Page 85 of Addicted in Blood
After she covered the highlights, I breathed easier knowing our heist had worked, and Devon was off the hook.
“Did you notice the Sentinel and two Eliminators who arrived well after the hearing had started?Does anyone know what that was about?”Devon shoved his empty shot glass toward Decker, who refilled it.
Lucas was the only one to speak up.“Funny you should mention that.I’d been wondering the same thing.I spoke with a friend who works in the Sentinels office.The team that came in late were the vampires that had been on-site and were responsible for the collection of evidence.Several Council members wanted to hear directly from those with firsthand knowledge.”
“Makes sense.”Sergi had stopped fiddling with his tablet to listen.“If the Council has interest in pursuing the distribution of the Poppy, they might have had additional questions for those that handled the inventory.”
“Or it could have been Lorenzo hamming it up to cover his own hand in it.”Bella leaned back in her chair, a booted leg crossed over her knee.
“Either is equally possible, and not mutually exclusive.”Simone had been abnormally quiet during the meeting.I’d considered calling her to see how she’d react.It might give me an idea of how big my transgressions were.But with the Council meeting looming, I’d chickened out.
“What do you think the Council did with the vials of Poppy?”Bella asked.
“They’ll send them to Lorenzo’s labs.”Sergi had changed from the gallant bodyguard to the indifferent vamp in the space of a heartbeat.Maybe that would have happened once we were surrounded by the cadre.Or maybe it was my unsanctioned actions with the beast.
He wasn’t the only one who seemed different.Simone was unusually quiet, and Lucas was more reserved, even with Ginger.The only exception seemed to be Bella, whose occasional glances suggested she still had my back.
“Back to the one who probably created it in the first place.”Lucas ran hands through his hair.“It’s like whack-a-mole.”
I snorted, but I appeared to be the only one who got the reference.
“Remus has a sample.”Devon had also been quiet except for the occasional question.Based on the stares from the cadre, no one had been prepared for his simple comment.
“How did he get a sample?”Simone asked.
Devon quirked a smile.“Harlow gave me one before we split up.”His gaze met mine but moved away just as quickly, his grin fading.
“The Wolf’s job will be more difficult without the data Lorenzo has at his disposal,” Sergi replied, never taking his eyes off whatever he was reading.
“It’s a start, and he has the blood from the shifter deaths as well as Underwood’s.”Devon sipped the whiskey, and shuttered his eyes as he swallowed, letting the burn have its moment.“We need to get back to the mission while Lorenzo is focused elsewhere.It won’t be for long.”
“Devon’s right.”Lyra closed a ledger she’d been reviewing.“It’s time to transfer power back to you.”
He shook his head.“Not yet.”When the cadre grew restless, he waved them off.“Just temporarily.I think Lyra should stay for a bit longer.It will keep the focus off me for awhile.”He didn’t mention his fugue, and I wondered if that was the true reason.No one questioned him.“One thing I don’t understand.What happened to Gheata?”
“He’s in the wind.”Lucas stood but stayed by his chair.“They have bulletins out, though I doubt they’ll catch him anytime soon—or ever.”
“He’s probably left the country,” Bella added.
“I wouldn’t bet on it.”Simone seemed to have rejoined the conversation.“Lorenzo will keep him close.He might even undergo reconstructive surgery to avoid recognition software.”
I had a hard time imaging someone going to those lengths.How much was Lorenzo paying this guy?And if he was on retainer and living in suburbia with the middle class, what did he need money for?Elaborate vacations?
“We have one more matter to discuss.”Sergi glanced at me, and I wished I’d sat in a chair when I came in.A deep one I could bury myself in.
As expected, all eyes turned to me.
“We didn’t get enough information to clear Cressa in Underwood’s murder.She’s still wanted for questioning, and they’ve had enough time to determine she’s not in Seattle.”
“Harlow confirmed he was with her and Ginger the night Underwood was killed,” Devon said.
“Does that cover the time of death?”Sergi asked.
I glanced to Bella, but she appeared to be busy texting someone.
“I don’t know.You’ll have to check it out.”Devon tapped his fingers on the bar and pointed to the bottle of whiskey.Decker poured another shot.“We have the photos of his file.”
“I’ve had time to review them, thinking along your same lines.”Sergi fiddled with his tablet, most likely pulling up the file in case he needed to refer to it.“A handful of House names are listed.It appears Underwood had partnerships with more than Lorenzo, although they’re all aligned with him.It wouldn’t be good for the information to get into police hands.”
