 Declan stepped forward and put the glasses on Blair. He backed up and stood beside Forge, nodding. “I think that’s it.” “Yep,” Forge said. Blair threw both hands in the air. “I’m a vampire. The target knows I’m a vampire. He changed me. He’ll know I don’t need glasses. He’s seen me without glasses.” “All very true and accurate points. However,” Declan explained, “what you also are is a young man employed in a dead-end job despite your education and talents. Glasses aren’t simply used to correct vision, but to make a personal statement. People wear them who don’t need them because of the image they present. You’re trying to look like a serious, educated, hard worker who deserves a chance despite his past. You’re trying to escape your past and can’t. Don’t forget, you’re out to prove all the people who held you back are wrong.” “And you’re not getting any of those things. People perceive someone wearing a certain style of glasses as smarter, more trustworthy,” Forge finished. “Do you want to run through this again?” Blair’s shoulders slumped, and he dropped onto the bed behind him. His gaze fluctuated between Forge and Declan, and he sighed heavily. “I don’t want to be the one who loses this asshole.” “Blair,” Forge said softly and sat beside him. “We aren’t going to catch everyone. That’s life. This guy has gotten away from me and the FBI twice. He’s no amateur, and I’m sure he’s dodged others over the years. If he gets away, it won’t be your fault.” “I feel like all of you know what you’re doing, and I’m just fumbling around trying to catch up,” Blair confessed. “We’ve had a lot of practice, and Lucas has had some training with the police department,” Declan said. “You have a number of skills none of the rest of us do, and frankly, what you can do with a computer mystifies me.” “I keep telling you, you’ll do just fine.” Forge slipped one arm around Blair’s shoulders and gave him a squeeze. “We can’t fake the type of tech knowledge you have. You’re the only one among us who can pull this off. You get him where we want him, and Declan and I’ll do the rest.” “You’re going to kill him?” Blair still wasn’t sure how he felt about that. “We’ll make sure he doesn’t hurt anyone else,” Declan said softly and straightened his tie. “He’s here,” Palle said in their earbuds. “I’m in place,” Sayyna added. “Dane has contacted the local authorities.” “I’d better go track down Mr. Black.” Declan patted Blair’s shoulder on the way to the door. “Showtime.” Blair glanced at his tablet as an alert sounded. “I’ve got pings.” He pointed to the screen when Forge leaned in to see, and Declan moved back to Blair’s side. “These two. They’re communicating a lot all of a sudden and routing things through several Wi-Fi connections.” “That’s them?” Forge asked. Nodding, Blair said, “I think so, yes. I can pinpoint where in the hotel they are, I think. I’ll send the information to you,” he said to Declan. “That will save so much time. Good.” Declan took out his phone and watched the screen. Blair could tell by the way his eyes lit up and he smiled that Blair’s map and location indicator had appeared. “I’m on it,” Declan said and put his phone away. As they left the room, Blair grabbed his cane. He liked carrying it, and aside from it keeping his leg from hurting, the fact that it was also a weapon gave him an extra boost of confidence. Once out in the hall, they split up. Declan took one route, commenting as he moved so they’d know his progress in tracking Black. Once Declan had eyes on him, the man wouldn’t be getting out of the hotel. He’d let them know when Black was safely out of the picture. Human criminals could be handed over to police. Vampire criminals were a different story. As had been pointed out before, there wasn’t a human prison or jail cell on the planet that could detain a vampire or werewolf for very long. Forge picked up speed and started down the stairs a minute or so in front of Blair. He wandered to the bar while Blair went to the exhibition hall. Blair spotted the vampire and began moving among the displays, getting closer to him. Forge meandered into the hall, whistling softly and holding a drink in one hand, mingling among other guests. Blair kept getting closer to the vampire. He was glad this vampire couldn’t sense his feelings since he was fighting with himself to not turn and run. “Oh, no you don’t,” Declan said in Blair’s earbud. Sounds of a slight scuffle ensued, then Declan said softly, “Got his phone.” More voices joined in, and Declan added, “Thank goodness. This hooligan threatened me!” Across the room Forge dropped his chin to his chest and he groaned softly. That was Blair’s clue to make contact, and now his part would begin in earnest. He walked to the display where the vampire stood. Folding his hands in front of him, Blair stood to the side politely, as if waiting his turn. He glanced at the vampire, making sure to appear as though he was obviously checking him out and impressed with what he saw. Blair was very aware the vampire watched him out of the corner of his eye as well, scrutinizing every move Blair made. “Pretty cool stuff, huh?” Blair finally said. Quarry is available in eBook, paperback, Kindle Unlimited and through your local library digital catalog.    
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