Page 42 of Betrayed in Blood
“He didn’t seem to think so when she was a captive at Shadow Island.”
“Maybe he was holding that knowledge back as a weapon if Cressa wasn’t controllable under the mesmerizing,” Sergi suggested.
“Either way, it needs to be checked.”
“You want me to monitor the situation?” Bella asked.
“Yes. But only the house. See who comes and goes, and who’s in each vehicle.”
“That might be difficult. If it’s vampires, the windows will be tinted.”
He nodded. “At least we’ll have some idea of the activity level and maybe get a glimpse of the drivers. Don’t trail anyone. This is a simple stakeout.” He turned to Sergi. “Send Bella the address. I’d also like you to gather what you can on April. I know you have some preliminary background when you investigated Cressa. Dig deeper.”
“Anything else?” Bella asked.
“Check the perimeter security. Sergi, see what images we can pick up on the property.”
“What about inside?” Sergi asked.
“Cressa can give us that if needed.”
Bella rose and picked up her and Sergi’s empty cups, placing them on the counter. Before she left, Devon called out. “And take Jacques when he returns.”
She waved as she exited and shut the door.
Sergi stood. “If there’s nothing else for me, I’d like to review the security files from yesterday.”
Devon nodded and turned toward the window, closing his eyes when he heard the door shut. His plans for war hadn’t included Cressa’s mother. But, it was a simple enough task, assuming they could reach her. Assuming there was, in fact, a problem and that vampires were involved. When Devon had met with Willa a month ago, she’d mentioned an escape plan. Was it sufficient for her current predicament? With any luck they’d know more in the next couple of days.
A knock at the door made him swivel his chair toward it. Lucas stuck his head in.
“Do you have a few minutes?”
“Of course, come in.”
Lucas laid a folder on the desk before sitting. “This is the final translation of the vampiric portion of theDe første dage. I’ve checked it twice.”
Devon nodded. “I haven’t had a chance to read the vampiric version yet with the raid on Oasis. I’ll make a point to do that this afternoon.” He glanced at the wall clock. “I’m hoping Colantha will arrive today. With luck, we should have a completed translation in the next couple of days.”
“Have you spoken with Remus?”
“No. I want to see if Colantha can translate the second half first.”
“That makes sense.” Lucas stared at the pages, a frown appearing.
“Was there something else?”
Lucas fidgeted, and Devon waited for his young cadre to put his words together.
“It’s something that came up when Ginger and I were searching for the book.” He ran his hands through his hair, then didn’t seem to know what to do with them. Unusual for any of his cadre.
“Go on.” Devon kept his tone light and encouraging.
“Did Cressa ever tell you how she ended up with a debt to a loan shark?”
The question surprised Devon, especially when he’d recently been thinking about her debt. “I never asked, and she never shared.”
“Ginger and I spoke a bit about our past during the mission.” He laughed. “I guess it was brought on by the memories that came to me during my recovery. When I shared my past, she shared some of hers. I won’t go into details, but someone saddled Ginger with the debt, and, for some reason I don’t understand, Cressa took on the debt.” He lowered his head, seeming to search his hands for something as they flexed into fists and then released. When he looked up, Devon was surprised by the sadness reflected in his gaze. “I don’t know if Cressa thinks about the debt, but it weighs on Ginger. She believes the reason for Cressa first coming here was her fault.” He shrugged. “Or that’s how she perceives it.” He laughed again. “Though, I guess it worked out for us.”
