Greywalker - Kat Richardson [74]
“Oh? I don’t like to sound greedy, but I could sure use the money. Tell you what. I’ve gotta go down to Bremerton Thursday. I’ll call the guy and see what he says. If he’s got the stuff, I’ll swing across and drop it on you then. OK?”
I agreed, gave her my numbers and address and hoped she’d come up with something. I left a message for Sergeyev asking if he’d pay for information from Fabrette.
I blew the rest of the day in mundane tasks, like billing, meeting with a lawyer who needed to find a witness, and making more phone calls and trips to the county records office—professional meat and potatoes that were strictly hamburger and home fries.
I finally stopped for some dinner and returned to my office. Cameron drifted in just a step or two behind me. I sat behind my desk and waved him to a seat, straightening up a few things as he sat down.
“All right,” I started. “You want me to act as your agent in attempting some kind of reconciliation between you and this other vampire, Edward. Is that right?”
“Um . . . yeah. I mean, I don’t care how Edward feels about me—that’s not the issue. I just want the information and help that he should have given me, and I don’t want to be a pariah with every other vampire in Seattle. I don’t care if Edward helps me, or if he passes the job to someone else,” Cam explained, “so long as I get some kind of help.”
“What makes you think I can do this job?”
“Who else is going to believe me and not be on Edward’s side? You’re neutral. And I don’t know who else to ask. And even if I had other options, I’d rather work with you. You’re . . . you’re tough.”
I laughed at that. I felt as tough as wet Kleenex. “I’m new to this world myself, Cameron. You’ve already exhausted all my contacts among the undead.” And if I took this case, I would have no choice about associating with the Grey and its residents.
“I’ll give you some names. I think they’ll talk to you, just because they’re bored. I know I can’t expect you to work a miracle, but, hey, it’s worth a shot. I’m not doing so great at it.”
“Why would Edward even be willing to negotiate with me? What can I offer him?”
“Well, that’s what I’m hoping you can figure out by talking to the others. Y’know, maybe once you have a better idea of what the others think, then you’ll know what Edward’s buttons are and we can push them.”
“You’ve got a lot of confidence in me,” I observed.
“Why not? You tracked me down.”
“That wasn’t as hard as you seem to think. This idea of yours is a different situation. I’m also not quite finished with your mother’s case, either. There’s still the matter of informing her of your situation,” I reminded him.
Cameron squirmed in his chair. “Can’t that wait a little longer? Until after we fix this?”
“Have you ever heard the word ‘unethical,’ Cameron? We have no idea how long it will take to solve your problems with Edward and the rest of the local bloodsucking brotherhood.”
“Hey, they’re vampires, not lawyers,” he joked.
I gave him a thin smile. “I’m willing to try this, but you have to help me with your mother first.”
“That kind of sounds like blackmail to me. Isn’t that unethical?” he demanded.
“No. It’s a contractual obligation. You’re the subject of an investigation right now. Until that status changes, I’m not inclined to do anything for you. You want to change that, you need to call your mother and tell her you’re all right.”
“But that’s not true!” he protested.
“Didn’t Mara tell you to learn to lie? Start now. It’s true enough. But whatever you choose to do, I am going to call Colleen first thing in the morning and tell her I’ve found you and you’re OK. Technically, as your trust’s executrix, she’s not entitled to more than that. As your mother . . . that’s another matter. You’re over twenty-one and not of diminished capacity, but morally . . . What you choose to tell her is up to you, but you’d better come up with something satisfying, or she’ll be on you worse than me.”
“Thanks a lot, Harper! What am I supposed to