Page 69 of Deadly Deception
Boone walked farther away and deeper into the wind. That same wind carried his words away, silencing his responses but not diminishing his gesticulations. I waited patiently by our rental SUV. The hotel called to me—or, more precisely, our warm room. We’d gone to the hospital after leaving Tompkins’s home. I’d been relieved to learn that Tompkins was indeed stable. The doctors said he wasn’t in a coma, but he also hadn’t woken up yet either. The ER doctors suspected Tompkins had been drugged, but couldn’t be certain until the toxicology report came back. Even then, I doubted I’d be informed of the results. I wasn’t family.
And speaking of family…Sara Tompkins had been conspicuously absent in the hospital waiting room. When I’d spoken with one of Tompkins’s other relatives, they informed me Sara had been contacted, although no one had been able tospeak directly with her. All calls had gone to voicemail. That didn’t prove anything, but it was damn suspicious.
Shoving his phone into one of his pockets, Boone’s head was tilted down as he walked back to me.
“Tough phone call?” I asked needlessly.
“You could say that.” Boone inhaled before raising his head. He looked even more tired than before he’d called his father. “Pops isn’t happy.” Boone flinched. “Of course, I’m paraphrasing.”
“Is he ready to hop on a plane?”
Boone’s wry grin twisted his lips. “You know Pops so well.”
I chuckled. “I’ve got a little experience.” I tilted my head toward the hotel. “Come on, let’s get inside and warmed up. We’ll order some food too.”
Boone shifted closer and followed me into the hotel lobby. “I’m not sure how hungry I am, but I should eat.”
“Yes, you should. We need to be ready to head out when contacted.”
“I know. Gaia, this sucks. Navarre can’t catch a break, and now Tabitha’s involved. How in the hell did this go sideways so quickly?”
We entered the elevator and rode it to our floor. The trip was short, and we exited onto our hall. I was already warming as we headed toward our room. “No idea.” I’d hoped we’d be back on a plane tomorrow at the latest. I’d also hoped for one last visit with Nana. I’d called her while Boone was on the phone with his pops and filled Nana in on as much of the situation as I was comfortable with. I didn’t want to place her in danger and while I figured the chances of that were small, I didn’t want to risk it. Nana reluctantly understood.
Our room was warm. Too warm for my comfort, but perfect for Boone. With a groan, he slid out of his huge coat and said,“This feels good.” Walking to the heater, Boone laid his hands out, palms down, and soaked in the warm air.
Turned away from me, Boone asked, “How long do you think we’ll need to wait?”
I had no idea and said just as much. “I’m not sure. I wouldn’t think too long.”Too longto me might mean something wholly different to Vanja.
“I hope you’re right. I hate thinking of Navarre and Tabitha trapped somewhere.” Boone shivered despite the heat. “I know what that feels like, and it sucks.”
Closing the distance, I wrapped my arms around Boone, tugging him tight to my body. I’d failed to consider this situation might bring up memories of his capture this past summer. “We don’t know that they’re being kept in the same conditions.”
Boone choked out a laugh. “Gaia, I hope not.” He shook his head. “Navarre probably doesn’t even realize he’s being held prisoner. In a way, he’s been locked away from the world for a long time. This is just a different type of cell. Is it wrong to be grateful that Tabitha’s with him?”
“I don’t think it’s wrong. Without a doubt, I wanted to be with you when McCallister had you in his grasp.”
“I’m glad you weren’t there.” Boone shivered. “When I saw you come through the door after Pops…I swear my heart stopped. I was so happy to see your face, and at the same time, I was scared out of my mind that you were going to get hurt or worse.”
I kissed Boone’s temple. “I know, and I’m sorry about that.” I’d never be sorry that I came for him, that I’d helped get him out of that hellhole.
Boone was silent for a beat before he quietly asked, “Do you really think Vanja is Sara Tompkins?”
I considered his question and finally answered, “I don’t know. I hope not.”
“But? I hear a but in there.”
“Butthe pieces fit.” I wouldn’t say it made sense because I couldn’t figure out why. I’d worked homicide long enough to understand there wasn’t always a satisfactorywhywhen it came to murder. Humans had an innate need to understand the reasoning behind heinous actions. Sometimes, those reasons simply didn’t exist, or they seemed too paltry to fully explain the unexplainable.
“I hope not too,” Boone said quietly. “If she’s truly pretending to be Vanja, it won’t end well. Sheriff Henson already contacted Queen Millicent.”
I stiffened at the reminder.
“Vampires aren’t a forgiving species, Franklin.” Boone swallowed hard. “Assuming Queen Millicent answers Henson’s missive…considering what Queen Millicent did to the original Vanja, I wouldn’t want to be in the pretender’s shoes.”
I held Boone a little tighter while I remained quiet. Sometimes when you didn’t know what to say, it was best to remain silent.
Vanja’s missive came quicker than expected, but notasexpected. I had no idea if the pizza delivery guy was in on Vanja’s schemes, or if he was just an unknowing lacky. It was difficult for me to imagine a guy clearly collecting social security as a willing criminal, but stranger things had happened. Speaking of stranger things…Aurelia’s absence was a distant memory. Boone’s djinnfriendpopped up in our hotel room, Little Fang lounging in her backpack home away from home. The little kitten appeared far more peaceful now than the first time I’d seen her. It was amazing what a full belly could do.
