Disclaimer: I own nothing.

It took her all day. But, eventually, Sookie came up with a plan. She would try to find who had stolen the money from Fangatasia. If she failed, there would be no difference, as she wasn't even supposed to know about it. But, if she caught the culprit, then she would have something to use in her negotiations with Eric concerning Jason problems with the law.

The club was, as usual, packed. The fangbangers were a little disappointed though. Eric, once again, was out. Good news to Sookie. She would have more space to do her investigation. The idea was to get close to the two humans who could possibly have anything to do with the embezzlement, Ginger and Belinda.

Besides Bruce, Fangstasia's accountant who was rarely seen on the club, the two waitresses were the only members of the human staff who had any form of access to the money, as they sometimes stayed after closing, when the registers were checked. The other girls who worked the floor never got closer to the machines or the owners, Eric, Pam and Long Shadow.

Belinda was easier to read. Her mind wasn't so damaged by glamour as Ginger's. Sookie started with her.

"Belinda, I really like your new dress, was it a gift from your boyfriend?" Sookie was leaning on the doorway to the locker rooms where Belinda was finishing getting ready.

"Thanks, I got it myself. The men in my life aren't so romantic, if you know what I mean", absently commented Belinda. She was thinking about a guy Sookie had never seen - not a vampire.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. But say, where did you get it? I just loved the style", insisted Sookie with her 1000 watts smile. Not listening to the waitress verbal answer, Sookie plunged into her mind.

What does this girl want? It's not even her style… Hope she doesn't ask how much I paid for it… The thrift shop at least is clean. Can't afford anything else…. Not like Ginger and her vamp money…

"Anyway, it's a nice place. It's just outside the strip mall."

"Okay, thanks, Belinda. I'll check it out." Sookie hastily put her shields up and left the area. She had to find Ginger before more vampires arrived at the club. She found the blond woman at the storeroom. Ginger was checking her neck on a pocket mirror.

"Hey, Ginger. I was wondering if you could help me with something… I'm new to all this vampire stuff… and no vampire had got any interest in me so far. Do you know what I'm doing wrong?", says Sookie trying to get the attention of the woman with the only subject she's interest in.

Ginger looks suspiciously at Sookie. She doesn't like the telepaths presence in the club, since she's always so close to Eric. But the waitress sees Sookie's questioning as an opportunity to make her do something that will get her away from the Master.

"Well, you could dress better and… you know, just offer your blood." Master will hate you for this, but no one would want you anyway. Not even Long Shadow.

Sookie was getting images from Ginger's memories of the time she had spent with the bartender. He was the vampire currently drinking from her.

"So that's how you got Long Shadows attention?"

"Well, yeah. He likes me", bragged Ginger, making Sookie cringe with the images coming from the woman's mind. She was thinking of blood and money.

"So he has great trust in you, I suppose? Asks you to do stuff for him."

Sharping looking at Sookie, Ginger closed her pocket mirror with a snap and began to move towards a back shelf where her purse was. Sookie was having a hard time reading the woman's mind – a blockage was keeping Ginger from answering.

Reaching out Sookie held Ginger's wrist.

"Take your hands off of me, bitch!", lashed out Ginger.

"Tell me, Ginger. Did he make you take the money?"

Sookie pushed her will to the woman's mind. Going further and further in, lifting the fog and Ginger's confusion. It was there, the memory. Long Shadow's orders to never tell anyone, and pain. Great pain.

A strong pair of hands pulled Sookie away from Ginger, who was screaming. Turned around with a jerk, the telepath was shoved into a shelf filled with True Blood bottles that teetered and ringed. Long Shadow's frenzied face was inches from hers. Sookie only had time to lift her arm protectively before he bit. Screaming, she kicked and pushed, but he didn't recoil.

Sookie closed her eyes and, suddenly, he was gone.

Pam had ripped him from her. The vampires were crouched, facing each other, growling and showing fang.

"You stupid fuck. Eric will have your head for this. First you steal from him, and now you touch his pet. Not a smart move." Pam's eyes are dancing with malice, her hands are forming claws. She could feel that her Maker was near. She knows she better get Long Shadow down stairs before Eric's arrival. He won't be happy to find out what she induced the telepath to do. Sookie's heart beat was too faint for her liking. Fuck.

Pam jumped forward in a speed too fast for Sookie to follow, grabbed Long Shadow's head twisting his neck. His paralyzed body hit the floor with a thud.

"Clancy, take him down stairs. Eric is almost here."

After watching Clancy follow her orders, Pam turned towards Sookie, who was slumped on the floor. Looking past the telepath, she saw Ginger silently crying to herself. Taking the woman's gaze, she glamoured her to go to the locker rooms.

A wind gush was all the warning Pam got before Eric crushed her to the wall.

He was growling, taking long sniffs of her neck and face.

"It wasn't you", he said letting Pam go. He took a long breath of air. "Long Shadow."

"He's down stairs waiting for you, master." Pam's attempt to look submissive only made her maker more suspicious.

Eric crouched and picked Sookie up, the girl was out.

"I'm disappointed in you, Pamela. I figure you told Sookie about the missing money and she went snooping around. Did you insinuate that I might be losing interest in her? Was that what made her risk herself for nothing?"

"Yes, master." Pam was bowing her head, still where Eric had left her.

"I'll deal with you later."

Eric carried Sookie to his office and locked the door. She had a nasty gash on her arm, which was bleeding. Siting on the couch and positioning the girl on his lap, Eric proceeded to lick clean the wound and close it with his saliva. He couldn't help but moan when the taste of her sweet blood reached him. He had never tasted anything like it, a combination of human an something else. Fairy, if his gustatory memory wasn't playing him any tricks. She was too pale; he would have to give her some blood. It was time to tell his little telepath some facts.