Darren and Kuri had been planning to stalk Mr Crepsley for days.
They had phones and black-out clothes, snacks, everything they needed.
But was Mr Crepsley a killer, they didn't know.
"We can't just attack," Kuri said. "We have to make sure beyond a shadow of a doubt. And we have to protect Reiko."
Neither of them had seen Reiko for several nights. They didn't know where she had gone.
"Agreed." Darren said. "But I have a bad feeling.
"I hope you're wrong.." Kuri sighed. "I also hope Reiko's ok, and not involved in all this."
That night they began their watch. They tracked Crepsley to a warehouse. He brought food and water and blood, but it was bagged, probably pilfered from a hospital or the Red Cross.
"Is he feeding a vampire?" Kuri wondered.
"Sure seems like it." Darren said. "Maybe Reiko is sick."
"But it still doesn't explain the murders."
Crepsley left and stalked the night again.
It took several nights, but soon he had a target near a fish factory: a fat man.
He was following him methodically.
"Is he feeding Reiko with blood from victims?!" Kuri was appalled.
"Maybe he's feeding her with the bags and feeding this way himself." Darren tried to reassure her.
Suddenly, without warning, he climbed to the top and started across the roof.
"He's on the move."
"Thank god!" Darren shouted into the receiver.
They stalked him to the fish factory and stood over him. Darren attacked before he could make his move.
Kuri was waiting by the coolers.
Then all went to hell.
xxx
Reiko was held in close quarters by the vampire Larten. He held her and fed her and wouldn't let her out anymore.
The spell on her had broken, and she was so sorry. And none of it mattered, because he loved her, and she knew it.