It was nearly noon the next day when he went back to the Vohs home with the warrant, and a rookie officer to help breach the door. Despite Nick's small stature he had no doubt he could get into the home himself. But having a regular cop with him helped avoid possible little problems. The fact that the officer was fairly fresh out of the academy made his presence actually more tolerable.
Officer Jeff Coalter didn't ask questions about Detective Bell's division or why he was searching this home. He just took orders, and seemed proud to do so. "There is no need to trash this place. Just walk through and let me know if you see anything out of the ordinary. I'll do the physical searching," Nick said. To his surprise Jeff did actually as he was instructed. Nick was starting to like this guy. Maybe he could acquire him as a partner, get him transferred to the Special division. That was not likely, all things considered.
Officer Coalter reported in after carefully walking the entire home. It took him a little over a half hour. Nick was impressed. Unfortunately, he had nothing significant to report. Due to the loneliness of the job Nick took it upon himself to educate this young officer. He appeared so willing to learn, and of course, Nick considered himself so full of knowledge. It was a perfect scenario.
"Did you notice the fridge?" Nick asked. Jeff nodded. "Did you look inside?" Another nod. "After a couple months you would expect a foul smell. But we didn't get that did we? That means one of two things. Someone has actually been living here, or they knew they would not be coming back when they left. I believe one of them, probably the wife, was too proud of her home to leave perishables in the fridge. See, there is no milk, cheese, fruits or vegetables, or any leftovers. Just jars of pickles, cans of soda, and other stuff that would keep forever. Also, every trash can liner is empty, and all the dishes are clean. Nothing in the dishwasher."
"Though the house looks very normal at first glance, you'll notice there is no paperwork anywhere. No notes, no opened mail, or important documents like car titles or mortgages. I don't know why they felt the need to remove all those things, but it tells me we are not likely to find anything useful here. Even though I know the boy was still around after his parents left, all evidence of him living here on his own has been removed."
Nick continued to educate the officer for a while, careful not to reveal any real evidence. He didn't want to have to explain anything, like the existence of vampires. In Aaron's room he found a t-shirt, a pair of socks, and a pair of shoes that had been ripped apart. Maybe the cop would not figure out why, but Nick was now certain that Aaron was a vampire, and he turned into it from human form while wearing human clothes. There were also some scratches on the carpet and walls that may have looked like normal wear and tear to some. But Nick doubted the Vohs, who kept their house so nice, would let damage like that go without immediate repair.
Nick locked up the house and sent Officer Jeff on his way, thanking him so much for his assistance. Perhaps one day Nick would find him again. Now, though, Nick was occupied with the case. It was time to talk to Tish Marie Hawkins one more time. And, maybe his own daughter had more information than she realized. He felt strongly that she was not hiding anything from him, but could not dismiss the possible that he was wrong.
23 - I Saw Something
Tish was nervous. Actually, it seemed like everybody in the car was nervous. That made her even more nervous. She reached across the backseat of the Lexus sedan and found her best friend's hand on her thigh and gripped it. Susan returned the grip indicating that she was tense as well. It wasn't supposed to be like this. They couldn't see each other's faces except when the headlights of passing cars flashed through the windows. It felt too freaky to stare waiting for the lights to reveal each other's expressions. So, they held hands.
The two boys sat up front quietly, not knowing what to say. Their plan of having one girl up front and the other in the back was foiled when the girls insisted on sitting together. The two young ladies told themselves repeatedly they needed to get back out on a date. Unfortunately, accepting the first offer to come along after that decision may have been a bad idea. They barely knew these guys. Jeff Corbin, the driver, went to school with them. But they didn't have any classes together, so they didn't really know him. They knew more of his reputation. He was a rich kid that considered himself a player. He was very handsome and overly confident. Tish found him a little too self-involved but didn't refuse when he asked her out.
Colt Trayer was a friend of Jeff's that they had met a couple times at football games. He was a year older and a freshman at George Mason University. Tish wondered why he didn't date college girls instead, but remembered how infatuated he had been with Susan at the games. Susan in her cheer leading outfit is enough to draw the interest of any man. Even though he was just one year older, it concerned Tish. Perhaps the college girls were different, more willing to give it up on the first date. She was determined to protect her best friend and keep a close eye on this guy. The idea of him being in the back seat with Susan in the dark was not good. Susan didn't resist when Tish insisted they sit together, so perhaps she was concerned as well.
Tish had considered asking Will Brobson out on a date. She needed something comfortable, and that's what she considered her male friend. Not really a date then was it? But Jeff asked her before she got a chance to approach Will. It was the path of least resistance to accept. He already had a date lined up for Susan, too. It would have been a struggle to find a friend of Will's that Susan would be willing to be seen in public by her side.
Jeff pulled the car up in front of the Catoctin Grill and tossed the keys to the valet like a big shot. The girls waited patiently for their doors to be opened by their dates. Colt caught on a little quicker than self-absorbed Jeff, who believe it or not, was checking his hair in the reflection of his window. The car had just been washed and waxed that day apparently. You could nearly put on your make up in the reflection of the tires, it was so shiny.
Arm in arm with their dates they entered the restaurant elegantly and approached the hostess station. She made eye contact and greeted them right away with a pleasant smile. Jeff informed her of his reservation with his nose lifted slightly toward the sky. She could not imagine what his father must be like, for his high school son to be so full of himself. Their table was ready in a couple minutes, which was not quick enough for Jeff. He asked to speak to a supervisor. Fortunately, Colt stopped him with, "Hey Jeff, let it be. Let's focus on the ladies instead." Reluctantly, Jeff agreed and huffed his way to the table. An older man presumably having dinner with his wife watched Jeff with a smile. The guy had a look of subtle confidence and sophistication. He was probably worth millions and entertained by the youth's arrogance.
Conversation during dinner didn't really get much better. Jeff would ask about her preferences then would cut her off while she was answering. Colt slid his chair close to Susan and tried to whisper to her all through the appetizer. When it was evident to him that the evening would be much harder than he thought, he ordered the first of three beers.
"I thought you were only nineteen?" Susan whispered after the waiter was a safe distance away.
"Not according to my ID," he snapped back. When the beer arrived he offered Susan to share it with him and made a disgusted face when she refused. It only got worse from there.
"I can't believe these guys," Susan said to Tish in the restroom. "I didn't expect all boys to be like Hunter and Aaron, but come on! These jerks are ridiculous." Tish agreed and laughed. It was so true it was funny. The only thing not funny was the idea of getting back in Jeff's car. They decided to tell the guys they wouldn't need a ride home after all. They would claim that they were meeting friends in the shopping center adjacent to the restaurant.
Once the checks were paid Susan spoke up, "Thank you so much for dinner. I really enjoyed meeting you." It was scary how easily she could lie to the guy. "But, we won't need a ride home after all. We're meeting some friends over at the stores."
Jeff was shocked, but Colt
only looked angry. "Bullshit!" he said. "I bought you dinner. You're mine for the evening!" He grabbed Susan's arm at the elbow making her gasp.
Tish stood up immediately, glared into Colt's eyes as she softly said, "I'm sorry for the confusion, but it doesn't work that way. I'm happy to pay you back for her dinner if there was any misunderstanding."
Colt backed down and released Susan's arm as he barely whispered, "maybe..."
Jeff regained his composure and waived off the restaurant manager that was heading to the table. "Don't be ridiculous," he said. "There was no misunderstanding. Perhaps we can escort you across the parking lot and meet your friends?"
Susan shook her head slightly, so Tish answered, "That won't be necessary, but thank you for the offer." They made another trip to the ladies room and when they returned to the lobby the boys were gone. Tish spotted the Lexus tail lights as the tires squealed when the car entered the road. Just as well. Less awkward this way. The hostess politely offered to call a cab. With the boys already gone there didn't seem any reason to keep up the charade, so they accepted.
Hesitant to wait outside in plain view they sat on a bench in the lobby with customers still waiting on an available table to be seated. The restaurant was beautifully designed with much gray stone complementing the dark wood framing. The floor was smooth stone as well. The benches were mismatched for some reason. Some matched the decor while others looked like they belonged in a completely different restaurant. Perhaps, some benches needed to be replaced and they couldn't find anything that matched. Or maybe they discovered that they didn't provide enough seating for waiting guests and brought in whatever they could get quickly. Either way, the seats were comfortable enough and the view was pleasant as the girls sat quietly.
A few minutes later the cab arrived. The Middle Eastern gentleman driving the cab was surprisingly polite and opened the door for them. His clothes were very baggy, no doubt for comfort while sitting in a cab all day. Tish told him the address and he hustled back to the driver's seat without waiting to close the door behind them. That's when she noticed he was wearing sandals that no longer fit his feet. His heel was hanging off the side of the shoe.
Susan entered the backseat first, sliding across to allow room for her friend. As Susan's head dropped down to go inside Tish saw across the parking lot there was a strip of landscaping between the rows of cars, with several trees and shrubs providing shadow from the shopping center lights. In one shadow a familiar form crouched down beside a short tree. Gangly tall, even while scrunched down, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt that hung low to hide its face, pants too short to cover it's skinny ankles. There was slightest hint of red eyes under the hood that may have been her imagination. A vampire.
Tish gasped and ducked inside as quickly as she could. The visions bombarded her just then causing her to have trouble focusing on her present surroundings. Tish placed her head in her hands and closed her eyes while breathing heavily. Weird beasts danced in her mind, apparently some friend and some foe. She winced as a silver etched vampire form in her mind dove for her throat.
"Are you okay?" Susan asked. Tish nodded and tried to think of a convincing lie, but couldn't. "Are you sure?" Nodding again Tish looked back at the tree. The vampire was gone. The Sanguillen, she remembered the appropriate name again. She hadn't thought about them specifically for a while. At least not while awake. They still haunted her dreams. As the visions faded Tish debated on whether to tell Susan. They could both be in danger.
"I thought I saw something, but I didn't. Sorry" Tish replied and changed the subject before Susan could pry anymore. But her thoughts were still on the creature that had obviously followed them to the restaurant. What did it want? The vile beasts had already torn her away from her would be lover. What do they want now? The rest of her quivering heart?
Trying not to be too obvious Tish looked around for any guards that were assigned to keeping them safe. She could usually spot them despite their efforts to remain inconspicuous. But not this time. The parking lot was crowded and several cars were moving at the time. Surely they were nearby. Probably two cars, one assigned to each girl. At least she hoped. Then it dawned on her that they were likely expecting the girls to leave with their dates in Jeff's car. Maybe they were following the wrong vehicle. Tish began to worry, but still refused to let Susan know. She hoped it was for the best.
24 - Like Father
Sitting alone in the dark living room Susan began to cry. The date had gone horribly wrong. Having the security of her best friend Tish with her made it almost comedic instead of tragic, until she was gone and Susan was alone again. The tears flowed not from the sad outing, but instead from her memory of Hunter. He had been the perfect boyfriend for her, she knew. Then he was taken away. She wished so many things had happened differently, all resulting in Hunter still being alive.
Having a great companion like Tish helped the grieving process tremendously. She was so self-sacrificing. But Susan's loss coincided with Tish's, unfortunately. She had also lost her boyfriend. Though he did not die from the attack, he was severely injured. The fact that he chose to leave Tish behind may have made her loss even more traumatic. Susan wanted desperately to forget about Hunter and be there for her best friend, but the ache in her heart continued.
Confusing matters more there was a great mystery surrounding the attack at the lodge, and then Aaron's disappearance. She knew that Tish had more information, particularly about Aaron, that she was not sharing. Susan respectfully refused to pry, but it created a small barrier in their relationship that both of them tried unsuccessfully to ignore.
Additionally frustrating was Susan's attraction toward Tish. She had not meant for it to develop, it was something that sprung from her love for the wonderful girl. It was no wonder all the guys loved Tish. What was confusing was that most of them were content to be her friend rather than attempt courting her. Susan realized that she was once the same way. Of course, being same sex that was expected. Only recently did things change. And it was only Tish that was able to warrant those feelings. She felt no attraction to other girls. Not at all.
Knowing that her tequila induced advance on her best friend had been a huge mistake, she was very grateful that Tish took not offense to it. 'Not interested' appeared to be Tish's clear answer, though. Tish exhibited no homosexual tendencies, not even the least toward her while also intoxicated. Susan wanted to be relieved. She tried to be. Her fondness for teenage boys had been obvious until recently. A return to that mentality would be easy and welcome. But not being what Tish wanted hurt her more than she could explain.
Footsteps on the basement steps pulled her from her misery. Wiping the tears from her eyes she tried her best to smile at her father as he reached the top of the stairs. Fortunately, she was in the shadows and he didn't even notice her. She considered remaining quiet and letting him pass by. He had two empty beer bottles in his hand and a bounce in his step that indicated he may have had more before them. She watched as he dropped them in the recycling bin and grabbed two more from the fridge before heading back toward the basement steps.
"Hi dad," she said softly, unable to let him get away unaware. She did not have a fondness for her father these last couple years. But before that they were reasonably close. Seeing him make an effort to return to his family had softened her heart toward him of late. The fact that mom was occasionally smiling these days helped his case. She needed a distraction from her woes and decided he would be it.
Nick stopped abruptly and spun around looking for the source of the voice. "Susan?"
"Yeah, it's me. Over here on the couch," she sniffed trying to clear her sinuses from the crying session and dry her face before he could come close. He walked slowly in her direction as if sneaking up on a snake. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust.
"Why are you sitting in the dark?" Nick sat the two beers on the coffee table and turned on the light. It was then that Susan remembered that she was already dressed for bed wearing te
rry cloth shirts and a cut off t-shirt exposing her midriff, and no bra. The scar from the attack was beginning to fade, finally. Her father noticed her attire then, taken aback a little at the sight. She pulled the small blanket from the back of the sofa and wrapped it around her torso. He was relieved at the gesture and took a seat beside her. "Have you been crying?"
"Yes, dad," she replied, slightly annoyed. "Sometimes girls do that. It's okay."
Nick rested his hand on his daughter's knee. He meant for it to be comforting. Even in his state of reduced awareness he could tell that it was an awkward gesture and made her uncomfortable. He pulled it away apologizing.
"It's okay, dad. I don't know why I reacted that way. I guess it's been awhile since we've been that kind of close."
Even into her teenage years Susan would occasionally sit on her dad's lap with her arms around him. He was not a large man, but never complained about the weight on him. Back then he could rub his hands on her legs and kiss her on the cheek without a problem.
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