friends. “It’s Sonny, Anita, and I did read it. You, meaning the marshals, are allowed to use all force up to and including deadly, if you feel that you or a civilian are in imminent and life-threatening danger. It further allows any officers who are with you, or acting in a backup capacity, to use any and all force to protect your lives and the lives of any civilians.”
I nodded. “They added that last bit after a pair of vampire hunters got killed, and the police with them defended themselves, saved the human hostages, but ended up on trial. They were acquitted, but it was a mess.”
“It’s one of the things that led to DPEA,” Hooper, I mean Sonny, said.
“Yes, so if we’re attacked, then legally we’re in the clear because we can make a case for the dead lycanthrope being in league with the rogue on our warrant. Hell, Sonny, it’s Nevada, you still have varmint laws on the books.”
“I wouldn’t want to be quoting varmint laws if we have to shoot Max’s entire family.”
“Me either, but if they throw down first, legally we won’t have broken any laws.”
“Is it true that you don’t even have to have a hearing after you shoot someone?” Spider asked.
“There’s more paperwork now that we’re federal officers, officially, but no, no lawyers, no hearings, nothing really. But then if they tied us all up in legalities, who would do all the monster slaying?”
“So, really,” he said, “excluding the weretigers from the warrant doesn’t keep them safe if they start the fight with you guys?”
“Not really,” I said.
“If they start the fight, we’ll help you finish it,” Sonny said, “but make damn sure they start it, because you may get out of jail free with your federal badge, but we live here.”
“I give you my word, if this all goes up in flames, we won’t have started it.”
He studied my face-they both did-and then Sonny nodded, as if he’d decided something. He offered me his hand. I took it. “Shake on it.”
We shook on it, and Sonny was old enough and guy enough that the handshake meant more than it would have to, say, Spider or Bernardo-or maybe Vegas Metro SWAT was all like this. Your word meant something, and you could still pledge your life to someone’s decision with just a handshake. It was like an echo of a time when words like
25
I MADE TWO calls from the car as Edward drove us out of the industrial/ business area where the coroner’s office was located, through businesses that were Anywhere, USA. One was to Chang-Bibi, to the personal line that Max had made sure Jean-Claude had. A cultured female voice answered on the first ring. I said, “Chang-Bibi, this is Anita Blake…”
“Anita Blake, we are glad that you have called, but I am not Chang-Bibi. My name is Ava; I am Chang-Bibi’s administrative assistant.”
“Sorry, I thought this was the private number.”
“It is, but”-she made a small laugh-“a queen does not answer her own phone.”
Oh. “Sure,” I said, “my mistake. I’m in Vegas, and I was wanting to speak with Bibiana.”
“We are aware of the tragedy that has befallen our police. Is this official police business, Marshal Blake?”
“I would like to talk to you all about the murders, yes.”
“Is this official police business, Marshal Blake?” she asked again, in a voice that was a little less pleasant.
“I am in Vegas on official police business, yes,” I said.
“Do you have a warrant that forces us to let you into our home or business establishments?”
I hated to say it, but… “No, I don’t.”
“Then it’s a social call,” and her voice was much happier.
“Yes, from one master’s… mate to another,” I said.
“Then Chang-Bibi will be happy to receive you.”
“I do need to talk to her about the murders, though, in an unofficial capacity.”
“You are extending us the courtesy of speaking off the record to us?” Ava asked.
“I’m trying to.”
“I will explain that to Chang-Bibi.” The way she said it made it sound like Bibiana might have trouble with the concept.
“Thank you, Ava,” I said.
“My pleasure, Anita. Chang-Bibi will prepare a welcome for you. We hoped you would visit us, if you had time in all your crime-fighting.”
“What kind of welcome is she preparing?” I asked, and I couldn’t keep the suspicion out of my voice. Years of hanging out with shapeshifters had taught me that their society could have some odd ideas on welcoming guests.
Ava laughed again. “Now, now, that would spoil the surprise.”
“I don’t really like surprises,” I said.
“But Chang-Bibi does, and you are visiting her house and asking for her help.”
“Maybe I’m offering to help her.”
“Are you?”
“I could have come with a warrant, but I’m not,” I said.
“You could not get a warrant on the evidence of smelling weretiger, Anita,” and there was nothing friendly in the voice now.
“You have a mole in the department, or is your spy more federal?” I said.
“We have our sources.”
“Fine, I couldn’t get a warrant, but I still need to talk to the weretigers.”
“Our clan did not do this.”
“Of course not.”
“You do not believe we are innocent.”
“I believe everyone is guilty of something; it saves time.”
She laughed again. “I will go and help prepare. I assume you are coming alone, since this is a social visit of one master’s mate to another.” There was the slightest edge of humor, as if she knew she was making fun of me.
“Actually I have some other U.S. Marshals with me.”
“Now, Anita, that’s not very friendly.”
“I’m allowed attendants when I visit another Master of the City; in fact, denying my attendants entrance would be a grave insult.”
“Oh, good,” Ava said, “you do know how to play the game. Some of the younger, human wives don’t understand the old rules.”
I didn’t correct her on the “wives” comment. If they treated me like a wife, I’d have more status, and it wasn’t like I could ever “divorce” Jean-Claude. Vampire marks between servant and master were a hell of a lot more binding than any legal document. “Jean-Claude made sure I’d be able to do proper honor if I visit Chang- Bibiana.”
“How many of your attendants have guns and badges?”
“By the rules of hospitality, I’m allowed security.”
“But only two, on a surprise visit. Beyond that you must have another purpose for them. Are there more than two bodyguards with you?” Again, I heard that hint of laughter in her voice. But I’d been laughed at by better and scarier than Ava.
“Jean-Claude is Belle Morte’s line, so I’m allowed food.”
“Chang-Bibi is eager to supply all your needs.” Was it my imagination, or did she sound a little angry about that? Hmm.
