“Fortunately,” Mortimer continued, “Scotty and Donny are available to fill in while Tybo and Valerian are out of commission.”
Beth wasn’t sure how fortunate that was. She supposed she’d have to wait and see just what Scotty was up to in coming here.
“So,” Mortimer continued, moving the subject along, “you will be flying out to Vancouver, British Columbia, for a case that is a bit delicate.”
“Delicate how?” Beth asked with interest, trying not to think about the fact that she’d be trapped on a plane with Mr. Sexybeast for a good five-hour flight. At least, she thought that was how long the flight to British Columbia was.
“Delicate because it involves Kira Sarka,” Mortimer explained.
“Who is Kira Sarka?” Donny asked before Beth could.
“The youngest daughter of Athanasios Sarka.”
Judging by Mortimer’s solemn tones, this Sarka person was someone they should all know, and the name did sound vaguely familiar, but Beth had no idea who he might be.
Mortimer must have picked up on that because he explained, “He is the head of the Russian Immortal Council.”
Ah, yeah, that’s probably why she’d heard the name. Undoubtedly he’d come up in conversation before, and she hadn’t paid attention. Beth hated politics. But even more than politics, she hated when people, whether immortal or mortal, got treated differently because of wealth, power, or political connections and such.
“So, he’s the head of the Russian Immortal Council,” she murmured and then arched an eyebrow. “And that matters why?”
When Mortimer hesitated, Scotty said, “Athanasios means immortal death in ancient Greek.”
She had no idea what that had to do with anything, but it caught her attention. “His parents gave him a name that means immortal death?”
“Nay, his people did when he lived in Greece,” Scotty said dryly and then added, “because he seemed immortal to them and brought death to his enemies swiftly and brutally. Athan’s always been a bit hotheaded and bloodthirsty.”
“Hmm,” Beth said, unimpressed.
“He is not someone we want to upset unnecessarily,” Mortimer said now. “He’s unpredictable and prone to prompt retribution for perceived slights. So his daughter has to be handled with care.”
Beth considered that and then asked, “What has she done?”
“She recently moved to British Columbia to attend summer courses at the university. She is living on campus, and apparently has been feeding off the hoof.”
“Off the hoof means she’s been biting mortals, right?” Donny asked and when Mortimer nodded, he winced and shook his head. “That’s bad.”
“Definitely,” Mortimer agreed.
“So . . .” Beth raised one eyebrow. “You want us to arrange an accident for this Kira? Maybe something like what nearly killed me today?”
“What?” Mortimer gaped at her.
“What, what?” she asked innocently. “Feeding on mortals is not allowed here. It’s rogue behavior punishable by beheading. But obviously you don’t want to upset her father, Mr. Deathhead, so dragging her in before the Council for judgment isn’t possible. Which leaves a punishment that could be seen as an accident having nothing to do with the Council,” she reasoned.
“We don’t assassinate the children of the leaders of other Councils,” Mortimer said firmly.
“Who said anything about assassination?” Beth asked lightly. “I am saying let the Council vote on what to do with her, which, if she is knowingly and deliberately breaking our laws, will probably be beheading. And then we—”
“The Council has already voted,” Mortimer said tightly, cutting her off. “They decided to send someone to explain our laws to her, and to inform her of the punishment for breaking those laws. Then she will be watched to see if she continues with those behaviors. If she does, then she will be brought in for judgment.”
“Ah, I see,” Beth said with a solemn nod. “The girl is a dullard, without the mental capacity to understand our laws, so needs them explained.”
Mortimer opened his mouth, closed it and then narrowed his eyes on her and accused, “You are trying to get me to decide you cannot be as delicate as we need so I will take you off the assignment.”
Beth grimaced at the accusation, but didn’t deny it. Instead, she said softly, “We all know she knows the laws here, right?”
“Yes,” Mortimer admitted, and then pointed out, “But she may not believe they pertain to her. She is young and apparently rebellious. She enjoys causing her father problems, and she may believe she has some sort of diplomatic immunity here or that we will merely fine her father or some such thing.”
Beth considered that briefly, and then let her breath out on a sigh. “Fine. So, we go find her, talk to her, and then watch her to see if she behaves.”
“You only have to talk to her, explain our laws and inform her that they do pertain to her too, and then make the consequences clear should she continue to break our laws,” Mortimer corrected her. “Someone else is already watching her.”
“Then why aren’t they doing the talking?” she asked with surprise.
“Because they aren’t hunters. It isn’t their job. They’re only keeping an eye on her as a favor because we’re short-staffed.”
“Ah.” Beth nodded, but then asked, “Is there a reason talking to her would take the three of us?”
“Athanasios has put several bodyguards on Kira. They may take exception to your speaking to her. It is best you not go alone.”
“Ah,” Beth said again. “So if we’re flying out there, I’m guessing we’re to rent a vehicle?”
“No. We have a satellite office in Vancouver. There’s at least one in every province,” he added.
“You mean a house and shop like this one?” Donny asked with interest.
“Basically,” Mortimer said and continued, “Someone will collect you from the airport and take you there. Hopefully,” he added under his breath.
Beth caught the word and narrowed her eyes. “Hopefully? What does that mean?”
Mortimer paused a heartbeat, but then heaved a sigh and admitted, “I have not been able to get ahold of our agent in Vancouver yet. But I am sure I will before you land,” he added quickly, although he didn’t sound all that confident.
“And if you don’t?” Beth asked.
Mortimer considered the question briefly and then said, “If there is no one waiting at the airport when you land, call me and I will give you further instructions. However, for now, we will go on the assumption someone will be waiting. They will take you to the satellite house, you can settle in and then tomorrow night you can approach Kira Sarka and—”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Beth cut in. “Tomorrow night? Why not approach her as soon as we land?”
“Because she is presently out of the country,” he admitted and glanced down at the file on his desk before adding, “She is expected back tomorrow by dinnertime, but is presently in Hollywood for a party at some star’s house or something. I wrote the name of the actor down here somewhere,” he muttered, running a finger down the top page in the file, which was covered with an almost unreadable scrawl.
Not caring whose party the kid was attending, Beth asked impatiently, “Then why are we flying out tonight? Why not just go tomorrow?”
“Because the plane is available now and may not be tomorrow,” Mortimer said, sounding a little annoyed.
“But—” Beth began, only to be interrupted.
“Do not ‘but’ me, Beth. I have enough on my plate right now without you giving me a hard time. Do you know how difficult it is to get things done around here with seventy-five percent of my people down chasing that damned Dressler? I am working with a handful of real hunters, a bunch of trainees and even volunteers with absolutely no training at all. As for trying to get one of the planes booked for anything, well, that is damned near impossible. I have people driving six, ten, and even twelve hours to look into things that will probably turn out to be nothing, but we have to check out any complaint or tip sent in, because Lord knows if we do not and something happens, I will be the one Lucian—”