Page 59 of The Flame Game

“No.”

“Gorgons are social, Saven. My grandfather can educate the hive’s male, and Michella can socialize with my family, who is at no risk of infection. There’s no reason she can’t socialize with other gorgon hives as long as the hive’s bride isn’t present. There is no reason to isolate her.”

“She isn’t isolated. Her company just isn’t at risk of infection, nor are they gorgons. She has been invited to meet with the hive she helped to create, but she did not ask to be the way she is now.”

“You think Morrison forced her?”

“I know he forced her.”

“He is to be put on trial as it is, so if you can provide evidence and submit it anonymously to the CDC, that would be useful.”

“The CDC? Not the NYPD?”

“CDC. My wife is involved with the charges.”

“I see. I have some contacts. I can ferret out more of his wrongdoings that can be filed. Limitations may be an issue.”

“Do what you can.”

“I shall. Are there any other matters you wish to discuss, Chief Quinn?”

“Actually, yes. I’d like you to do some digging on the Gardeners. My wife’s human parents. More importantly, I want to learn about their involvement with Morrison and if they might be related to these incidents. Anything you can dig out on them, I want it. Submit any illegal activities anonymously, please.”

“As you are helping mine, I will help yours. I’ll be in touch,” the vampire promised before hanging up.

“And that is your first taste of the murky waters of law enforcement,” my husband announced. “How did you like it?”

“I’m feeling a little cranky, honestly. That poor woman!”

“This is a case of embracing the enemy with morals we know rather than encouraging unknown entities. Ernesto is a lot of things, but he fits a specific place in the criminal world. If his operations were to stop, who would take his place? Better to have a cooperative enemy we know than an unknown entity filling the void. Ernesto plays the game well. He toys with the police where he lives often. It’s a game for him. But there are some things he just doesn’t do, so he remains.”

“And how does that sweet little angel side of you like him?”

“Honestly? I’d let him babysit the kids. No one would reach them with that vampire on guard. That hive he’s caring for? Probably the best defended hive in the United States. When he gives his word, he means it. That’s what I like about him. Sure, he’s a crook, but he’s an interesting crook with morals. I can live with that. Would the FBI sink him if given a chance? Or the CPD? Or the NYPD? Sure. But that’s part of the game. You’ll get used to it.”

“I will?”

“You will. If Ernesto decides he likes you, he’ll come visit, like it or not,” Quinn replied in a rueful tone.

“When was the last time Ernesto visited you?”

“About two months before the 120 Wall Street incident. Don’t be surprised if we have a fanged visitor, and he enjoys toying with his prey, so he’ll have some fun with us before he raids our kitchen and complains I don’t stock the right ingredients for his culinary adventures. That time, I swear he brought half his brood, and they all love annoying me.”

“Why do I have the feeling I’m going to like this vampire?”

“You are pure evil and enjoy my suffering, that’s why.”

“And yet you can’t get enough of me.”

“It just happens the pure evil who enjoys my suffering is beautiful and perfect for me. It’s a burden I happily carry. But you are definitely being evil today. If you like Ernesto, I’ll have to let him into my house and act like I like it, and that ruins the fun.”

“You like making him think you hate him, don’t you?”

“Absolutely.”

“So he comes back to visit because you play pretend that you hate him.”

“Basically.”