Page 37 of Dark Victory

“Okay,” Sam said. She smiled grimly. “Being as you are the boss.”

He didn’t mind the acknowledgment, not from her, because when she was in the field she often ignored his very specific orders. However, she had great instincts, and this far, had managed to avoid his wrath.

Nick looked at Kit, who was clad in black pants, a black turtleneck and black boots. As always, her dark hair was drawn back in a ponytail. She was very fair, and even without makeup, she was striking. Now she was holding a huge stack of what seemed to be enlarged glossies under her arm. “Boss, I’ve come across something really weird.”

He had to crack a smile. “Life is weird.”

“No, it’s major. I’ve been going over the videotapes of last week’s Rampage, the one on Eighty-first and Madison,” she said.

He knew which Rampage she meant. “And?”

“I found someone—or something. Something was there, during the entire event. It showed up as a really small, grayish blip. I zoomed in and the shadow got larger—the size of a small person. When I zoomed into the center of it, I actually saw two eyes and a mouth. Human eyes and a human mouth.” Her green eyes were wide.

Sam came forward. “Demons don’t show up on any kind of film except as black shadows, that we know of. If you could make out features, it wasn’t a demon.”

Nick felt chills begin. “What’s with the photos?”

“I fed Big Mama the features, to see if she could come up with a composite.” Kit grimaced. “But she was in a creative mood and she came up with a million or so possible faces.”

Big Mama was the agency’s supercomputer.

Sam said, “Ghosts photograph really well with the film we’re using. If it was a ghost, the entire face and body would be visible, but you’d see right through it.” That was because ghosts were the energy of dead humans, and they were trying to slip back into their human forms and lives.

Kit said, “I know. I’ve seen ghosts now and then, and not just on tape. They’re pretty cool.”

Nick knew she was referring to her dead sister. He’d actually caught her talking to Kelly a few times. Still chilled, he said, “Let’s see the goods.” But he knew what he’d find.

She handed Nick the top photo and Sam leaned close to look at it, too. “Well? It’s not human and it’s not a ghost. It’s not a demon. It’s not a sub. Subs cast shadows, without the sun. What the hell is that?”

He stared at the malevolent eyes, which stared back at him. Even in print, the eyes were filled with energy and hatred. “Oh, it’s a ghost, all right,” he said. “But not a human one. Just what we need—a demon that forgot to go bye-bye.”

TABBY JERKED to sit up, overcome with dismay. In that exact moment, she realized that she was half-naked on the bathroom floor, having just had sex with a stranger. No, with a medieval barbarian. Shock paralyzed her.

Macleod was standing, calmly wrapping his plaid around his waist, in no rush. He looked smug and pleased.

What had she done?

“Tabby?”

Randall had let himself in. Clearly he was in her living area. Tabby came alive. She jumped to her feet, hopping into the track pants, setting a world record. “Do not come out of the bathroom,” she whispered furiously.

“I willna hide from yer husband.”

Tabby straightened in disbelief. Had he just snarled at her? He was cool, calm and poker-faced, but his eyes glittered dangerously. She inhaled. No good could come of Macleod and Randall meeting! “Just wait in here!” she snapped.

“Why?” he asked. “Because ye dinna wish fer yer husband to see ye with a mostly naked man?” His eyes were dark. “I thought ye a widow, Tabitha. I dinna realize yer husband remained alive.”

Tabby became even more alarmed. “In my time, women can leave and divorce their husbands—and vice versa. I have to go and I am asking you to wait here.”

His smile was sudden and mocking. “Did ye love him, Tabitha?” he asked softly. “Ye never had sex without love—until now. Ye must have loved him, otherwise, ye’d have avoided his bed.”

Did he know everything about her? She was stunned and incredulous.

“Do ye love him still?”

Macleod was not keeping his voice down. “Be quiet,” she muttered.

“Why? What do ye care if he sees ye with a lover?”