Obsession Untamed (Feral Warriors #2)(9)

No, that was a lie. She’d take anything, even this god-awful sight, if it helped her catch the killer. Unfortunately, none of the murders she’d seen so far had given her a single lead to go on. And each time she got one, she saw less. And hurt more. She’d nearly passed out from the last one.

“Leaving already?”

Delaney’s gaze swung to her boss, who was walking past with a Georgetown Hoyas coffee mug in his hand. Phil Taylor was in his fifties, with a body that was no longer fit, a mind that was as sharp as ever, and eyes that saw way too much. Which was annoying as hell sometimes.

“It’s after seven, sir. You know this is working late for me these days.” She smiled at him, trying to paste a look of serene innocence on her face. “I took your lecture to heart. I’m a fifty-hour-a-week worker these days. Not a minute more.”

Phil chuckled. “And I’m the Easter Bunny. Come into my office for a minute before you go, Agent Randall.”

Delaney didn’t bother to muffle her groan as she fell into step beside him. Phil knew she hated his fatherly lectures. He was a good guy, and genuinely interested in the mental and physical well-being of his agents, which made him an excellent boss. But she was sick to death of his warning her to put her job in perspective, get a life, etc., etc. She was the only one he hounded to be a little less dedicated. Then again, she was the only one he’d found still at work when he’d come into the office at 2:00 A.M. three mornings in a row.

She wasn’t in the mood for another lecture. Not tonight. Not when her superpowers could hit again at any moment. Another groan vibrated in her throat. Now wouldn’t that guarantee her an appointment for psych eval?

“You don’t look good, Delaney.” Phil closed his office door and went around his desk.

“Gee, thanks, boss.” As he took his seat, Delaney perched on the edge of the chair across from him as if she only had a minute.

Phil waved his hand. “You know what I mean. You’ve got circles under your eyes. You look pale.”

“It’s early spring in D.C. Everyone looks pale.”

“True, but not everyone was attacked by the D.C. Vampire, though at the rate things are going, that might yet change. You were damned lucky to have lived to tell the tale, Delaney.”

“I know.” Just before she’d passed out, she’d heard the crack of a gunshot and felt her attacker jerk and flee. Someone had shot the bastard and saved her life, though her savior hadn’t come forward. None of the residents claimed to know who had done it, though she suspected one of the tough guys she’d put in charge might have followed her down. The only person she’d been able to thank for her life was the EMT who’d administered CPR and gotten her heart started again.

By the time the cops and Feds had arrived on the scene, there’d been no trail of blood to follow. Not a drop, even though she knew she’d shot the killer as he lunged for her. She knew she had. As had her savior. So why wasn’t there any blood? It made no sense.

It was almost as if the man wasn’t entirely human, which was ridiculous of course. Vampires weren’t any more real than the Great Pumpkin. The only reason the killer had been dubbed the D.C. Vampire was because of his habit of leaving teeth marks, though decidedly human teeth marks, on his victims’ necks.

But the fact remained, nothing about the murders made sense. And she seriously hated mysteries.

Phil steepled his hands in front of his mouth, tapping his forefingers on his upper lip. “I want you to take a couple of days off.”

“It’s Friday. Taking a couple of days off at this point in the week is traditional, sir.”

“Smart aleck. Two days in addition to the weekend.”

“Un-uh. No way.” As if making her stay out of the office fourteen hours a day wasn’t bad enough. “I received a clean bill of health, remember?”

“We don’t know what he did to you, Delaney, but your heart stopped, in case you’ve forgotten. I’ve been keeping an eye on you today, and you’re not looking good. Whether you like it or not, you need a few days to get your equilibrium back. Go visit family.” He winced as if he’d forgotten she didn’t have any. “Or just leave town. Get away from this place.”

“I’m fine. I’m working normal hours, taking weekends off, all the things you told me to.”

“Yeah, sure. And what are you doing with all that free time? Tell me that.”

She smiled sweetly. Innocently. “Scrapbooking.”

Phil gave a bark of laughter. “You’re stubborn, Randall. Anyone ever tell you that?”

“You. All the time.”

“I’ve always liked that about you.” His expression turned serious as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on his desk. “You’re one of the best agents I have, Delaney, but I worry about you. You’re determined to catch them all, and you can’t. Nobody can.”

Delaney rolled her shoulders uncomfortably. “I don’t have to catch them all. Just the ones I’m after.”

Phil shook his head. “Stubborn, stubborn.” His expression softened. “A four-day weekend, Delaney. That’s all I’m asking. If you’re bored, call Mary. Since our youngest left for college, she doesn’t know what to do with herself. I’m sure she’d be delighted to meet you for lunch or some shopping. Sleep. Eat. Maybe even read a book. Do something that has absolutely nothing to do with the D.C. Vampire for four days.” He nodded once, sharply. “That’s an order.”