According to Sherbet, Hanner had requested a three-month leave from the Fullerton Police Department.
Three months to turn Fang into a monster.
That thought alone turned my stomach.
Then again, it could have been that stray bit of vinaigrette dressing escaping down the back of my throat. Yeah, that was gonna cause me some cramps later.
Russell was looking at me, frowning.
"Who's Fang?"
My heart leaped. "Pardon?"
"You said something about a fang. I'm sorry, I'm lost."
"Oh, right," I said, thinking fast. I hadn't said anything about Fang, of course.
Russell had officially picked up on my thoughts, unbeknownst to him. I said, "Oh no, I said 'dang.' As in dang this salad is good."
"You said dang and not fang?"
"Uh-huh," I said, looking away and shielding my thoughts. Too early to shield my thoughts from Russell. We were connecting - and deeply.
"Could have sworn you said something else."
"Well, it's kind of loud in here. So, you were saying I was different than the other girls?" I said, praying like hell we would change the subject.
That is, of course, if God heard my prayers.