Mental note: don’t have sex in the garage with Christian.
“What’s the purpose?”
He retrieved a set of keys from his pocket and hopped up to open the vending machine. “Viktor was out there talking to Lenore one night, and I guess he got to thinking how vulnerable they were all by themselves. If something happened in the garage, nobody in the house would hear it. So I set up a motion-activated camera that triggers an alarm on my computer. It’s also handy when Viktor needs to know who’s around and who’s not for meetings and stuff.” He reached inside the machine and grabbed a package of Nutter Butters. “With Hunter running all over the place, I think Viktor was afraid the kid might accidentally lock himself in there one night. I also had my buddies put in a garage door with a safety sensor.” Wyatt closed the vending machine and locked it. “If he wants me to start childproofing outlets, I’m quitting. In my day, we called it survival of the fittest.”
“Now I see why you never had kids.”
He snorted and sat back down, tearing open the cookie wrapper. “The family name will die with Wyatt Blessing, and I’m okay with that.” After tucking his light-brown hair back into his loose beanie, he gobbled up two cookies. “Kids are fun when they belong to other people. Most Gravewalkers I know hate their parents for cursing them with the gift of afterlife sight, so that’s a therapy session I ain’t got time for. My guess is everyone here feels the same about kids or else you wouldn’t be here.” He leaned back in his chair and tapped a cookie against his bottom lip. “Doesn’t mean I don’t like the act of making babies.”
“Then you might want to wear a condom unless you want a hundred little Wyatts out there.”
He frowned. “You need to run along, Dr. Ruth. I’ve got work to do.”
As I turned, Kira glided into the room with a tray. A silver dome covered a dish, which I could clearly identify as french fries when I took in the unmistakable scent. She lowered her copper eyes, always finding small ways to make herself invisible. When I glanced back, I noticed Hunter hiding behind her skirt. He held his finger to his lips, and I mirrored his action, acknowledging that I’d keep his secret.
Halfway down the hallway, Shepherd appeared with a string dangling from his finger. His face flushed and dewy, he met up with me and caught his breath. “You seen Hunter?”
Switch must have gone to bed. Shepherd had that “I’m in over my head” look on his stony face, like a boxer who’d just walked into a ring with a guy twice his size.
“Maybe you shouldn’t go around yanking his teeth out until they’re ready.”
Shepherd dropped the string onto the floor. “That was Spooky’s idea.”
“Since when do you listen to Wyatt? That’s the same man who grows his own drugs.”
Shepherd gave me a toothy grin. “Not anymore. I heard that Chitah dug them all up.”
We both erupted with laughter. Shepherd abruptly stopped when Kira approached with an empty tray. She moved so swiftly that her wavy red hair danced behind her like a flickering candle.
As she passed us, Shepherd turned and spotted Hunter walking closely behind her. “Aha!”
Kira pivoted, and the tray slammed against the stone flooring. Her eyes were wide, her complexion as white as a ghost.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to—” Shepherd rubbed the back of his neck, his embarrassment obvious. “Hunter, get over here.”
When she caught sight of the little boy emerging from behind her, she made two tight fists and blew out a long, slow breath. It wasn’t a reaction of relief but one of control. Maybe she’d come close to flinging the tray at Shepherd’s skull, killing him dead. The thought made me smile. Instead, she speared Shepherd with a hostile glare and collected the tray before heading off.
Shepherd took Hunter’s hand. “What did I say about running off like that? You always need someone with you, little man. This place is big, and you’ll get lost.”
Hunter flashed his blue eyes up and held a defiant look.
Shepherd squatted in front of him. “I’m not gonna pull your tooth. Promise. Cross my heart and hope to die.”
When Hunter wrapped his arms around his father’s neck, Shepherd stood, his kid dangling. Hunter snickered as he kept his legs straight instead of wrapping them around Shepherd’s waist.
“So that’s how it’s gonna be, huh? You’ll break my neck.”
We walked toward the stairwell, and Hunter finally let go. He didn’t have on his light-up shoes, but his pink socks made him easy to spot.
“Do you know where Christian went?” I asked.
“Not my business.” Shepherd took a cigarette from the pack before tucking it under his sleeve. After lighting it, he flicked the matchstick on the floor and walked over it. “You two fighting?”
“No,” I said on a sigh. “He just likes taking off without telling me.”
“Huh.” After a quiet moment, Shepherd chuckled. “I thought for a minute Kira might shift. They sometimes do that when startled. She had that look.”
“I guess she has more control than we give her credit for.”
