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 Fine. Dahlmar s voice was cutting, making it clear that he didn t like being on the
sidelines and hinting that there would be nasty repercussions if things went south.
Ivan still didn t say a word. He just looked at me, and I knew if this went badly, if
anything happened to his king, he would make sure he lived long enough to kill me
himself, as slowly and painfully as possible.
Peachy. Just . . . peachy.
Bubba came out of the store, laden with groceries. He loaded them into the truck bed,
then strolled over to join us.
I turned to introduce him to everyone.  Bubba, you know John. This is 
 Robert. Ivan extended his hand. Okay, secrecy was fine from the bad guys, but for
God s sake . . . Bubba might look like a hick. He sometimes acts like a redneck. But he
is well-read and he s nobody s fool. He knew from the international newspapers who
King Dahlmar was. But Bubba shook Ivan s hand without a word.  And this  I gestured
toward Dahlmar  is 
 Michael. Dahlmar extended his hand out the open window.  But you may call me
Mike.
Bubba smiled and made nice. When the formalities were finished, he turned to me.
 What s the plan?
 I ve got to get some holy water, to refill the gun I just used, and some liquid food. After
that we go to the marina, get on your boat, and go to the island.
 Are we expecting trouble while we re on land?
 I hope not. But it s a possibility.
 Fair  nuff. He nodded.  Let s do it.
I gave him a sunny smile. He d earned it. Because while everybody else was being
macho, arguing with me, and being general all-round pains in my ass, Bubba just trusted
me to know what I was doing. How refreshing.
 Who s with me? Bubba asked.
 Robert and I will ride with you in the truck, Dahlmar said.  No insult to you, Mr.
Creede, but your vehicle is not meant for three. He climbed out of the car and stretched.
I heard a couple of the joints in his back pop.
 Fine. Bubba, give Creede directions while I go do my shopping. I won t be long. I
walked toward the store entrance, half-listening to Bubba telling Creede where they
would be heading next. I saw movement from the corner of my eye just as I reached the
door and my heart skipped a beat. It was a bat, swooping under the light but it was just
the furry mammal sort, not the evil, undead sort.
I stepped inside the brightly lit store, trying to get my emotions and my blood pressure
under control. I didn t want to think about Bruno, but being here brought back the memory
of that horrible night, of Matty hurt and bitten and Bruno holding his broken body. It had
worked out all right in the end, but it had been touch-and-go. The events of that night
were part of what had drawn Bruno and me back together.
I shook my head. I needed to stop thinking about him. If I kept this up, my emotions
would get the best of me and I wouldn t be able to think clearly enough to do the job.
Have you ever tried to not think of something? The problem, is if you re thinking about
not thinking about something, it s already on your mind.
It didn t take me long to go through the aisles and get what I needed. I was trying to
decide which baby food I was least sick of when one of the clerks came up to me.
 Hi.
I looked up at the same kid who d waited on me right after I was attacked who was,
not so coincidentally, the selfsame kid we d later saved from Lilith and her companion.
 Hey. I smiled at him.  I m a little surprised you re still willing to work nights.
He grimaced. He was a bright kid, smart enough to know just how close a call he d
had. It didn t make much sense for him to be here.  My dad lost his job. Right now I m the
only one bringing money into the house.
Ouch. Didn t that just suck. But it explained him being willing to take the risk. Still, I
noticed he was wearing a very conspicuous cross around his neck.
 Well, be careful, okay?
 Oh, I m being careful all right. And the store s doing their part, too. The manager s
arranged for the wards to get recharged every week now.
 Good.
He shuffled his feet. I didn t blame him for feeling awkward. I did, too.  Look, I didn t
get the chance to thank you.
 It s okay, really.
 I mean, I know your friend got hurt real bad and all. And I m really grateful, so, thanks.
He smiled again. It was a nice smile. He was a good kid. Seeing him here, alive and
well, made me feel good, like I d done at least one thing right.
He changed the subject.  So, baby food and liquid protein shakes. Doesn t look
particularly appetizing.
 It s not, I admitted,  but it s what I m stuck with, at least for now. I pushed the cart up [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]