Midnight Hour (Shadow Falls: After Dark #4)(49)

“No,” Burnett said. “The mistake wasn’t stopping, it was not watching to see if you were followed—obviously they followed you from her

place to the offices and then again when you were driving her to the hospital.”

Burnett stared at the ceiling and then back at Shawn, who looked filled with self-hate. “I might not have had my own guard up, either. But we

all should.” He squeezed his hands behind his neck again. “Did you get the license plate?”

“Just the first two letters. I called in what I had. We’ve got regular police and agents looking now.” He frowned. “I should have gotten

more.”

“It was dark.” Perry wasn’t sure why he felt compelled to ease the guy’s blow.

Burnett continued. “And Lily’s in surgery?”

Shawn nodded.

“Who’s doing it?” Burnett asked.

“Dr. Lynch. He’s warlock. Because she’s part human I thought I’d better bring her here.”

“Good call.” Burnett’s frown deepened. “Does he think she’s going to make it?”

“Yeah,” Shawn said. “The bullet hit her shoulder. She lost a lot of blood. With her being part vampire he expects she’ll heal quickly. As

long as no infection sets in.”

“When she’s out, she’s going into protective custody!” Burnett rolled his shoulders as if to throw off stress. “I don’t give a shit if

she likes it or not.”

The vamp stuck his hands into his pockets then pulled them out. “Have you heard how Mr. Crow from the jewelry store is doing?”

“Lily wouldn’t go into surgery until I found out. Just a concussion. They’re keeping him overnight.”

Burnett stilled. “The way I see it is this Jax knows that she can connect him to the robbery.” He stood there in silence for several seconds.

“I’m running out of agents, but text the office and tell them I said to put one on Mr. Crow, and his wife. If they came after Lily, they

might go after the Crows.” He paused. “Wait. Just ask for one. I’ll get Della to cover one of them.”

“Got it.” Shawn started texting.

Burnett turned to Perry. He didn’t say anything, but it was clear it was Perry’s turn to spill.

He started from the beginning, how he’d heard moans and had gone into the dark room to check.

“You sure it was a shape-shifter?” Burnett asked when he finished.

“Positive. He left an orb around after he jumped out the window. And … Farrell’s injuries were more consistent with a bear than … anything

else.”

Burnett ground his teeth as if chewing on the information. “You said he was going to be okay. You sure?”

“Yeah.” Perry held up his wrist, exposing two small puncture wounds. “I gave him blood right away. When Chase got there he was able to get

him out and took him to see Dr. Whitman. Chase texted me and said he’s good. Good enough to be pissed because I broke his nose.”

“You broke his nose?” Burnett asked.

“It was dark, I’d fought with the shape-shifter and then tripped over Farrell. The perp ran and Farrell woke up enough and grabbed me, I

shook my foot to get loose. His face was in the way. He can’t be mad at me. I gave the guy my blood.”

Burnett stood there as if everything ran laps around his mind. “Someone’s working the scene now?”

“Yeah.”

“Did it appear that anyone else besides Farrell was hurt?”

“There was blood in the room with the broken glass, but not much.”

Burnett clamped down on his jaw again. “When Chase got there, did he get any traces of who’d been there earlier?”

Perry nodded. “An unidentified shape-shifter and Anthony and Tabitha.”

“Damn it!” Burnett seethed. “I still don’t get it. Did Tabitha get taken or did she go willingly with Anthony? And how the hell is Anthony

involved with shape-shifters?”

“It has to be the drug house,” Shawn said. “The gang running it must also have their hand in pulling off robberies.”

“But that means it involves witches, shape-shifters, and vampires.” Burnett breathed deeply. “Is this a non-specific species gang?”

“It has to be,” Shawn said.

Burnett clenched his fist. “Do you know how much havoc a gang of different supernaturals could raise? Each have their strengths and

weaknesses, but if they come together … Shit!”

“We’ll stop them,” Perry said, thinking he had the best lead.

Burnett started again. “It would make more sense if they were half-breeds, but Lily said this Jax is all shape-shifter and Anthony is full

vampire. What are they doing working together? Was the explosion an accident? Or was it supposed to hurt Miranda or Tabitha?”

“We’ve gotta stop them,” Perry said. The thought that someone might be after Miranda, or her sister for that matter, had his protective

instincts standing at attention.

At least tomorrow morning he’d be meeting with Jax. He considered again telling Burnett what he knew. But in big-brother mode, Burnett would