Nightwalker Read Free Page B

in her glove compartment and covered the bleeding scratches on her neck. She adjusted it now, still feeling the gecko cretin’s nails gouging her skin. If only she had some peroxide and antibiotic ointment. That would have to wait. She grimaced at the neon-pink scarf, but it went okay with her black jeans and black coat. And the blood spots on the scarf actually looked as if they had been added by the designer. For having been attacked, she didn’tlook half-bad. Wounded or not, she cared about her appearance.
    Takala settled back in the driver’s seat, aware of the uncomfortable silence between her and Lilly Smith. She felt Lilly’s keen eyes studying her. Finally Takala said, “Are you warm enough?”
    â€œYes, thanks.”
    â€œSo, where we going?”
    â€œThe Richmond airport,” Lilly said, uncertainty in the reply.
    â€œSure.” Takala nodded to assure Lilly Smith that she was okay with the drive.
    â€œAnd thank you. I appreciate your help. They would have killed me back there.”
    â€œNo problem.”
    Lilly took Takala’s measure for a long, uncomfortable moment, something in her shrewd blue eyes that hid more than just mere intelligence. “You’re a brave girl. You don’t seem afraid, even after all you’ve seen.”
    â€œI’m not. Supernatural stuff doesn’t bother me.”
    â€œIf you stay with me, you might be more than bothered.”
    â€œI’m used to living on the edge.”
    â€œReally.” Lilly glanced at Takala as if she had no idea what danger was. She lifted her chin a few inches in a challenging, almost condescending way, the smug smile never leaving her lips.
    â€œI’m a detective.” Takala swallowed her indignation, and it tasted bitter in her throat.
    â€œA good one, I hope.”
    â€œI’ve stayed alive this long.”
    â€œYou look young to me.”
    â€œI’ve been in the business for six years.”
    â€œRun a lot of background checks, do you?”
    â€œNo, I don’t like the research end. I’m more hands-on.”
    Lilly shot her an I-guess-you’ll-do-in-a-pinch look.
    No matter how hard she tried, her dislike for this woman was growing like a cancer in her gut. She felt as if she were being interviewed for a job and found lacking. Do a stranger a favor, and that’s how they repay you.
    Stranger or not, was she really related to this woman? The verdict was still out, and she wanted to keep it that way. Two things Takala knew: Lilly Smith had trust issues, and she had a hard time feeling obligated to anyone. Not to mention she wasn’t very likable. Takala quickly changed the subject. “Who were those goons?”
    â€œUnfortunately, State Department agents.”
    So Lilly Smith actually worked for the State Department. One point for Blake. “When did the State Department start hiring paranormal hit squads?” Takala asked, playing along.
    â€œI work—or shall I say worked—for a branch of the State Department….” Lilly paused as if weighing something, then said, “What the hell, I’ll tell you. It’s called B.O.S.P. Ever heard of it?”
    Takala knew of B.O.S.P. Fala’s husband, Stephen Winter, a warlock, used to work as an agent there, but she didn’t know if she wanted Lilly Smith to know that, so she lied and said, “No, I haven’t.”
    â€œNot surprised. Most people haven’t. They try to keep all humans in the dark about what goes on rightunder their noses. They’d probably have congressional hearings for the next century if they found out about all the paranormal activities in government.”
    â€œThe human zeitgeist can’t handle it.”
    â€œBut they got that television series, Supernatural, pretty on the mark.” Lilly laughed softly, a detectable forced note in her voice.
    Lilly seemed to work hard at being sociable. Was this just her standoffish