Try Me (17 page)

Ludwig stuck his head in the door. “Hey, there are two others who want to see you. And a delivery.” He opened the door wider to show Dan and Luis standing there. Oh great. Neither one was exactly part of the Val Shapiro fan club.

"Let them in,” Micah said. “Kyle, if you'd take the delivery?"

Dan and Luis came in, keeping their distance from each other. “Did Lt. Ramirez send you?” Micah asked Dan. Dan nodded, and Micah turned to me. “I sent him a message at the same time I did you, Val, before I knew how serious this incident was."

Micah turned to Luis, who was holding a cooler in one hand as if it would give him an STD or something. “How may I help you?"

Luis set the cooler on the ground and straightened his jacket, brushing invisible lint from his sleeve. “This is the package you requested from Alejandro,” he said, managing to sound offended by being reduced to a lowly messenger.

"Ah, yes. Thank you. We'll see if we can help you learn anything."

Luis raised one eyebrow in disbelief, then turned to go. Kyle passed him on his way in with a small box in his hands, asking, “Where do you want the silver nitrate, boss?"

Luis spun, quick as a snake and pinned Kyle up against the wall, the vamp's arm across the demon's throat and his fangs bared. “What need have you of silver nitrate in a bar, demon boy?"

I whipped out a stake and shoved the pointed end against Luis's back, just enough to let him know it was poised against his heart but not enough to penetrate—yet. Though the poor dream demon had managed to keep his grip on the package, he looked terrified, unable to croak out an answer. That made me even more pissed at Luis. “Let him go, or your ass is ash, buster."

"Wait, wait,” Micah said, his hands outspread in a calming motion. “The silver nitrate will be used to test the blood you gave us, to see if that's what's causing the madness. That's all.” When Luis did nothing but glare at Micah, he added, “We can't test for it if we don't know what it looks like in the blood . . . and you obviously can't handle the stuff to test it yourself, can you?"

"We're on your side, asshole,” I muttered. “Let go."

Somehow, my harsh words seemed to do more to convince Luis than Micah's appeasing ones. Luis let go of Kyle and backed off, his hands raised and his fangs retracted. He turned toward Micah, but stopped abruptly when he saw Dan watching him with narrowed eyes and a loaded crossbow. And Fang, of course, was snarling at him, eyes purple with demonic anger.

"Gimme a reason, bloodsucker,” Dan muttered.

YEAH, JUST A LITTLE ONE, Fang begged.

Luis quirked his lips in something that was either a snarl or a contemptuous smile. “Call off your dogs."

Fang snorted with disgust, whether at Luis's lousy joke or at the cease and desist order, I wasn't sure.

"Please,” Micah said to Dan and me.

I put the stake away as Dan lowered the crossbow, pale with some indefinable emotion. Kyle practically quivered with fear, but still managed to spit out, “You ever try to sink your fangs into my neck, bloodsucker, and you'll regret it."

"Faugh,” Luis said with a look of disgust. “Demon blood. Wouldn't touch it."

"Enough, gentlemen,” Micah said. “It was simply a misunderstanding. Kyle, if you wouldn't mind giving me the box . . . ?"

Kyle pretended to a bravery he didn't have to bring Micah the small package. “Thank you,” Micah said. “Why don't you go see how Shawndra is doing?"

Nodding, Kyle beat feet out of there.

Micah's expression hardened. “Now, if you are done jumping to conclusions and scaring the hell out of my employees . . . ?"

Luis sneered. “If I find that you are lying about the silver nitrate, not even Alejandro's will shall keep you safe."

THEN BULLY FOR US. WE'RE TELLING THE TRUTH, Fang answered for all of us.

Luis gave Micah a curt nod and clicked his heels in what could have been a bow, if an abbreviated one, then left. The tension left with him, thank goodness.

When he was gone, Dan said, “What the hell was that all about? That wasn't why you texted Lt. Ramirez, was it?"

"No,” Micah said with a sigh. “That was unfortunate timing. The reason I called for help is because one of my people was injured."

Dan disarmed the crossbow. “Vamp?"

Micah shrugged. “I'm not sure.” He glanced at me, mimed opening a book, and cocked an eyebrow at Dan.

Evidently he wanted to know if Dan knew about the encyclopedia. I shook my head. Not that I knew of.

Dan caught the byplay. “What's going on here? What are you keeping from me?"

"None of your business,” I said, still annoyed with him. “It's Micah's concern, not yours."

Micah made calming motions with his hands. “And I'll be happy to tell you what's going on. But not here. Let's go to my office and I'll explain."

There, Tessa and Kyle were hovering over a sleeping Shawndra wrapped in a robe, with wet green hair. I'd thought it was dyed, but now that I knew she was an eco-demon, I wondered if it was natural.

"How's she doing?” Micah asked softly.

"Better,” Tessa said. “Once we washed the chemicals off her, she stopped convulsing. Kyle put her in dreamland, but I don't know if she needs additional medical treatment. Her skin looks burned. We can't go to a hospital . . ."

Yeah, and we couldn't call Shade. He was supposed to be recovering. “Right.” I pulled out my cell phone, looking for my roomie's cell number. “Call Gwen. She probably hasn't left for work yet.” I handed Tessa my phone with Gwen's number on it.

Dan snatched my phone before Tessa could dial. “First, tell me what the hell is going on. You demons have dragged my sister into enough of your messes, don't you think?

AND YOU HAD THE HOTS FOR THIS MENTAL CASE? Fang asked me in disbelief. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

Well, when he wasn't all pissed and suspicious, he was pretty cute. And a great partner, besides. But right now, I could do without all the macho crap. Taking a deep calming breath, I said, “All Tessa is going to do is ask your sister how to treat Shawndra.” It seemed to appease him, so I took my phone back and handed it to Tessa.

Dan's eyes narrowed. “What's wrong with her?"

"That's not important. What is important is that someone tried to harm her, deliberately. They knew what would hurt her the most, poisoned her, then dropped her here as a message."

Dan raised his eyebrow in a familiar questioning gesture.

I shrugged. “The message told me to back off. I think I'm getting too close to finding something that someone doesn't want found out."

"You going to?” he asked.

I glanced at Micah. “I don't see how I can.” I had to find out who was doing this and stop them before more people were hurt.

Dan nodded as if he expected nothing less. “And what are you close to finding out?"

Heck, why not tell him? It seemed everyone else knew anyway. So, we told him about the theft of the books.

As Dan mulled it over, Tessa reported that Gwen recommended an antihistamine in case the problem was an allergic reaction and a lotion she could get at the drugstore.

After Tessa left, Dan said, “And Luis just happened to be on the scene right after the demon girl was dropped off?” He raised an eyebrow. “Convenient."

I shrugged. “A coincidence. I already cleared him."

Kyle gave Dan an odd look. “You were on the scene right after she was dropped off, too,” he said, shifting his body between Dan's and the sleeping girl's.

Dan glared at the dream demon. “What are you saying? You think I'm responsible for this?"

Kyle didn't seem as afraid of the human as he'd been of the vampire. “I'm saying we haven't cleared you. How do we know you didn't take the encyclopedia?"

"I wasn't even there."

"No, but someone could have told you the books were there. And you're a detective. You were probably just waiting for Val to move the books so you could grab them."

"Why would I want them?” Dan asked incredulously.

Kyle rolled his eyes. “Oh, I dunno. Maybe because you hate and fear vampires and demons and want to clean up San Antonio and make it safe for your kind?"

Dan gaped at him for a moment. He couldn't deny none of it was true. “Oh, come on. You can't believe that. It's ridiculous. Ramirez sent me. Tell him, Micah."

Micah rubbed his hand over his face. “Kyle has a point, you know. And if he thought of it, others will, too. I hadn't considered a normal human as the culprit."

"But I don't have the books,” Dan protested. “How can I convince you?"

Dan was far more likely to play the hero than the villain. I shook my head. “I believe him."

Kyle shrugged. “Not exactly impartial, Slayer.” And by the way he looked at Dan, I could tell he was liking the idea of Dan being the bad guy more and more.

Fang huffed. I'M NOT HATING IT, MYSELF.

Yeah, okay. I was still ticked at my former partner, but I couldn't let him take the rap for something I was sure he wouldn't do. He might stake Luis, if Luis gave him a good reason. But throw toxic material on a teenaged girl and dump her? No way. “In case you haven't heard, we're not partners anymore,” I told Kyle.

"Okay, so prove his innocence like you did ours."

"I can't. I can't read his mind and Fang can't either."

Kyle looked at the dog in surprise. Oops, I probably shouldn't have revealed how we'd cleared everyone.

NAW, IT'S OKAY, Fang assured me. THEY KNEW I COULD READ THEIR MINDS, AND THEY WOULD HAVE PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER SOONER OR LATER.

Dan grimaced. “Don't you have someone else who can do some mumbo jumbo and prove I'm telling the truth?"

Micah looked mildly offended. “The Demon Underground is not anyone's personal magick shop. We also prize the privacy of our members. Even if we did have someone who could do ‘mumbo jumbo’ as you call it, I'm not sure I'd care to expose their powers to you. We prefer to keep that privileged information to ourselves.” He thought for a moment. “But there is someone who could force you to tell the truth . . .” He turned to stare at me. “Someone whose powers you're already familiar with."

Oh yeah, Lola could do the trick. And she perked up at the thought of getting her hooks into Dan again. But I really didn't want to go there.

"No way,” Dan blurted out, holding up both hands and backing away as if to ward me off.

METHINKS HE DOTH PROTEST TOO MUCH, Fang said wryly.

"Something to hide?” Kyle asked suspiciously.

"No. That's not it. I—"

He broke off, so I finished his sentence for him. “He doesn't want me to use my ability on him,” I explained. “I have cooties."

NO, YOU HAVE POWER OVER HIM, Fang corrected me. POWER HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND BUT SECRETLY ENJOYS. DAN HATES THAT.

So now the hellhound was an amateur psychologist?

Dan slanted me an exasperated glance. “Don't be ridiculous. But having that much control over men's minds isn't right."

NOT TO MENTION THEIR BODIES, Fang said with a leer.

I shook my head, feeling tired of the whole thing. But I knew Dan had a thing about being controlled after he was enthralled by a lustful female vamp a few weeks ago. “Don't worry, Dan, I'm not going to touch you. And neither is Lola."

"Then how is he going to prove his innocence?” Kyle persisted.

Dan looked like he was about to blow his top, but Micah made a calming motion again. “Please. Kyle has the right to ask, and I'd like to eliminate you as a suspect so we can move on. Lieutenant Ramirez would like that, too, I'm sure. Val has more control now, so the questioning would be very brief, then over."

"And I heard you owe Micah a favor,” Kyle put in.

Dan glanced at me, looking torn. After a moment, he shook his head. “I do owe you a favor, but not this. I can't."

For some stupid reason, that hurt. I mean, I knew he didn't like being in Lola's clutches, but he should know by now that he could trust me, trust Micah. Guess he still thought of me as a thing . . . a monster.

WELL, SCREW HIM, Fang said.

I grinned. I could always count on Fang to be on my side. Lola and I tried, but didn't get very far.

Fang snorted, but luckily, the others didn't hear.

Kyle stared at Dan, his eyes narrowed. “You say you're innocent but won't do the one thing that would prove it one way or the other. Sounds like guilt to me."

Dan clenched his fists and glared down at the slight demon. “I don't need to prove myself to you."

"You do, actually,” Micah said, looking suspicious now himself. “Or, rather, to the Demon Underground. With your known association with Val who had the books, your dislike of vampires and distrust of demons, plus your refusal to clear yourself, you are obviously a prime suspect.” He raised his hand to stop Dan from interrupting. “You know that your lieutenant uses us to gather intelligence for him on the vampires in San Antonio. I'm afraid we might have to stop that if you are in the SCU and benefiting from any information we have to share."

I stared at him. “You can't be serious.” If he threatened to cut Ramirez off, Dan might lose his job.

Micah shook his head. “I have to be, Val. I have to think of my people first."

Surprisingly, Dan seemed to understand that reasoning. “I get it, but I don't like it. I'll take some unpaid leave until you find the thief."

"I have a better idea,” Micah said. “Why don't you and Val work as partners again? That way you can help find the thief and stop this damage, and Val and Fang will be able to keep an eye on you for us."

Kyle nodded. “Works for me."

Dan crossed his arms, but nodded as well. “I'll have to talk to Ramirez first, but if he agrees, it's a deal."

Well, crap. Didn't I get a vote? Why on earth would I want to take Dan on as a partner again? And what was Micah thinking? Was he trying to play matchmaker or something? This was soooo not what I wanted.

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The next days fell into a pattern. I slept in the morning, questioned demons in the afternoon while trying to keep Shade and Lola from playing touchy-feely, and used the candle method to try to contain Lola. At night, I spent awkward times with Dan as he, Fang and I fruitlessly hunted the streets of San Antonio for misbehaving bloodsuckers. Not exactly like old times, except for the part where I had to concentrate hard to keep Lola from trying to feed on my partner.