away from the scene of the shooting at Studio Three. He had a scar running from the outer corner of his left eye, down across his cheek, to the center of his chin, and pale gray eyes. He was not a redneck, and he was not uninformed about vampires, nor acting out of fear or ignorance.
He was DPI.
19
An hour later they were nearing the spot where they’d left the dinghy. Lucy had said nothing about the scar-faced man up to that point, although she’d been stunned when she’d seen him. She’d been waiting for a moment when she could get James alone.
And it finally came.
She was walking beside him, Brigit leading the way, a canvas-wrapped vampire over her shoulder. It was surreal to watch her carrying a vampire that was taller, broader and no doubt far heavier than Brigit herself. She was a small woman, petite, and those blond curls were a total contrast to her personality, much less her power. It was like watching a toddler pick up an adult. It just made no sense.
Brigit was several yards ahead of them now, moving fast, maybe running on adrenaline.
Behind then, Utanapishtim walked more slowly, apparently in deference to the struggling, scar-faced mortal just ahead of him, who was suffering under his own vampiric burden.
Finally there was enough distance between Lucy and James, and the others, that she felt she could speak freely. “I know that man,” she whispered.
He shot her a curious look.
“He was in the room where I woke up—after the shooting. After you healed me. The room where I was held. He was there with a woman, and while she did most of the questioning, I got the feeling he was the one in charge.”
James nodded. “I saw him, too, outside the studio in all that chaos. He was one of the men in black. He’s government. DPI.”
She felt a rush of relief that her own suspicion had just been confirmed. “Then that means DPI is behind this vigilante nonsense, doesn’t it, James?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. Probably pretending to be a regular guy, egging them on. Hell, look at his clothes.”
She glanced behind them. The scar-faced man was wearing jeans and a T-shirt with a flannel shirt over it, buttoned all the way up. As if he knew what rednecks wore, but not how they wore it. His mouth was moving, but she couldn’t hear his words.
“He’s running his mouth, James. What’s he saying?”
“Nothing good.” James turned, looking back at them. “Shit. I didn’t realize Utanapishtim had dropped back. He was behind me a minute ago.”
“We’re almost there,” she said.
“Let’s drop back a little, all the same. I don’t like this.”
“Not me,” she said. “I’ve kept my head down since you guys brought him up from the basement. I don’t think he’s recognized me yet. And I’d just as soon he didn’t.”
“Don’t kid yourself, Lucy,” James told her. “He knows exactly who you are. These guys aren’t that easily fooled.”
The two of them slowed down. Utanapishtim and Scarface slowed down, too. Lucy didn’t think that boded very well. Clearly, whatever Scarface had to say, he didn’t want to say it in front of James and Lucy, and just as clearly, Utanapishtim wanted to hear the man out.
James stopped in place, waiting, facing the other two, making it impossible for them to lag behind without being obvious about it.
“Where are you taking me?” Scarface demanded when they caught up. “I’ve been asking this guy, but he refuses to say a word.”
“I can’t tell you that,” James said softly. “But you’ll be safe, I promise.”
“Safe? Are you crazy? I’m being held prisoner by vampires, for God’s sake.”
“Obviously we’re not vampires,” James said, with a nod at the sky above. “Sunshine, remember?”
“You’re not human. I know that much. That blonde…the things she can do. Are you two…related?”
James tipped his head to one side. “You know we are. And why don’t you stop playing games? Just as you know I’m not human, I know you’re not some yahoo with an ax to grind.”
“I resent that.”
“You would if you were one of them. But you’re not. You’re government. DPI.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You do, and you’ll talk, pal. Believe me. You’re going to tell us everything we want to know.”
The man seemed to go a shade paler, and he sent a look toward Utanapishtim. “I told you so.”
“James!” Brigit called from up ahead.
Looking forward, James saw that she had stopped, and lowered her undead passenger to the ground. She ducked behind