In fact, Bernie had gone to the store and gotten some Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. Sam and Bernie were sitting at the table. Sam got up to get me a cup of coffee, and I hunched over it gratefully.

Bernie shoved the paper over to me. It was the Waco paper. There was a short article about the upset at the wedding.

“Was it on the TV?” I asked.

“Yeah, apparently,” Sam said. “But Jim’s murder is upstaging the wedding.”

I nodded. All my glee had faded, leaving me feeling sort of dirty.

“Bernie, you did great yesterday,” I said. Bernie looked ten years older than she had the day before, but there was vigor in her step and purpose in her voice.

“I’m glad it’s over. I hope I never have to go through anything like that again. I hope Craig and Deidra are happy.” Three true things.

I nodded emphatically. I agreed all the way around. “You going to church today?” I asked.

“Oh, yes,” she said. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Sam said, “Sook, you think you can be ready to leave in an hour or so?”

“Sure. All I have to do is grab up my stuff and put on some makeup.” I’d pulled on my shorts and a shirt and packed my nightgown already.

“No hurry,” Sam assured me, but I could tell from the way he was sitting that he wanted to get on the road again. I wondered where Jannalynn was. I sort of felt around the house for her mentally, got no other brain signal. Hmmm.

We were actually out the door in forty-five minutes, after I said all the correct things to Bernie. I didn’t want her to think I hadn’t been brought up right. She smiled at me, and she seemed sincere when she told me she’d enjoyed having me in the house.

Sam and I were silent for a long time after we left Wright. I checked my cell phone for messages, and sure enough, I had two from Eric. He didn’t like to text, though he would if he had to. He’d left voice messages. First message—“I’ve seen you on the evening news. Call me.” BEEP. Second message—“Every time you leave town you get into trouble. Do you need me to come?” BEEP.

“Eric all bent out of shape?” Sam asked.

“Yeah. About like Jannalynn, I expect.” I had to say something. Better to get it over with.

“Not exactly. You and Eric have been together longer, and you seem to know each other a little better.”

“As well as a human and a thousand-year-old vamp can, I guess. You don’t think you and Jannalynn know each other?”

“She’s a lot younger than me,” he said. “And she has some impulse control issues. But she’s really brave, really loyal.”