Page 97 of Ryder’s Storm

“It’s a tragedy,” Delilah said. “But at least she’s gone, and so is Derek.”

“And the police?” Scarlet asked, looking back at Samson. “Did they buy the murder/suicide story?”

Samson nodded. “Yes. It helped tremendously that both shots were fired from the same gun, and that Claudia was the only one with gunshot residue on her hand. They’re not looking at other suspects. And the fire that destroyed your home was ruled arson, committed by Derek. Our liaison at the San Francisco Police Department took your father’s statement that Claudia drugged him and then transported him to San Francisco where she left him bound and gagged so he would die in the fire. SFPD submitted the statement to the authorities in Palo Alto.”

“What if the police in Palo Alto want to interview my father? I mean, he can’t just go to the station if they ask him…”

“We’ve made sure it won’t happen,” Samson said confidently. “The police in Palo Alto have been informed that your father suffered such severe burns all over his body, including his face, that he has to remain under medical care for months, if not years, and undergo reconstructive surgery.”

Scarlet took a deep breath. “Thank you for doing all this. I don’t know how I can ever repay you and everybody at Scanguards the kindness you’re showing us.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw her father approach. “I think I’ve figured out a way to repay Scanguards,” Brandon King said.

“Hey, Dad.” He looked good, better than he had for a long time. His body had healed completely. There wasn’t a single scratch on him, nor any burns or fractures. He looked virile, and his face had a healthy color. Which was another thing that surprised her: none of the vampires she’d met so far had pale skin like she’d expected from creatures who had to avoid the sun.

“Are you gonna finally hug me?” he asked with a smile.

She beamed at him. “Is it gonna be okay?”

He nodded. “I’m well fed, and I actually like the bottled blood. So you’re quite safe from me.”

Scarlet put her arms around him, and hugged him for the first time in a long time. “Oh Dad, I’m so happy.”

Her father chuckled. “So am I, honey.” He released her from his embrace, then looked at Samson. “As for repaying your kindness, Samson—”

“There’s no need,” Samson interrupted.

“There is,” Brandon King insisted, “I have a proposal for you. I can help you expand Scanguards.”

“How so?” Samson asked.

“By investing in your company. I realize that I can’t continue my existing business, not when I’m unable to travel as freely as I could before all this happened. But I still want to do something useful. I’d like to talk about that with you. But I don’t just want to be a silent investor. I want an active part in it.”

“But Dad, don’t you think you’re taking on too much so soon?” Scarlet interrupted. “You’ll be busy with rebuilding our home. It will take a year, at least, to bring it back to its original glory.”

“Scarlet, I don’t own the house anymore.”

Shock jolted her. “You sold the property? But you loved the house.” And so did she.

He smiled at her. “I did. But it’s time for a new family to make it their own. It’s in good hands.”

Scarlet sniffled.

“So, you see, I can devote all my energy to a new project,” he added.

“Well, Brandon, then we should talk,” Samson said. “Tomorrow night. Tonight is about family.”

Brandon King reached for Samson’s hand, and they shook hands.

“Mind if I steal Scarlet?” Vanessa asked from behind her.

“Sure,” Samson and Brandon said at the same time.

“Great!” Vanessa said and pulled her away.

“What’s going on?” Scarlet asked as Vanessa dragged her across the room toward the fireplace, still shocked at the news that her father had sold their San Francisco home.

“You asked me the other day how Lizzy is doing, and I know Luther has some news to report,” Vanessa explained.