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“Oh, it’s even stupider than that,” Jordan said, even more annoyed. “They don’t want me spreading it around that I even gotofficial accessto their precious rich-person’s enclave. Apparently it’s some kind of status thing out here. Those jackasses, Rick and Rob, think it makes them bigwigs. They’re two of four cops who have full-time passes without a call from their lieutenant. Mostly, that part of Long Island relies on private security.”

“Can’t imagine why,” Nick muttered.

Jordan grunted a laugh. “Yeah, well… Rick and Rob are certainly doing their part to ensure the rich assholes out here all think we’re a bunch of bumbling morons. Bumbling morons who only work for perks and bribes.”

“Great,” Nick said. “That’ll make our job so much easier.”

“Hey.” Jordan’s voice perked up. “It’s damned good to hear your voice, man. And to have you back on the job. And out of jail.”

Nick rolled his eyes, about to make a crack, but Jordan went on.

“Charlie told me she talked to you. She said you sounded like your usual old man vampire level of grumpiness. She took that as a good sign.”

Nick grunted. “Awesome.”

“Are you guys coming out here?” Jordan demanded. “Or what? I really thought you’d be most of the way here already.”

“Are those other two idiots out at that other Tanaka house yet?” Morley cut in. “Has anyone at leasttalkedto the family? Private security? A neighbor?”

Jordan’s voice immediately lost its good humor.

“I only got the okay to go myself just now. Acharya called over here and pitched a fit, demanding access for his people, so I got the green light to go join Rick and Rob at the house. They haven’t called in, so I don’t even know if they made it out there yet. As far as I know, no one’s spoken to the family… again, unless Rick and Rob are doing that now. Those two assholes insisted on going alone, so I’ve been cooling my heels at the precinct in New Hyde Park, waiting for them to call in.”

“Jesus,” Nick muttered.

“How fast can you get out there?” Morley asked.

Nick immediately frowned. He looked at Morley. He shook his head, once.

“No. Not alone,” he said. “Don’t send him alone.”

But Jordan was already answering.

“I’m not far from the security gate here. The house is another thirty or forty minutes past that, since there’s only one road.”

Nick frowned, trying to think about the land out there. He’d never been as a vampire, but had a vague memory of going out to the Hamptons once with an old girlfriend. Of course, that had been the other Earth. He doubted the layout would be the same.

His eyes returned to Morley.

“I don’t think you should send him out there,” Nick said. “Not alone.”

“I won’t be alone,” Jordan cut in. “There’s private security, Tanaka. Not to mention good ol’ Rick and Rob.”

“I don’t like it.” Nick scowled. “Can’t you wait for us at the precinct?”

Morley gave Nick a half-exasperated look. “Who’s the boss here, Midnight?”

“We’re hunting a vampire,” Nick pointed out. “A vampire who just killed ten people. Who might be targeting people connected to me in some way. For all we know it could be agangof vampires. Don’t you think Damon should wait until he has at leastoneother vampire with him?”

Morley looked about to argue, but Jordan got there first.

“Look, Nick, I may not have any choice. I already got the word from Acharya to go check it out. No one can raise the family… none of their neighbors or friends, I mean… which is why Acharya got involved in the first place. A lot of rich people are panicking and calling their good buddy Jag, reminding him about their generous police donations over the years. Jag told the lieutenant down hereandthe private security firm that he wanted full access granted to anyone from the NYPD for the entire security zone, no exceptions. I was told to join those two idiots at the Tanaka home at once, and liaise with private security.”

“That was an order?” Nick clarified.

“Sure as fuck sounded like one.”

“Are they sending a different Midnight to the house?” Nick pressed. “One from out there? Assigned to the Long Island PD?”