Blood of Gold by Duncan McGeary Page B

for those girls, and for their human protector. But what could he do?
    “How will you find them?” he asked finally.
    “I already have,” Clarkson said. “I contacted Callendar at the FBI, and he gave me the cell tower tracking history for the phone that guy used to post this. I should be able to find them from that.”
    After the unsuccessful raid on Sylvie’s house in Bend, Callendar had passed word through back channels that the FBI was looking for them, and that he’d try to hold off the hunters for as long as possible. “I owe you that much,” he’d said.
    Clarkson had been antsy ever since they’d arrived in these isolated hills. She had taken it upon herself to monitor the outside world, but Terrill knew that what she really wanted was to be engaged with it.
    “All right, but be careful,” he said. “We’re probably not the only ones who read this message.”
    Clarkson nodded. She’d grown out her hair, which had once been cut close to her head and so light blonde it was nearly white. Now it was long and a soft golden color. Once she’d been pale and forbidding, but now she looked like a tanned beach girl. Her severe manner hadn’t changed much, though. She still seldom smiled… or frowned, for that matter.
    “I want to go too.”
    Terrill turned in surprise to see that Marc was still sitting on the bench at his feet and was looking up at them. He had an open expression, big brown eyes behind nerdy-looking glasses, and was all skin and bones. He only ate enough raw meat to stay alive. Terrill thought he’d stop eating meat altogether if he could. Now that would be a true miracle––a vegetarian vampire.
    Don’t you want to write down my every word? he wanted to ask.
    “I’ll leave my tape recorder here,” Marc said, answering his unspoken question. “I’ll get others to tape you, then make transcripts when I get back.”
    “Why?”
    “Your words must not be lost,” Marc said.
    “No, I meant why do you want to go?”
    “I think I know who these girls are. There were a couple of kidnappings in Del Norte County of young girls who were never found. I think their names were Patty and Simone. I don’t know about a third girl, but it makes sense. If it’s them, they’ve been missing for over ten years.”
    So? Terrill wanted to ask. Why are you interested?
    Again, Marc seemed to respond to his thoughts. “They are innocents. They must be saved. The blood of gold can save them.”
    Terrill glanced at Clarkson. She seemed to be pleading with him with her eyes to say no. She was going to be disappointed. “All right,” he said. “I’d feel better if you didn’t go alone, Clarkson.”
    I wish I could go with you , he thought. Anything to get out from under the burden of sainthood.
     
     

 
    Chapter 9
     
    By the time Hoss flew to London, he’d lost most of his followers. They had just faded away. London was like the moon to them. Despite the vampire hunt going on outside the motel room walls, they chose not to accompany him.
    As he was about to leave, a little girl tugged on his coat. Who the hell would Turn a six-year-old girl? Hoss wondered. Then again, who the hell would Turn a thirteen-year-old boy?
    “Yeah?” he asked.
    “Who’s going to enforce the Rules of Vampire if you leave, Hoss?”
    Hoss almost laughed. What do I care? he almost said. But then he realized that he did care. “What’s your name?”
    “Charlotte Hamilton,” the girl answered in a strong, clear voice.
    “Well, Charlotte… I guess you’re going to have to enforce the Rules.” After all, he thought, who’s bossier than a little girl? “You hear that?” he shouted to the others in the motel office. “Charlotte’s in charge!”
    A couple of vampires laughed, but Charlotte glared at them and they shut up. Yes, there’s no one bossier.
    Having appointed his lieutenant, Hoss left with his small group of followers. Jodie went with him. She seemed completely enamored with him, demanding more of his