you know why Vamps would be showing up in town?”
Royce stiffened and bellowed, “Sean, is there something you’d like to tell me?”
“I’ve got it, Boss. The indicators report two new Vamps have entered the city, but nothing is showing up on V-Scan. They don’t have even a trace of unprocessed human blood in them. For all we know, they could be vacationing.”
“Vamps don’t ‘vacation’ in Charleston, Sean; this is Moultrie Pack territory,” Royce said tightly. “Landon, have you notified the Pack?”
“Yes, I called it in on the way here. Everyone is on high alert, and backup is in route.”
“Have you considered getting the girls out of the city until this is over?” Royce asked Kurt.
“Yes, I’ll send them to Indiana for a while. They’re overdue for a visit with the Grandparents anyway.”
“Let’s take a look at these maps,” Landon suggested moving towards the couch and large coffee table littered with pens and drawings.
Sean quickly swept the clutter aside and settled down to compare the paper maps to his digital copies.
“Right here,” Landon said pointing to an area of the harbor on his maps. “This area has been altered in your digital copies.”
Sure enough, there it was! It was a more significant alteration than the men had initially assumed.
“If you ask me, there’s something down there that someone’s trying to hide,” Landon grinned. “Damn, we’re good.”
“I see a diving trip in our near future,” Kurt said. “I’ll get the equipment together and tanks aired up. Tomorrow should be a good day to go out, but we need to keep this low key. It needs to look like we are just out enjoying the harbor. I’ll bring some poles, and maybe we’ll catch dinner while we’re at it.”
“Sounds good,” Royce said, looking at his watch. “Sean, what is Joanna’s ETA?
“I just got a text saying she’s in town and waiting for you at the market. She said she needs new shoes,” Sean grinned. “Good luck with that.”
Royce groaned. Joanna could shop for hours. She made him crazy… picking up things to purchase, carrying them around, and then putting them back for one reason or another.
The other men shook their head in sympathy.
“Can you leave these with me, Landon?” Sean asked. “I want to memorize the details before we go out into the harbor tomorrow.”
“Sure, I had copies made this morning, and we’ve actually had one permanently mounted so we can hang it in Kurt’s shop.”
“Ok, we need to get started gathering enough gear for tomorrow. Let’s plan to leave from Shem Creek at nine o’clock in the morning,” Kurt said as he headed toward the door.
“Kurt,” Royce said, looking rather serious, “You may want to get the kids out of town, sooner-rather-than-later. I’d like to see Becki leave as well. It could get rough around here.”
“Agreed, I’m not sure I can get Becki to go, but I’ll do my best,” Kurt assured Royce.
“Maybe we should take the decision out of her hands,” Royce suggested.
“Right, have you ever seen a tiger caught by its tail?” Landon asked. “That’s one fight none of us can win.”
Royce grimaced, “Stubborn, woman.”
“Yes, and that’s putting it mildly,” Landon agreed. “But, she’s our stubborn woman, and if you are just looking for a diversion, you need to look elsewhere,” he warned as yellow specks flashed in his eyes.
Royce got the message loud and clear.
“That’s not the case, trust me,” he assured her champions.
“We are,” Kurt said. “Make sure we don’t end up regretting it.”
With that final warning, the two men took their leave.
Royce didn’t blame Kurt and Landon for being cautious. In fact, he was glad Becki had the two men to watch over her. But, she was his responsibility now, and he didn’t want her around with Vamps, Witches, and Werewolves converging on the City.
ART would soon wrap up their mission in Charleston. The team would then relocate to the next projected recovery site, and then the next. The missing collection was assumed to be comprised of seven coins. According to the latest intelligence reports; Rome, Las Vegas, and Kentucky were being considered as possible sites.
If Royce’s team didn’t get this situation under control soon, the council would be sending someone to watch over their shoulders. Royce hoped the Council would keep their distance for the time being.
Royce grabbed his shades and cell phone off the desk. It was time to go meet Joanna. Damn he had missed her. Hopefully, she had finished with her shopping because Royce definitely needed a drink.
* * * *
CHAPTER SIX
As Becki