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He saw Carter move--and yet he didn’t He was fast, but before he could pull the trigger, Carter was on top of hith was uncanny Sean could i one by one Before the first bone could crack, he pulled the trigger, not at all certain where he was aiured he had struck hiut

Maybe it was all a hoax;froun fro His hands were around Sean’s throat, squeezing Sean found hirabbed at Carter’s hands, trying to wrench theone Carter was s He smacked his lips In his dazed view, Sean expected to see yellow, fetid teeth, reeking of death

Carter’s teeth hite, the fangs now approaching Sean’s throat were shining and perfectly snow-colored He could have been an advertiseood dentistry

And yet thearound what little consciousness Sean had left, had a scent of

decay Distant decay Not so terrible; oddly enough, al, Sean realized

With his last ounce of strength, he banked on a feeble effort, drawing all his effort into his legs He struck out,precision on Carter’s groin

Carter howled, dropped Sean, doubled over When he started to rise, his eyes now glittering like those of a snake, his pupils appearing horizontal, he was in a rage "Lieutenant, I’ans with a bone saw and stuff them down your throat while you die in a pool of your own blood!" And it ht Carter’s chin with a sturdy right just as he threatened hi back several feet Sean used those few ainst the steel drawers, and turn it into a pike with a jagged end Not exactly a well-honed weapon, but the raw splintering of the wood e toward him; Sean raised his weapon, ai at Sean And at that moment, the double doors to the rooh "Hold it!" he called sharply to Carter

Carter swung around He looked from Sean to Jack He s shots, Doc?"

"Stop now, or I’ll shoot to kill!" Jack warned

Laughing, Carter took another step forward

Jack started to fire

Carter paused, backing away He stared at Sean again, then at Jack Filled with bullets, he bowed politely

"We’ll ain Jack reached for another clip

Carter slammed past him

Sean chased after him as he started down the hall Carter rounded a corner Sean did the saone A faint trace of mist remained

"I didn’t see that," Jack said

Sean didn’t reply

"Maybe I did just see that Shit, what did I just see?" Jack asked "Why do I hate that man so much?"

"He’s a vicious, cold-blooded murderer," Sean said

"Yes, but " Jack’s voice trailed

"Good ti down the hall as if Aaron Carter ht you?"

"They said you were at theinformation for you"

"Yeah?"

"I found your historical Aaron Carter"

Maggie had tried calling Sean all day

Gyn at his office had politely fielded her every call, whether she had ranted or cajoled Sean was out; he was busy He’d see her that evening

She was terrified, afraid heIf only he believed her, he ht stand a chance, but he didn’t believe her He wouldn’t protect himself, he wouldn’t be prepared He’d think himself a crack shot, and that he could stop the killer with a bullet

She sat in her office, her head bowed over her desk, when she felt a stirring in the air Before she could lift her head, she felt fingers ainst mortals

Of course, you can save your beloved Canady You know that" She looked up at Lucian He wasn’ther In his typical black silk shirt and chino pants, he appeared the handsoant, assured, earnestly sympathetic