Dark Side of the Moon (Dark-Hunter 9)

A chill went down her spine at those words. "Are you sure?"

"Of course I am," he said angrily. "I found evidence... and when I went to report it, I was told that it would be in my best interest not to do any more investigating. So I did a little more of it with my partner Greg and now he's missing, too, and..." He swallowed hard. "They're after me now."

"Who?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. I don't even believe it and I know the truth." His eyes were round in fear. "I'm taking Angie tonight and we're leaving town."

"Where are you going?"

"Anywhere but here. Anywhere there's no people in league with the devil."

Susan went cold at his words as a wave of suspicion went through her. "And who's the devil?"

"I told you, you wouldn't believe it. I don't and I saw it. Do you understand? They're out there and they're coming for all of us." Jimmy-

"Sh. Don't lecture me on this. Get out of this town, Sue, while you can. There are things here that aren't human. Things here that shouldn't be alive, and we're the food for them. "

She pulled back with a grimace at his bizarre turnabout. "What the hell is this? A bad joke?"

"No," he snarled, his nostrils flaring. "You can be stupid if you want, but this isn't a game. I thought it would be safe to talk to you here in this shelter of all places. And then I find out that one of them is working with Angie. Working here. Right here in this clinic. He could be listening in on us right now and reporting back to the others that I'm on to them. None of us are safe."

"Who's here?"

He swallowed hard. "The other vet. Dr. Tselios. He's one of them. "

"Them who?"

"The vampires."

Susan ground her teeth as she fought the urge to roll her eyes. It was a battle she was amazed she won. Surely, Angie and Jimmy wouldn't be so cruel as to play this game with her. Not when they knew how much she loathed her job at the Inquisitor. "Jim-"

"Don't you think I know how crazy I sound?" he hissed, cutting her off. "I was just like you, Sue. I thought it was all bullshit, too. There's no such thing as vampires, right? We're the top of the food chain. But that isn't true. They're out there and they're hungry. If you know what's good for you, you'll get the hell out of here. Please write it up to let other people know before they kill them, too."

Now that was just what her bloody reputation needed. More wounds. Thanks, Jim.

Jimmy's eyes narrowed on her as if he knew what she was thinking. "It's your ass now, Sue. I did my best to save it. You can do what you want, but I'm out of here."

Before she could say anything more, he left her standing alone in the room... and returned the cat cage to the floor by her feet.

Susan sneezed.

As she dabbed at her nose, the door opened to show her Angie, who stared at her with a frown. She entered the room and shut the door behind her. "What did you say to Jimmy?"

"Nothing really. Why?"

"He wants me to leave with him right now."

Susan sighed at the fear in her friend's voice. "Did he tell you what was going on?"

She shook her head. "Not exactly. He said too many people were missing and dying and that he's terrified that the ones responsible will come after him next. He wants us to head out for his parents' house in Oregon."

"Did he also tell you about the vampires?"

"The what?" By Angie's face, Susan could tell that Jimmy hadn't shared that bit of information with his wife.

"Yeah. According to him, the vampires are out to kill all of us off. No offense, Ang. I think Jimmy needs some help. Has he been doing a lot of overtime?"

Anger flared deep in Angie's eyes. "Jimmy's not crazy, Sue. Not by a long shot."

Maybe, but she didn't want to argue with her friend. "Yeah, well, thanks for the hot news tip."

As she started for the door, Angie stopped her. "Here. Take the cat with you."

She gaped. "Excuse me?"

"Please. For whatever reason, Jimmy is terrified. Take the cat to keep up appearances and I'll come by and pick him up after work."

Sue cringed at the thought, but she would do anything for her best friend. "All right, but you owe me. Big-time.'"

"I know."

Growling low in her throat, Susan picked up the box and followed Angie to the counter out front.

Angie handed her some papers while she wrote out a check for the adoption fees. "Now don't forget to spend time with him until he gets used to you." She was back to being stilted and odd again.

"No problem."

"Hope you enjoy your new pet," the receptionist called.

Yeah, when pigs fly. "Thanks," Susan said with a smile so fake, it would make a politician proud.

Sneezing again, she headed for her car and set the cage in the backseat. "Thanks a lot, Puss in Boots," she said as she eyed him with malice. "I hope you seriously appreciate the misery I'm enduring for you."

Angie watched as Susan pulled out of the parking lot and headed south toward her house. Releasing a relieved breath, she turned to see Jimmy motioning for her on the other side of the door that led to the employees only area of the shelter.

One minute, she mouthed to him.

She was just about to grab her coat from behind the counter when she saw Theo heading straight for her. His handsome face was paler than normal as he slammed the door shut from the cat room. Two seconds later, his assistant, Darrin, came out of the cat room just behind him.

Theo's dark brown eyes were flaming angry. "Where is he?" Theo demanded as he stopped in front of her.

Angie was baffled by his anger and accusing tone. "Who?"

"The cat." He spat those words at her as if they were evil. "The one that was brought in early this morning. Where the hell is he?"

"Is that the one that was just adopted?"

Angie cringed as the receptionist spoke. "Is there a problem with him?"

Theo and Darrin exchanged a hostile glare. "Yes. He's feral."

"Oh." Angie started to say she'd go get the cat back when she saw Jimmy making odd gestures at her through the door. It looked like he was telling her to run toward him. She frowned at her husband.

Theo turned to see what she was looking at. Jimmy dropped his hands and tried to look nonchalant.

Something dark descended over Theo's face as it turned to stone. "Darrin?"

"Sir?"

"Lock the door and shut the blinds."