All of this was doing nothing for my peace of mind. I was having enough difficulty forcing myself to believe that we were really hunting a vampire, the sort of creature I normally avoid at all costs, without having to deal with the possibility that he was shrewd and resourceful as well. Still, I had learned that ignoring unpleasant elements of a caper was perhaps the worst way to prepare for them.
"Keep going," I urged.
"Well," the troll sighed, "when you stumbled on his hiding place at the Woof Writers, he didn't panic. He waited to hear as much of your plans as possible, all the while taking advantage of the opportunity to assess you first-hand, then timed his escape so as to catch you all flat-footed."
I digested this distasteful addition to the rapidly growing data file. "Do you really think he was sizing me up?"
"There's no doubt in my mind. Not only was he gauging your skills and determination, he was successful enough at second-guessing you, based on the results of his studies, to be waiting to sound the alarm when you busted Aahz out of jail… a particularly bold move when one realizes that he was running the risk of being recognized, which would have blown his frame-up of your partner."
"Bold or desperate," I said thoughtfully. "That's probably why he waited until we had actually sprung Aahz and were on the way down before he blew the whistle. If we had gotten away unscathed, then the frame would be useless, so at that point he really wasn't risking anything."
"Have it your way," the troll shrugged. "The final analysis remains that we have one tough nut to crack. One can only wonder what he will do when we catch up with him this time."
"If he's performing up to par, it could be rough on us."
Chumley shot me a sidelong glance.
"Actually, I was thinking it could be rough on your lady fair… if he has managed to observe the feelings you have for her."
I started to protest, then the impact of his theory hit me and my embarrassment gave way to concern.
"Is it really that apparent? Do you think he could spot it? If so, he might already have done something to Luanna for having contacted us."
"It stands out all over you to anyone who knows you," Chumley said, shaking his head. "As for someone watching you for the first time… I just don't know. He'd be more likely to deduce it from the information you had… such as his name. That kind of data had to come from somewhere, though there's an outside chance that with your current reputation he'll assume that you gleaned it by some magical source."
I barely heard him. My mind was focused on the possibility that Luanna might be hurt, and that I might indirectly have been the cause. A black well of guilt was rising up to swallow me, when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't tune out now, Skeeve," Chumley was saying, shaking me slightly. "First of all, we're going to need you shortly. Secondly, even if Vic's figured out that you're in love with her, I don't think he'll have hurt her. If anything, he'll save her for a trump card to use against us."
I drew a deep ragged breath.
"… and he'll be just the bastard to do it, too," I said. "I don't know what I'll be able to do, for us or for her, but I'll be ready to try. Thanks, Chumley."
The troll was studying me closely.
"Actually, I wasn't thinking that he was such a blighter," he said. "More like a clever, resourceful person who's gotten in over his head and is trying his best to ad-lib his way out. Frankly, Skeeve old boy, in many ways he reminds me of you. You might think about that when attempting to appraise his likely courses of action and how to counter them."
I tried again to weigh what he was saying, but all I could think about was what the consequences of this hunt could mean to Luanna. It was difficult enough for me to accept that we would have to force Luanna and her cohorts to answer to the authorities for their indiscretions, but the thought of placing her in physical danger was unbearable.
I looked around for Aahz, fully intending to put an end to this hunt once and for all. To my surprise, the rest of the group was assembled on the corner ahead, and my partner was beckoning us to join them. "What's going on?" I asked, almost to myself. "Just off-hand," Chumley replied, "I'd say we've reached our destination."
A cold wave of fear washed over me, and I hurried to the rendezvous with Chumley close behind.
"We're in luck," Aahz announced as I arrived. "Guido here says he saw Vic entering the building just as we got here. It's my guess they're all inside right now."
"Aahz, I-I want us to quit right now," I blurted, painfully aware of how weak it sounded.
"Oh?" my partner said, cocking an eyebrow at me. "Any particular reason?"
I licked my lips, feeling the eyes of the whole group on me. "Only one. I'm in love with one of the fugitives… the girl."
"Yeah. Now tell me something I didn't know," Aahz smirked, winking at me.
"You knew?"
"All of us knew. In fact, we were just discussing it. Remember, we all know you… and me probably best of all. It's already been pretty much decided to let your love-light go. Think of it as a present from us to you. The other two are ours." Five minutes ago, that would have made me deliriously happy. Now, it only seemed to complicate things.
"But Chumley was just saying that there's a chance they might hurt her if they find out she helped us," I explained desperately. "Can't we just let them all go?"
"Not a chance, partner," Aahz said firmly. "In addition to our original reasons, you've just mentioned the new one. Your girlfriend could be in trouble, and the only way to be sure she's safe is to remove her partners…Fast."
"Believe him, Skeeve," Tananda urged. "It may not be nice, but it's the best way."
"Really, Boss," Guido said quietly. "Unless we finish this thing here and now, you're never goin' to know if she's safe, know what I mean?"
That almost made sense, but I was still worried. "I don't know, Aahz…"
"Well I do," my partner snapped. "And the longer we stand down here, the more chance there is that they'll either get away or set up a trap. If you're uncertain, stay down here… in fact, that's not a bad idea. Massha, you stay down here with him in case they try to bolt out this way. While you're waiting, watch for the witnesses that Vilhelm's supposed to be sending along. Tananda, you and Chumley and Guido come along with me. This is a job for experienced hard-cases. Pepe, we appreciate your help, but this isn't really your fight."
"But of course." The werewolf grinned. "Besides, I am a lo-var, not a figh-tar. I will wait here to see the finale, eh?"
"But Aahz…"
"Really, partner, you'll be more help down here. This isn't your kind of fight, and we need someone to deal with the witnesses. You're good at that kind of thing."
"I was going to ask if you had given the signal to Vilhelm."
"Signal?" Aahz blinked. "How's this for a signal?!"
With that, he tore off his wig and threw it on the ground, followed closely by his dress.
"Think he'll get the message? Besides, no way am I going to try to fight in that get-up."
"Now you're talkin'!" Guido crowed.
In a flash he had discarded his cloak and was pulling on his now-familiar trench coat.
"Where did that come from?" I demanded.
"Had it with me all the time," the bodyguard said smugly. "It would have been like leaving an old friend behind."
"Well, if you and your old friend are ready," Tananda murmured, "we'd better get started.
"Itching for action?" Aahz grinned.
"No. More like eager to get off the street," she said. "Since you boys have shown your true colors, we're starting to draw a crowd."
Sure enough, the vampires on the street had ceased whatever they had been doing before and were gathering in knots, whispering together and pointing at our group.