Part Ten

Nigel gingerly rubbed his blackened eye as he picked out a shirt from the suitcase. "Were are we going now?"

"You look." Thomas snapped while giving team twenty's packet a toss toward the merc. "They don't need this any more than they need their clothes.

"There's a understatement." Philip snotted while peering out through a crack in the blinds at the B & B. "I can't believe it! Sun is out and it looks absobloodylutly gorgeous out there and an hour ago we were getting chased down the path by a bastard tornado!" He snorted another syllable or two and let the blind fall back into position. The mercenary stood there for a second before taking a glance backward at the three still figures on the bed. "So you chaps well fed now, or should Nigel and I still keep our backs to the wall?"

"Oh, we are fine now." Marvin said with a lick of the lips. "Except for the facts that our hostage has escaped and we all still have to find the cross."

"WHAT!" All shouted in one form or another in response to this revelation.

"That was not the Slayer's Cross." Marvin said flatly.

"Look at my hand!" Joey snapped as he raised the half healed, cross shaped burn which covered his palm and fingers. "That thing burnt me to shit!"

"And if it had been the Slayer's Cross you would have fried to a cinder!" Marvin shouted as his game face bloomed. "We all would have been!"

"So this is....." Thomas began.

"Is nowhere near over!" Marvin finished. "The sun will be down shortly and then we will be off to... where are we going Nigel?"

Nigel held up a colorful brochure. "Marshall, Texas and the great Fire Ant Festival which begins the day after tomorrow." He then held up a sheet of paper embossed with the monogram of Mr. Salvador Giovanni. "And that nutter who is running this exercise in Sod's Law has been kind enough to personally enter everyone in the festivities." With a gallows smile he walked over to the bed and pointed in turn to each member of the late team twenty. "Doris was going to be the mistress of the 'fire ant feeding, alarm and mating call' events, Scotty here was going to do just as bleedin' well in the 'fire ant roundup' and David was to be the hit of the 'rubber chicken chucking' contest." Nigel curled his lip. "Would one of you undead Yanks explain the purpose of this idiotic gala to me?"

"Sounds like a good time." Joey said with a toothy smile.

Patrick's eyebrow shot up at his former boss's attitude. "Doesn't sound any worse than the Gloucester cheese rolling race."

"He's got a point." Philip added. He tossed his thumb toward Nigel and addressed the vampires. "Nigel... he broke his bloody arm two years ago chasing a fine specially-made Double Gloucester cheese down a hill."

"Did he win?" Thomas asked dryly.

Philip tossed his head back and laughed. "He was pulling ahead of the pack until he went tits over arse and landed on this well endowed lady spectator who took offense as to the particular part of her person that he latched onto in an attempt to stop his downhill tumble."

"Back to business!" Marvin barked. "The two of you go gas up the truck, bring it back around to the rear of this place and load up these bodies. We are lucky that the natives are too busy cleaning up the mess in the countryside brought about by that witch to pay attention to tourists."

"As you wish." Nigel said sarcastically as he buttoned up the stolen shirt. He paused for a second before asking. "When are they going to rise?"

"They're not." Marvin grumbled. "We did not sire them because I am tired of having to deal with inexperienced help. If we get anywhere near a large city I'm going to recruit a colleague or two who knows which end to bite."

Joey grinned. "So we can put these guys in a dumpster too?"

"I see what you mean Marvin, you do need some professional assistance." Philip commented as he went into mercenary mode. "You have to be careful as to where you dispose of the bodies. Especially since Texas is merely the next state to the South, so we won't be covering much ground."

Thomas picked up the direction packet and scanned the route. "You've never been to Texas have you?"

"No... but I have watched a lot of Yank Westerns." Philip cocked his head to one side. "Why do you ask?"

"Well... the first rule of thumb for driving in Texas is 'pack a lunch'."

Nigel looked over the vampire's shoulder at the tiny orientation map which accompanied the directions. "It does not look that far to me, like Philip noted it's only one state away. Not like the forced marches we have been..."

Thomas put on his best television cowboy accent, which unfortunately was lousy. "Welll pard-neerrr... that there be six hundred an' fort-teee dusty miles that you-all will be drivin' us."

"Head 'em up and move 'em out boysssss." Marvin added with a hiss.

The mercenary's face fell in exasperation. "And 'pack a lunch'."

******

Earl was having a good time, he had saved Chickie, the road was straight, the stars were slowly fading as dawn hinted on the horizon, not a cop in sight and there was a song in his heart as he drove along. Well, the entire song might have been in his heart, but only the first line was in his head. "Oh the yellow rose of Texas, de, da, de, da, de, de, deeee. De, da, de, da, de, da, de, da. De, da, de da dede deeeeee."

"Would you either keep it down, learn the words or shut up?" Michael snapped from the passenger seat. He twisted his pillow into a different position, pulled the blanket up around his ears and hoped beyond hope to go back to sleep. "I don't want to have to listen to 'de, da, de' for the next 300 miles."

"Four hundred and twenty-nine." Kimberly corrected from the back. "We just passed Watonga, Oklahoma so that means another four hundred and twenty-nine miles to Marshall, Texas."

"No one was talkin' to you.. you King stakin'... Elvis erasing.... human!" Earl growled with a glare in the rearview.

Kimberly wiggled out from under the blanket and sat on the edge of the folded down back seats. "Human?" She laughed. "Was that suppose to be an insult?"

"Oh yeah, callin' someone that could get you chopped up into cat food in most parts of the underworld. But since you're already human I guess that really didn't come out right."

Michael arched an eyebrow. "You think she's 'human'?."

The sarcasm went right over Earl's head. "Yeah, she's human. But she sure can't add, 'cause it's only four hundred and twenty-five miles to Marshall."

As Kim opened her mouth to counter Giles wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back. "Ummm.. don't." He said with a sleepy voice. "It's much too late."

"It's a quarter 'till five." She said sliding back in between him and Tamara.

"Then it's much too early." He yawned.

Kim snuggled up against Rupert, feeling his warmth against her back in contrast to the coolness of Tamara's slumbering form. "Rup... Tam's so cold, is that normal?"

Rupert raised up a bit and looked over at Tam. "Yes, she will be cold for a few days and very tired until she heals."

"What about those... those bad dreams?" Kimberly whispered with a catch in her voice. "That worries me too."

"Unfortunately that is normal also and I cannot say how long the nightmares will last. It's different for everyone." He yawned again, draped his arm around her and gave her a small nuzzling kiss on the back of the neck. "Sleep Luv.. sleep while you can, while we can."

"I'm still worried." She said softly, taking his hand into hers and pulling his embrace a bit tighter.

"Shuuuu... don't be. She's strong and she's healing. Let's sleep Luv...sleep..." Rupert's voice trailed off to a mumble as the past four days caught up with him.

As he tuned in to the exchange Earl adjusted the rear view to get a better look at the four figures lined up across the width of the van, especially the two who were nestled together like a couple of spoons. He shook his head and listened until the breathing in the back settled into a quartet of soft snores before leaning over and giving Michael a sharp poke with his elbow. "Hey... Hey Mike... you awake?"

One bloodshot eye slowly opened and regarded the demon. "Ummpff?"

"So what'da they see in each other?"

A second bloodshot eye joined the first. "What are you talking about?"

"The Watcher and that stake flingin' Elvis duster. They sure don't seem like each other's type!" Earl exclaimed with a confused look. "So what's the deal?"

Michael raised his head. "You woke me up for this?"

"Yeah, figured I'd get a straight answer out of you."

"They are in each others pants because... because they can! Now let me sleep!"

Earl grinned wickedly. "So it's just 'grope for it, grab for it and go for it', not the real thing like between Chickie and me. Gotcha!"

"You are nuts! There's nothing between Chic.. Tamara and you!" Mike tossed the blanket down. "Catch a clue! You snatched her out of a parking lot and tossed her in with a truckfull of vampires!"

"But then I saved her! So that makes it okay." Earl shot back. "If it wasn't for me Marvin would have drained her!"

"Bullshit! I was right there in the middle of it, getting her away from the fight." Michael curled his lip. "If 'fight' is what you want to call it. If it wasn't for that tornado Marvin would have kicked your butt halfway back to Michigan."

"I don't think so! I was just making him think that he could whup me until I found a piece of wood." Earl smirked and lobbed another one over the net. "I fought for her, you never even tried to get a hit in on any of 'em."

Michael pointed a finger to his chest. "I did too 'and' I was getting shot at! I ran through gunfire to get to her while you were still on their side!"

Making a 'time out' sign Laura staggered up between them. "Come on guys... you both saved her, you're both great, you're both heroes and you're both a pain in the ass. Now can we stop somewhere for breakfast and a potty break?"

"We got about twenty miles until we hit Interstate 40. Can you hold out or you want me to stop by a field?"

Laura blinked. "Earl... no fields. I don't do fields."

"Oh, okay with me." The demon said with a shrug. "How's Chickie doing?"

"Her name is 'Tamara', you know." Michael grumped.

"What's wrong with us having 'special' little nicknames for each other?" Earl asked with a huff. "Couples do that all the time."

"Yeah." Michael confirmed this fact through a curled lip. "Couples do, but you two are 'not' a...."

"What does she call you?" Laura asked the demon causing Michael to shoot her a look.

"Uh, Earl. She calls me Earl." The demon paused in momentary confusion before deciding. "But that's just because she hasn't thought of anything special to call me yet!"

"I gotta few ideas." Michael mumbled under his breath as he turned back around to check on Tam. "So, is she sleeping okay now?"

Laura pulled up a small suitcase and sat down in the space between the two. "She is now. Cripe, but that must have been an awful dream."

"That's 'cause she got bit." Earl said with a hard nod that sent his earring jingling.

"Yeah, Rupert said that too." Laura shuddered at the thought of everything that had happened to her friend. "And he said they might last awhile."

"That's right. But just until Chickie gets it all sorted through in her head. By the time the bite mark heals she should be just fine."

"I think the operative word here is 'bite'!" Michael spit. "And it's not going to get any better as long as she's in danger of getting another 'bite' every time the sun goes down."

"I won't let that happen!" Earl made "X" with his with his finger over his chest and another one over his lower abdomen. "Cross my hearts! Hope to get eaten by a Siberian frost dragon!"

Laura blinked. "Hearts? Like you have two of them?"

Earl pointed to his chest. "Sure do! The one up here is for moving blood around, just like yours." Then he pointed downward. "This one is to pump straight to my..." He arched both eyebrows and winked. "..to my, (heh... heh... heh..) I think you can figure it out."

"Cool!" Laura said with a wickedly appreciative grin.

Michael twisted up his face in disbelief at his sister's comment and actions. "LAURA!"

"Well it is 'cool'!" She said with a roll of her eyes. "I mean, wow... he's a demon and it's not everyday you get to talk to a demon." Laura stared at her brother. "Don't you think it's cool?"

Michael grimaced and rubbed his suddenly aching head. "What I think is that I'm the only one in this van who isn't out of his, her or ITS' mind. So why don't you go lay back down Sis, 'cause I'm not in the mood to have to listen to my little sister asking twenty questions about how a demon does it."

"Hey! You shouldn't talk to your sister like that!" Earl pointed a finger at him and shook it. "You're just lucky she ain't like my sister Norvtilchia! If I would talk to Nora like that she would cook my cat up with a double serving of poached caramelized turnips, sweet pickled garlic roots and peppered pineapple." He thought for a minute and snacked his lips. "Which all in all ain't a bad meal, but do I like my cat."

Michael blinked.

Laura blinked.

The two humans collectively shook their heads.

Earl caught the motion. "Hey! I can't help it that I've got a sweet tooth."

"I think I'm going to lay back down." Laura mumbled.

"Night!" Earl said to her as she moved back to the makeshift bed. "Oh the yellow rose of Texas, de, da, de, da, de, de, Dee. De, da, de, da....."

Michael pulled the blanket back up, covered his head and shut his eyes until he felt the van bump into the truck stop/restaurant plaza at the intersection of I-40 and the State Route. He waited for Earl to get out before uncovering his head, squinting as the rising sun flooded across the landscape. Rubbing his face and eyes he made his way into the back of the van and gently shook Tamara awake.

"Tam... wake up."

"Five more minutes Mom. Just five more minutes."

"Come on." He said while rubbing her shoulder. "We're at a truck stop somewhere in hell and gone Oklahoma. You gotta get something to eat." Tamara blinked herself awake and looked around the van as she slowly got her bearings. "I'm not hungry." She mumbled as her tired eyes finally focused on Michael.

Laura stretched. "Mike's right. You have to eat." She leaned over Tamara and yanked at Rupert and Kim's blanket. "Hey you two! Rise and shine."

"I'll rise but I refuse to shine." Kimberly grumbled as she sat up and repositioned herself against the back of the van.

"You're not a morning person, huh?" Laura giggled as she opened the side door allowing even more direct sunlight into the interior.

Kimberly screwed her face up. "Morning people should be hunted down and shot."

"Isn't that a little harsh?" Giles said as he retrieved his glasses.

"Well, you'd have to get the license, and take the classes, and follow the bag limits." Kim offered.

Earl stuck his head in the side door. "Come on! They have a breakfast bar, all you can eat for $4.99! Does Chickie want me to get her a plate?"

"No she doesn't!" Michael sniped as he positioned himself between Tamara and Earl.

"Look, I really don't want anything." Tamara protested. "All of you go on, just bring me a doughnut or something."

Rupert slid over to her and placed a hand on her forehead. "Tamara, you have to eat... and drink something as well. You're a bit feverish and..."

Tamara pushed his hand away. "Guys... I am not in the mood. I'm tired, okay? What good's it going do for me to fall asleep in my corn flakes? Bring me a 'big' orange juice and a doughnut."

"I'll stay here with her." Kimberly volunteered. "But I want two doughnuts, with that red filling stuff and a big cup of coffee."

"No! She has to come in..." Michael started only to have Kim interrupt while tossing him the thermos. "Just leave her alone before she hands you your head on a stick. Bring her a couple of steak and egg sandwiches and three juices instead of a doughnut. And fill that up with coffee, regular not unleaded."

Michael's jaw went tight. "And who the hell died and made you boss?"

With a sigh Rupert raised his hands. "Please..." He looked at the others then addressed Tamara. "If we let you rest will you promise to eat the decent food we bring you?"

"I promise." She said. "I just don't feel like going in."

"Allright, allright, allright." Michael mumbled as he slid over to her and gave her a lingering kiss on the cheek. "If you promise."

Earl curled his lip at the sight. "Well, I'll go get you some breakfast then!"

"I'm going with him!" Laura said as she slipped out of the van. "Don't want him to order her something weird."

Michael tossed his hands in the air and went after her. "Wait up! Don't go in there with him!"

Rupert chuckled under his breath and uncurled himself from the vehicle. "We won't be long. Keep an eye on her Luv."

"Sure Hon, will do." Kimberly answered softly in a tone that caused Tamara's eyebrow to shoot up. She almost questioned the exchange but instead settled back and rubbed her hand through her hair and asked. "So where are we?"

"About forty miles West of Oklahoma City. The directions take us across Oklahoma before dropping us South into Texas." Kim said giving her friend a shrug. "Go figure, it's not the way I would have went."

"Of course not, 'Ms Map'."

Kim smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment. Now you lay back down and snooze until they get back."

Tamara shook her head and wrapped both blankets around her. "I gotta stay up for awhile, hell all I've done is sleep."

"You need it." Kim handed her a pillow. "How do you feel."

"Crummy." She answered truthfully. "Tired, light-headed and cold."

"Rup said you'd feel like shit. That's why you gotta eat and rest and let us pamper you." Kim said as she moved to sit in the doorway to have a smoke.

"So what all's happened since Memphis?" Tamara asked.

"We all drove like hell, followed the route and looked for you."

Tamara scooted up and sat on the edge of the folded down seat. "And that would be the condensed version?"

"Just the facts ma'am. Just the facts." Kim confirmed in a Joe Friday voice.

"I'm gonna smack you. Fill it in."

Kimberly took a deep drag and exhaled slowly. "It's all a blur. But as my memory serves me..."

Tamara listened as Kim gave her a ten minute rundown of the events since Tennessee. She grimaced at the thought of Michael and Kim's fight over the painting and the resulting mistrust that had taken root; blinked in amazement that it had been Christy who Earl had threatened in Cincinnati; smiled at the mental image of Nigel in a dress and drew in a sharp shuttering inhale at the news that Rupert had offered himself for her. "He what?! Back it up! He did what?!"

"Offered to trade himself for you, but Marvin wouldn't deal. Look, it... it turned out okay so just leave it at that. So we left there the next morning and drove like a bat out of hell to Straight, that's where we found you." Kim flicked the third butt out the door and shrugged. "And you know the rest."

"No I don't." Tam disagreed. "That prick bit me and it was 'fade to black' until I woke up in the concession building. How'd I get away from Marvin?"

"Earl and Michael both ran to you." Kim began then stopped and wrinkled her forehead as the memory of Earl morphing hit her. "Okay, first one question: If demon-boy can turn himself into 'Mr. July through November plus the holiday supplemental foldout' why does he walk around looking like the cover photo from a 'ten reasons why you don't want to marry your first cousin' brochure?"

Tamara busted out laughing for the first time since her rescue. "Because... (giggle-snort) because... he thinks that shape he uses is... (heeheeheeehee) is macho." She wheezed and wiped her eyes. "Damn you Kim! Don't do that to me! Are you trying to make me pass out?"

"Well girlfriend, brace yourself for round two. 'Cause from where I was standing it looked like Earl saved you. Michael got you away from the action and into the concession stand before the twister hit, but it was 'macho man' disguised as 'Mr. Foldout' that got that dead asshole off you." Kim grinned and winked. "And Michael and Earl have been posturing and sniping at each other over you since we left Straight. Between the two of them the testosterone has been knee deep in here."

Tamara rolled her eyes. "Oh great!"

"Well, it keeps them from snagging on me." Kim laughed and went into a knuckle-dragging, cave man impersonation. "Me save her! Ug! No! Me save her! Aroo! Take her to MY cave!"

Tamara didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Earl really doesn't get it. He's not really a bad person... I mean demon. He just isn't the brightest bulb in the pack." She sat back and sighed. "And yes, he and that Thomas vamp were the ones that grabbed me in Memphis. But he spent the rest of the trip being as nice as he could to me. He bought me food and water, kept the others away from me and we played cards and...."

Kim's face went dark. "You're Stockholming... quit it."

"Say what?"

"It's when a hostage starts to see the bad guy's point of view and begins to defend their actions. Comes from this thing that happened in Sweden back in '73 where these guys tried to rob a bank and..."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah I know what Stockholming is but I don't think it applies here!" Tamara waved her hands at Kim. "And don't go into factoid mode on me. Cripe Kim, you know more about nothing than anybody I've ever seen!"

"I've been told that before." Kim deadpanned. "Just remember that Earl has switched sides once and he could do it again. I really don't trust him."

"Earl's okay."

"Right, that's why he told me he was going to rip my liver out through my nose and wear it as a hat. But what the hell, I've pissed everybody off so he might as join the party."

A sly grin crossed Tam's face as she arched an eyebrow. "Everybody? I don't think so 'Luv'. Luv and Hon?"

Kimberly suddenly became very interested in the sign across the parking lot. "Crazy Bill's Oklahoma Emporium. Wonder if they would have a stuffed armadillo? I've always wanted one of those ever since I saw the one that Judge Harry Stone had on 'Night Court'."

THWACK!

"OW!" Kim rubbed the top of her head more for show than hurt. Tamara unrolled the magazine and theatrically checked it for damage before again tossing out the bait. "Luv and Hon? And the two of you were really cuddled up together this..."

"We've been sleeping together since Detroit." Kim confessed. "I'm sorry."

Tamara's brow wrinkled. "Why are you sorry?"

"Why? Because you've been kidnapped and there we were getting horizontal every time the wind changed direction. Talk about Guiltfest '99!" She sighed and stared toward the restaurant. "I know it's just a fling. Rup operates on a different level than the rest of us, he's got that whole 'duty' and Watcher thing going and when this trip is over, it's over too. Tamara, I don't know what I'm going to do or where I'm going to go. I'd like to stay close to home but that just puts me in a position of having Jim in my face every two minutes and I'm sure he has hired a suit by now."

"Say what!" Tamara shouted. "Suit? As in lawyer type, shiny suit?"

Kimberly muttered some well turned pressroom phrases under her breath. "Yeah, as in lawyer type. We stopped at my house, Jim showed his ass and I left him once and for all." She stood and began to check the tie downs on the luggage rack. "No problem, but I'd rather not talk about it. Okay?"

"Okay, sure, no problem." Tamara agreed after a moment's hesitation.

"Fine." Kim grumbled. "Now, you rest while I check to see if our stuff is going to go flying off the top of here. Jeezle, they sure didn't get any merit badges in knot tying. We are going to have to..."

"Hey Chickie! I got your breakfast!" Earl shouted as he trotted across the parking lot holding three styrofoam containers and a drink holder up for her to see. "Two steak, bacon, ham and egg sandwiches, and pancakes with that strawberry stuff, and a shrimp chef salad with bleu cheese and French dressing, and some orange juice, and some grapefruit juice, and a coffee and a chocolate milk shake."

"Bon appétit." Kim tried to deadpan before being overtaken by terminal chuckles. "Reminds me of the time Christy and I got the munchies and went to the grocery at 2:00 AM with $200 and... uh, never mind."

Tamara shut her eyes and shook her head as the love sick demon began to pile the food by her side. "Oh Earl... I can't eat all this!"

Kim tapped Earl on the shoulder. "Excuse me. Where's my coffee?"

"Go get it yourself you.... you stake happy bit..."

"Careful!" Kim warned him with a shake of the finger. "Call me that and I'll go stake Willie Nelson!"

Earl's eyes got wide. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Watch me! Then I'll hunt down that chick who sang 'Midnight at the Oasis'!"

"She's not a vamp!" Earl shot back.

"Too bad!" Kim said with true disappointment.

"Why don't you guys team up and go after anybody and everybody responsible for disco?" Tamara offered.

Earl crossed his arms. "Hey! I liked disco! You should have seen me all decked out!" He gave Kim a sidelong glance and dared her to make a comment. "Well?"

In answer Kimberly choked back a snort, slapped Earl on the shoulder and began sing while doing a little disco dance. "Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man: no time to talk. Music loud and women warm, I've been kicked around since I was born. And now it's all right..."

The demon's eyes lit up as he jumped out of the van and joined in. "...It's OK. And you may look the other way. We can try to understand the New York Times' effect on man. Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother, you're stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin', and we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive."

Tamara rolled her eyes straight up and asked the heavens. "Couldn't you have made their common ground anything but disco? And could you pleeesssseee make her stop trying to sing?! 'Cause I can't take it!"

"Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' aliiiiivvvveeeee!!"

******

Harvey swatted the first security guard off him but was grabbed by two more who slammed him up against the wall.

"LET GO OF ME YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" The big man raged as he twisted and kicked out at his captors.

"That language is not necessary." Salvador Giovanni said as he opened his office door. "And if Mr. Tasker promises to be a gentleman you may release him."

With a rough shove as a warning the guards released Harvey. He regained his composure but kept his guard up as he turned to Giovanni with a mumbled "Sounds like a plan."

Salvador dismissed the guards with a barely perceivable wave of the hand and regarded his visitor. Unshaven, wearing the same set of clothes he had been in for God knows how many days, exhausted but still standing, fueled by the volatile combination of anger and adrenaline. A faint smile slipped across the older man's lips then vanished as his face became a picture of hospitality. "My office please Mr. Tasker." He said as he made a sweeping motion toward his inner sanctum. "Would you care for a drink or perhaps a late supper?"

"No, I just want to say what I have to and get out of here." Harvey snapped. He waited until Giovanni has closed the double doors and launched into the speech he had rehearsed and polished over the past twenty-six hours. "I'll make this fast. I hope you don't have a clue as to what is going on, because if you do then you're one sick puppy..."

Giovanni turned his back on Harvey and began to fix himself a drink. "Does this concern the Slayer's Cross?"

"...Because people have been killed out there! You have to call this thing off!"

"Answer my question." Salvador said in a bored tone.

"YES!"

"You seem a bit upset but that is no reason to shout."

Harvey clenched his teeth and controlled the urge to knock this man through the wall. "Do you know what's going on out there?"

With a shrug Giovanni strolled over to his desk and picked up a folder. "The 6:00 PM report was interesting. Even though their downtime was over at ten PM last evening, team twenty has not moved from Straight, Oklahoma." He paused and read a bit. "And twenty-six hours ago, both team eleven's and team fourteen's tracking devices failed in the same location."

Harvey's lip curled at the other man's blasé attitude. "Well let's see here. Twenty had their tires slashed, eleven is those two sons of bitches who were shooting at us and since I was number fourteen, I can tell you for a fact that we're out of it because my fucking van is under ten tons of rubble."

With a cold stare Giovanni lay the papers down and gave Harvey a warning. "Mr. Tasker, if you continue to use that language in my presence I will be forced to...."

"Force THIS!" Harvey offered with the appropriate hand sign. "Tamara was kidnapped by vampires and damn near killed by them! And something else happened to her that she won't talk about! Don't you care? What's wrong with you, you stupid sack of shit! These other two guys with the guns are in with the goddamn vamps and they are hunting us!" Harvey began to sputter as a thin smile appeared on Giovanni's face. He smashed his fist down on the desk. "You think that's goddamn funny?! We were up against vampires! Vampires and gunmen for Christ's sake! Tamara was bitten by one of them!"

"Was she turned?" The older man asked as if he was inquiring about the weather.

With a snarl Harvey leaned across the desk into Salvador's face. "Fuck you. And I'm warning you call this thing off or I'm going to the cops!"

"And tell them what? That vampires are... real? When this little hallucination of yours becomes public knowledge I'm sure your business will fail for no one will hire an insane man to install electrical wiring their home." Giovanni leaned forward into Harvey's space. "The treasure hunt will continue as planned and if you even think about causing any problems I will disqualify team seventeen and make it my goal to ruin you and your family. Now, I sincerely thank you for the information and this conversation is over." With that he reached over and pressed a button to summon security. "You may now leave under your own power or be dragged out by the guards, your choice Mr. Tasker."

Harvey felt his insides twist. "Please... you gotta give Rupert the cross before my friends are killed! It might be too late already! Please stop this... please!"

"Please? So 'now' you decide to change your tune?" I will tell you this much, four hours ago team seventeen arrived safely in Marshall, Texas and signed in at 3:19 local time." Giovanni said as the guards came running back in and positioned themselves on either side and behind Harvey.

"Please escort Mr. Tasker off the property." Salvador nonchalantly ordered with a wave of his hand.

"You smug bastard." Harvey hissed as three pairs of hands latched onto his arms, roughly turned him around and gave him a push toward the door. Giovanni smoothed his tie and sat down at his desk smiling at the sound of Harvey being 'escorted' down the hall. "So my contrary niece was bitten by a vampire... pity." He took a sip of his drink and began to scan the reports of each team's whereabouts and their confirmed finds, his amusement growing with each second until he finally began to laugh out loud. "I cannot believe it! They all overlooked the cross! I'll just have to put it in next year's hunt and perhaps next year's Watcher will have the sense to find it."