There was a sudden outcry from the crowd, and we all looked to find them talking excitedly and pointing up at the roof.
A figure had emerged, fighting to pick his way across the steeply sloped surface while dragging a struggling girl by one arm.
Vic!
This was the first time I had gotten a clear look at my foe, and I was moderately surprised. He was younger than I had expected, barely older than myself, and instead of a menacing cloak, he was sporting a white turtleneck and sunglasses. It suddenly occurred to me that if sunglasses enabled me to pass for a vampire, that they would also let a vampire pass undetected among humans.
The vampire suddenly stopped as his path was barred by Tananda, who appeared as if by magic over the edge of the roof. He turned to retrace his steps, only to find that the trio of Aahz, Guido, and Chumley had emerged behind him, cutting off his retreat.
“I believe, gentlemen and lady, that up there is the elusive body that started this whole thing,” I heard myself saying. “If you can spare a few more moments, I think my colleagues will have him in custody so that you might interrogate him at your leisure.”
“Don’t be too sure of that. High Roller,” Massha cautioned. “Look!”
His chosen routes of escape cut off. Vic was now scrabbling up the roof peak itself, Luanna hanging in his grip. While I had to admire his strength, I was at a loss to understand what he was trying to accomplish with the maneuver. It was obvious that he had been exposed, so why didn’t he just give it up?