Kiss of the Vampire(39)

“I can’t say.”

“Can’t? Or won’t?” Tobias straightened. “There’s a big difference.”

“I can’t.” She looked back at her computer and spoke softly. “Some of us still have to work here after you leave.”

That told him all he needed to know. He shared a glance with Nix and saw the same knowledge in her eyes. Sahir and Rinda had been involved. This woman had confirmed what they’d concluded in their interview with Sahir.

No big surprise there. One infallible truth he’d learned in his many years of existence—people lied. All the time. About big things and little ones. Sometimes they lied to cover up something, sometimes they lied just because it was easier than telling the truth.

Like him. Telling Nix five years ago that things weren’t working out between them rather than telling her he had to leave because he was a negative influence. Instead of being truthful, he took the easy way out and left. Maybe someday they would talk about it. Though he wasn’t sure he wanted to.

“One more question,” he said. “Do you know where Rinda’s research on the rift is?”

She looked at them with a blank expression. “I would assume it’s at her home.”

“There were a few books there on the subject, but nothing that looked like research.”

“I know she typed up her notes and kept them on a flash drive. But I don’t know of any secret hiding place, if that’s what you’re asking. I don’t even know why she’d need one.” She looked from Tobias to Nix. “I’m sorry. I can’t help you.”

Tobias could tell her regret was genuine. But she wasn’t going to jeopardize her job for his investigation. He could appreciate that even if it was frustrating as hell. He murmured his thanks and started to turn away.

“Wait!”

Tobias stopped and looked at the scientist.

“There was a guy that came to see her here one night, an ED. I don’t know exactly what kind of ED he was.” Her brows crinkled in a frown. “He wasn’t vampire. Maybe a shape-shifter of some kind? I’m sorry, I just don’t know. But Amarinda wasn’t happy to see him.”

“Do you know his name?” Nix took a few steps forward.

“She called him…oh, it started with an F, I think.” The woman’s eyes darted down and to the side while she thought. “Fee…Fo…Fi…” She snapped her fingers and brought her eyes back to them. “Finn! That was it. Finn.”

“Are you sure?”

Tobias heard the strain in Nix’s voice and wondered at it.

“Yes, I’m sure. Does that help?”

“Yes, it does. Thank you.” Nix turned and strode toward the door. Tobias followed, checking to see what MacMillan was up to. The detective was talking to the scientist sitting at the computer console. Tobias caught up with Nix before she could head outside. “Nix, wait. Just wait a minute, would you?” He looked back at the woman they’d just talked to. “You want to tell me what the hell that was all about?”





Dante leaned one hip against the desk and, pen poised over paper, asked, “What was that name again?” He’d already talked to the guy tinkering with the telescope, and for the last few minutes he’d been interviewing an intern who looked about twelve. This kid made him feel old, and he wasn’t even forty yet.

“Finn…something. I don’t think he ever gave his last name.” The young man leaned his forearms on the desk and absently tapped a finger on the edge of the keyboard. “What I do know is that he was one big, intimidating dude.”

Dante frowned. “Did he threaten you?”

“No, nothing like that. Not overtly. He just sorta…” He waved his hands around. “Loomed. He was a loomer.”

“A loomer?” For a moment Dante reflected on the difference in conducting interviews with humans and EDs. While right now he took a normal stance to make sure his sidearm was on the side angled away from the citizen he was questioning, with EDs he went a little further and usually had his hand fairly close to his weapon, just in case. He had yet, however, to hear anyone refer to a possible ED as a “loomer.”

“I said he was big.” The guy stood up. The top of his head came to Dante’s chin. “You kinda loom, too, you know.” There was a hint of accusation in his tone as he looked up into Dante’s eyes. He put his hands on his hips, maybe in an unconscious move to appear bigger.

Dante let that one slide. “Anyone else hanging around looking for Ms. Novellus?”

The kid pursed his lips. After a few seconds he shook his head. “Not that I know of.”