asked quietly.
His smile twisted. "No, I've never managed to learn that. Although every now and then, I make the attempt."
Vicki couldn't imagine watching everyone she cared about grow old and die while she went on without them and she wondered where Henry found the strength. Which set her to wondering...
"How are you tonight?" She plucked gently at the sling around his left arm.
"Bruised thigh, bruised head, shoulder's healing." It was frustrating more than painful. Especially with her blood so close.
"You've got that look on your face."
"What look?"
"Like you're listening to something."
To her heartbeat. To the sound of her blood as it pulsed just under the skin. "I'd better go."
She stood with him.
"No, Vicki."
Just in time she remembered not to raise her brows. "No, Vicki? Henry, you need to feed, I need to relax. I'm a grown woman and if I think I can spare you another few mouthfuls of my precious bodily fluids, you have no room for argument."
Henry opened his mouth, closed it again, and surrendered. Healing had used up whatever reserves he had and the hunger was too strong to fight. At least that's what he told himself as they climbed the stairs.
"How dare you! How fucking dare you!" Barry Wu couldn't remember ever being so furious. "You goddamned fucking son of a bitch, you actually believed I'd do something like that!"
Colin was trying desperately hard to keep his own temper, but he could feel himself responding to Barry's anger. He'd been pulled out of the car for special duty tonight, and this was the first chance they'd had to talk. "If you'd listen - I said I didn't believe you did it!"
Barry slammed his palm down on the hood of Colin's truck. "But you didn't believe I didn't! It took a fucking Toronto PI to convince you!"
"You've got to admit the evidence... "
"I don't have to admit shit!" He stomped off half a dozen paces, whirled around, and stomped back.
"And another thing, where the fuck do you get off searching my place?"
"What? I was supposed to just sit on my ass and wait for the guy to strike again?"
"You could've fucking told me!"
"I couldn't fucking tell you!"
"Hey!"
Neither of them had heard the car pull up. They spun simultaneously, shoulder to shoulder, dropped into a defensive position, and went for their guns.
Which neither of them are wearing. Celluci lifted a sardonic eyebrow. How lucky for all three of us. "You two might want to find another place to have your disagreement. Police officers screaming profanities at each other in the station parking lot looks bad to civilians." If he remembered correctly, a sergeant had once said the same to him and Vicki.
Neither Barry nor Colin wasted a moment wondering how the stranger had known they were police officers even out of uniform. They were young. They hadn't been on the force very long. They weren't stupid.
"No, sir!" they replied in unison, almost but not quite coming to attention.
Celluci hid a smile. "I'm looking for someone. A woman. Her name is Vicki Nelson. She's a private investigator from Toronto. She's working for some people who own a sheep farm north of the city. I figure by now she'll have contacted the police, for information if nothing else. Can you help?"
Colin stepped toward the car, trying to paste a neutral expression over concern. "Excuse me, sir, but why are you looking for her? Is she in trouble?"
Jackpot first try. She's probably had this poor kid breaking into police files for her. "I'm a friend. I have information about the man she's traveling with."
"About Henry?" The concern broke through. Information about Henry could mean trouble.
Barry frowned at the tone but moved forward, ready if Colin needed him.
"You know him?"
"Uh, yeah, I do." Barry looked a little surprised at the change in Colin's voice and more surprised when he continued with, "I'm Colin Heerkens. Henry and Vicki are out at my family's farm," and then proceeded to give detailed directions. There was an undercurrent of amusement about Colin's whole attitude that made Barry very nervous.
As the car pulled away, Colin gave a shout of laughter and slapped Barry on the back. "Come on," he yanked open the truck door and climbed in, "you're not going to want to miss this!"
"Miss what?"
"What happens when he gets to the farm."
"What happens?"
Colin rolled his eyes. "Christ, Barry, I know your nose isn't worth much but I don't believe you didn't smell that. That guy was so jealous he was practically green." He leaned over and