The Scene (Dylan Hart Odyssey of the Occult Series)

by Gilmore, R. M.

  “Aye, Aye captain. On our way now.” I almost actually lifted my hand to salute him.

  “Don’t go home. I’ll meet you at my house.”

  “We have to get some clothes and stuff. We’ll swing by my house first. Then head over. Promise.” I give in way too easily.

  “I’ll meet you there.”

  “No you won’t. I’m not a child. I can handle myself. Besides, I have Tatum with me. If you want me with you, we do it my way.” There was no way in hell I was going to let Mike run my life again.

  “Fine. Call me when you get home.” He was pissed but he knew there was nothing he could do about it.

  “Fine. Bye.” I didn’t hang up in time.

  “I love you, Dylan. Be careful.”

  Shit.

  “You too.” I hung up.

  “Said I love you again?” Tatum said immediately.

  “Yes, he did.”

  “What else? Seemed pretty intense.”

  “Lots.” I didn’t really know how to repeat what had just happened.

  “Okay. Go.”

  I did. “…so now Mike thinks we’re in danger.” I sighed heavily.

  “Two dead bitches. One looks like you. One looks like me. And your doppelganger is left naked behind your trash bin. Yeah, I might have to agree with Mike on this one,” she said at the end of my spiel, then nodded to prove her consensus.

  “Should I be scared? I mean, I’m finding it hard to believe anyone would be trying to kill me, or you, for that matter. We haven’t really done much. Who’ve we really talked to? Oh, that reminds me. Mike wants us to figure out who we’ve been talking to and where we’ve been the last few days. I assume he wants to narrow down the immense list of possibilities he’s got.”

  “Not scared. Just cautious. We’ve been seen in the biggest vamp clutches in town, with the likes of Cyrus, to boot. I’m sure we didn’t go unnoticed.”

  “True. But, is it possible we have actually hit a nerve somewhere? Were we actually in the presence of one of our murderers?” I asked, doubting it to be true. Hoping it wasn’t.

  “It is not only possible but plausible. This is what we set out to do. Well, you set out to do and decided to drag me along for the gory, death-defying, ride. We’re nearly to victory. Ready the trumpets!” She smiled at herself.

  “Unless those trumpets will be used at our funerals, not so victorious. We are going to my place to get some stuff, then we’re going to Mike’s to stay for a bit. On his insistence I assure you.”

  “Really? Do I have to?” She was nearly whining.

  “No. But I do. Think about it. Me and Mike alone. Not a good idea.” Although, it may very well prove to be quite fun; this particular fun is generally regrettable.

  “Yeah. Okay. For safety purposes only.” She nodded once and left it at that.

  We sat in silence for a long while. Fields of grape vines and orange trees flew past the window as we zoomed at light speed toward home. I closed my eyes and allowed the drone of the car to lull me off to sleep.

  My phone rang out of nowhere startling both of us. I fumbled in my lap searching for the source of the unremitting ringing and vibrating.

  “Hello?” I croaked out clearing my throat in the process.

  “Dylan?” I hate when people do that. They called me. Who else would it be?

  “Umm, yeah. Who’s this?”

  “Oh, I am sorry. This is Cyrus.”

  Oh, great. “Yeah?” I hadn’t talked to him since my utter disappointment in the security room at Macabre Saturnine. I wasn’t sure I really wanted to talk to him again. Ever.

  “Well didn’t we wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Or should I say passenger seat.” He chuckled lightly.

  “What?” I know I sounded half asleep, mostly because I was, but how did he know I was sitting shotgun?

  “You are just a little cranky, my darling. That’s all.”

  “Don’t be a smart ass. How did you know I was in the passenger seat? Don’t you dare claim ESP.”

  “Oh, well, I could hear the car in the background, and I only assumed you were the passenger. I would hope you were not sleeping while driving. And if you were, I am very glad I called when I did.” I could hear his smile over the phone.

  What a jackass.

  “I see.” I found it a little peculiar. “What do you want?”

  “I was wondering how you were doing? I had not heard from you since we met with Malcolm, and I was concerned for your well-being. How are you?” Very nonchalant. Riiight.

  “How am I doing? Well, I suppose I’m feeling very sober these days, now that I don’t have unknown substances coursing through my veins. How are you?” I really did not like this joker. I was growing tired of the sound of his voice.

  “I am doing well. Where are you? Are you with your lovely blonde friend?”

  Oh yeah, her.

  “I’m in the car with Tatum.” Where is this conversation headed?

  “Where are you?” He’s a persistent little fuck, I’ll give him that much.

  “I’m on the freeway. Headed home actually. Oh, Cyrus, I do have a question for you.”

  Why are you gallivanting about town with skinny little bitches?

  “I have an answer for you. Ask away.”

  “I will, not now. Not on the phone, I mean. I’ll come see you at Macabre Saturnine tonight. I need to speak with Reggie too, in fact. Do you know if she’s working tonight?”

  “I do not. She works nearly every night, so I would assume. We have had some interesting events the last few nights. Have you heard? I’m sure you have heard all about it.” He sounded marginally accusatory.

  “I may have. Why don’t you fill me in?” I kept telling myself that following through with my leads was not giving into temptation. I told myself that it was possible to have a professional conversation with the man who made me feel like a jackass without feeling as though I wanted to punch him in the face.

  “Someone discovered a body near Macabre, in the alley. Police were everywhere; the club nearly didn’t open that evening. Then, another body was found today; a girl who had been to Macabre last night. Do you think someone is targeting the club? What do you think, Dylan?” Asked the dildo on the other end of the line.

  “I’m not sure. I don’t really know anything. I’ve actually been out of town.” I was becoming disturbed with his line of questioning. I drew my phone from my ear and pushed the speaker phone button. I didn’t want to have to explain this conversation to Tatum later.

  “Oh? Where have you been? Anywhere interesting? I know you are exploring the vampire homicides and I assumed you would know all the particulars of the recent activities by now. You know nothing? No…approximations thus far?” He was probing into my whereabouts, and my research, a little too eagerly. He was beginning to creep me out.

  “Not really.” I figured I’d better keep it vague.

  “Not really to which question?” He pressed on.

  “All of them.” See, vague.

  “Now Dylan, there is no need to be reserved with friends. I am only concerned for you. I would like to see you again.”

  Yeah, fucking, right! Why do you want to see me again? So you can humiliate me? So you can make me feel like a fat loser while you prance around with your skinny perfect girlfriend.

  There were so many things I wanted to say to him, but I didn’t. I kept it in. I felt like I was in high school all over again. It’s not fun to be fat in high school. And I learned way back then, to not let shit like this affect me. Sometimes people, well guys, are just stupid. And occasionally, they can be downright fucking cruel. I tried very hard then to keep my cool. It was a losing battle.

  “Yeah, you’ll see me tonight. Macabre, remember? I just told you that. And if you were so damn concerned with me then, why did you leave with that….” I stopped myself. A rant about his extracurricular activities right then would only egg him on and piss me off all over again.

  “With whom?” His voice resounded smu
gness.

  Bastard. “Nothing. Never mind. So all you wanted was to see how I was doing?”

  “Yes, of course. And to see if you knew anything about the bodies. I am very interested in the case, Dylan. And in you. The two just, so luckily for me, go hand in hand.”

  “Yeah, whatever. I’m fine. I know nothing. I’ll stop by at opening tonight. Be there.” He’s so fucking interested in me. Yeah right. I’ll believe that when pigs fly.

  “My lovely cantankerous, Dylan. I have done nothing to you, please be pleasant. It suits you better. And me for that matter.”

  “I couldn’t care less what suits you. Did you know that girl who was killed last night?” As long as he was talking, I figured I could attempt a real question or two. Nothing too serious, clearly. Didn’t want to frighten the poor boy off.

  “No. I don’t believe so. She did not look familiar. I was not at Macabre last night. I spent my evening alone at home.” He sounded a tad forlorn at the thought of being alone. Bullshit.

  “Alone? You? Okay.” I scoffed. “Did they release her photo to the media already?”

  “Umm, no. She was unfortunate enough to have been photographed by a citizen. Her photo was on the internet before the police even arrived on scene.” His voice held the sound of actually pity for the girl.

  “I see. And you just stumbled upon this unfortunate photo?” I smelled the distinct scent of bullshit.

  “Dylan, you are out of the loop as they say. There is a website dedicated to these so called Vampire Massacres. I assume you have yet to view this site?”

  “You would assume correctly. What’s the website?” There’s fucking website now?

  “I will text you the information once we are finished speaking. I will warn you, the photo is quite gruesome. And the site itself is crude to say the least. The horrendous jargon being spewed of vampires is deplorable.” He was in a huff now.

  “Well, I’m sorry to hear that, I guess. I’m sure I can handle whatever photo some bystander could have snapped with their cell phone. Send me the name of that site, I’ll check it out as soon as I get internet signal.” Oops, too much information.

  “Are you out of range? Where have you run off to, Dylan?”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you tonight.”

  “As you wish. Be careful. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

  “Me either.” I hung up. I couldn’t deal with his penetrating, obscure, sexy ass one more second.

  “Well, that was curious. Was it just me or was he a little too inquisitive?” Tatum had only heard the last half of the conversation, but it was the most pertinent.

  “No, it wasn’t just you. I want to see this website he’s talking about. Maybe we can get some additional info. Or maybe we will be jam-packed with a bunch of crap. Either way, it’s something to do on the drive.”

  “Who would take a picture of a dead girl? That’s a little sadistic, don’t you think?” Tatum said with disgust.

  “Just a little. Everyone has become obsessed with this case. With vampires in general. It was only a matter of time before something like this started. I get that this is not a new idea, vampires in literature and whatnot. But for whatever reason, the last few years has lent itself to the fantasy that vampires are amazing creatures that reside in modern society. Hell, half of the recent philosophies of vampires describe them as law abiding citizens; drinking blood from bottles and all that jazz. The mass media has portrayed vampires as acceptable beings in pop-culture as of late. Why wouldn’t someone believe themselves to be a blood-sucking-fiend-from-beyond-the-grave? They would only be accepted into society with open arms and pocket books anyway. No stakes. No hammers. Just lusty babes and all the blood they can drink.” Fin.

  “Did you write that down? It would make for the beginnings of a killer article.” Tatum Price, always on the job.

  “Commit it to memory,” I responded coldly.

  “Is this going to turn into a serious brainstorming session? I need to know how mentally prepared I need to be.”

  “At some point in this tangled mess of bloody bullshit my inner grown up has to come out. Better sooner than later.” I felt a mental purge teetering at the edge of my lips.

  “Or dead-er.” Trust Tatum to dumb-down a situation. “This is reality, not movies or books or television.” She picked up where we’d left off. “Sometime soon, the fantasy will meet a violent end. And all this vampire drivel will too.”

  “Why is everyone so fanatical with this bullshit? What’s so damn special about vampires?” I actually crossed my arms over my chest and tucked my chin into my neck. Pouting like a master.

  “A new way to make money. Everyone and their mother is writing a book about vampires, that becomes a movie, then enters the TV spin off. It’s a venomous circle that will continue to repeat itself until people are sick of it. Which does not appear to be anytime soon. As of right now, there are websites going up dedicated to dead girls missing blood. Evidently, no one’s scared off yet. I doubt they will be, until more people start getting killed. Even then I doubt it. Open your arms and embrace the mania, Dylan. It’s not going anywhere.”

  “They should be scared. I’m scared. There’s some weird shit going on here. What’s with Cyrus and his twenty questions? And how did he know so much about the girl from last night and the other day? In all actuality, he and his band of misfits are on the top of my shit list. With the Fresno oddities coming in at a close second. I doubted his involvement from the beginning. And Reggie, I never even suspected. But after talking to that little girl, I’m beginning to think they have something to do with it. Plus, I think the kids in Fresno know way more than they’re letting on. And I think Reggie will be able to tie it all together. Or I could be absolutely wrong and it’s someone else entirely.” This could prove to be absolute reality.

  “Always a possibility. On the other hand, there are other avenues we’ve yet to consider. Superficially, there are no real vampires because they have fangs, no need for the use of hypodermic needles. But, I would not rule that out. Vampire seems a logical explanation. Why not, right?” She seemed quite serious, and then she smiled.

  “Sure, why not? Well, let’s say someone is a vampire. An honest to goodness vampire. Could it be an already listed suspect? Or would we have to find Buffy and hunt the son of a bitch down? Hmmm….” I tapped my finger on my chin, thinking.

  “If I had to vote, I’d say that Dominika was definitely a vampire,” she said swiftly and pointedly.

  “Agreed. I’m surprised you didn’t say Mike. You blame him for everything. What about Reggie? Or Sandora? They have predator qualities.”

  “Mike? A vampire? No way. Sandora was a freak of nature, but I don’t know about an actual vampire. If Reggie were a vampire, she’d have to be like a flunky. A gofer. Like a vampire lackey. Not a head honcho at all. Too weak. Cyrus, on the other hand, he has potential. Gorgeous, hangs with the right crowd, suspicious background, definite possibility. But I don’t think any of them did it. I think we’re looking for someone we’ve yet to meet.”

  “A shadow. A last-chapter-villain. But that’s no fun. The best part is the twist at the end of the who-done-it. The seemingly innocent neighbor, the honest boyfriend, or the reliable informant,” I stated surely.

  “The trusted best friend.” I looked at the side of her face when she spoke. She never looked at me. I stared at her a moment before deciding to move on from the thought that Tatum was a bloodsucker.

  “Maybe. But in all reality, vampire fantasy aside, there is a real killer out there. And he or she knows who I am, feasibly anyway. And I don’t think I’m too comfortable with that. No, in fact, I’m not.” I nodded my head once to prove it.

  “You’ll be fine. Quit freaking out. There are no vampires remember? No mist floating under your door. No mystical mind fucks. No super human strength. Just some asshole who thinks he’s a bloodsucker. No need for a stake or holy water, just shoot him if it comes right down to it. When all
else fails, use bullets.” She was right. A bullet would work.

  I have plenty of bullets.

  CHAPTER 20

  We were approaching the Grapevine and would be home in a few hours. Less by Tatum-time. I figured I’d better call Mike before I lost all signal on the hill. Cyrus hadn’t sent the web address I asked for yet. I may just not have had enough signal to get it, but I wouldn’t doubt that he’d flaked and didn’t send it. I only had a few bars so I dialed Mike hurriedly from my call log and listened to it ring, forever.

  “Hello, you have reached Detective Michael Petersen. Please leave your name and phone number and I will contact you as soon as I am available. Thank you.” It beeped.

  “Hey Mike, we are coming up on the Grapevine, we’ll be home in a few hours. Got a weird call from someone I met at Macabre Saturnine the other night. I think I might need you to back me up tonight when I talk to him. I’m going home to get my shit and then I’ll be over. We can go from your place. Call me so I know you’ll be home. I’ll be at my place till you call. Bye.”

  I hung up. I waited a few minutes and decided to call again. It rang, forever.

  “Hello, you have reached Detective Michael Petersen…” No need to leave a message again. I hung up, again.

  It had only been a few hours since I talked to him and he was all concerned.

  Why would he not answer my call?

  I told myself I was being a little arrogant and that Mike was not sitting around waiting for my call for hours on end.

  “I wouldn’t doubt he actually is.” Tatum spoke out of nowhere. We hadn’t said much for the last hour or so; consequently, her voice was shrill in my ears.

  “What?” I asked, not believing I had just heard what she said.

  “I wouldn’t doubt Mike waits for you to call for hours on end.”

  “Umm…hello sudden-psychic-ability. How the fuck did you know I was inner monologue-ing?” Creepy.

  “Because you were talking out loud. Are you high?” She wasn’t laughing when she said this.