Generation 18 (Spook Squad 2)

“She’ll know.” Stephan ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t go look myself. I promised Lys I’d be home early tonight.”

“Nor can I. Sam and I have a meeting with a General Frank Lloyd of Hopeworth Military Base at eleven.”

Gabriel glanced at his watch. And if he didn’t get moving, he’d be late to pick up Sam. He wanted to ensure they arrived at Han’s well before the general. He had an uneasy feeling about this meeting. Given the security surrounding Hopeworth’s activities, the general had been too quick in agreeing to meet them.

“Hopeworth? How does that tie in with the murders?”

“Emma Pierce used to work with them. She was listed as the mother of all four victims, even though Hopeworth took her ovaries for tests. From what we’ve learned, Hopeworth’s been experimenting in genetics.”

“I’ve heard whispers of that over the years. Nothing concrete, though.”

“I’d like to know if the kites are a by-product of their experiments.”

“We would have been advised, especially given the spate of recent attacks.”

Somehow, Gabriel doubted that. The military were not inclined to admit to mistakes, just to get rid of them. “Have we got enough manpower available to put watch teams on the remainder of the Greenwood fosterlings?”

“I’ll have to pull some teams off other work, but yeah, we can manage. Send the list through and I’ll arrange it.”

The com-unit beeped. “You have a call on vid-line two, Assistant Director.”

“Hang on a minute.” Gabriel switched lines. His father’s features reappeared. “Did you get hold of Jessie?”

“Yes. Miranda’s living in a house out in Strathmore. Jess and Alain are heading over there now.”

Alain was Jessie’s shapechanging husband of six months, and, quite literally, a bear of a man. “You told them to bring her back to the compound?”

“Kicking and screaming, if they have to.”

“Let me know what happens.”

The old man nodded. “Take care, son.”

Gabriel switched back to Stephan. “Jess and Alain are picking up Miranda.”

“Good. At least she’ll be safe at home. You have any idea how the murderer is getting in and out of the victims’ homes yet?”

“I’ve several ideas. Nothing concrete yet.”

“Well, you’d better start finding something concrete. Our killer seems to have accelerated her schedule.”

Like that was something he wasn’t fully aware of. He held back the surge of annoyance. “I’ll send the list through now. The quicker we can get surveillance teams on these people, the better it will be.”

“Keep me informed.”

“I usually do.” The retort held a hint of hostility. He scrubbed a hand against his jaw. Getting angry with his brother wouldn’t achieve anything. “How’s Lyssa?”

“The

herb Karl suggested is working. She only threw up once last night.”

At least that was an improvement. “Send her my love. I’ll be in touch.”

He broke contact and glanced at his watch. Ten to eight. He’d better get going. He collected his jacket and headed down to the car.

An hour later, he ran up the stairs to Sam’s second-floor apartment. He’d showered and changed, but he still felt like shit. What he needed was a good night’s sleep. Something that wasn’t likely to happen until they caught the murderer.

“Door’s open,” Sam yelled from inside.