SATURDAY, JULY 31. When Sookie wakes up in the hospital, she finds that Rene has confessed to everything. She has visitors and flowers from the Merlotte’s employees, from Sid Matt and his wife, and from Eric. She dozes and awakens to find Bill at her side. He considers killing Rene, but Sookie tells him to let the law deal with the killer. Bill promises to take care of her at night when she is released. She turns down his offer of blood and asks him what he accomplished in New Orleans. He announces that he is the new investigator for Area Five, Eric’s area. This puts Bill and, thereby, Sookie under Eric’s protection. As Bill looks forward to getting back to normal, a collie looks into the room before continuing down the hall, and a smiling Eric floats past the hospital window.

The Secret Dialogues of Bill and Eric

To: Eric Northman,
Sheriff of Area Five, LA

Dear Eric,

With the permission of Sophie-Anne Leclerq, Queen of Louisiana, I will be returning to claim my ancestral home in Bon Temps.

Sincerely,

William Compton

TO: WILLIAM COMPTON

DEAR BILL,

LONG TIME NO SEE. AS YOU KNOW, THE VAMPIRES IN MY AREA PAY THEIR FEALTY BY WORKING AT FANGTASIA. PLEASE CONTACT PAM TO SET UP YOUR SCHEDULE.

ERIC NORTHMAN

To: Eric Northman,
Sheriff of Area Five, LA

Dear Eric,

I understand that your vampires may offer a tithe as an alternative to working at Fangtasia. I have other obligations and fear I will not have the time to dedicate to your club.

Sincerely,

William Compton

TO: WILLIAM COMPTON

DEAR BILL,

A TITHE IS ACCEPTABLE, BUT I WOULD MUCH PREFER YOUR TIME AT FANGTASIA. AS A FORMER CONFEDERATE SOLDIER YOU WOULD BE QUITE A DRAW. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE WORK TO DO FOR THE QUEEN, BUT SURELY YOU CAN SPARE ME, YOUR SHERIFF, SOME OF YOUR VALUABLE TIME AS WELL.

ERIC NORTHMAN

To: Eric Northman,
Sheriff of Area Five, LA

Dear Eric,

Please find enclosed my certified check for six months’ tithe.

Sincerely,

William Compton

Phone: Eric calling Bill.

ERIC: “Bill.”

BILL: “Eric.”

ERIC: “I need you to bring your human to Fangtasia tomorrow night.”

BILL: “Why?”

ERIC: “I need her services.”

BILL: “Eric, you know she is mine.”

ERIC: “Of course, Bill. There will be none of that.”

BILL: “Then why?”

ERIC: “It is enough that I am sheriff and I order you to bring her.”

BILL: “Eric . . .”

ERIC: “Bill, you know it will be much better if you bring her willingly. You wouldn’t want me to have to send someone to get her, would you?” (Silence.)

BILL: “We will be there.”

Phone: Bill calling Eric.

BILL: “Eric.”

ERIC: “Bill.”

BILL: “I received your gift.”

ERIC: “And you’re calling to thank me. It was my pleasure, Bill.”

BILL: “I’ve sent her back unopened.”

ERIC: “You didn’t like her?”

BILL: “I have no need for her.”