Suburban Vampire: Redemption, Book II: Leviathan

Chapter 63

Scott was in no hurry to get back to Madras. By the time he did get there, evening had fallen. The town was crawling with soldiers and vehicles from the Oregon Army National Guard, as well as several vehicles from the Department of Homeland Security and the Oregon State Police. There were several people wearing hazmat suits; they were taking samples of Leviathan's blood and other remnants. Scott spotted his friends, some of whom were speaking to DHS agents. The skin-walkers had all gone back to human form, including Zed; Bernie, too, had shifted back into his typical tall, skinny, human self, although he was now wearing cowboy clothing, obviously sourced from the same shop Jeremiah had visited earlier. To his pleasant surprise, he saw Kitty Weems standing, on her own. She was speaking to a man Scott had not seen in a long time. Scott stopped the truck, got out, and went over to them. He embraced Kitty and praised the fact that she could walk again.

"Dr. Campbell," the Englishman said, "it is good to see you."

"Walsingham, right?" Scott asked.

"Precisely. Kitty is giving me a debrief on the action here. I am sorry for all your losses, but you must understand, this was a major catastrophe. We are speaking a civilization-ending event of biblical proportions. I am in awe of your service. Unfortunately, there are a few beings who are unaccounted for. For instance, Robert Malheur—"

"Yeah, I just ran into him. I smote his ruin on the banks of the Crooked River."

"Well said!"

"I'm a Tolkien fan."

"Right. Then there's the matter of the rogue vampire, Jack—"

"Dead."

"What?" Kitty gasped. "Jack's dead? Finally?"

"Yeah. Jack's gone."

"Should I do a happy dance? Or not?"

"I don't think this is a time for celebration, Kitty."

"I understand."

"Right," Walsingham said, "anyway, I understand that Jeremiah has gone off in order to search for, and destroy, the threat of Baalseth once and for all, correct? And in so doing, he has left Miss Weems in charge of the Portland Branch of Ministry. Is this so?"

"It is," Scott said.

"Very well, then. I shall begin the paperwork and make her transition to departmental director official. Congratulations, Director Weems."

"Gee, thanks!" Kitty said, a large smile on her face.

"And since there are now manpower shortages in Portland, I have been authorized to supplement them. I've been on the phone with the Ministry office in Seattle. They've offered to send their best agent."

"Really? What's his CV? A brief rundown, please."

"Well, he's surly, profane, crude, and often intoxicated, but he gets results."

"We'll pass, but thanks for the offer!"

"Very well, then. There's also the matter of your father."

"I want all charges against him dropped."

"Well, I'm not sure that's necessary—"

"Benedict!" Gaylord said as he approached. "Benedict Walsingham! What brings you out to the ass end of nowhere? I mean, other than the apocalypse."