Page 44 of The Donor’s Dilemma

Chapter Thirteen

The police Day-Commissioner droned on, and on, and on. And it was not helping Theo’s headache. Though the sweaty-faced human had been part of the force for over a decade, he had only been promoted to Day-Commissioner six months ago and was struggling to settle into the role.

Among his list of unsolved crimes were a spate of muggings, a hit and run, constant vandalism and now three break-ins. It was a fight to maintain eye contact, to resist massaging his temples and demanding to know what the fuck he was doing with his time.

“We believe that the break-ins are connected and we have…”

“Why?”

Theo’s phone buzzed on his desk.

“Sir?” Talbot’s glowing face intensified and Theo wondered if he was about to cry. How had he been given such an important job if he couldn’t give his weekly report without near breakdown? Maybe he just didn’t like vampires.

“Why do you think the break-ins are connected? You said nothing was taken from the first two.”

“Err, no, sir. We err… we think they were looking for… err…”

Buzz. Buzz.

Pink eyes darted between the vampire and the phone, but Theo ignored it.

“Talbot, these things happen. What’s important is that you’re working on fixing it.”

The human nodded. “They stole silver, sir.”

Well, fuck. That sure got his attention.

“From where?” Theo asked.

“The Holmes family.”

“How much?”

“A necklace and two bracelets.”

Theo nodded. “And you have leads?”

“We think so, sir.”

“You don’t think, Talbot. Yes or no?” Theo snapped. It wasn’t a dangerous amount of silver, but he was no fool. When humans hated vampires enough, they could get awfully creative.

“Yes… sir. We have leads.”

Buzz. For fuck’s sake!

“Good, have a word with Stella. I want to see you again Monday.”

“Monday, sir?”

Phoenar save him; he had a queue of people waiting to see him, a festival to organise and a budget that would not satisfy either.

“Yes, Talbot. You’ve just told me there is unregistered silver on my streets. I want it finding before someone gets hurt,” Theo said, standing to usher the man out.

“Err, yes, sir. I’ll talk to Stella.”

When he opened the door five heads turned to him, eager to be called next. He couldn’t even remember half of their names. “Just a moment, Stella,” he said, heading back in and grabbing his phone.

Elliot. Jesse. Verity.