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don’t know what we’re here for.”
    “That’s just the thing. Dr. Hasjef doesn’t know. I don’t know. Seems nobody does, but you.”
    “That’s right.”
    She hung in the doorway a moment longer, as if hoping Craig would offer more, but clearly not holding her breath. Then she shrugged. “You’re the one with the warrant.” She stepped aside to let them through, had a quick change of heart, and stopped Craig by putting a hand on his chest. “That boy is very ill. Last thing he needs is some cops frightening him.”
    “We’ll be delicate.”
    “You better be.” She took her hand off his chest.
    As they filed in, a short man in a pair of khaki slacks and a light blue button-up shirt hurried out of an office area enclosed mostly with windows. He carried a thick manila folder under one arm. He had light brown skin and spoke with a Middle Eastern accent. “I am Dr. Hasjef,” he said, sounding out of breath. He held out his free hand to Craig while simultaneously taking in Jessie and Mica. His gaze hitched on Mica and her skunk-striped hair. He lifted his eyebrows. “You are the FBI?”
    “That’s right, love,” Mica said.
    “Is the boy ready for questioning?” Craig asked.
    “We have him in a private conference room. He is very agitated at the moment. I must admit, we are all a little concerned about this situation. It is highly unusual. Especially at such a late hour.”
    “I appreciate that, but I assure you…” Craig’s voice caught. “I assure you this is an important and necessary part of our investigation.”
    “But what are you investigating?”
    “Can we see the boy now?”
    The doctor’s lips pressed together. He stared at Craig for a couple seconds, nodded. “Right this way.”
    Hasjef led them down a hall off of the main corridor and around a corner. Jessie noticed a similar smell as the one just off the elevator, but not as strong in here. Still, she couldn’t imagine working—or living —here, facing that insidious and nameless scent every day. Maybe the staff and patients got used to it.
    They came to another metal door, this one without a window. Hasjef used a set of keys on a retractable chain clipped to his belt to unlock the door. Then he stepped out of the way. “This room is typically used for one-on-one sessions. I’m afraid it will be a little cramped for the three of you.”
    “That’s not an issue,” Craig said. He placed a hand between Jessie’s shoulder blades. His touch felt hot even through her jacket. “She’ll be going in alone.”
    A cold jolt struck Jessie through the heart. Her mouth went dry. What the hell was he talking about? She couldn’t go in there alone. Face Ryan alone.
    He must have felt her tense, gave her back a reassuring pat.
    The doctor looked as surprised as Jessie felt. He tucked his chin down and looked at Craig from under his eyebrows. “This young lady?”
    “Doctor, you already know this situation is unusual. You’ll save us all some time if you get over it and let us move ahead without asking questions you won’t get answers to.”
    The doctor’s mouth curled down. Deep lines etched his forehead. “Very well then.” He offered the thick manila folder. “This is Mr. Whitaker’s file.”
    “We won’t need it, thank you.”
    Standing there with the folder held out, the doctor looked as if he had stumbled onto a stage performance without his lines. His mouth opened, closed, opened. Then he clapped it shut, stiffened his spine, and said, “I’ll be in the central office if you need me. Please don’t wander the floor if you can help it.” After that, he scurried down the hall and out of sight around the corner.
    “Awkward,” Jessie said.
    Mica waved a hand toward the door. “Shall we take our own advice and move it along?”
    Jessie’s nerves jittered. Her stomach flip-flopped. What the hell? She’d been taken captive by vampires. Turned into one by a vampire king. Possessed by a malevolent soul. Witness to