Stakeout (Aurora Sky by Nikki Jefford

and Noel
next,” Melcher called after him.
    “I’ll be right back,” Dante said.
    Probably chasing after Aurora. For some
reason guys got the urge to be superheroes whenever she was
distressed or in trouble. Then there was me, left to fend for
myself. My card had been dealt.
    Dante wasn’t gone long. “Give me the word,
boss,” Dante said, smiling as he walked back into Melcher’s office.
“Do you want this guy interrogated?”
    I snorted. Being free of Valerie did wonders
for my psyche. “Buck Jenner didn’t do it. The guy likes beer better
than blood. He’s relatively new. Still thinks he’s normal,” I
said.
    This time Dante snorted. “No one who lives in
Fairbanks is normal. Take it from a guy who grew up there.” He
grinned.
    “Nevertheless, I want you two to check him
out,” Melcher said. “No engaging. Follow, observe, and report back
to me.”
    “Got it,” Dante said. “When do we leave?”
    Melcher leaned forward on his desk. “You’re
driving, so anytime.”
    Jared shot us a dismissive glance.
    I got up out of my chair and walked into the
hallway ahead of Dante. As soon as he’d walked out, Jared shut the
door. The guy reminded me of the instructors I’d had at boot camp.
Absolutely zero character or emotion.
    Aurora wasn’t a big Melcher fan, but at least
there was something human about him under the surface. Guys like
Jared had even less humanity in them than vampires.
    “So, what do you say, Noel? Want to leave
now?”
    I glanced sideways at Dante. He obviously
didn’t expect me to agree.
    “I’m ready if you’re ready.”
    “Really?”
    I was ready yesterday. It wasn’t like Clive
would take time off work to follow me to Fairbanks. And good luck
trying to stalk me when I wasn’t in town.
     

7
Moose and Mouse
     
    I drove home, threw some things in a bag, and headed
for Dante’s place. When I knocked on the door, a dog barked.
    “You weren’t kidding about being ready to
split,” Dante said as he let me in.
    I shrugged. “I travel light.”
    A great big golden retriever tried to ram his
head between my legs. I grabbed him under the jaw and patted him
firmly on the head, pulling it away from my crotch.
    “That’s Tommy,” Dante said, retreating via
the living room. “Come on in. I have a few more things to throw
into my bag.” Dante disappeared down a hallway.
    I walked into the living room, keeping my
back to Tommy, who followed close behind. A jumbo flat screen took
up one wall. There were three remotes on the coffee table across
from it, a bowl half-filled with pretzels, and stack of Sports Illustrated magazines.
    Dante returned carrying a duffel bag, which
he dumped on the couch. The bag gaped open. At the top was a
handgun, knife, and roll of duct tape.
    I rolled my eyes. “You won’t need any of
that. Buck wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
    “So, you know this guy really well?”
    “Not really.”
    Dante raised a brow.
    “Fine,” I said. “Bring your weapons if they
make you feel better.”
    Dante grinned. “They always make me feel
better.” He turned to his bag and zipped it up. “What time is
it?”
    Did I look like the kind of girl who wore a
wristwatch? When I didn’t answer, Dante looked over at a mantle
against the opposite wall. “Two thirteen. The day is young.” He
hoisted his bag over his shoulder. “Come on, Tommy.”
    The golden retriever wagged his tail.
    “Wait a minute,” I said. “The dog’s coming
with us?”
    Dante continued toward the door. “Yeah, my
roommate’s working on the slope this week. Can’t leave the dude
alone all day. Anyway, he’s a great lookout dog. Aren’t you,
Tommy?” Dante’s bag dropped to the floor when he stopped to scratch
the dog behind the ears. “What do you say when you sense a vampire
nearby?” Dante stared into Tommy’s eyes. The dog stared back, went
still, then suddenly let out one shrill bark. “Good boy, Tommy,”
Dante said, ruffling the fur on his head. Tommy’s tail swished from
side