Page 62 of Scout’s Honor

Bonhi snatched up the key and followed, thinking of anything she could say that would stop him. He rushed to his car and got in before she could. He drove away and the guy in the truck followed.

Dakota was still in the car, but Dallas had followed them into the office and followed Bonhi out. She took his hand and looked up at him, her mind whirling. Should she break confidentiality? If she didn’t, would people get hurt? If she did, would she lose her license… and her self-respect? Maybe not, if she spoke in generalities.

She held up the key. “I have a key I’m ordered to deliver to the courthouse, but ahh… I think there might be vampires there.”

His eyes studied hers. “Does this have to do with a cabin in the woods?”

Bonhi nodded hesitantly. “Yes, but I can’t tell you anything more than that. My client deserves confidentiality.”

Dallas turned and looked at Dakota, who shrugged. “Me ‘n Aven’ll back you up, however you want to run it.”

Dallas looked back at Bonhi. “I say you hand the key over while we watch who shows up to collect it.”

31—Charmed, I’m Sure

Bonhi sat in the passenger seat of Dallas’ car, trembling, while Dallas drove them to the courthouse. She clasped her hands together, trying to control the shakes, realizing she did believe in vampires, and she was terrified that she was about to meet one. Dallas took her hand and she instantly felt better, knowing he wouldn’t let any vampire get her.

Bonhi turned around to see Dakota still behind them, following in her car, with the golden eagle flying about thirty feet overhead. Bonhi was glad they were there.

At the courthouse, Dallas parked in the lot, and they got out of the car. Bonhi took Dallas’ hand for strength as they walked up together. They stopped at the top of the steps to discuss their strategy, while people streamed around them like everything was normal.

“If they’re charmed,” Dallas said, staring into her eyes, “I’ll tell you—and you might see them twitch.”

“What about vampires? Will I know one on sight?”

Dallas grinned. “Sure. If you find yourself stabbing someone with anything you can scrounge up, like a pen or a butter knife, they’re a vampire.”

Bonhi grasped her throat, feeling sick to her stomach. “If I’m a switch.”

Dallas took both her hands. “I know you’re a switch. Soon you’ll know, too.”

Bonhi squeezed his hand, nerves tingling in her gut. She didn’t want to stab anyone, not even a vampire.

Dallas nodded at her. “Ready?”

She nodded but couldn’t speak.

Dallas looked up at the sky, but then Aven strolled up the steps hand in hand with Dakota.

Aven clapped Dallas on the shoulder, saying, “Ready!”

Dallas and Aven clasped hands. “Bro, the most important thing is that we keep the civilians safe.” He looked at Bonhi. “Is there someone in there you’re worried about?”

Bonhi nodded. “My friend, Angie.”

Aven lifted his head and looked around. “There’s no vampires around.”

“There might be some watching,” Dallas said.

Aven shook his head. “They can’t be too close. We’d scent ‘em, and our switches here would feel ‘em up to about a half mile away.”

“That’s perfect. They don’t want a confrontation and that means if we drop the key and make ourselves scarce, the humans here’ll be that much safer,” Dallas said. “Here’s what we’re going to do: Bonhi goes first, and I’ll stick close to her. Skree, you and Dakota stay within yelling distance. Bonhi will hand over the key and then we’ll get you two switches a safe distance away while Aven does surveillance.”

“Good plan,” Aven said. Dakota nodded and gave Dallas a snarky thumbs-up.

Dallas caught Bonhi’s eye again, giving her a questioning look. She nodded. He gestured ‘after you.’ Bonhi moved inside and Dallas walked behind her. They went through the metal detectors, then walked single file down the hallway. Without his comforting presence close to her she felt unsure and unsteady, which was something she’d never felt in this building before. She’d always prepared well for every legal battle she’d fought, but she hadn’t prepared for vampires at all. She kept her eyes on the floor, not wanting to see anyone she knew, or any vampires.

She reached the door to the judge’s outer office where Angie worked. Bonhi peeked inside and saw her friend sitting behind her desk, her short blonde bob curled around her ears. Bonhi pushed the door open and headed in, her eyes on her friend, while Dallas took a seat in the waiting area behind her.