Eckhoff had also stuck by her in the aftermath when an undercover operative who'd been working the same crime organization turned up dead. There were plenty of people in the LAPD who were still convinced Cynthia was somehow responsible. The dead operative, Benita Carballo, had been a friend of Cyn's, or so she'd thought right up to the moment Benita betrayed her to one of Raphael's enemies—a vampire who'd intended to suck Cyn dry. Cyn had escaped, barely. Benita had not. Her bloodless body had been found two days later and Eckhoff was one of the very few who believed Cyn had nothing to do with it.
The phone finally picked up. “Eckhoff."
"It's Cynthia."
"Yeah. We gotta talk."
"I'm a popular girl today. Everyone wants to talk. Can you tell me what it's about?"
"Not right now.” He paused. “You're on your cell, right?"
"Yes."
"I'll call you in ten minutes.” He hung up.
Cyn flipped her phone closed with a frown. That was two weird calls too many. Something was definitely going on. She stood and stretched her legs, then walked around the empty hangar restlessly, waiting for her phone to ring. When it did, she answered immediately.
"Yes."
"We've got trouble and, like it or not, you're in the middle of it."
"I've told them everything I know about Benita."
"Not that. Or not only that, although it sure doesn't help. Someone's killing girls, teenage runaways most of them; we've got five vics so far. All done in by someone with sharp teeth and a taste for blood."
"Impossible. Raphael would never—"
"And that's your problem right there,” he cut in. “You're too close to the bloodsuckers, Cyn. People around here are remembering Carballo and your name's coming up again."
"Oh Christ, what now? I'm helping some creep kill little girls? Get a grip, for God's sake."
"I didn't say I believed it,” he said thinly, and Cyn could hear the anger under his words.
"You're right. I'm sorry. It's been a long couple of days. Listen, I haven't even been in L.A. the past week. I got back an hour ago."
"Well, that's something."
"I'm telling you, there's no way in hell Raphael would tolerate one of his own killing humans like that. Something's not right about this. How long's it been going on?"
"You know I'm not supposed to say anything. We've managed to keep it out of the papers because the vics have been all over the county and, for the most part, living on the street. But it's only a matter of time."
"You wouldn't have called me if you didn't have something to say, boss."
He sighed, remaining quiet as if thinking over his next move. “You're right. Okay. Five girls in under a month."
"Jesus! He's a busy little f**ker. Luci Shinn's been trying to get ahold of me too. Is that why?"
"Probably. She's threatening to go to the press if we don't do something."
"Have you talked to her?"
"It's not my case, but I don't think anyone's talking to anyone so far."
"You know, if you'd take the few minutes to talk to her, she might actually help you out. And has anyone bothered to call Raphael? He'd know if—"
"Like I said, not my case, not my call."
"Well, shit, Eckhoff!” She thought for a minute. “Can I see the bodies?"