6

REVELATION 6:4

And there went out another horse that was red;

and power was given unto him to take peace from the earth.

~ * ~

That woman was staring at her again.

Louise shifted uncomfortably on the carpeting, then stood and went to the window. She couldn't see much of Michigan Avenue, and certainly not all the way to Daley Plaza, where C.J. and the others, including the drunken man they'd found this morning, had gone for the night. In another half hour the people here would move to the center of the building where life-signs couldn't be detected from the outside. A shudder danced along the muscles of her shoulders and she asked her question without turning.

"Do you think they'll be all right?" Louise's voice was too loud and the six or seven people in the room started. Most bent back to their tasks, and Louise took it as a bad omen that no one offered immediate reassurance. When she turned to face them, Evelyn was knitting something for her unborn baby, fingers working steadily. The other woman, Kate, was buried in a book called Organic Gardening and absently twisting her yard-long red hair. Calie was the only one who didn't have anything else on which to concentrate except Louise, and it was she who finally answered.

"They'll be fine." Her gaze stalled on Louise once more, then moved to a spot on the ceiling.

"Good evening, ladies. Almost time to turn in, isn't it?" Perlman's voice was cheerful but his face was grim and tired as he limped to a seat on the couch next to Calie.

The woman brightened. "How're you doing? Any progress?"

He shook his head and spread his hands. "I told you it would take time. With this kind of equipment, who knows? Things'll be better when the guys come back with this vampire."

"Why do they have to go there?" interjected Kate. The gardening book forgotten, her tone was tight with worry "Why not just catch one in our own neighborhood during the day?"

"Because"—all eyes turned to Calie—"they hope—and they realize it’s farfetched—that the woman they're going after will recognize Alex and cooperate."

Evelyn snorted. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You talk as though this vampire still has a heart, or a soul, or whatever you want to call it." Her fingers snagged in her rhythm and she muttered impatiently. "Why couldn't they go in the daytime?"

"They don't know where she sleeps," Dr. Perlman explained. "And if Alex isn't there tonight, she'll probably never be found again."

"They should've waited and searched for her when it’s safe, anyway," said Kate. "This is way too dangerous." She looked at all of them. "What if they don't come back?"

"They will," Calie said confidently. Her face still betrayed her concern.

"We don't have the time to hunt all over downtown," Perlman said. "If there's a chance this woman will cooperate and cut some of the research time, we've got to try it."

"What kind of work are you doing?" Louise asked timidly.

He answered readily. "I'm trying to develop a bacteria that will kill the vampires, but so far everything is killed by the vampire instead of the other way around."

Louise knew her next statement might damage any chance of these people accepting her, but it was too important to remain unspoken. "Why don't you . . ." Her words trailed off unwillingly. Louise didn't feel right here, didn't feel welcome, especially by Calie. Calie's behavior had deteriorated, and while she wasn't rude or mean, Calie was . . . aloof, as though she was trying to gently "cut" Louise from the herd. The doctor was as friendly as when C.J. had brought her here, yet Louise hesitated.

"Why doesn't he what?" Kate looked at her curiously.

"It's all right, Louise," Calie said. "No idea is too outrageous to at least discuss."

Louise swallowed, feeling heat climb across her cheeks. "I just wondered if Jo could help somehow." Perlman rubbed the side of his nose, then cupped his chin thoughtfully. "I don't know," he said finally. "You're supposed to be open-minded," Calie chided.

"You shouldn't discount Louise's suggestion so quickly.”

“I'm not," the doctor protested. "l’ll be honest, I've been thinking about that since Louise's claim that Jo can heal. It’s just that . . ." He looked away.

"It's too fantastic," Louise finished for him. "Right?" He nodded reluctantly. "I know how it must sound, but I'm living proof that she's not a fake. She saved my life." Louise held up her hands. "But I wouldn't expect any of you to take my word for it. Just ask her."

"And you think we can find her?" Perlman questioned.

"Sure. She lives in St. Peter's."

"There's no harm in trying," Calie said.

“All right," Perlman said after a moment. "I'll go over there after—if—we get the new vampire settled. It's just that the concept is so irrational—"

"Irrational?" Calie was smiling widely.

Perlman looked flustered. "You know what I mean." He inclined his head toward Louise. "Or maybe you and C.J. can try to find her." Louise nodded as the group gathered their belongings. "Right now, it's time to put down." He gave them all a final, solemn glance. "I'm not a religious man, but if that brings you comfort and . . . belief, then remember our guys in your prayers tonight."