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Duncan sly, as if amused "Come, Max, we both know--" Grafton’s e very close to panic before Duncan finished his sentence "--that Victor was a supporter of yours A whale I believe you call so bundled donations of considerable su slowly settled into a normal rhythenerous" Grafton took a long sip of his chah it had to be quite warlass, the mask was firmly back in place "So, Milford, you’re froreed He nodded at a server who appeared with a tray of fresh chalasses Grafton’s eyes watched carefully as he took a tasting sip

"I didn’t think you pe--that is, vaular food"

"We don’t But we do drink" Duncan didn’t bother explaining that while some vampires enjoyed the taste of alcohol, and others the burn, it had no effect whatsoever on their minds

"Victor doesn’t At least not that I’ve ever seen"

"No? I’m surprised"

"What happened to Victor, anyway?" Grafton de about leaving I do hope he’s well," he added, as if to soften the deaze evenly "Perhaps he didn’t want to trouble you"

Grafton studied hiuel tensed slightly where he stood near the roolance of reassurance Max Grafton was no danger to Duncan, at least not in theMax struck hiun Or rather to hire someone else to do it, while Max himself established a credible alibi

"Tellall of Victor’s responsibilities?"

"You ently "Of course I have all of Victor’s files"

Grafton froze and his heart rate soared once again "I have no idea what you’re talking about"

Duncan nearly laughed out loud, but settled for a grin that made his amusement plain "Grafton, please A man of your sophistication andtastes? Youthat went on at that house You preferred blondes, didn’t you? You and the drunken Congressman Kerwin, both In fact, I believe you shared one or two"

Grafton stared at Duncan, his face pale and his breathing so rapid that Duncan feared the man would pass out He sed hard once, twice, and then his lips tightened in anger and he snarled, "I don’t knohat you’re pulling, Milford But I will not be harassed in this--"

"Harassed," Duncan hissed, leaning right into the good senator’s space "You’re confusing me with Victor, Grafton, and that would be a mistake I don’t harass my enemies I elinaled to Miguel, aited until Duncan had walked past and then followed hiht for the door, theirHe heard Miguel calling Ari on the radio, telling hiain out of that claustrophobic house, the fa up to the curb Ari powered down theso they could see hiuel opened the back door for Duncan, then followed hi all the way out of that house and onto the street, and he suspected it was directed at hiot underway, he placed a casual arlanced at his lieutenant sitting next to hiry look "You all but invited him to come after you, Sire You’ve set yourself up as bait"

Duncan shrugged "Perhaps But it seemed the fastest way to flush them out Kerwin looked faoodbefore I showed up and ruined their party Euel, and I want this matter done with It isn’t e came to this city to accomplish"

"I understand that, my lord But the job will proceed rowled

Duncan sighed Miguel had a point, but he knew men like Grafton Unless Duncan pushed and pushed hard, they could dance around each other for months Eet on with her life until this was resolved