Page 52 of Death is Familiar

Things had changed somewhat since then.

And I know it really shouldn’t have bothered me. Not everyone needed to like me. What bugged me was not understanding why, and whether or not her resentment towards me was founded.

My restlessness didn’t help matters.

Arms crossed, I leaned against the wall, drumming my fingers against myself. I’d tried to get my energy out before the drive up, but the need to move itched under my skin. I had the overwhelming urge to pickpocket someone. Just for fun.

Don’t do it. Not a good idea.

The last time I pickpocketed an FBI agent, I had stolen Fawzy’s watch. It had only been for a moment, but if I recalled correctly, she’d been somewhat impressed.

Well, it would be good to get some practice in…

I did a quick scan of the room.

Fawzy was still nose-deep in the menu.

Thruppy clicked through something on his laptop, rhythmically pulling on his FBI badge which spooled back onto the retractable lanyard clipped to his waist.

Zhou was on her phone.

Kaatz was reading a report, while working her way through her third round of knuckle cracking.

And the two agents I’d come in with were too busy talking amongst themselves to contribute to the dazzling dynamic.

Yeah, team bonding was going real well.

“You think?” Jack finally spoke at a volume loud enough for people other than Todd to hear.

Glancing over his shoulder, Todd gestured in my general direction before signing… something… back to Jack. Unfortunately, my view was obstructed by Todd’s broad shoulders.

“Good idea.” Jack clasped Todd on the arm, giving him a nod. “Take Kaatz with you and keep me in the loop.”

Kaatz all but sprang to her feet, waiting for further instruction.

“You, me, outside.” Todd directed, slowly weaving past on his way to the door. “I’ll text details.”

Kaatz nodded before slipping into the hall after Todd.

The door was only closed a fraction of a second before Todd reappeared in the doorway. His sights set on me, his finger pointed. “Be good.”

Who? Me?

“Yes, you,” he signed, leaving no room for argument as he shut the door behind him.

Well, now I had to pick pocket someone.

And the four remaining agents were just so pickpocket-able.

I drummed my fingers on my arm once more before pushing off the wall, pulling the elastic out of my hair I let my waves fall loose about my shoulders. “Any headway on who brought the victims to Spring Grove Cemetery?”

Fawzy held up her fingers in an O, watch glistening.

“Hess is aware of our activities.” In case it wasn’t obvious, that was Zhou.

“Yes, I am,” Jack’s on-the-job authoritative demeanor returned in full force, “and now, it’s time to share with the rest of the group.”

Sliding her phone onto the coffee table, Zhou relented. “Spoke to local PD, cemetery staff, canvassed, and got nothing. No updates through social, no tips provided. Video cameras found nothing. Family and friends didn’t provide anything useful. No one knew the victims were involved with the vamps.”