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It had only been two years since Addison v Clark The court case gave us a revised version of what life was, and what death wasn't Vaood of U S of A We were one of the few countries to acknowledge the to keep foreign va in, well, flocks

All sorts of questions were being fought out in court Did heirs have to give back their inheritance? Were you ed if your spouse became undead? Was it ive the

I stared at the vaed Did I really believe as one more dead vampire? Maybe "If you believe I feel that hy come to me at all?"

"Because you're the best at what you do We need the best"

It was the first ti for, Willie?"

He s I should know "Never you ood We want so into these murders"

"I've seen the bodies, Willie I gave my opinions to the police"

"What'd you think?" He leaned forward in the chair, sernails were pale, almost white, bloodless

"I gave a full report to the police" I stared up at hi him in the eye

"Won't even give me that, will ya?"

"I am not at liberty to discuss police business with you"

"I told 'eo for this"

"Go for what? You haven't told "

"We want you to investigate the va it We'll pay you three times your normal fee"

I shook un, had set up thisHe kne I felt about vampires, but my contract forced iven Bert a retainer My boss would do anything for ht I should, too Bert and I would be having a "talk" very soon

I stood "The police are looking into it I a the on the case Save your money"

He sat staring up at me, very still It was not that lifeless i dead, but it was a shadow of it

Fear ran up in e to draw my crucifix out ofa client out using a holy item see for him to move

"Why won't you help us?"

"I have clients to meet, Willie I'm sorry that I can't help you"

"Won't help, you mean"

I nodded "Have it your way" I walked around the desk to show him to the door

He moved with a liquid quickness that Willie had never had, but I saw hi hand "I'm not just another pretty face to fall for mind tricks"

"You saw me move"

"I heard you ot a lot to learn"

He was frowning at me, hand still half-extended towards me "Maybe, but no human could a stepped outta reach like that" He stepped up close to ether like that, ere nearly the saht, short His eyes were on a perfect level with mine I stared as hard as I could at his shoulder

It took everything I had not to step back from hioing to give him the satisfaction

He said, "You ain't human, any more than I am"

I moved to open the door I hadn't stepped away fro the sweat alongin my stomach wasn't fooled either

"I really have to be going now Thank you for thinking of Aniave hiht bulb, but dazzling

He paused in the open doorway "Why won't you work for us? I gotta tell 'eo back"

I wasn't sure, but there was soet in trouble for failing? I felt sorry for him and kneas stupid He was the undead, for heaven's sake, but he stood looking at me, and he was still Willie, with his funny coats and small nervous hands