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"David, the body was bone-dry Not a drop of blood"

David nodded, looking toward the band "They’re good, don’t you think?"

"Yes, very good Your taste in ation is wide-open Obviously no one but ot a serious problem, because it certainly looks to be the work of a vaing around here and questioning people" David groaned

"The Keeper?" he said quietly "Oh, Lordy"

"She found ht after I made it to the crime scene"

"That one has soed "Oh well, couess She had a hell of a lot to contend with at a very young age, and so far, we’ve all kept the peace She hasn’t had the time--or the need--to acquire the wisdoot that strict code of ethics thing going on, too Guess it corinned suddenly "Beautiful little thing, though, huh? If ere back in the old daysyum And I wouldn’t have let anyone interfere with her birth into a new existence, either Hell, she’s the kind who aer wasn’t at all sure why he immediately felt protective Fiona MacDonald certainly wouldn’t expect or even want him to defend her

Maybe David’s words irritated him because they had touched a little too close to home

"Well, she is nice eye candy," David continued "And everyone is welcoer?"

"No, I have to do my job I have to find a murderer I hope that it doesn’t prove to be a vampire, but if it doeswell, we have to handle it as a coainst nature," he said softly

"Our lives are against nature We drink blood that’s inferior to what our ancestors craved, but we’ve evolved, we’ve adapted to it Louisiana has the death penalty And since we don’t have any vaues die, and it’s a community affair"

"What do you want ht And I’ll h I can’t guarantee that we’ll get everyone"

"I think most of our kind will be extremely concerned, since they know the other races will be breathing down our necks This is frightening, David Frightening for everyone A young woman was killed, drained of blood The whole city will be up in aruarantee our friends in the underworld of New Orleans society will all be staring at us"

"I’ll call the ?"

"You bet"

"I think I can , really Make it 3:00 a out here will probably be three sheets to the wind, not likely to interrupt The rectory, 3:00 am"

"That ork Thanks, David"

"So, will you have souest, of course"

"I appreciate the offer, but it’s going to be a long day"

"Where are you off to now?"

"The er told hi served She walked up to the hostess stand, and the wo patience She looked Fiona up and down, and would have sniffed audibly if it weren’t against all sense of Southern courtesy She was dressed in black, and had long black hair, black eyes and enormous breasts

"Yes? A table forone? I’m afraid there’s a wait," the woht

And she probably knew damned ho she was, and what she wanted

"I’m sorry, I’m not here for lunch at all I need to see Mr Du Lac," Fiona said

"Ah," the wo at her

Fiona wasn’t in thecontest

"If you would be so kind, I would deeply appreciate it if you would tell Mr Du Lac that I’m here"

"Do you have an appoint me," Fiona said

"He’s a very busy man Perhaps you could leave your card"

"Perhaps you could inforest that you do so right now"

The woman lifted her chin Fiona could tell that she was about to stall again Fiona hated changing She seldom had to do so, but she was adept at the art that was her birthright She could do so in an instant, and change back so quickly that anyone seeing her who didn’t knoould assued She gave so and bared

And then she changed back instantly

"You don’t need to get huffy," the woht this way"

She led Fiona past the scattered tables in the courtyard Beneath one of the lovely uold, she saw David Du Lac co back, eyes shaded by his dark glasses, hands folded, toes tapping to the sounds of the jazz band

His pose was casual, but he had seen her co his hands to her, a broad s out across his features

"Fiona, my dear, welco with the kiss he gave her on each cheek "Valentina, be a dear and see that Miss MacDonald receives a libation right away What will it be, my dear? A Bloody Mary is always a lovely concoction for lunchtime"