I need to talk to you about
No, he said very simply, and looked at Hess over her head.
Detective Hess, you need to take this child home. Shes lucky to still be alive today. If she wants to continue that winning streak, then she ought to be a little more cautious than to run around Morganville in the dead of night, knocking on my door.
Five minutes, Claire promised. Then Ill go. Please. I never did anything to hurt you, did I?
He stared at her for a few cool seconds, and then stepped back and held the door open. You, too, Detective. I hate to leave anyone with a pulse outside of shelter this evening.
Ill bet, she thought. Olivers peace-and-love hippie act no longer worked on her. Amelie had a kind of noble dignity that let her get away with pretending concern; Oliver was different. He was trying to be like Amelie, but not quite making it.
And Ill bet that pisses him off, too.
Hess urged her across the threshold and followed her in. Oliver locked up, walked to the coffee bar, and, without being asked, began to put together three drinkscocoa for Claire, strong black coffee for Detective Hess, and a pale tea for himself. His hands were steady and sure, the activity so normal that it lulled Claire into relaxing just a little as she sat down at a table. She ached all over with exhaustion and the tension shed run through her body at Amelies.
Miles to go before you sleep, Oliver said, as he stirred the cocoa. Here. Steamed milk and spiced cocoa. Hot peppers. It does have an amazing effect.
He brought it to the table and handed it off to her, put Hesss coffee down, and retrieved his own brewing teacup before sitting. All very normal-life casual.
Youre here about the boy, I would suppose, Oliver said. He dunked his tea bag and watched the results critically. I really must get a new supplier. This tea is pathetic. America just doesnt understand tea at all.
Hes not the boy. His name is Shane, Claire said. And hes not guilty. Even Amelie knows that.
Does she? Oliver raised his gaze to fix it on hers. How interesting, because I, in fact, dont. Brandon was hideously and cruelly tortured, then murdered. He might have had his flaws
What, like molesting children?
but he was born into a different time, and some of his habits were difficult to change. He had his bright side, Claire, as do we all. And now thats gone, along with any harm he might have done. Oliver wouldnt let her look away. Hundreds of years of memory and experience, poured out like water. Wasted. Do you think its so simple to forget such a thing for me? For any of us? When we look at Brandons body, we see ourselves at the mercy of humans. At your mercy, Claire. He glanced at Detective Hess. Or yours, Joe. And you must admit, thats a terrifying prospect.
So youll just kill anyone who frightens you. Who could hurt you.
Wellyes. Oliver took the tea bag out of his cup and set it aside on the saucer, then sipped. A habit we learned from you, really. Humans are all too ready to slaughter the innocent with the guilty, and if you were older, Claire, you would know this. Joe, Im sure, is not so naive.
Hess smiled thinly and sipped coffee. Dont talk to me. Im just the driver.
Ah, Oliver said. How generous of you. They exchanged some kind of a look that Claire didnt know how to interpret. Was that anger? Amusement? A willingness to get up and beat the crap out of each other at a moments notice? She couldnt even figure out what Shane and Michael were thinking, and she knew them. Is she then aware of the price of your services?
Hes trying to get you rattled, Claire. Theres no price.
How interesting. And what a departure. Oliver dismissed Hess and got back to Claire, who hastily took a sip of her cocoa. Ohhhhhhit just kind of exploded in her mouth, rich cocoa, warm milk, and a spicy edge that she didnt expect. Wow. She blinked and took another sip, carefully. I see you like the cocoa.
Umyeah. Yes, sir. Because somehow, when Oliver was being civilized, she felt compelled to still call him sir. Mom and Dad had a lot to answer for, she decided. She couldnt even be rude to evil vampires whod caged her boyfriend and were preparing to roast him alive. What about Shane?
Oliver leaned back, and his eyelids drifted down to half-mast. Weve covered this subject, Claire. Quite thoroughly. I believe you might even have the bruises to remind you of my opinion.
He didnt do it.
Let us deal in facts. Fact, the boy came back to Morganville with the clear intention of disrupting the peace, at the very least, and more likely killing vampires, which is an automatic death sentence. Fact, he concealed himself from us, along with his intentions. Fact, he communicated with his father and his fathers friends both before they came to Morganville and after. Fact, he was at the scene of the crime. Fact, he has offered little in his own defense. Need I go on?
But
Claire. Oliver sounded sad and wounded. He leaned forward, braced his elbows on the table, and placed his chin on top of his folded hands. Youre young. I understand that you have feelings for him, but dont be a fool. Hell drag you down with him. If you force me to it, Im sure I could uncover evidence that you knew about the presence of Shanes father in Morganville, and you had knowledge of their agenda. And that, my dear girl, would mean the end of your precious Protection, and put you in a cage alongside your boyfriend. Is that what you want?
Hess put a warning hand on her arm. Enough, Oliver.
Not nearly enough. If you came to bargain, I think you have nothing to offer me that I cant get elsewhere, Oliver said. So please take yourselves
Ill sign whatever you want, Claire blurted. You know, swear myself to you. Instead of Amelie. If you want. Just let Shane go.
She hadnt been planning to do it, but when hed mentioned bargain it had just taken on a life of its own inside her, and leaped right out of her mouth. Hess groaned and ran a hand over his hair, then covered his mouth, evidently to keep himself from telling her what an idiot she was.