“Why would he do that?” Gen demanded.
“Because our contracts are about to expire. Henrik will be thinking about next steps — such as making connections that could prove useful. Say, with a powerful vampire like Ernaux. And what better way to connect than tipping off Ernaux to the location of a long-lost Monet?”
I tried to keep the faith, but Bene’s theory had merit. Even Gen stared out the window pensively.
Gordon’s files occupied us through the next leg of the journey. Eventually, we reached Zurich, rented two cars, and drove another hour south, through the sunset.
“So beautiful,” Gen breathed, craning her neck at the mountains around us.
Also a bitch to climb, if that’s what we’ll be doing to reconnoiter Grepper’s place,Marius murmured into my mind.
I nodded warily. Yes, the mountains would be a challenge, especially given the snow blanketing them.
It was dark and quiet when we checked into the Hotel du Lac in a town not far from Lucerne. We took their last available rooms — two doubles and two singles for the six of us, including Henrik, in hopes that he might arrive soon.
Gen plucked a key from Mina’s hand. “I call a single room.”
“I call the other one,” Bene reached in.
I blocked his arm. “Not so fast. Two of us have to share.”
He nodded. “You and Henrik.”
I shook my head. “Youand Henrik.”
Mina stuck the remaining keys in my hand and walked off with Marius. “You figure it out. See you at dinner.”
Gen raised a hand. “I have a suggestion.”
Bene waggled his eyebrows. “You and me take the double?”
I shot out a hand, wrapped it around his throat, and squeezed.
Gen jumped back. Bene pulled at my hands. “Just kidding, man.”
I squeezed harder. “I’m not.”
Bene’s eyes went wide, and he glanced between Gen and me.
“Is it so hard to settle things without a fight?” she scolded.
“I’d be all for that,” Bene squeaked.
“I take one single,” she started again. “You two share a double, and Henrik gets the other single. But since he’s not here tonight…”
I released Bene with a little shove. “I get his single tonight.”
Gen nodded. “For example.”
“You expect me to share with this gorilla tomorrow?” Bene complained, touching his neck gingerly.
“Last I checked, he was a tiger.” Gen sauntered away with her key. “See you at dinner.”
Bene and I watched her go. “Yeesh,” he said when she turned a corner. “She’s even worse than her sister.”
“I heard that!” Gen called.
Bene winced and raised his voice. “I mean, she’s as nice as her sister.”
