The Sookie Stackhouse Companion

may hear of it. I don’t feel like coming up with an explanation.”
    BILL: “You really are concerned, aren’t you?”
    ERIC: “Yes. For us all. Victor has already sent Sandy back to Vegas and is running the entire state himself from New Orleans. I would not be surprised if he has bigger plans. Area Five’s dealings must be aboveboard and strictly accounted. There can be no reason for Felipe to doubt us, no way for Victor to cast aspersions upon us.”
    BILL: “I’ll take steps to ensure I am not followed.”
     
     
     
    Phone: Eric calling Bill.
    ERIC: “Bill, have you seen either Bruno or Corinna lately?”
    BILL: “No. Why?”
    ERIC: “I’ve heard rumors that they are missing from New Orleans.” BILL: “And . . . ?”
    ERIC: “And I was wondering if by chance you’d seen them, if they’d stopped by.”
    BILL: “No, they did not. Have you seen them?”
    ERIC: “No, I can honestly say that I have not.”
    BILL: “I see.”
    ERIC: “In fact, I cannot imagine why Victor’s second would be in my area without my knowledge.”
    BILL: “Of course not. It would be a violation of protocol.”
    ERIC: “Indeed it would. And any of my people would be well within their rights to defend themselves if they were accosted by Victor’s second.”
    BILL: “Absolutely.”
    ERIC: “Yes, so it’s a good thing that no one has seen them in the area. However, it’s probably best that you don’t speak of this to anyone.”
    BILL: “Speak of what?” ERIC: “Exactly.”
     
     
     
    Phone: Bill calling Eric.
    BILL: “I’m calling to inform you that I have a visitor. She arrived Saturday night and will be staying with me for a week or so.”
    ERIC: “She?”
    BILL: “Yes. Judith Vardamon, my . . . Lorena’s other child.”
    ERIC: “Well. This is a good thing for you, is it not? You already sound stronger.”
    BILL: “Yes. I’m feeling much better. Please thank Felicia for me. She was here just before Judith arrived and has been a great help, but I will no longer need her.”
    ERIC: “I’ll let her know.”
    BILL: “Forgive me, Eric, but you don’t sound yourself. I know I have been out of sorts these past weeks, but is there something I should know? Have there been more problems with Victor?”
    ERIC: “I only wish it were Victor. You are not the only one with family visitors, Bill. My maker has arrived with his child. Things are not going well.”
    BILL: “I see.”
    ERIC: “He is my maker. It is not for me to advise him; he must reach his own conclusions. He’s trying, but the child is . . . I see this ending badly. But he’s . . . He’s my maker.”
    BILL: “I remember the feeling all too well, Eric.”
    ERIC: “I imagine you do. She would have been of help to you now, though.”
    BILL: “I would rather die than have asked her. If Sookie had not contacted Judith, I would never have bothered her after what Lorena did to her, did to us both.”
    ERIC: “Sookie contacted her?”
    BILL: “Yes. She got Judith’s e-mail from my database and told her I was ill and needed her. She and Judith then spoke when Judith arrived. Judith was much relieved to know that Lorena had met her final death, and surprised it was at Sookie’s hands. She was most impressed.”
    ERIC: “Sookie is most impressive. Bobby has just arrived with some paperwork for me. Felicia is with him, so I will pass along your thanks. Good night, Bill.”
    BILL: “Good night, Eric.”
     
     
     
    Phone: Bill calling Eric.
    BILL: “Eric, we’ve just arrived home. What happened at Sookie’s tonight? All was quiet when we went out, but now there are strange scents through the woods.”
    ERIC: “My maker has met his final death, Bill. His child as well.”
    BILL: “This is not what you wanted?”
    ERIC: “I don’t know. I feel strangely free.” Pause. “What is it like to live without your maker, Bill? How did you feel when Lorena died?”
    BILL: “She had been torturing me, Eric. When she died, I felt relief. Afterward, I felt somewhat adrift. I imagine it is much like any child when a parent dies, even if the parent was a poor one.”
    ERIC: “I cannot remember a time when I did not feel Ocella’s presence, but I did not hate him.”
    BILL: “I believe I hated Lorena, as much as a vampire can hate their maker. Twice she took me from a woman I loved.” (Silence.)
    BILL: “I take it Sookie is all right?”
    ERIC: “Yes. I left her with her fairy cousin and uncle.”
    BILL: “Her uncle? I thought he was