"That was Mr. Radomir and Mr. Winkler. Adele was attacked outside the CPA's office tonight and they're going to investigate the scene," Marcus stood and frowned at his oldest son. "Where have you been, Marco?"
"I went to the candlelight service for Megan," Marco growled. Ashe, who'd watched the exchange, knew that Megan was a sore spot between Marco and his father.
"Son, go to your room. We'll discuss this later," Marcus DeLuca ordered. Marco, glad to get away from his father, walked swiftly down the hall leading to the bedrooms.
"I'd like to get Adele home," Aedan stood. "Ashe, will you go out and start the truck? I'll bring your mother out. You can help hold her up while I drive."
"Okay." Ashe walked toward the front door, Sali right behind him.
"Dude, what the bloody H was that?" Sali hissed, once they were outside.
"The disappearance?" Ashe asked. When Sali nodded, Ashe explained. "Dad told me that some really rare vampires can turn to mist," Ashe spoke softly as he walked toward the old Ford. "I turn to mist, Sali. And you have to keep your mouth shut about it. All right? I'll be in hot water up to my neck if some people find out."
"You've been sneaking around, haven't you?"
"Sali, if I hadn't discovered I could do this by accident, I'd have been torn apart by the Pack during the last full moon. I almost got caught in that tree, dude. Now, somebody is trying to kill Mom. You have to keep this secret, Sali. You promised."
"I will, but this will keep you out of Cordell Junior High for sure."
"You think I haven't thought about that?" Ashe climbed into the truck—he'd left the keys in the ignition earlier. Turning the key, the truck started right up. "Go back inside, Sali. Get in the house. We're not dealing with anything that anybody's ever seen before, I think. Don't go anywhere alone, okay?"
"You know more about this than you're telling."
"Sali, Dad's coming. Get in the house. Please."
"All right, but you owe me an explanation."
"And you'll get one. Soon. Go, Sali. It's not safe."
Aedan carried Adele out to the truck and settled her in the middle of the seat. Ashe climbed in on the outside and shut the door while his father slid into the driver's seat. "Ashe?" Adele woke briefly and turned to look at her son.
"Mom? Are you okay?"
"I feel dizzy. Maybe a little sick."
"We're almost home. Can you hang on until then?"
"I think so." Adele closed her eyes again.
Ashe locked the truck and closed the garage door while Aedan carried his mother into the house. Ashe set the alarm, too—listening as his mother was carried down the stairs. His parents' bedroom door opened and closed. Ashe sighed and slumped to the kitchen floor, holding his head in his hands. It had been so close. So close. If he'd waited only a few seconds more…
* * *
"Marco, I hope you realize how dangerous it is to be going out alone," Marcus held his temper back. "Your mother and I know how much you cared for that girl, but it's foolish to place yourself in this position. What if the human authorities find out there's someone that knew Megan who they haven't questioned?" Marcus' dark eyes bored into Marco's. "Too many people have seen you spending time with her at the Burger Hut. Don't deny it, son," Marcus flung out a hand. "You and James were in Cordell at least twice a week, talking to her. Mr. Winkler has been trying to find out whether anyone has reported that to the police. The Packmaster in Oklahoma City is in law enforcement. He's trying to get the information. If the OSBI comes looking for you and James, we'll be able to bring you forward, but James is dead. How will we explain his disappearance?"
"Dad, this is so messed up," Marco rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands.
"Son, I know you lost two that you cared for. But things are different for members of the Pack. During your lifetime, you'll see Packmates fall. It's part of what we are."
"But James was murdered. So was Megan."
"And we're doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this. You have to let us do our jobs, Marco. Stop going off by yourself, son. The last thing I need right now is for someone to tell me that it's not somebody else's son they found dead in a field."
"Dad," Marco wiped wetness from his cheeks.
"Son, your mother and I love you. I ask that you don't forget that." Marcus walked out of Marco's bedroom and closed the door softly behind him.
* * *
"I don't want your mother going to work tomorrow," Aedan was back and sliding down the kitchen wall to sit beside his son.
"But this is the busiest time," Ashe played with a shoestring on his athletic shoes. The shoes, only a few months old, were already tight on his feet. He'd been thinking of asking his mother for a new pair. That would wait.
"I know. But there's nobody else here who knows the business."
"I do."
"Ashe, you're twelve. While you're more adult than a lot of adults I know, you need someone older there with you."
"Wynn's mom or dad could do it."
"Son, they have their own farm to tend."
"Dad, you, Old Harold and Nathan put up their barn in four days last year. I don't think a couple of days at the store will hurt too much, do you? Mom will really be upset if the store doesn't open."
"She will," Aedan sighed. Pulling his cell phone from a pocket, he dialed a number. Ashe heard Sharon O’Neill’s voice quite clearly on the other end when she answered.
"Sharon, this is Aedan Evans," Ashe's father said. "We had a bit of trouble tonight. Adele was attacked outside the CPA's office. We think someone drugged her. She barely made it home before passing out and now she's in no condition to work for a day or two. I was wondering if you or Jonas might be able to help Ashe watch the store."
"Adele was attacked?" Sharon was aghast at the news.
"Yes. She's sleeping the drugs off now. It was dark or nearly so when she was attacked and almost everyone in Cordell was at a memorial service for the girl who was killed."
"Aedan, Jonas says one of us will come. We'll pick Ashe up in the morning around seven-thirty. Does he have keys to the store?"
"He'll have them," Aedan said. "I appreciate this more than I can say."
"Aedan, if you and Nathan hadn't been there for us last year, we'd still be climbing out of that hole. We'll come."
"Thank you, Sharon," Aedan said and terminated the call. "I'll get Marcus to contact Ben Billings and let him know you'll be out of school for a day or two," Aedan ran gentle fingers through Ashe's hair. "We'll get through this, son."