Read Online Hell's Teeth (Phoebe Harkness Book 1) by James Fahy - Free Book Online Page B

Because that’s pretty much what it sounds like! Okay, yes, I met a vampire last night, but to put things in perspective, so did everyone else in that damn auditorium. The only reason he was speaking to me is because Trevelyan hadn’t shown up herself. If anything, it’s more likely it was her he wanted to speak with in the first place. She was certainly the speaker on the bill when he applied for his ticket.”
    I mentally counted to five (I couldn’t make it all the way to ten) but it still managed to give me time to stop my voice becoming increasingly shrill. “And if you think I have some kind of involvement with the Genetic Others further than my work here at the lab, and that this is some kind of a warning to me or a punishment, trust me, any GO who knew me even slightly would know that if they wanted to get to me, taking Trevelyan out of all the people I know is a pretty unlikely call.”
    This sounded mean, even to my own ears. I had only meant that if someone was sending me a personal message and wanted me to suffer, why wouldn’t they hurt Griff or Lucy? Someone I actually cared about on a day to day basis. Trevelyan was basically my archnemesis under usual circumstances.
    “There is no doubt that the kidnapper is addressing you specifically, Dr Harkness,” Cloves pointed out helpfully. “Whoever has done this knows Trevelyan’s team. Knows you work here, and fully intended you to receive and view this … clip.”
    “I wish I could tell you why,” I said, with absolute honesty. “I genuinely do.”
    “You are certain…” Harrison said, “… that there is nothing you can think of. Nothing your supervisor shared with you, said to you, which could shed any light on these events?”
    I was getting restless now. “I already told you, we were not best buddies. Vyvienne and I didn’t exactly braid each other’s hair. If she was talking to me, it was mainly to shout.” I had the feeling that these three were looking for a fall guy. That somehow they wanted to incriminate me, have me take the blame for these terrible events. My temper made me bolder than usual.
    “Look, if you’re going to arrest me, just do it,” I said. “Because I honestly have no idea what’s going on here. I don’t know the first thing about my supervisor, I don’t know who the scary movie maker is, or why he’s so obsessed with the sun coming up. But if the police are going to be involved here, call them already, and maybe I can go and answer their questions in a nice cell downtown.” I was painfully aware that ‘downtown’ was an Americanism, but I was feeling understandably dramatic, given the circumstances.
    The godfather spoke, looking directly at me for the first time since he had directed me into the morgue. He had the dead eyes of a fish. It made my skin crawl.
    “You misunderstand, Dr Harkness,” he rumbled slowly. “You are not being arrested; you are Cabal’s only link to the world of the GOs. You’re our only agent who has any interaction with those we study outside of chemical testing.” He leaned forward across the desk toward me, his movements laborious. “Your encounter last night with the one who calls himself Allesandro. It may be essential to us. I mean for you to exploit it.”
    I opened my mouth to reply, or protest, but he held up a stubby finger patiently.
    “You are not being arrested or accused, Dr Harkness,” he said, and his small eyes glinted. “You are being promoted.”
    “And if I don’t want the promotion?” I asked.
    “Trevelyan’s influence was largely the only thing keeping funding flowing into Blue Lab, Doctor Harkness,” Servant Harrison said lightly behind me. “If she is not found, well, let’s just say it would be likely that certain areas of interest would need to be cut.”
    “These are tough economic times,” Cloves agreed. “Your life’s work? The careers of your young team, those you care so much for, as you say.” She folded her arms. “Trevelyan threw