Obsidian Butterfly: An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel by Hamilton Laurell K

Author:Hamilton, Laurell K. [Hamilton, Laurell K.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2002-09-23T16:00:00+00:00

36

I’D PULLED INTO a deserted parking lot about two blocks down and around the corner from the bar. Ramirez had pulled in beside me, and he and the uniform, Officer Rigby, walked over to us. Rigby was medium height, well built, and moved like he worked out. He had an easy confidence, and a ready smile that went all the way to his eyes. He was entirely too comfortable in his own skin, as if nothing really bad had ever touched him. He lacked entirely that air that most policemen have of having been ridden hard and put up wet. He looked older than I was, but his eyes were younger, and I resented that.

Ramirez had spent his drive time checking out Nicandro Baco, alias Nicky Baco. He was suspected of murders, but witnesses had a strange way of disappearing or forgetting what they’d seen. He was associated with a local biker gang, ah, club. Biker gangs now preferred the more politically correct term of club, according to Ramirez. The local “club” was called Los Lobos. “Not to be confused with the music group,” Ramirez said.

I’d blinked at him. Then I got the joke. “Oh, yeah, Los Lobos, the music group.”

He looked at me. “Are you all right?”

I nodded. Even two blocks away I could feel a touch of Baco’s magic. I was betting if someone took the time, they’d find spells, charms, wards, set up here and there in the surrounding area. I didn’t think he was aware of me yet. I think the only reason I’d sensed him so strongly was he was in the middle of a spell. The charms were scattered around the neighborhood to give off a certain unease. He might have literally driven the other businesses out of business. Illegal, as well as unethical. Of course, why he’d want to destroy the entire economy of the area surrounding his bar was a mystery to me. I’d worry about it later. Murder and mayhem first. Possible real estate scam later. Some days you just have to prioritize.

“The Lobos are small and local, but they’ve got a bad rep,” Ramirez said.

“How bad?” I asked.

“Drug running, murder, murder for hire, assault, assault with a deadly, attempted murder, rape, kidnapping.”

Bernardo said, “Kidnapping?” As if the other crimes were to be expected but not the last.

Ramirez looked at him, and his eyes went from friendly to cool. He didn’t like Bernardo for some reason. “We think they abducted a teenage girl, but nobody ever surfaced, and the only witness just saw her being dragged into a van that looked like one that their leader, Roland Sanchez, owned at the time. But a lot of people own gray vans.”

“Have you had a lot of disappearing teenage girls?” I asked.

“Our share, but no, we haven’t noticed a pattern of young women being abducted by the gang. I’m not saying they won’t do it, but they’re not making a habit of it.”

“Glad to hear it,” I said.

Ramirez smiled. “You’re armed, and . .

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