Page 121 of Vameer

I think back to the missed phone call, wondering if it’s possible that Johnson is responsible for my food poisoning.

I grit my teeth at the sight of the ugly bastard. Of course it’s possible. “Confirm it’s me.”

The camera man nods. And Johnson, being the destructive buffalo that he is, reaches up and pulls the glasses off.

The view spins, then stills as the glasses settle on a new face.

I might have to talk to Johnson, but at least I won’t have to look at him.

“Were those dead boys armed with prototypes?” I start before he can.

The view vibrates with his words. “Of course not.”

“There’s nothing missing from tech?”

“The fuck are you talking about? I didn’t have them steal any gear.” Johnson snaps.

“Clearly!” I drop any pretense of calm. “Where have you fucking been? You can’t shoot vampires, Johnson.” I enunciate his name.

“Shooting was a last resort. They were⁠—”

“Look down.”

“The objective was to bring the unsub in⁠—”

“Look. Down.” I raise my voice.

Johnson curses at me but lowers his gaze to the surface of the road.

To the dozens and dozens of empty casings and flattened bullets.

“Looks to me like they started with your last resort.”

Johnson lifts his gaze. “The vampire had the option to go with them willingly.”

I scoff, catching sight of a torso being zipped up in a body bag. “You’re not gonna get him to just surrender.”

“You know who we’re dealing with, don’t you?” Johnson whispers so the people around him don’t hear.

Rumors.

Campfire stores.

Tales of blood and vengeance.

“I don’t know shit.” The bottle doesn’t tremble as much as I expect it to when I lift it to my lips and take a pull.

“Bullshit. You know something.”

“I know that we don’t have any photos. No eye witnesses. Nothing but a bunch of pieces of men. Body parts because you wanted to be the one to snatch an unknown Alt.” Disgust and anger and terror mix with the alcohol in my stomach. “You wanted this case so bad, it’s yours.” I hold up my middle finger, even though he can’t see it. “Good luck in your Trial.”

The view shakes with Johnson’s rage. “You fuckin⁠—”

The screen goes black.

I glance over to see my new favorite lackey shutting the lid of his laptop.

I pass him the bottle.