The Sookie Stackhouse Companion

fine.”
    BILL: “Yes. Merlotte was there to protect her, and I understand Claudine stepped in as well.”
    ERIC: “Claudine. Of course she would.”
    BILL: “I’m told the vampire Jonathan has been seen in other places.”
    ERIC: “He has. He had even come to Fangtasia, coincidentally enough on a rare night I was not there. I’m very suspicious. We are not in a strong position with Sophie-Anne disabled and Andre dead.”
    BILL: “You are the strongest sheriff of the four of you.”
    ERIC: “Yes.”
    BILL: “Yet you do not wish to lead.”
    ERIC: “No.”
    BILL: “Then we can only do what we can with what we have.”
     
     
     
    Phone: Bill calling Eric.
    ERIC’S VOICE MAIL: “It is Eric. Leave a message.”
    BILL: “Eric, Pam was unable to contact Cleo. She has gone to Fangtasia. Call us as soon as you get this message.”
     
     
     
    Phone: Bill calling Eric.
    ERIC’S VOICE MAIL: “It is Eric. Leave a message.”
    BILL: “Eric, the Las Vegas vamps are attempting a takeover. They have already attacked some of the other sheriffs and are surrounding Fangtasia as we speak. I’m here at Sookie’s. Call me!”
     
     
     
    Phone: Bill calling Eric.
    BILL: “Do you have time to speak with me, Eric?”
    ERIC: “You phrased that so well, Bill. Yes, I am alone. In my car, in fact. Hosting Felipe and his entourage has been rather stressful, so I decided to take a drive.”
    BILL: “Who was Sookie trying to call?”
    ERIC: “When?”
    BILL: “Don’t be evasive, Eric. When you knocked her phone from her hand.”
    ERIC: “Ah, well, perhaps it’s better that you know. You are closest to her if she needs help. She was calling her great-grandfather.”
    BILL: “Sookie has no living great-grandparents.”
    ERIC: “Actually, she does. His name is Niall Brigant.”
    BILL: “Niall Brigant, as in Prince of the Fairies?”
    ERIC: “I didn’t know you knew him.”
    BILL: “I don’t, but I’ve heard of him. Well, that explains some things, doesn’t it?”
    ERIC: “Yes. So now there is yet another player in the game.”
    BILL: “Yes, but is he friend or foe?”
    ERIC: “I get the distinct impression that he will be friend to Sookie’s friends and enemy to her enemies. But I could not involve him in our battle. That would have been the end for too many of us. On both sides.”
    BILL: “I agree.”
    ERIC: “While I have you, I did want to give you a heads-up that Felipe wants to meet with you to discuss your database business.”
    BILL: “When?”
    ERIC: “Within the next week. I’d advise you to drive a hard bargain. He is enterprising, and I’m certain he will want you to branch out into other computer endeavors. And for the time being, at least, I believe he is willing to be more generous than Sophie-Anne to keep you content.”
    BILL: “I’ll await his call. Thank you.”
    ERIC: “You’re welcome.”

Dead and Gone

Timeline
    TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2006. When Sookie arrives for her evening shift, Sam tells her that the shifters are ready to reveal themselves on TV and in various public locations. Her brother, Jason, and some friends are in the bar, as are Bill and fellow vampire Clancy, and Tray and Amelia soon enter. Sam comes out of the office just as the bar television flashes a “Special Report,” and everyone at Merlotte’s watches as the shifters announce their existence to the world. To the amazement of the bar patrons, Sam and Tray step forward and change. Sam in collie form takes his place beside a smiling Sookie, while werewolf Tray is hugged by his girlfriend, Amelia. Although most of the patrons begin to accept the shifters, Arlene reacts with anger and hate, quitting and storming out of the bar with her Fellowship of the Sun friends. A happy Sam has just changed back to his human form when he receives a call from his stepfather, who did not know about his wife’s other nature. He tells Sam that he shot her (though not fatally) when she shifted in front of him. Sookie agrees to watch the bar as a distraught Sam leaves to be with his family.
    WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11. Sookie goes into Merlotte’s early to work on finding a replacement for Arlene. When none of her first choices are available, she reluctantly contacts Tanya Grissom, tracking her down at Calvin Norris’s house in Hotshot. Tanya agrees to pick up a few shifts in the evenings, and they arrange for her to start the next night. Terry Bellefleur handles bar duty while Sookie works a double shift in Arlene’s