Page 57 of Obsessed in Blood
“I haven’t been able to find anything online regarding the accident.” Sergi typed in his tablet. “I’ll work through my contacts with SBPD, but I still think reviewing back copies from newspapers of the time will prove most useful.”
Devon nodded. “Track down Yun if you can. He took charge of the House investigation and might have a different opinion once he considers Hamilton might have been the possible target, and my parents’ deaths an extra benefit.
Sergi nodded. “We need pictures of the island, maps of the channel, schedules of the boats. I want to know every possible way on and off that island.”
“Remus keeps wolves around the dock.” Decker pulled out a bag of black licorice and bit into one. “He owns a couple of the warehouses, and one of his wolves owns a combo food shack and bait shop near the boat launch. A few of them work at the boatyard. They keep track of the schedules. It shouldn’t be a problem to run closer surveillance and track any changes in security.”
“Can you connect me with one of their contacts?” Bella asked. “I’d like to get a sense for the area and see what we can use for possible diversions.”
Devon glanced at Simone, who had quieted, but he spoke to Lucas instead. “I need you to make a run to the city. Philipe Renaud had been in the Renaud Library with theDe første dageat the time of my parents’ accident. I want to know what happened afterward. At some point, Philipe left San Francisco for the Los Angeles library. He either did that because of the accident, or it was a simple coincidence with the opening of the SoCal branch.”
Lucas brightened at the thought. “It might give me an idea how to track where he is now.”
“My thoughts exactly. He had the book, and it was apparently in the Los Angeles library for some time. The Renauds keep excellent records. We need to dig deeper.”
Lucas nodded. “And I have an idea how to approach them on it.”
“You’re rather quiet, Simone.” There could be several reasons for it, and Devon could take the time to guess, but it was sometimes easier to poke Simone and see what happened.
Not many could do that and come out unscathed, but while Lyra was still considered the House Leader, preparing for an attack was his specialty. His father had honed him from an early age to be a strategist. This mission would be no different than any battle. His original plans to remove his censure from the Council had taken a very dark turn and had uncovered more to Lorenzo’s plan than he could ever have thought possible. But he sensed everything coming together. There were still dots he hadn’t connected, but they were getting closer. They were on the right track.
“We need to know Lorenzo’s schedule.” Simone’s posture didn’t change, but her fangs dropped enough for the tips to be seen through her sneer. “Not just when he comes and goes from the island, but something that’s part of his usual routine that might give us an edge. Something so normal, he won’t see us coming.”
“And how will we go about determining that?” Devon asked, knowing she was already thinking of something.
“We need to socialize. See what the aristocracy is humming about.”
He chuckled. “And you believe that’s something you should be tackling?”
Her sneer grew to a smile most would run from. “You always said I needed to make friends with other Houses. What better time?”
“And what will you be doing?” Sergi asked Devon.
“I’ll be working with Colantha. I want to see if she has a trick or two we can use to our advantage.”
“And Cressa?”
“I have plans for her,” Simone responded before Devon could, but she nodded to Devon. “When you’re not in need of her, of course.”
“I’m afraid much of this will come down to Cressa. She’s had an insider’s view of the island. We need a solid plan with concrete information. If we miss this opportunity, and Lorenzo has any idea what we’re up to, he’ll either move Hamilton or decide he’s become too much of a risk.”
ChapterTwenty
I stared at the ceiling,having slept as long as I could, knowing Devon worried about my recovery. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t bothered about being kidnapped and mesmerized. It wasn’t easy knowing someone had taken control of my thoughts and actions. If Ginger and I still lived alone in the old apartment, I’d probably be rolled up in a ball, unsure how to protect myself. Even though I was away from Lorenzo, I would be looking over my shoulder for some time, terrified someone could do that again without my knowledge.
Another vamp had mesmerized me when I’d first come to the manor. It was during the tea party at Gruber’s, and Devon had immediately brought me out of it. And one time I’d watched him mesmerize someone who’d broken into my old apartment. I didn’t seem to mind mesmerizing when it worked toward my benefit.
Where did one cross the line in controlling another’s thoughts? Good question, but this wasn’t the time for philosophical debates. Lorenzo’s mesmerizing wasn’t used just once to gather information. He’d used it whenever we were together with the goal of permanently putting me under his control. And yes, I was traumatized by the event, but I was more than that. I was incensed. Neither emotion was healthy, but I didn’t have time for a psychiatrist, so I decided to just go with the rage. And rescuing Hamilton out from under his nose would go a long way in tempering the trauma.
After dressing, I found Colantha in Lyra’s room and was surprised to find Ginger there, too. They were in front of the hearth where a low fire burned. Colantha sat with Lyra on the couch while Ginger was curled up in one of the stuffed chairs next to them. Frederick and Jamison stood by the windows rather than the door. While they wouldn’t leave Colantha’s side, they appeared to have relaxed enough not to hover as closely.
The coffee table was filled with a coffee urn, artfully painted mugs that I assumed came from Lyra’s collection, and platters of brunch items that had been cleanly picked through. My stomach growled at the sight. When Ginger noticed me, she waved and grabbed her cell, making a quick call and keeping her voice too low for me to hear. Hopefully, the call was for more coffee. Lyra’s kitchen would be well-stocked, but she was more of a tea drinker.
“Cressa.” Lyra seemed surprised to see me. “Devon said you’d be resting.”
I snorted. “Lying in bed and remembering the last few days isn’t entirely restful.” I dropped into the other stuffed chair and gave Ginger a grin. “I’m surprised you aren’t sleeping in.”
“Are you kidding? With everything that’s going on, I’m not going to miss a moment.”
