“This is Trixie Davis from Style World, and there’s---”
“Trixie Davis?” he voiced with a heavy frown, and then it registered. Anger surged through him. After sending him on a wild goose chase for a robber that didn’t exist except in her pretend crime scene, did she really have the audacity to call him again? Luckily for her, he hadn’t charged her with obstruction of justice. Now, he wondered if he’d made the right decision since she was trying the exact tactic again. His brow arched disapprovingly as he contemplated an outright display of rudeness. Instead of slamming the receiver down, his hold tightened along it. “Don’t tell me that you’ve had another break-in.”
“Actually---”
“I don’t have the time, energy, or patience for your sick, twisted games,” he snapped. “There are actually people out there that do need my assistance. Unfortunately, past experience has taught me that you’re not one of them. Like I said, I don’t have time for this. Good day.”
“Wait, wait, wait!” she said. “In this case you do. It’s not about me. It’s about your neighbor, Nicole---”
“Nicole?” he asked anxiously, shoving away from the computer table hard. Within seconds, he was on his feet. “Has something happened to Nicole? Is she okay? Where is---”
“Slow down, cowboy,” she interrupted. “She’s fine. She’s here at Style World. Apparently, there was a mugger, and she was nearly attacked. Fortunately, someone else showed up and she escaped.”
“Is she alright?” he barked into the phone, already shrugging into his heavy coat.
“As well as she can be, I suppose. But, she’s still pretty shaken up,” the woman said coolly. “Well, she asked me to call you, and here I am calling---”
“I’ll be there in five minutes.”
Without a further word, he slammed the phone down.
After barely taking time to lock the office door, he charged out.
Minutes later, Xander lunged from the SUV after parking it alongside the curb, and then headed for the boutique. Style World was stylishly etched in curvy letters across the large sign. As he shoved the door open, the bells jingled like wind chimes.
“Xander, I’m so glad that you’re here!” Trixie exclaimed, brushing past the surprised customer. While some men would find her attractive, he was totally immune to her. Her boobs bounced freely as she hurried towards him with a pretend look of fright. Her low-cut, black top was too snug, and the skin tight skirt would probably rip at the seams if she made another maneuver. Her short, cropped, blue-tinted black tresses were loaded with hair gel. And the smell of her heavy perfume nearly stifled him to death. “I was so frightened!”
Before he could step away from the door, she’d hurled herself at him.
Easily, he peeled her off and pushed her aside.
“Where’s Nicole?” he asked sharply, glancing around the expensive shop.
“Oh, Nicole,” she said with a hint of boredom. “She’s in the storage room. Just forget about her for a minute, will you? Let’s talk about us and where you’re taking me for dinner. Surely, you’re not still holding a grudge---”
Ignoring the woman’s words, he strode away.
Quickly, he passed the expensively designed clothing, and then he moved past the towering rack of Italian patented boots, flats, and heels. Barely squeezing through the narrow doorway, he sauntered past the manager’s office and humming vending machine, then finally treaded into the storage area.
He stopped in the doorway.
The dim overhead lights burned low in the room.
At the back of the room, she huddled on the large sofa, and as she sensed his presence, she straightened with a startled look. “Who’s there?”
“Nicole, it’s me---Xander,” he said, fighting against his own emotions.
Lips quivering, she struggled to keep composure. “Xander?”
Giving a fast bark, Macy loped over to him, and then looked up at him with huge chocolate eyes. Obviously, the situation had been daunting enough to shaken her confidence, he mulled, bending over to pet her. Whining softly, Macy trotted behind him as he crossed the room. Again, he was concerned as he took in her ashen features.
Kneeling before her, he took her trembling hand in his. “Everything’s going to be okay. I promise you that.”
“I was so scared,” she sniffed, brushing the tears with her free hand.
“What happened?”
“I’ll tell you what happened. I was being an idiot as usual,” she mumbled. “My solo audition was today. When I finished, we took the back exit instead of the front one. It’s my fault. If I’d just did the smart thing---”
“Don’t blame yourself. Instead, place it on the idiots that have the incapacity to actually behave like rational human beings or realize that they aren’t above the law,” he broke in sharply. Without breaking physical contact, he stood and then sat down beside her on the sofa. “Did he hurt you?” he asked, studying her.
“No. And what’s strange is that he really never said anything, not until the end,” she added with a quizzical frown. “It’s was more creepy than anything. But, I figured that it was probably a homeless person or a junkie, and foolishly, I set myself up as an easy target. In the future, I’ll be more careful, trust me.”
Xander frowned again. “But, how did you get away?”
“That’s something that’s crazy, too. Out of nowhere, this other guy just shows up, and believe me, I’m not complaining,” she said relieved, turning towards him. “But, I don’t know what to make of him either. Call it crazy, but I wasn’t afraid of him. And he had such a strong, authoritative tone like he was so accustomed to being in control of things. When he stepped in, it didn’t take long for Macy and me to scatter. I don’t know. There was just something strange about the whole thing. It was just weird.”
“I’m taking you to the hospital,” he replied sternly. “I think that---”
“Xander, stop it,” she admonished, finally giving him a real smile. “I’m fine. He didn’t lay a hand on me. I promise. You need stop worrying.” She pulled her hand from his reluctantly. “The police are here, and I’ve already given them my statement. I’m just waiting to learn what they’ve found.”
Just then, the door creaked open as the police officer entered.
“Sullivan,” the young African-American officer quipped. “What’s up, man?”
“Nothing much,” he said as he stood, clasping the officer’s hand in a firm handshake. “Any luck catching the perpetuator or the unsung hero?”
“No luck, I’m afraid. Only thing that I did find was a homeless guy too fuzzed out to recall anything. And I’m more than positive that he had nothing to do with the mugging,” the officer admitted. “Pretty much the only thing I got out of him was a lot of crazy talk. He was mumbling and going on and on about vampires and---”
“Vampires?” he asked, stilling, and then glanced down at Nicole, and he could tell that her interest was piqued too.
“Yeah, can you believe it? Sometimes, I have to wonder what’s crazier, the city or the people living in it.”
“You’re right, that is crazy,” he agreed, hoping that the officer didn’t pick up on his unease. “Hollywood isn’t doing anyone any favors with these vampire and werewolf flicks.”
“Yeah, obviously, he’s had a front row seat for the entire Moonlight saga,” the officer laughed, and he joined in.
Frowning, Nicole’s head twitched from him to the officer.
Then, finally she relaxed.
Relief surged through him.
Neither of them realized how close to the truth they were.
“Like I said, the poor guy was too fuzzed to make sense. Vampires, my---” the officer cut his laughter short before clearing his throat. “Sorry, Ms. Williamson, I almost forgot to watch my language for a second there. I do have some good news though. I confiscated your purse. Everything’s still there---your wallet, keys, everything. Apparently, the robber didn’t have time enough to take anything. Of cours
e, you’ll have a better idea about that than me.”
“Let me take a look,” Xander insisted, taking the purse from him. After unzipping it, he peered at its contents.
The officer had been exact.
Nothing was missing.
Turning away from the officer, he forced back his disgust.
The crazed vamp had struck again.
As usual, he was playing his sick and sordid games.
His puzzlement grew.
But, who was their unsung hero?
Whoever he was, he’d been a viable match against the vamp.
And he didn’t know if he liked that idea or not.
“Xander, what’s wrong?” she inquired gently.
He turned to her surprise.
This wasn’t the first time she’d been able to sense his mood. While he hadn’t even said a word, she’d still known that he was unsettled.
“Nothing’s wrong,” he finally said, staring at her.
And call it second sense, but it was as if she knew every part of him, down to the depths of his soul. Lips trembling, she curled her hand into a fist on the sofa’s arm rest. Then, he realized that she felt the same, intense emotional currents.
They were connected.
Finally, he blinked rapidly as the spell broke between them.
The officer frowned as he gazed between the both of them, and it was apparent that he sensed their connection too. He cleared his throat uncomfortably “I wish that we’d caught the guy,” the officer said apologetically. “If I could do more, believe me, I would. But, as it stands, with as little evidence that I have, I really don’t have much to go on.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. You’ve done everything that you can do. And we appreciate your hard service,” he voiced strongly, clasping the man’s hand again before slapping his shoulder appreciatively. “Job well done.”
“Thanks, Mr. Sullivan. And coming from you, that means a lot,” the officer said proudly. “Ms. Williamson. I hope that you’ll be more careful in the future. Here’s a word of advice. No more back alleys, ok?”
“Of course, Officer. Believe me, I’ve learned my lesson,” she added with a nod. “And thank you for everything that you’ve done.”
“Don’t mention it,” the officer said with a quick nod. “Have a good day, Ms. Williamson, Mr. Sullivan.”
Xander shook the man’s hand again as he departed.
Finally, they were alone.
“Well, thank goodness that’s over,” she said with a heavy sigh.
“Here,” he said, placing the purse in her hands. “Check it out and make sure that nothing’s amiss.” Slowly, he trailed to the door as she rummaged through it. Then, he pulled it open. The back alley was full of activity now as doors were flung open while harried workers tossed trash into the huge bins. Every now and then, he could hear expletives belted out as they complained about one thing or another. A faint dimness filled it, and he could see the homeless man’s shoes peeking from the side of the first trash bin. “I’m going to do a run through on my own. Wait here, it’ll only take me a few minutes.”
“No!” she exclaimed, coming off from the sofa, and the fear played in her voice. Her lips trembled. “You can’t, Xander. The mugger may still be around. You could end up getting hurt.”
“Hey, don’t’ worry about me. A time or two, I’ve been told that I can be quite the badass,” he said, taking hold of her quivering chin. “Nicole, I’ll be fine. I promise.”
Her dark brown eyes pooled with tears. “You promise?”
“Promise,” he rasped softly, brushing her cheek. “Trust me, okay? It won’t take long.”
Nodding, she sank onto the sofa.
The door closed behind him as he exited.
At once, the various smells assailed his senses as he trailed towards the homeless man.
He could hear the man’s clothes rustle as he sat up.
“Who’s there? Got a little something for Abel?” the man cried out, rattling the can in his hand. “I bet you have a little something for Abel.”
The light breeze scattered the debris across the pavement, and it floated across his black boots as he stopped alongside the trash bin.
Quickly, Xander flashed his I.D.
The man squinted before placing his half-filled can onto the ground.
“What can I do for you?” the man asked curiously.
“I’m Xander Sullivan, private investigator. And I take it that you’re Abel and witnessed what happened here a short while ago?”
Pity surged through him as he looked down at the old man. Perhaps fiftyish, the Caucasian male was thin and malnourished from lack of food and too much alcohol. His long-sleeve shirt had faded to a pale blue, and the pants had a series of gaping holes that speckled them all over. The clothing was so badly worn and tattered that they’d probably dissipate if they were laundered. The man’s pungent smell nearly stifled him as it wafted up his nose. Beside him, there lay an empty scotch bottle, and apparently, it’d been his latest meal from the looks of things.
But, he was stone-cold sober.
“Yep, it’s me, alright,” the man said and then wheezed. “Have some pity, young sprite. I’m down on my luck. I need some help. I need some booze to keep me---”
“I have exactly what you need,” he interrupted firmly. “And a bottle of booze isn’t it. There’s something in it for you, though, if you can tell me what you’ve seen. Do you have any idea who the mugger was?”
“Shhh,” the drunkard said, his blue eyes rounding in fear. “No, don’t talk too loudly, or he’ll hear you.”
“Who?” Xander inquired, and his voice was barely above a whisper. “Who’s going to hear us?”
“If I say his name out loud, it’ll mean trouble for you and me. And the streets are tough enough as it is, and I don’t need trouble.” With shaky hands, he adjusted the worn hat on his filthy black tresses. “Especially not on my turf, not when I have to cohabitate with these critters.”
“I can help you,” Xander assured him. “Whoever this guy is, I won’t let him hurt you or---”
“But, you don’t understand,” the man persisted strongly. “He’s not like you and me. He’s, he’s---. Come closer.”
Xander squatted down alongside him.
His gaze leveled with the man’s.
And once again, the pungent odor almost took his breath away.
“Admittedly at times, my senses do tend to be distorted. But, there’s nothing that can numb them to what I’ve seen. What I’m about to say is true, and I’d stake my life on it,” Abel whispered, his voice dropping low. “Do you believe in the supernatural?”
“Supernatural?” he asked, purposefully frowning. “What are you getting at?”
“Vampires, werewolves, lycans---unearthly beings with extraordinary super-strength, powers, and abilities.” The man’s gaze traveled along the alleyway uneasily. “Until now, I’d never believed in the rumblings that I’ve heard about the undergrounds, that cannibalistic vampires roam the dark corners like ravenous carnivores. But, I do now. The one that was here today, he isn’t human, but a vampire. Through the morning hours, he’s been cemented outside that door in one spot,” he said, inclining his head towards his left. “The Man with No Name is what he calls himself.”
“How often does he come here?” he inquired softly, and his gaze followed to where he’d indicated. Just as I thought, he mulled inwardly, noticing the faint lettering on the huge door: Peachtree Concert Hall. Naturally, the crazed vamp was feeding his sick obsession by hanging around the concert hall.
“Not everyday, but only on rehearsal days when she’s there. And he’s plainly obsessed with her,” the homeless man whispered softly. “The vamp is not only creepy, but a certifiable nut. He’s proven to me that I’m actually sane.”
“What happened today?”
“Easily, the sounds carry out here. And he was more agitated than usual. Yes! And I saw her, the woman that he’s madly obsessed with,” Abel said agit
atedly. “She had a seeing-eye dog with her, and I have to admit that I can understand why he’s gone bonkers over her. She’s beautiful, and not only that. There’s an inner beauty about her that’s obvious, one so strong that any man would be satisfied and content forever.” The man shook his head. “But, it’s no excuse with the way he’s acting. And he scared her.”
“How so?” he asked, feeling the anger rising again. “What did he do?”
“While he never laid a hand on her physically, he did play mind games with her. I can tell that she sensed him. But, like everyone else, she took the logical road and assumed that it was a mugger. She was dead wrong.”
Xander studied the man closely. Perhaps the man wasn’t as out of it as the officer had believed. He was making perfect sense now, he realized. Then, he hedged cautiously, “What’s this nonsense about him being a vampire? We both know that they don’t really exist.”
Of course, that was a lie.
Didn’t he know that better than anyone?
“Believe me, I wish it were true. But, even alcohol can’t numb my mind from the things that I’ve seen and heard in this dark alley,” the man whispered frantically. “I’ve seen him in action plenty of times. He combs it like a madman, rambling nonsense, and craziness that makes me seem like the most rational being in the world.” His words turned to a low whisper. “Never have I seen anything so hideous or unearthly. Hollywood hasn’t made a movie violent enough to rival this vampire’s lunacy and violence. Today was possibly the worst that I’ve seen him. I don’t know. He just seemed impatient and more unsettled than usual. After he transformed, the venom dripped from his fangs like water streaming from a broken fountain. It was like he couldn’t control his lust, and he wanted to feed on her. And if that other guy hadn’t showed up, he would have.”
Dragon Reign: A Paranormal Love Tale Page 16