Michael

eighteen

Cabrera had left standing instructions with Harry that he wanted to be notified immediately of any significant change in Ruth's condition. His bedside phone rang a few hours before dawn, waking him from a troubled sleep. It was Harry: Ruth was conscious and talking. What she'd had to say was shocking enough that he skipped a shower in favour of haste and reached the MCHRD in less than forty minutes.

Dr Keller met him in her office. When he knocked, she opened the door rather than call for him to enter. Her deceptively youthful appearance couldn't disguise exhaustion and strain. She looked as if she hadn't left the lab for days, which was probably true. She gestured for him to precede her down the hallway.

"Harry's already here and waiting for us," Nicole told him as they walked.

"I know, it was Harry who called me. How is Ruth? What's her condition?"

"Physically, she's fully healed with no evidence of lasting damage; mentally, we won't know yet. She's been drifting in and out of consciousness, but seems lucid when awake. She tires easily though, so be warned." She left a pause. "Ruth is nervous and afraid, Carl. We need to do what we can to reassure her."

"I understand."

Thane's assaults were never just about blood. The autopsy reports on the previous victims made for nightmarish reading—some things didn't bear imagining, never mind being enacted on a human being. Ruth's ordeal hadn't been as prolonged or as varied, according to detailed examinations. Still, Cabrera didn't underestimate the effect the experience would have on Ruth's mental state. He added, "I plan to make sure nothing else happens to her."

Nicole levelled an assessing glance at him and then nodded, satisfied. "I recognise that grim, purposeful look. Make sure Ruth sees it and she'll believe you."

"Has she expanded on the statement she made when she awoke?"

Nicole shook her head. "I expected you to ask that right off. No, she's said nothing more since insisting your prime suspect is innocent, and requesting yours and Harry's presence."

Cabrera quelled the impatience burning in his gut. "Have you found out any more about this mystery protein?"

"The levels are negligible in Ruth's blood stream now, and decreasing by the hour. No matter what we've tried the protein decays at a rapid rate outside of a living body, making detailed analysis difficult. All I can say is it is definitely of vampiric origin."

"You're sure it's leaving her body?" Cabrera asked.

She guessed what was bothering him and smiled. "This isn't a horror movie, Carl. Vampires can't make vampires. However, to reassure you, then yes, I'm certain the protein is leaving her body. I've double and triple checked."

"Could this protein have affected Ruth's mind, perhaps changed her perception of events, or messed with her memory?"

"As I can't identify it, or complete a proper clinical investigation, I can't rule anything out. All I know is Ruth came in with injuries that should have killed her, and a few days later she's almost fully healed."

"That wasn't what I wanted to hear," Cabrera confessed ruefully.

"Sorry, but that's the truth." Nicole grimaced. "Trust me, I'd love to know more myself."

Three corridors and a flight of stairs later, they halted outside a sealed door and she tapped a code into the keypad. Beyond the door was an observation room and attached nursing station. The room was furnished with a couch and several plastic chairs, and the far wall was half-glazed. Harry was standing at the window and gazing steadily at the bed visible in the room beyond.