Free Turned by Virna Depaul Page A

patted down the man until he found the silver case with the cards inside.
    Belladonna. There was only a phone number. No email or nothing.
    Per his boss’s instructions to identify the man, Bobbie took the card as well as the guy’s license. As soon as he left, he’d call his boss and tell him what he’d discovered. He’d report that this male was a vampire, something Officer Southcott had failed to notice. The boss would be pleased and Bobbie hoped he’d finally be rewarded.
    Although it was difficult for him, he didn’t take the wad of cash in the guy’s wallet—the boss might not approve. He was about to stand up when it occurred tohim to take the guy’s cell phone, too. Maybe there’d be useful information on the SIM card that his boss could use. He was searching for it when he caught sight of the gold medallion around the man’s neck. He couldn’t help himself—he picked it up.
    Shit, it was heavy. Was it real gold? And what did the three triangles symbolize? ’Cause they looked a little like fangs. A genuine vampire artifact. He started to lift it, but felt the buzz of a mosquito at his temple. Frowning, he swatted it away.
    Don’t take the necklace .
    Forget you ever saw it .
    Leave the necklace alone .
    Take nothing else from me. Go .
    The words echoed inside Bobbie’s brain, but surely he was imagining them.
    He slapped at the mosquito again.
    Then abruptly he released the chain and stood, slightly woozy.
    He wasn’t going to take the necklace. Was going to forget about the necklace. Would leave the necklace alone. He would take nothing else from the man. He would leave.
    He turned, swayed a little on his feet, and headed out.
    He had a phone call to make.
    As the man dropped the necklace, Ty’s tense muscles relaxed. He’d been preparing to fight if the man had actually tried to take it, but frankly, Ty hadn’t been sure he’d be able to lift his arms, let alone overpower anyone. He struggled not to scream with pain. Fuck, it was bad. He felt like his skull was going to blow off but he forced himself to remain silent. To not give himself away.
    Distantly, he listened to the man who’d searched him walk away.
    The man’s scent carried on the wind long after his footsteps faded. Ty recognized it. A kick of adrenaline numbed his pain and had him feeling faintly satisfied.
    The young guy who’d been in Ana’s café with his girlfriend. Ana had called him Bobbie. Bobbie Hernandez.
    He’d obviously followed him. Did Bobbie have anything to do with the cops who’d shown up and shot Ty? He was betting that was the case. Unfortunately, that was all he could do. Although he’d tried to read the kid’s mind, a lot of blood and ugly visions had gotten in the way. Bobbie was a wannabe vampire. His brain was crowded with violent fantasies.
    Besides that, Ty had picked up two images. One of Ana. And one of two men talking about turning humans into vampires. One of those men had been Miguel Salvador, the very man they were hoping she could influence in order to get them inside Salvation’s Crossing. The same man who knew exactly where Ana’s sister was—right by his side.
    What he’d read of Bobbie’s thoughts was just further confirmation Belladonna was on the right track. That Salvation’s Crossing was indeed more than it appeared to be and that by getting inside, they’d be able to eliminate the Rogues.
    Ty caught a whisper in the air and listened carefully. It was a distant echo of Bobbie’s excited brain, he realized with no small amount of amazement. Leftover mental energy oozing with Bobbie’s desire to be a vampire.
    Shit, if it didn’t already have one, the FBI should print a recruitment brochure:
    Join us! Openings at all levels! Human? Become immortal. Who cares if you need to drink blood for the rest of your life? Natural vampire? Turn humans for fun and profit. Opportunities for advancement at major government agency .
    Ty snorted.
    It was frustrating as hell, the fact that he