Blood Lines

werewolves…"
    'All right, all right! I get the idea." Celluci shoved one hand up through his hair. He really hated all this supernatural bullshit. Why him? Why not Detective Henderson? Henderson wore a crystal on a leather thong, for Christ's sake.
    And how come before Vicki got mixed up with Fitzroy the closest thing to a supernatural occurrence in the city was when the Leafs managed to win two in a row? Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it's not there . Okay, so he knew the answer to that one. He sighed and wondered how many previously unsolved crimes could be attributed to ghoulies and ghosties and things that went bump in the night. As much as he might want to, he couldn't blame this whole mess on Fitzroy. "So, why did it kill Dr. Rax?"
    'It was still hungry and Dr. Rax came into the workroom alone."
    'But it must've known that two bodies dying in the same place the same way would start an investigation. Why go to all the trouble to hide its tracks and then do something so stupid?'"
    'Dr. Rax discovered it as it was leaving and it overreacted."
    'Oh, great," Vicki rolled her eyes, "an impulsive mummy." She yawned and resettled her glasses with the end of her pencil. "At least we know it can make mistakes. Unfortunately, it looks like its god survived as well."
    Celluci's brows climbed for his hairline. "And how do we know that?"

    'Last night at the museum…"
    'Wait a minute," Celluci held up his hand. "You went to the museum last night? After closing? You broke into the Royal Ontario Museum… He might not be aware of this," Celluci jabbed a finger at Henry then swung around to glare at Vicki, "but you know damn well that's against the law."
    Vicki sighed. "Look, we didn't break in anywhere; we didn't disturb anything; we had a quick look around. It's late. I'm tired. If you're not going to arrest me, just drop it." She paused, knowing there wasn't a thing Celluci could do but accept it, smiled, and continued. "We found a sketch on Dr. Rax's desk, then found a corresponding illustration in a book of ancient gods and goddesses, also on Dr. Rax's desk.
    'So?"
    'The illustration looked at me." She swallowed and tucked the pencil behind an ear so she could wipe palms gone suddenly damp on her jeans. "Its eyes glowed red and it looked at me."
    Celluci snorted. "How much light was in the room?"
    'I know what I saw, Mike." Her eyes narrowed. "And RP does not cause hallucinations."
    He studied her face for a moment, then he nodded. "Does this god have a name?"
    'Yeah. Akh…"
    Henry's hand was tightly clamped over her mouth before either of them saw him move. "When you call the gods by name," he said softly, "you attract their attention. Not a good idea."
    He dropped his hand and Celluci waited for the explosion; Vicki, more than most, didn't take well to being summarily silenced. When no explosion occurred, he could only assume that she felt Fitzroy's action justified and a shiver of disquiet ran down his spine. If this ancient god had Victory Nelson spooked, he didn't want to run into it.
    Vicki, her fingers still wrapped around Henry's wrist, wet her lips and tried not to think of those burning eyes taking a longer look. After a moment, she let go. "I think we can safely assume, that… this god and the mummy are connected."
    'The mummy is probably the god's high priest," Celluci suggested. When Vicki and Henry both turned to stare, he shrugged. "Hey, I watch horror movies."
    'Not exactly a credible source for research," Henry pointed out as he returned to his chair in the shadows.
    'Yeah, well, we don't all have Count Dracula as a close personal friend."
    'Gentlemen, it's going on two in the morning; can we get on with this before I fall over?" Vicki yawned and leaned back in the recliner. "As it happens, I think Celluci's right."
    'Oh, joyous day," he muttered.
    She ignored him. "The wheels on Trembley's car were turned, but the car continued to move in a straight line. That only happens if some outside force is applied. There was no visible outside force. According to the books I've been reading, priests of ancient Egypt were also wizards."
    'You're saying the mummy killed Trembley with magic?" Celluci asked incredulously.
    'All the pieces fit."
    In the silence that followed, the sound of the kitchen tap dripping away the seconds could be clearly heard.

    'Oh, what the hell," Celluci sighed. "I've already believed seven impossible things before breakfast, what's one more."
    'So," Vicki ticked