The Dead Girls Dance Page 0,40

No way, Lowe said as he got into the shotgun seat. Dark already. Lets get you gals home. Joe and me, well grab some later.

Thank you, Claire said. For the ride.

Neither of the cops answered. Detective Hess drove the other half of the circle, turned out onto the campus main drag, and within two blocks was off campus and into the dark Morganville night. Most shops were tightly closed already. As they passed Common Grounds, Claire and Eve both looked. It was full, of course, an oasis of light in the dark, empty street. No sign of Oliver. No sign of Shanes dad, either, which made Claires conscience twinge hard. I need to tell Shane. Soon. She didnt see how blabbing it to Eve would help, except to make Eve even more worried. And from the pensive way Eve was staring out into the dark, there was enough of that going on already.

They were only one block from the house when a sleek black carwith tail fins, like a sharkpulled in front of them and, with shocking speed, turned sideways. Hess jammed on the brakes, and the sound of screeching tires was like a banshees wail. He didnt hit the other carquite. Claire thumped back against the vinyl upholstery, panting from shock, and exchanged a wide-eyed look with Eve.

In the front seat, Hess and Lowe were doing the same things. Only with a full helping of grim, and a side of tense.

Whats happening? Eve asked, and leaned forward. Detectives?

You stay here, Hess said, and popped his door. Trav. Stay with them.

Joe

Ill be fine. He got out, slammed the door, and walked toward the other car. A dark-tinted window rolled down, and in the glare of the headlights, Claire saw a dead-pale face she recognized.

Hans, she whispered. The vampire detective. She looked at Detective Lowe, and saw something strange; he had his gun out, held in his lap. And a cross in his left hand. Right? Its Hans.

You girls stay put, Lowe said. His eyes didnt move from the scene playing out in front of him. Just a routine check.

Claire didnt know much about police procedure, but she was pretty sure it wasnt routine for one cop to block another one off in the road, right? Not even here.

And it wasnt routine procedure for a detective to have his gun out, either.

Whatever conversation Hess was having, it wasnt making him happy. It was also short. He shook his head a couple of times and then finally nodded.

As he walked back to the car, Claire had a real bad feeling. His expression was too serious and too angry for it to be good news. Shane. Oh God, maybe its about Shanesomethings happened to Shane.

Hess opened the back doorClaires sideand leaned in. Girls, he said. Youre going to have to come with me.

The hell? Lowe barked. I thought we were taking them home.

Change of plans, Hess said. He was trying not to look angry, or worried, but Claire could still see it in his eyes. Youre wanted down town, girls. Ill come with you. Trav, I need you to take the car in.

The two men exchanged a long look, and then Lowe let out a slow breath. Right, he said. Sure. You look after them.

You know I will.

Claire got out of the car, feeling more exposed and vulnerable even than usual. Hess was right there, big and comforting, but stillshe saw Hanss eyes on her, and it made her feel cold.

His partner, Gretchen, got out of the passenger side and came around to open the back door. In, she snapped. Claire swallowed hard and moved forward, but Eve got there first, sliding inside and all the way across. Hess followed Claire. When Gretchen slammed the door, the three of them barely fit in the backseat.

You all keep your mouths shut until youre asked to speak, Hans said, and put the car in gear as Gretchen got back in. He turned the big car with a squeal of warm rubber and accelerated fast down the street.

They passed 716 Lot Street. All the lights were on, and the door was open, and someone was standing in the doorway, watching them roar by. It was too quick to tell whether it was Shane or Michael, but Claire hoped it was Shane.

She hoped that if something happened, she at least had gotten to see him before the end.

I thought we were going to the police station, Eve whispered as the car took some turns and