Embraced By Darkness (Riley Jenson Guardian 5)

"Especially if he's a spirit rather than flesh."

Very true. I walked over to my desk and sat down. "I'm going to do a global search for any past murders resembling our current two. Dia suggested these aren't his first kills, so maybe we'll get lucky. Has Cole given any indication of what killed the second husband?"

"It's looking like a heart attack, same as the first guy."

"Which doesn't make sense, you know. Neither man was heart attack material."

"Given the exertion they underwent, and the shock to their bodies, it's not surprising their hearts gave out." He tossed his plastic coffee cup into the trash. "Kade and Iktar should be finished training next week."

I couldn't help a smile. Having Kade at close quarters would make this dreary old conference room that much more exciting. Although Jack's ethics of not mixing work and pleasure could prove problematic. Especially since Kade was too delicious for my own good. "You still planning to use Iktar in the day division?"

"We'll probably float him, depending on situational requirements. They'll both be officially on deck in two weeks."

"So you've given them a whole week off? You're all heart, boss."

"Given our workload," he said grimly, "they're damn lucky to get that. Tell Rhoan I want to see him as soon as he gets back."

He walked out. I signed into the system, then set about tracking down police reports. As I expected, it was a long, arduous process, and I was still there four hours later when Rhoan finally traipsed in.

I leaned back in my chair and rubbed a hand across my eyes. "Boss wants to see you."

"Jack can wait. I need something to drink." He raised a plastic coffee cup in question. I nodded. And noted that he was covered in dirt and cobwebs, and looking more than a little raw around the edges.

"You catch your vampire?"

"Yeah. Bastard put up a hell of a fight though."

"I thought he was only a youngster?"

"Even a young vampire can be bloody strong." He poured the coffees then handed me one. "This one had help. Bitch scratched me."

He twisted his neck and showed me his battle scars - three deep but healing lines gouged into his skin. "Nasty. What happened to the bitch?"

"Her ass is now in jail. Assaulting a guardian and all that."

"Ah. A human."

"A stupid human, who will spend several years in jail for said stupidity." He plonked down on the edge of my desk. "How goes the hunt for the bastard's missing daughter?"

"Slowly. I talked to her lover today, and discovered Adrienne had uncovered a possible story at the nightclub."

"Nothing to do with the entertainment piece, I gather?"

"Nothing at all. I'm going there to have a look around tonight."

"Liander wants to take me to the premier of his latest movie tonight."

I raised my eyebrows. "My, my, my."

"Indeed." He screwed up his nose. "Suits and attention are not my style."

"Since when? You love attention and dressing up. It's just that by going as his date, you're making it truly official."

"There is that."

"And you're still afraid to make it official, despite the fact that you've all but committed to him."

"Only outside working hours."