Blood Debt

Ms. Nelson. I only thought that if you were looking for Detective Celluci, you might want to speak with the people at Project Hope."
    "If I recall correctly, Doctor, you said earlier that you didn't tell him about the clinic."
    "He's a detective, Ms. Nelson." Her tone suggested he was the only detective involved. "In this city, Mr. Swanson and kidney transplants together will lead you right to Project Hope."
    Teeth showing, Vicki thanked the doctor for calling, hung up, and filled the others in on the conversation. "So who's going with me to take a look at Project Hope."
    Henry shook his head. "It's too much of a coincidence, all the pieces falling so neatly into place. I think you're jumping to conclusions."
    "Really, I think I'm formulating a hypothesis." Her eyes silvered briefly. "Which I intend to test by going out to Project Hope and finding out just how long these people are actually waiting for those kidneys. And if I recognize anything in the fridge, I'm going to tear the place apart."

    "Go out to Project Hope? All of us?" Tony's gaze flicked from Henry to Vicki and back to Henry again. "In one car? Is that safe?"
    "Good question," Henry allowed. "Vicki?"
    "We'll be fine, she snapped impatiently. "As long as we keep our minds on finding Mike, and there's the possibility of mayhem at the end of the trip."
    "Oh." Tony closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
    Speaking as much to himself as to the night, he murmured, "I don't actually think I'm up to mayhem." Another deep breath, and he got out of the car, turning to stare across the roof at Henry. "I'll, uh, go back to the condo, and if he checks in, I'll call you."
    They stayed that way for a long moment. "If you're sure," Henry said at last.
    "Yeah. I'm sure." He swallowed heavily and shifted his weight back and forth, from one foot to the other. "I'm sorry, Victory. I just can't."
    She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. When she spoke, her voice was as gentle as Henry'd heard it since the change. "I understand. And there's no reason you should risk your safety because we can't act like civilized people." Rounding the car between one heartbeat and the next, she cupped Tony's face in her hands. "Will you be okay if we leave you here? Should we take you home first?"
    He lightly touched the backs of her wrists and her hands fell away.
    "You have to get to Detective Celluci."
    "I won't trade you for him."
    His eyes filled with tears as he realized she meant it.
    Acknowledging only that he was more tired than he thought, he scrubbed them away. "I'll be okay. I can get a cab by one of the restaurants in Chinatown."
    "Do you have enough money?"
    "Goddamn it, Henry!" Ears burning, he backed to the far edge of the sidewalk. "Would you guys just get going!"
    They left the windows open and kept their faces in the breeze. It was enough. But only just.
    "Do you think he's there?" Henry asked as they sped around an erratic, albeit fast-moving, old caddie and headed for the bridge.
    "I know he went there. I know how he thinks. There aren't any coincidences in police work; once Ronald Swanson turned into a recurring character in this little drama, Mike'd check him out. He'd find out about Project Hope, and then he'd check it out."
    "Do you think he's in trouble?"
    When she considered the possibility, she felt as though someone were stroking her exposed skin with a wire brush.

    "I'm certain of it."
    Ten
    "THERE'S nowhere to hide the car."
    "Don't hide it. Pull into the parking lot, and park."
    "It's after one," Henry pointed out as he passed the sign for Project Hope, turned between the gateposts, and started up the long drive.
    "While normally I wouldn't consider arguing with your expertise in skulking about, don't you think we'll be noticed? There'll be a night nurse on at the very least."
    "So?"
    "So, you're going to walk in and ask her if they've got Detective Celluci strapped to a bed in one of the rooms?"
    "Why not?" Her voice had very little of the police officer, of the private investigator, or the mortal left in it. Henry fought to suppress his reaction as she continued. "It's not like I'm going to be lied to.
    Besides, if he's in there, I'll know."
    "And if he isn't?"
    The ivory gleam of teeth made her smile a threat. "I go looking for a big guy with cow eyes and ask him a few questions."
    Beyond the edges of her control, edges sharply enough denned to draw blood, Henry could hear the purging violence surging back and forth. She sounded