Past Due by Catherine Winchester Page A

newborn, many vampires had been killed by surprise attacks and Alex had no intention of being among them.
    Simple things like passing on overheard threats and sharing stock tips forged those bonds and meant you had favours to call in when you needed them.
    “ And I’m actually calling to cash that favour in.” Alex admitted.
    “ What do you need?”
    “ Just information. I think a vampire is killing people.”
    Josh sighed. “Bloody newborns. Any details for me?”
    “ I think the vampire’s name is Bradley James. If you could put some feelers around, see if you can find his sire, I’ll owe you one.”
    “ You’ll owe me nothing. A rogue vampire is a problem for all of us, Alex.”
    “ It gets worse.”
    Josh was silent for a moment. “Do you want me to send you some help?”
    “ Thank you, but I think I can handle it. What I really need is someone who knows about the Munich Grimoire. I think our suspect has a copy of it.”
    “ It’s in the Bavarian Library, isn’t it?”
    “ Yes.”
    “ I know a few council officials in Germany, I can make some calls.”
    “ I appreciate it.”
    “ I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” Josh hesitated. “Are you sure you can handle this?”
    “ No, but I do have help and I’ll call you if things get too dicey. Needless to say if I die, someone else will have to stop him.”
    “ You have my word.”
    “ Thank you. Next time you’re in town you’ll have to stop by for a bite,” Alex quipped.
    “ I’ll hold you to that.” Josh hung up.
     
    The conversation with Sam had been longer than necessary as Frankie tried to draw things out. In the end they had little more information than Billy had given them.
    As they left the office Frankie checked the message that had come through on her mobile. It was Alex. He had found nothing on the database but here was still hope of finding Brad’s sire.
    Frankie told Will she needed to make a call and walked down the street a little way.
    “ Frankie?”
    “ Hey Alex. Can you go out yet?” It was nearly dusk so there was no direct sunlight but it wasn’t dark either.
    “ It’s safe now, yes.”
    “ Good. I need you to meet me outside Blackhall School. After your antics with my alarm this morning I’m assuming you’re good with electronics and there’s a silver Ford Focus there that I need you to disable. The radio too.”
    “ Any special reason?”
    “ Because I’ve had a DCI following me around all day and when I drop him back at his car, I don’t want him following me again. I have a lead for us to check out.”
    “ I’ll be there in five minutes. Give me another five to disable the vehicle.”
    “ Great, I’ll meet you there in ten.” She put her phone away and walked back to Will. “I’ll drop you at your car.”
    “ Why,” he was suspicious again. “What have you got planned?”
    She unlocked the car and got in. “I’m meeting a friend. We’re going for dinner.”
    “ A little early for dinner, isn’t it?”
    “ I’ll be busy later, following leads.”
    Will narrowed his eyes at her. He didn’t believe her for a second but he also didn’t like her having a “friend”.
    “ You can follow me if you don’t believe me.”
    “ Yeah, I think I will.”
     
    Alex watched as the car pulled up. He saw the other man get out and as he walked up to Frankie’s car they looked each other over.
    Alex realised this other man was more than just a policeman. His body language was almost possessive and Alex was willing to bet good money that he and Frankie had been romantically involved. Alex could feel the other man’s eyes on him as he got into the car. He didn’t look back.
    Frankie pulled away even before his door was shut. So much for a happy reunion.
    “ Where are we going?” he asked, putting his seat belt on. It was the law, after all.
    “ To the beach. He has an old childhood hideout there and we’re going to find it.” She looked back at Will in her mirror. “Will his car