Page 49 of Cooper’s Passion

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After dropping off Anita at the H lounge, the Scanguards lounge that served food for humans, Cooper contacted Benjamin, and they met in Cooper’s office.

“What now?” Benjamin asked.

“Whose brilliant idea was it to send you the sketch without editing out the fangs?”

“Sorry, the sketch artist who did the drawing just followed Ginger’s lead and sent me exactly what she claimed she saw. I hadn’t had a chance yet to alter the drawing when you showed up with a human in tow.”

“Bad timing.” It was his own fault for bringing Anita. “What’s done is done.”

“At least we know the guy is definitely a vampire.”

“True. But we can’t show the drawing like this when we’re canvassing the neighborhoods. Edit out the fangs, and then send it to me, and distribute it to everybody else at Scanguards to be on the lookout. Whoever else is not on assignment needs to get out there to ask around if anybody’s seen the guy.”

“I’ll get it done,” Benjamin agreed. “And Anita? You haven’t told her yet?”

“It’s not exactly an easy thing to work into a conversation.”

Benjamin smirked. “Yeah, from what I hear you don’t have a lot of conversations with her.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, according to Wes, you guys have been shagging like rabbits.”

Cooper huffed. “Wes is the worst gossip I’ve ever met.”

“So you’re not denying it. And I figure since you’re risking exposure by having her stay with you at Wes’s house, this isn’t just sex.”

“Has anybody ever told you that you’re nosy?” Cooper deflected.

“No.” Benjamin slapped him on the shoulder and laughed out loud. “Looks like another one bites the dust, huh?”

Cooper rolled his eyes. “Wait until it hits you broadside. Let’s see who’s laughing then.”

Benjamin winked. “Not gonna happen for a while.”

“That’s what I thought too. But in an ideal world, I wouldn’t be hunting a serial killer vampire either, while trying to figure out how to tell Anita what I am. Any suggestions?”

“Bro, you’re on your own when it comes to that. But good luck anyway!”

Shaking his head, Cooper left and went back down to the H lounge. Several of the human employees were in the lounge taking a break. Anita sat on a sofa, a plate of food on her lap, looking lost in her thoughts.

Cooper sat next to her and put his hand on her shoulder. “Hey, Babe.”

She shrieked and stared at him, but caught herself quickly. “Sorry, sorry, you startled me… I didn’t notice you. I must have been daydreaming.”

“Thinking about the case?”

“Yes, the case.”

“How’s the food?”

“It’s excellent. But I didn’t see where to pay for it.”

“Oh, it’s free to all employees and visitors.”

“Wow, that’s quite generous of the company.” She glanced around. “I’m surprised there aren’t more people here eating.”