He gets up and puts an arm around my shoulders. "Culebra told me you've had quite a time of it."

I don't respond to that, I don't know how. Instead I ask, "What are you doing here?"

He gives me a kiss on the forehead. "I guess you haven't had a chance to see a paper in the last couple of days. The operation is over. I'm just here to clean up a few loose ends."

"And you know about this place?"

He nods.

"Allabout this place?"

He shrugs. "If you mean do I know that there are some rather interesting specimens that occasionally useBeso de la Muerta as a hideout, the answer is yes."

I'm wondering if he's going to ask me how I found out about it when Culebra joins us.

He bends at the waist in a little bow toward me. "Anna. How nice to see you. I explained to Max that you followed Donaldson down here and that David was injured trying to apprehend him. I'm afraid it's probably the last we've seen of that one."

I send him a quick thank you, which he acknowledges with a smile. Then I turn to Max, "So, you two were working together?"

"Culebra has helped us on several projects."

"Only, of course, when Max's interest doesn't conflict with mine," Culebra adds.

"Of course," Max responds. Then he gestures toward David. "I have to get back to San Diego. Will you be staying here with David?"

"For a little while. I'll bring him home as soon as he can travel."He touches my cheek. "I heard about the fire. Where are you living?"

"At David's for now. Then, I'll probably move home with my folks until the cottage is rebuilt."

He nods and after exchanging a few words with Culebra in Spanish, he kisses my cheek and is gone.

Culebra raises an eyebrow at me. "You aren't staying at-" he starts to say "Avery's," then corrects himself, "Your other place?"

I shake my head. "I don't think I could stand to be there. I don't know what I'm going to do about that yet." I narrow my eyes and look hard at him. "How do you know so much? Are you reading all that in my head?"

He laughs. "It's a blessing and a curse."

"Do you really think David will be all right?"

"He'll be fine. He won't remember anything that happened to him at Avery's. You'll have to come up with a story about how he was injured. Other than that, you'll have your friend back good as new."

"Maybe it would be better if I took him home before he fully regains consciousness. I don't know how I would explain it if he woke up here."

Culebra nods. "Come back tomorrow afternoon. He will be able to travel then."

"You're sure?"

He taps the side of his head. "I'm always sure."

Must be nice.

I start to go and then I remember.I owe you a favor.

He smiles.I haven't forgotten. And there's no hurry to collect, now, is there?

No, I guess there isn't.

Afterword.

David did recover and just as Culebra predicted, didn't remember anything of his kidnapping or the ordeal in Avery's hidden room.

I made up a story about his getting b.u.mped by a car while we were chasing Donaldson. I told him he fell and hit his head on a curb, joked with him that it was becoming a habit. He accepted it grumpily, especially when the "insurance" check came from the errant driver.

Williams had a miraculous recovery from his "stroke," too, on the same evening, coincidentally, that Avery was killed. We haven't spoken yet, though he has tried to get in touch with me. I'm not ready to face him yet. But I will be. He has answers I need.

I don't know what I'm going to do about my "inheritance." I've closed the house for now. The hospital thinks Avery has taken a sabbatical after long years of dedicated service. They were notified of his decision via computer. They were understandably sorry to see him go, but knew he could use a rest. He had done good work for the hospital, regardless of the reason, and that's the way he will be remembered.

I let Dena go with a healthy severance check from my own account. She was neither relieved nor disappointed. I told her what she could do to rid herself of the bite marks, but I'm not sure she'll do it. She didn't ask me for help and I didn't offer. In spite of how she acted around me, I have the feeling Avery was right. She found life with him exciting.

I also don't know what direction my life will take now that I'm on my own. David and I are back at work. He thinks nothing has changed. And so far, it hasn't. So far, the hunger hasn't hit.

But I know it will. It's my nature now. Casper "drops in" every now and then and a.s.sures me I will be able to handle it. I have so many questions for him, but he won't reveal himself. I don't know why. After what happened with Avery, maybe that's a good thing. Maybe I'm not strong enough yet.

In a few days, though, it will have been a month since I last fed.

The hunger is coming.

I feel it.

I can only hope Casper is right.

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