“I know it’s only been a few days, but we can’t afford to wait to replace the men we lost. It isn’t like we’ve got a shortage of out-of-work combat vets who’d love a job.” Armstrong was a retired Army colonel who had originally gone into private security contracting. Once he’d learned about the lucrative world of professional monster hunting the switch had been a no-brainer. His career had left him with plenty of contacts suited for this line of work. “You know, MHI has a fancy memorial wall with silver plaques on it. It says Sic Transit Gloria Mundi. Supposedly it’s good for morale. We’ll make one . . . but it’ll be bigger. I want gold plaques. Make a note, we need to think of a saying in Latin. Something ballsy but profound.”

“Yep. Profound.” Durant didn’t really pay much attention when Armstrong got spun up about surpassing MHI. The email was a PUFF alert from the Treasury Department. There had been a major revision to the Perpetual Unearthly Forces Fund table. There were even a few informational attachments included. What interesting new creature am I going to be paid large sums of money to kill today? He began the download.

“I need to talk to the CFO, but we’ll need hiring bonuses, and we need to upgrade our equipment. Did you see the shit the MCB had there?” Armstrong asked wistfully. “If we’re going to grow, then we need more capital influx. New contracts are great, but that doesn’t help our short term cash flow. I’ve got to wine and dine these investors’ panties off. Don’t worry, Shane. I can bring the charm.”

But Durant was busy reading the new PUFF table. The new entry’s identity was a bit of a surprise. Then he saw the bounty number. “Whoa . . .” The rubber doughnut fell on the floor and rolled under the couch.

“What is it?” Armstrong asked.

“Only the largest PUFF bounty in history.” Durant showed him the phone.

Armstrong’s mouth fell open. “To hell with the investors! Call up everybody.”

Berlin, Germany

“Vater!” The airport was crowded, but his youngest daughter spotted him quickly. Hannah always had a good eye. He very much hoped that she would not follow in his footsteps, and would instead lead a long, peaceful life, but if she did choose to be a Hunter like her father, then her keen observational skills would be very useful.

Hannah ran up and wrapped her arms around his legs the second he stepped off the escalator. Klaus Lindemann dropped his suitcases, scooped up his daughter, and hugged her tight. “I’m so glad to be home. I missed you, Hannah.”

“We heard your conference in America turned out to be very scary!”