The Vampire Files, Volume Two by P. N. Elrod

Author:P. N. Elrod [Elrod, P. N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781101573723
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2006-09-05T00:00:00+00:00

7

PIERCE was right next to her and in the best position to offer a shoulder to cry on, or at least the middle of his chest, which was as high as she came on him. None of the rest of us leaped forward to take the job so he patted the back of her head and told her everything was all right and let her soak his sweater for a while.

Not knowing what else to do, I shoved my hands in my pockets and tried to look someplace else. The girl wasn’t crying just to cry. The gusting, ugly sounds that came from her were the raw stuff of honest grief. She was in pain and there was nothing anyone could do but let her get through it.

Escott gave them a wide berth as he stepped over to whisper something to Griffin. The big man nodded and left for the back of the house, returning with a flat bottle and a shot glass. He poured some amber liquid out and passed it to Pierce. Though teetotaling himself, he apparently didn’t believe in enforcing it onto others. He put the glass to Kitty’s lips and got her to drink. She choked, hiccuped, and settled a little. Her sobs became less frequent and softer, but she still hung on to Pierce. He steered her toward the sofa and they sat down together. When she groped in the pocket of her dress and pulled out a sodden handkerchief, Pierce took it away from her and replaced it with a dry one of his own.

She blew her nose a few times and said she was sorry.

“It’s all right, honey,” said Marian, echoing her father’s calming assurances. “You’ve been through the wringer. Nobody minds when a little water has to come out.”

Kitty responded with something unintelligible and blew her nose again. Marian relieved Pierce of the shot glass and had Griffin refill it. Kitty finished her second drink more quickly and easily than the first, apparently welcoming its deadening effect.

“Would you gentlemen care for anything?” asked Griffin, lifting the bottle.

Escott declined. He wasn’t exactly a cop, but sometimes considered himself to be “on duty.” This was one of those times. As ever, I politely shook my head.

“At least some coffee, Griff,” said Pierce. “A nice, big pot and very strong.”

“Sinkers, too?”

“Yes, if we have them.”

Griffin left the glass and bottle within Pierce’s reach on a table and I presently heard him in the kitchen clattering around with things.

Escott sat on the edge of an easy chair opposite the sofa. “I’m very glad you sent for us, Mr. Pierce. What exactly is it that you require?”

“Some help, of course.”

“I’ll do what I can.”

Pierce gave out with a good-natured snort. “1 certainly hope so, or I’ll want that retainer back.”

The corners of Escort’s mouth briefly curled and he leaned forward, going to work with a benign expression.

“Good evening, Miss Pierce, Miss Donovan.”

Marian shot him a brief, meaningless smile and went to sit on the sofa next to Kitty.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.