(13) When all else is lost the future still remains

“Dead, dead, and happily married,” Addie said, scratching three more names off the list Shan had worked up of people who might possibly have it in for him.

“You’re too good with that thing,” Shan commented as she punched the last name into a computer search engine he’d never even heard of before tonight. “How did you get to be such an expert?”

“Necessity for the job,” she said tersely as her fingers flew over the keyboard.

Behind them, Race watched and listened. He had the feeling, from the tone of her voice, there was more to it than Addie would say aloud. And from the tenseness in Shan’s shoulders it probably had to do with why they were the only two alive of all the people in the pictures on the wall beside him.

“That leaves us with the one you’re looking for. If he doesn’t pan out then we’re back to what we’ve been thinking all along.”

Shan nodded when she pointed to something on the screen, saying, “He’s eliminated.”

“Yes.” She stopped, cocking her head for a moment and then she was on her feet. To Race she looked for all the world like some warrior princess ready to do battle. “We have company,” she hissed. “Or will have in about thirty seconds, at the front door. Security’s on?”

“Always,” Shan told her. “Any idea who or what?”

“Vampire, that’s all I’m reading. Let’s get down there. Race, you’re to stay up here. Got that?”

“Yes ma’am.” Race might have saluted but he knew now was not the time. On the other hand he wasn’t about to hide upstairs while they dealt with uninvited company. Cautiously he inched his way to the top of the stairs and, feeling like a kid waiting for a particularly nasty version of Santa, sat down to wait and watch for what happened next.