Page 169 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Two

“Right,” Mark agreed. “I think the dogs can see in the dark,but we can’t. So, damned good job in the end.”

“And with Patrick being here with his quick fix, the man atleast has a chance,” Angela said. “I’d say sleep is in order.”

“Let’s do it,” Jackson said.

“I will keep watchover the cemetery throughout the night when the crews leave,” Clayborn ensured.“It’s one benefit to being me. I don’t need sleep.”

“Great, thank you,” Jackson told him. “All right, guys.Let’s get the hell out of the woods.”

When they finally reached the car and made their way home,it was late.

Once again, the kids were in bed.

“Thank God for Mary,” Angela murmured.

“She really is a blessing,” Jackson agreed. Inside, he madea point of telling her that and filling her in on what had been happening.

“I am so grateful you found the man. And as for the kids...no problem,” Mary told them. “I love them, you know that. And I love beinguseful.”

“Tomorrow will likely be another tough day,” Angela said.

“And the day before Halloween, too,” Mary said. “I justhope... well, I know you were planning a nice holiday event at headquarters forthose in town. And you want to take the kids trick-or-treating. I mean, a partyis no big deal, but I know how you love your children.”

“We have amazing kids, but, yes, we try to keep them out ofcases as much as we can,” Jackson said. “Though we did meet and adopt Corbybecause of a strange case, and we’re damn lucky tohave him as our son because of it. But, anyway. Mary—”

“No matter what, I will see that the children get to weartheir costumes, get to their school and daycare parties, and gotrick-or-treating. Though I hope you’re able to do it with them. Of course, youdo employ many great agents. Still...” She paused, then looked at Angela. “Thisis your case.” She shook her head. “It’s remarkable that you found a man in atree.”

“All of us accomplished a lot today,” Angela said.

“And while we all know that cases can take days, weeks, andeven months,” Jackson said, “we’re grateful to be moving forward. And sograteful we have you.”

“We’re all lucky. I’m lucky, too,” Mary said.

She left them, and Jackson suddenly realized that he wasstarving. “Hm. Think we have anything to eat in the kitchen?” he asked Angela.

“I don’t know. What do possums eat?” she teased. “Orvampires. Yuck. Never mind. Let’s go back to possums.”

“Let’s go back to people,” he said.

“Right. Except I’m too tired to—”

“Peanut butter sandwiches?” Jackson said and enveloped herin a hug.

“Now there’s a plan.” She smiled and kissed him on thecheek.

They had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and some chips.A meal quickly prepared, eaten even faster, and filling enough for the night.

“I wonder,” Angela said, glancing his way and pretending tobe serious as she set one of their glasses in the dish drainer.

“Yes?”

“Are possums monogamous? Do they have loving relationships?”

Jackson raised a brow and shrugged.“I don’t really know. We’d have to look that one up. I’m surprised you don’talready know.” He winked. “I do know one thing, though. At least aboutvampires.”

“What’s that?”

“They love to bite necks.” He prowled her way. “I mean, Iguess loving vampires bite necks gently, but...”