Blood of a Werewolf by T. Lynne Tolles Read Free Book Online Page A

so.”
    “So are there more of these software engineer slayers out there?”
    “Yes. Not a lot, but enough.”
    “And their plan is to take out all software engineers, everywhere?”
    He tried to hold a laugh back, ran a hand across his lips, and said, “Yep.”
    “So is there a hierarchy of software engineer slayers, or was Max just a rogue?”
    “Umm…I don’t know if there is a Grand Pooba of software engineer slayers, but Max was sent by someone above him.   His name is Terrence Paine.   Max was one of his thugs.”
    She shook her head. “Okay, now we are getting somewhere. How many thugs does Pooba Paine employ?”
    “Including Max, there are three, including Olaf Obert and Norman Beoff.”  
    “All right! If Max doesn’t check in, then Pooba Paine will send Norman and/or Olaf to find out what happened, right?”
    “Probably.”
    “If that is the case, how much time do you think we have before the others come looking?”
    “Well, my guess is that Max was a scout, and may or may not have told them specifically where he was.   If that is the case, then I would estimate a week, maybe two at the most.”
    “Hmmm. Your brother won’t be healed by then.” She pursed her lips and thought a minute.
    “My sister and I have a cabin about two hours from here. Our parents left it to us.   We haven’t been up there since we were kids, but maybe I could take Devon up there and you could stay in this house.   That way you could be on the look out for any more software engineer slayers that come knocking next door.   That may give us a little more time.   Of course, I’d have to contact my sister so that she doesn’t freak out if she comes home and finds some handsome guy has taken over the house. Although somehow I don’t think she would mind meeting you!” She smiled. “What do you think?”
    “I think it is a better plan than we have, since we have no plan and my brother is unconscious.”
    “True, he can amend it if he wants to when he is better, but for now it will give us some time to figure out what to do.   So what is this beef Pooba Paine has against your family – I mean aside from your stinky software?”
    His face lit up with a huge smile again – Darby thought it was nice to see him relaxing a bit. “Umm…not exactly sure, but it had something to do with our father.   Terrence Paine and his entourage were responsible for the deaths of both our parents.”
    “Do you have any family that might be able to tell us specifically what the squabble was about?”
    “None that I know of; maybe Devon knows of someone.”
    “What about any family records or paperwork, or diaries that might have recorded some such thing?”
    “I couldn’t say for sure. Devon took care of all the family belongings when our parents were killed, but I believe we have a storage locker of stuff we thought we should save.   Family heirlooms, things like that.”
    “Good, good...that would be a great start. So where does Pooba Paine reside? Or reign?”
    Blake laughed again. “I believe he resides in Maine, but I’m not absolutely sure.”
    “So the fact that you are not sure of quite a few of these facts, I take it that Devon takes care of most of this kind of stuff?” His face went stone cold and stern; she knew he was offended.  
    She continued, “Don’t get me wrong, Blake, it’s the same with me and my sister.   She is the free spirit and I am the grounded one, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.   Sure, we sometimes fight about it, but it’s who we are.   She’s like our Mom and I’m more like Dad.   She helps me to try to be more spontaneous and live a little, whereas I try to help her see the benefits of what a wee bit more responsibility could do to enhance her life.   You know…we’re symbiotic.”
    He smiled and nodded. “Yes, I would say that our relationships could be viewed as very similar.   Too bad, if I hadn’t just met this amazing girl, I would be very anxious to meet