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One thing she knew for sure after seeing last night’s operation, Kolinsky wasn’t the end ga She’d betJudkins and inserting the unla at all to do with the actual kidnapping Of course, what she should do, instead of haring off on her own investigation, ait until after dark, and call Raphael to find out if they’d questioned Kolinsky yet, and what, if anything, he’d told them But then, Cyn had never been one to do what she should

"Okay," she agreed "Sounds good" She glanced down at what she earing "I have to get soaze over Cyn’s worn deniuys are really big on dressing up Wear so, skinny legs of yours"

"My legs are not skinny, you u yourself that, chica" Benita checked the time "Look, the party’s closer to your house than o directly fro o shopping" She stood, herher of how sore she hich in turn rehed "Listen, uh, before I go, can I grab a quick shower?" She stripped off her jacket without thinking "I asped, her eyes widening as she took in the full extent of Cyn’s blood and bruises "You got boyfriend trouble, girl?"

"Yeah," Cynlike that How about that shower?"

Benita gave her a doubtful look, shaking her head in disapproval "Be uest, chica Clean towels in the hallway closet"

"Thanks"

"And don’t use all the hot water!"

Three hours later, Benita was rolling through the stations on Cyn’s satellite radio,with a little "salsa" Cyn was only half paying attention,as it crawled up her thighs, not to reat with the dress, but were far higher than what she was used to The challenge had been finding a dress that was sufficiently sexy and still concealed the worst of her bruises fro to be a party girl in the interest of finding outhi somebody’s easy pickup She wasn’t that dedicated

She’d settled on a for sleeves and a hemline several inches above her knee She’d had to buya fortune on stuff she’d never wear again, and having the girl at the counter slather it on for her The cosirl had been vastly sy hard to cover the hints about some crisis line for battered wo trip to the mall and Cyn had been more than happy to leave it behind, pick up Benita and turn the car west once again

The party was at a house deep in Decker Canyon, well off Pacific Coast Highway and close to the northern county border As the crow flies, it wasn’t that far from her condo or, for that matter, Raphael’s estate But for a ood tena circuitous route that surely backtracked on itself more than once Normally, she would have taken the 10 freeest frohway north, then driven up Decker from there It was shorter, probably faster, and certainly ht by Raphael’s estate and her own condo And she was pretty sure Tony had found his cell phone long ago So instead, she took the long way around through the San Fernando Valley Benita slanted Cyn a quizzical look when she ht Cyn’s story about construction slowing down traffic near the beach

After a considerable distance, and the usual traffic hold ups, they reached Decker and began heading deeper into the canyon Cyn’s conscience was nagging her, urging her to call Raphael, to let him knohere she was He would probably worry if she didn’t She ree on his face when he’d seen her injured, when Kolinsky hadher captive She picked up the phone But the signal was flat They were already too deep into the hills

Chapter Thirty-one

Raphael shot the cuffs on his crisp, white shirt, then stood in front of the th of blue silk that was his tie The door opened behind hiray pinstripe Raphael had guests this evening Cohts in Santa Barbara and northward up the coast While the Malibu estate was Raphael’s favorite residence, especially during winter, he ruled all of the western territories The entire vampire community within the bounds of his territory was under his authority, including all coood businessman, he shared the profits of these various ventures with the subordinates he necessarily had to trust to run them on a day-to-day basis Moreover, while there were nowhere near as many vampires as the popular culture would have one believe, there were enough that order had to be maintained, and Raphael could not personally oversee such a large territory He relied on his people and rewarded theht was one such One who felt, perhaps, that his loyalty deserved a bit rant

Duncan entered the roo to stand nearby

Raphael eyed hihton departed the estate a few minutes after three o’clock this afternoon and arrived at her condo alate had no orders to detain her; she insisted she was only going houard at the condo?"

"She shot hi and looked over his shoulder at Duncan

Duncan nodded "Painful, but not fatal She actually made him quite comfortable before she left, even provided pain medication Which is why it was nearly an hour before her departure was noted"

Raphael frowned and turned back to the mirror and his tie "What is it about her, Duncan?" he said finally "She fightsly toto do with "