month’s salary they’d had some kind of contact from the kidnappers. ‘What about your husband?’ I asked. ‘Has he heard anything?’

She shook her head and pressed her lips together.

I cursed mentally, but when I spoke I tried to keep the annoyance out of my voice. ‘Listen, if someone told you not to get the police involved, they’re just trying to control you. The best chance you have of getting Kate home safe is through co-operating with the Nomo’s office.’

She met my eyes and for a moment I thought she would confess tosomething, but then she shook her head again. I wasn’t going to get any more out of her: she’d decided I wasn’t Kate’s best chance. I needed to prove that she was wrong.

‘Do you mind if I have my dog sniff around some more? He caught a scent at Essie’s house and I want to see if he gets the same one here.’

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