‘Now let’s start with a simple question.’ Jeff composes himself as he asks the next question. ‘Who do you work for?’
‘Like I’m ever going to tell you, you kicked me in the balls.’ The man coughs through spurts of blood in his mouth.
Katie walks over to the man and kneels in front of him and talks to him in a calming sweet toned voice. ‘Come on, just answer the man’s questions and then this will all be over with. Isn’t that something you would like to happen?’
‘Something I would like to see happen is you getting naked and straddling my dick.’ The man says with a smirk on his face.
The man’s statement angers Will as he pushes his way past Jeff and pulls Katie upright and stands in front of her. ‘You watch your fucking mouth.’ Will shouts angrily at the man.
‘I’d rather fuck her mouth.’ The man replies.
Katie steps back in shock as the man stares directly at her. Will clenches his fists ready to punch him. But before he does Jeff swings in with another punch to the man’s face. More blood is spat to the floor along with blood now pouring from the man’s newly broken nose.
‘Don’t disrespect my partner, and answer my bloody question. Who do you work for?’ Jeff sternly says to the man as he pulls a tissue from his trouser pocket and wipes the blood from his knuckles.
‘I’ve already answered. I’m not saying anything to you three. Unless you stop hitting me. Your little lap dog stops his barking. And that piece of hot totty gets her tits out. Do we have a deal?’ The man offers.
Jeff ponders for a second, then punches the man in the face again. ‘That was for the tit remark. Now answer my fucking question. Now.’ Jeff stands with clenched fists.
† † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †
In a small dark room, illuminated only by a television monitor showing a live feed from inside the interrogation room.
‘I thought you gave them basic training?’ Jacqueline turns and asks Vaelen.
‘I did.’ Vaelen says under a sigh of disappointment.
‘Well they’re going to need more. A lot more.’ Jacqueline puts her attention back on the television monitor.
‘Okay. I’ll add that to the list of many things we still need to teach them. Although I like Jeff’s style.’ Vaelen smiles slightly. Jacqueline turns to him and smiles back.
‘You always have liked your violence.’ Says Jacqueline.
‘It’s a violent job this. I think it’s all I know now I’ve been doing it for so long.’ Vaelen coughs after trying to hide this soft side from Jacqueline.
‘No need to hide it Vaelen, I know you’re a softy at heart.’ Jacqueline smiles at Vaelen before returning her focus back on the monitor. ‘Oh what is he up to now?’ Jacqueline points at the monitor. Vaelen leans in for a closer look and sees Will jumping around like a monkey.
‘I have absolutely no idea.’ Vaelen states confused. He moves back away from the monitor.
‘Do we have to get rid of him?’ Jacqueline poses this question to Vaelen.
‘No. I don’t think so.’ Vaelen answers.
‘Seems like too much hassle.’
‘He can be at times, has a bit of a mouth on him. But he lightens the mood of the group when it gets tough for them. Not only that but he has fight in him. I mean he survived a fight against Leofric.’
‘Only because you stepped in and saved him.’ Jacqueline snaps back at him.
‘He was doing pretty well before I stepped in. Seems to me he was doing anything to protect Katie. I think they may be quite smitten with one another.’
Jacqueline turns away from the monitor and looks Vaelen in the eyes. ‘Put a stop to it. You know as well as me that feelings get in the way of the job.’
Vaelen smiles, ‘I thought I was being quite heroic.’
Jacqueline closes her eyes and sighs before speaking. ‘I thought I lost you.’ Jacqueline’s eyes tell Vaelen that thinking about the past still upsets her.
‘You lost me?’ Vaelen questions with a cheeky grin to break the sudden tension. Jacqueline lightly punches Vaelen’s shoulder.
‘The council lost you I meant.’ Jacqueline begins to smile.
‘I know what you meant.’ Vaelen winks at her before looking at the monitor.
‘So what’s Katie like to work with? I understand she still hasn’t changed to vampire form yet?’ Jacqueline asks still watching the monitor.
‘Still quite quiet. But slowly coming out of her shell. And as for that information, it’s true. She hasn’t changed yet. She’s a weird one. No matter how angry or upset she gets she still doesn’t become a vampire. I think we just need to give her more time, hopefully she’ll do it eventually.’ Vaelen replies.
‘She better, otherwise she won’t survive a minute on a real mission. Concentrate on her and get her to change.’
‘I’ll add it to the list.’ Vaelen rolls his eyes before spotting what’s happening on the monitor. ‘What’s he doing?’ Vaelen points at Jeff who is reading a text on his phone before putting it in his pocket and heads towards the door.
‘Stop him.’ Jacqueline demands Vaelen.
Vaelen quickly opens the door and heads into the corridor and spots Jeff putting his jacket back on. ‘Where do you think you’re going? You’re job isn’t done.’ Vaelen states sternly as Jeff stops and turns to face him.
‘Erm. Got a text from my wife. She’s taking my daughter to the hospital and I need to go to make sure she’s okay.’ Jeff stumbles.
‘Fine. Go. I’ll finish this off.’ Vaelen allows Jeff to walk off down the corridor. Vaelen heads back into the small dark room with Jacqueline.
‘What’s going on?’ Jacqueline asks.
‘Something to do with his daughter suddenly being ill and being taken to the hospital.’
‘Lying wasn’t he?’
‘Indeed.’ Vaelen sighs.
‘Let’s wrap this up. You get in there. You get the information. But let one of them finish it off.’
‘As you wish ma’am.’ Vaelen exits the room and shuts the door behind him.
Vaelen enters the interrogation room. Will and Katie turn to face him. The man also looks up.
‘Ah shit Vaelen.’ The man begins to squirm in his chair.
Vaelen walks over to the man then suddenly slams his hand around the man’s neck with a tight grip. ‘Right you’re going to answer my two questions aren’t you?’ He asks. The man struggles a nod. ‘Thank you for co-operating. Now question one. Where is your group’s hideout?’ Vaelen slightly releases his grip so the man could answer.
‘That worn down empty warehouse just outside of the city.’ He quietly answers with pain from the choking.
‘Thank you. Question two. Who’s your leader?’
‘I don’t know.’ The man tries to scream in pain but can’t as Vaelen’s grip around his throat tightens crushing his windpipe.
‘You know I don’t like liars.’ Vaelen states as he slightly drops his grip again.
‘I’m telling you the truth. I don’t know.’ Again Vaelen tightens his grip. He jams his thumb so hard into the man’s neck it bursts straight through the skin. ‘Shit!’ He manages to scream.
‘Who is your leader?’ Vaelen asks once more.
‘I don’t know his name. But all I know is he’s a council member.’ The man screams in pain.
Vaelen lets go of the man’s throat and walks back to Will and Katie. ‘Do you have your guns?’ They both nod. Vaelen pauses for a second. ‘Kill him.’
‘No! Wait a minute!’ The man shouts.
Katie backs off slightly towards the door whilst getting out her gun. Will also get his gun out.
‘I’ve never killed before.’ Will says to Vaelen.
‘Everyone has to have their first time…’ Before Vaelen could finish his sentence, suddenly the man changes to vampire form and leaps at Will. Will quickly pulls the trigger. After the loud bang the man falls back to his chair. The bullet entered the man’s shoulder.
; ‘Aim for his head or his heart.’ Vaelen instructs Will.
Will’s aim is shaky after the shock of the man leaping towards him. Just as the man begins to leap again, another loud bang is heard as the man’s head suddenly explodes blood and brains from the back all over the wall behind him. Both Will and Vaelen quickly turn to see Katie with her gun raised and smoking. Vaelen turns back and heads towards the man’s dead body, Will stares at Katie in shock. Vaelen looks next to the chair and saw a razorblade. He picks it up. Before getting up he turns the man’s face towards him and notices the entry point of Katie’s shot was dead centre of the man’s forehead. Vaelen gets up and shows Will and Katie the razorblade.
‘I slipped this into his hand whilst he was passed out. That was the first part of the test failed. Always check for items on the body yourself when you enter the room. All of your interrogating skills need more work. But Katie, final test past. Perfect shot too. Will you could learn something from her.’ Vaelen walks to the door and opens it. ‘Anyway job done. You can go home. I’ll get someone to clean this. At some point.’ Vaelen exits.
Katie finally lowers her gun and drops it to the floor and begins to cry. Will walks over to her and opens his arms. She throws herself into him holding his hips as she cries hard into his shoulder. Will wraps his arms around her shoulders looking down to the top of her head. What the fuck? Will can’t help but feel confused and slightly scared.
CHAPTER 15:
DIGGING DEEPER
As Jeff heads towards the main entrance of the hotel, the thought of whether or not he got away with his lie keeps running through his head. Not only this but he begins to question his morals as he feels terrible for dragging his daughter into his new life full of lies.
‘Jeff!’ A female’s voice shouts from behind him. Jeff ignores it as he reaches for the handle of the door. ‘Jeff!’ The shouting continued louder this time which forced Jeff to turn to see who it is that’s calling his name. He turns his head and looks behind him and spots Rita walking at a hurried pace towards him. He lets go of the handle and turns to face her.
‘Sorry Rita I was miles away.’ He says again lying through his teeth.
‘It’s alright. Just wanted to know where you were heading off to, as I have you marked down on the system as performing an interrogation right now.’ Rita states in a formal manner.
‘Oh Vaelen let me go early. Family issue you see.’
‘I hope everything’s alright?’ Rita questions now in a softer tone.
‘Yeah it’s fine. It’s just my daughter comes down with something, and I want to be there for her.’ Jeff shows pain in his face after finishing his sentence. Lying about his daughter begins to hurt him deeply. Rita spots this and reaches out to grab his hand. She holds his left hand with both of hers, the touch of his skin against hers causes her to begin to blush. She shakes her head to stop these thoughts about Jeff, reminding herself that he’s a happily married man with a child. But she still senses that something is wrong and it’s not what he’s just told her.
‘You don’t have to lie to me you know.’ Rita softly strokes his hand with her thumbs, but stops immediately as Jeff looks into her eyes. She lets go of his hand feeling embarrassed at the fact she thought she had crossed a line. Jeff continues to look into her eyes.
‘I know I don’t.’ He gives out a slight sigh of relief at the fact he has someone he can be honest with. ‘But you have to promise me you wont tell anyone.’
Rita smiles. ‘I promise.’
Jeff grabs Rita’s hand and pulls her over to a quiet seating area just to the right of the entrance. He lets go as he sits down on a two seat sofa. Rita stands looking awkward. Jeff pats the empty spot next to him. Rita takes a seat turned towards Jeff.
‘I’m going to meet a vampire.’ Jeff says quietly as to not attract attention from anyone walking through the hotel.
‘Which vampire is it? I can look them up on the system to find out what they’re currently up to.’ Rita asks matching Jeff’s voice level.
‘You probably won’t have it on the system. It’s a rouge vampire. Tessa her name is.’
‘Tessa? That name sounds familiar.’ Rita begins to ponder where she had heard that name before. Within a few moments she figures it out. ‘Vaelen asked me to find the file on Tessa.’
Jeff jumps slightly back in shock. ‘Shit. Do you think he knows I’m working with her?’ Jeff quickly turns his head and rubs his temple as he realises the mistake he’s just made.
‘You’re a rogue?’ Rita asks with a lump in her throat.
‘Sort of.’ Jeff runs his hand down his face as he lets out a heavy breath.
‘What do you mean sort of? You either are or you’re not. Do you know the consequences if you are one. I’ll have to change the system and have you marked down as rogue. You’ll be hunted and killed.’ Rita begins to speak quicker and louder as she begins to panic.
‘Rita. Calm down. I’m still on the council’s side. I just need to work with Tessa to sort something out. You don’t need to tell anyone or change anything. No one will hunt me down then.’ Jeff rubs her arm gently as he reassures her.
Rita looks sternly into Jeff’s eyes as she wants answers. ‘Why are you working with Tessa? What’s so important that you associate yourself with rogues?’ Anger builds as she speaks.
Jeff grips her arm tightly to show dominance. ‘I’m taking Dirk down.’
Rita takes in what Jeff just told her and takes a deep breath to calm herself.
‘I need to meet up with Tessa because we’re going to sort him out. Speaking of which, have you heard or seen anything unusual lately?’ Jeff slowly lets go of her arm now he feels comfortable that she’s calmed down.
Rita looks away to think. ‘Apart from Vaelen asking about Tessa, everything’s pretty much been the same. Nothing out of the ordinary.’ She looks back at Jeff.
Jeff stands and looks down at Rita who’s still sat. ‘Thank you Rita. That’s all I needed to know. And don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine. You can trust me on that.’ He gives off a smile before turning and heading towards the main entrance leaving Rita sat on her own. Rita watches Jeff leave the building before getting up off the sofa. Walking back to her front desk she smiles softly to herself thinking about how wonderful Jeff is.
† † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †
Dark clouds fill the sky over the city. The wind blowing so hard Jeff barely manages to open a door leading out onto the roof of a tall office building. Jeff keeps hold of the door as he spots there’s no handle on the other side of the door and does not wish to be trapped up there. He looks around and notices a piece of broken off concrete on the floor. He reaches out for it and barely manages to grab it whist keeping the door held open. He lodges the piece of concrete in between the door and its frame. The door stays open as he lets go. He looks around and spots Tessa standing on the edge of the roof, he walks fighting against the wind toward her. ‘Why on earth would you say to meet here?’ Jeff shouts as he stops a few metres away from Tessa too scared to get any closer to the edge.
Tessa turns to face Jeff. She jumps from the edge onto the roof and walks up to him. ‘I needed to be somewhere private and out of the way.’
‘Hadn’t you noticed it’s quite windy, even more so up here.’ Jeff shouts.
‘What’s the matter? Scared of heights?’ Tessa smiles as she gives Jeff a kiss on the cheek whilst holding his arm. ‘Poor baby.’
Jeff pulls himself away in anger. ‘Look I’ve told you about this. I’m married…’
‘And have a daughter. Yes I remember. You need to lighten up a bit.’ Tessa laughs. ‘Speaking of which, how are the family?’
Jeff looks at Tessa in slight anger. ‘Like you have any interest into what’s happening in my life.’
‘On the contrary. We’re partners.’ She pauses. ‘I at least have to pretend I have interest.’ Again she laughs.
‘If you must know they’re fine. But I hate all this sn
eaking around and lying to them.’ Jeff states quickly to cut off Tessa’s laughing.
‘I’m afraid it’s all part of the job. And speaking of jobs. Have you done what I asked?’
‘I spoke to Rita and no. Nothing strange is apparently going on.’ Answered Jeff.
‘Well that’s the strange thing then.’
‘Why so?’
‘Stephanie. A higher up in the council has vanished without a trace. I would’ve thought that’s news worthy enough to be spoken about.’
‘Well Rita didn’t mention anything about a Stephanie.’ Jeff begins to question the integrity of the council as no one seems to know that a high member has suddenly disappeared. ‘You’re right. That is something the council should definitely be worried about.’
‘I doubt many of them have even noticed. No one liked her, including myself. So they probably don’t really care that she’s gone, she was a bitch, I’m quite happy she’s gone to tell you the truth.’ Tessa laughs once more.
‘Forget about your personal hatred towards this woman for a second and think about this. Why has she gone? Where has she gone? Where was she last seen?’ Jeff quickly changing the conversation back to its intended seriousness.
‘Well that last one can be answered. She was last seen entering an apartment building. An apartment building in which our best friend Dirk lives at.’ Tessa states now being more serious.
‘So Dirk has something to do with her disappearance.’
‘I assume so. It could be the first step of his Ana Programme. But I just can’t get close enough to him to find out.’ Tessa looks away from Jeff. Being as strong as she is the thought of being powerless to one man fills her with shame.
‘I’ll do it.’ Jeff looks at Tessa as the pride builds up within him. Tessa looks back at him. Pauses. Before bursting into a fit of laughter. As quickly as his pride came, it was gone again. Tessa’s cackle stripped it all from him. ‘What’s so funny?’
The Vampire Council: Case File:1 Page 8