“With the right dark magic, yeah. After all, someone had to create werewolves and vampires.”
I tell her about the books bound in human skin.
“But, he said his grandfather left those for him.”
“He did say that, but... he might have cracked them open, and came across a spell or two. Lord only knows what’s in those books.”
“You want to take a look at that book, don’t you, Sammy?”
“I do, very much so.”
“Please don’t get caught.”
“I won’t.”
“But he will see you on camera.”
“He’ll see someone on camera.”
“Oh my god, you’re going to wear a disguise?”
“As best as I can, yeah. I’m going to try to look like a man.”
She lets out a low whistle. “Good luck with that.”
“Was that sarcasm?” I ask.
“You’re so... girlie-looking. You’re what, all of five foot tall?”
“Five-three, missy.”
“Well, you’re still going to look itty-bitty on his camera.”
“Then I will just look like a little man.”
“What are you hoping to accomplish?”
“I want that book. And I want Max to take a look at it.”
“And know if he single-handedly created a new race of shifters?”
“I do, yes. I also want to explore his house a little more.”
“To see if he has, what, a mad scientist lab in there somewhere?”
“Pretty much, yeah.”
Mary Lou reaches across the table, squeezes my hand. “Just be careful. This case sounds, I dunno...off.”
“Welcome to my world.”
“Oh, I’m deep into your world, Sammy. Maybe even a little too deep.”
We drink from our glasses and sit in companionable silence for a few moments, letting the wine warm us both, waiting impatiently for our food delivery...
Chapter Twelve
It’s days later, and still I sit at the dining room table, laptop open, watching the live camera feed aimed at Mark’s house.
