 “Let me get this straight,” Simon Hawthorne began as he set a bowl of mashed potatoes on the table in front of Lucas. He was the fourth vampire living in the large house known as Boggs’s Castle and Ben Leyton’s soulmate. Like Blair, he taught at Lakeview University, though in the history department. According to Forge, Simon was the history department even though he’d been turned in the early 1900s. “You were asked to help with security while the president of the United States is in town, and the Secret Service agent sent to contact you is a vampire?” Lucas dug into the potatoes, then held them out to Declan. “Trade?” Declan handed off a bowl of gravy and took the potatoes. “Thanks. And how was your day?” “Not nearly as exciting as yours, it seems,” Declan said. “Jonas, grab the rolls. They smell done.” “Yeah, yeah. I got it,” Forge said. Lucas snickered, Ben ducked his head and his shoulders bounced, and Declan laughed outright when swearing and the sound of a tray clunking down on the stove followed Forge’s words. “You should use one of those oven mitts,” Declan called. “And bring more butter.” Blair joined them, setting his tablet onto the table beside Lucas’s plate. “Mystery one solved. Some of the agents have beards, at least the men in these pictures do. Their regulations aren’t online, not that I could find with a quick search.” “He was Secret Service,” Forge said. He set a plate of rolls and the butter dish down, then sat between Blair and Declan. “They all wear a certain pin and he had one. Either he’s really an agent or he stole the pin. If he’s not an agent, he’s a damn good liar. His heartbeat didn’t fluctuate the entire time.” “Patented vampire lie-detector test. Listen to the heartbeat,” Lucas said and dug into his dinner. “It’s a pretty good test,” Blair added. “I have three special pins, and I don’t belong to any organization that issues them,” Declan pointed out. Simon covered his laugh with a napkin over his mouth. Forge did what Lucas did—ignored the remark. “Did you see that other pin he wore?” Lucas asked. “I did. It was interesting, but I don’t know what it was. Maybe a family crest or something?” Forge shrugged. “The whole thing was odd, starting with Sellers. He requested Lucas attend and both of us bring our significant others—” “Husband,” Blair cut in. “Apparently, we got married,” “And you didn’t invite us to the ceremony. I’m wounded to the core,” Ben said and slapped one hand over his heart. “Don’t think you’ll get any wedding gift from us,” Simon added. Forge drew in a deep breath. “As I was saying, Sellers seemed like he was asking, but he wasn’t really asking, if that makes sense. I felt as if our presence was required, and not just for good PR. I don’t usually bring a date to an official police assignment. Nor am I asked to.” “I think the whole thing sounds suspicious,” Simon said. “I’m glad I wasn’t invited.” He stopped eating and put his fork down, turning to Ben. “Or was I and you haven’t told me yet?” Ben shook his head. “This is the first I’ve heard about it.” “The government people will have their own representatives. I doubt Ben will be required in his capacity as press liaison unless our department needs you there. And I don’t see why they would. Local cops are sort of backup to the backup. At least we’ll get a free meal out of it,” Forge explained. “Fundraiser meal,” Declan reminded him and laughed. “So, eat first.” “I’m sure he’ll only be in this area for the day of the dinner, maybe two at the most. It’s taking place July second, and I highly doubt Boggslake, Ohio, is where the president plans to spend the Fourth,” Forge said. “Despite our lovely fireworks display?” Simon asked. He was clearly having a hard time saying it with a straight face. “As I recall, the picnic at the park is always fun,” Declan said. “I enjoy the wine shop that hosts the tastings every year.” “And the popcorn place, don’t forget that,” Simon added. Declan put a serious expression on his face and shook his head. “Bet you’ve been waiting all day for the alien ships, haven’t you?” Lucas asked. Forge nodded and Lucas continued, “Damn, never a decent invasion when you need one.” “It’s part of my job to do things like this. I’m just sorry you, Blair, and Declan are getting dragged into it,” Forge said. “Eh, it’ll be fun,” Blair said. “Oh, hey, not to change the subject,” Lucas said, “but I’m changing the subject. I found out more from the Coast Guard about the body that washed up on our beach. They’d told me the boat capsized, but what they didn’t tell me until today was, it was damaged. It looked as if something rammed it from underneath.” “Don’t you mean it ran into something?” Ben asked.     Comments are closed.
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