Murder in Vein

by Sue Ann Jaffarian

  "Do you remember anyone ever being with him?"

  "No. There might have been from time to time, but I don't remember."

  "And the diner, that would be Auntie Em's Diner on Washington in Culver City?"

  Madison ran a hand through her freshly washed hair and winced as she grazed the scrape on her forehead. "Yes," she huffed. "I've told you that several times now." She'd been questioned enough by police to know that they asked the same questions over and over in different patterns in the hope of tripping up a suspect or unearthing new information from the victim.

  Notchey was dressed in jeans and a Dodgers sweatshirt. His medium brown hair was cut short. He looked tired. Shadows cupped his dark eyes, and his five o'clock shadow had gone into extra innings. He wasn't young and he wasn't old, landing somewhere between Madison and the Dedhams in age. But then, that was a pretty wide spread.

  "According to your record, you were picked up twice in Boise for soliciting." The detective eyed her over the top of his notebook.

  Madison's jaw set in defiance. "I was never formally charged."

  "Why is that?"

  "Because I never solicited. I've never, ever been a whore." She spit the words out like rotten food and for the moment forgot about the vampires in the kitchen.

  "According to your sheet," Notchey said, consulting his notebook, "you'd go into bars and promise the johns a good time. Once they were nice and drunk, you'd rob them in the parking lot." "

  "That was back in Boise. I've been straight since I've been here."

  "Here? You mean since you've moved to LA?" He scoffed. "So you came to la-la land to start a new life, just like every other skank, crook, and perv?"

  "Yes," she answered, as if clubbing him with the word. "I came here to start a new life. I've got a job, a place to live, and I pay my bills. I even take a class at West LA College. I haven't had a single brush with the law since I left Idaho. Ask my boss-he'll tell you. His name's Kyle Patterson. He owns the place."

  I already have. He says you're hardworking and always on time. Also said you're not much of a people person."

  "Didn't know that was against the law." She narrowed her eyes at him. "If it was, you and I'd probably be wearing his and hers matching orange jumpsuits."

  The edge of Notchey's mouth twitched as a smile fought for its life, then was beaten into submission. "We don't think Piper was working alone. And from what you observed-his waiting that's a fairly safe assumption. You're sure you never saw anyone else?"

  She shook her head. "No one" Fixing her eyes on Notchey, she gathered her resolve and moved closer. "Just ... just Doug Dedham splattering him against a tree, then gnawing on him like a ren faire turkey leg."

  Mike Notchey closed his notebook and met her steady stare. "The Dedhams saved your life and took care of you. Be a little grateful, why don't you? They could've left you there. It would have been better for them if they had."

  Madison raised her chin in defiance. "He wanted to kill me. She talked him out of it," she repeated yet again.

  "Doug Dedham would never have killed you." This time the detective did smile. "No matter how tempting. He just likes to screw with people when he can, which isn't often. For him, it's Halloween every day."

  "And what about Dodie?"

  "Dodie is just as undead as Doug. She just exercises more common sense and manners. Dodie is kind, warm, and caring, but don't for a minute think she's some fragile old lady. Believe me, when need be, she can be just as scary as Doug."

  Madison gave that some thought, sure now that Dodie Dedham had carried her through the woods. If they had super hearing and could move at lightning speed, what was to stop them from having super strength?

  Notchey closed his notebook and got to his feet. "I'll stop by tomorrow to see how you're getting along and if there's anything more you may have remembered."

  "Hold on," she told him. "Let me grab my purse. I'd feel better leaving with you."

  Stopping short of the door, Notchey turned to her. "Didn't the Dedhams tell you? You're staying here for the time being."

  Madison's mouth hung open a full fifteen seconds before she found her voice. "The hell I am!"

  In two strides, Notchey was in front of Madison, holding her tightly by the arms. "It's the safest place for you, and we need you to stay low for a while-out of the way in case they come back to finish you off."

  "Did you not pay attention to me just now? Vampires. They are vam-pires!"

  Notchey put his face close to hers. She could smell onions. "And did you not understand what nearly happened to you?" He shook her, then let go. "Doug and Dodie are not going to hurt you. There's a killer or killers on the loose, and they're helping hunt them down."

  "The vamps are helping the cops?" Madison was confused. "But I thought the guy who killed those women was in jail."

  "The Dedhams are helping me." Notchey paused before continuing, running a hand through his spiky hair. "The brass think they've got the guy. I don't; neither do the Dedhams. Someone is going around snatching women, mutilating them. It's going on a lot more than what you're hearing in the news. I think Bobby was just a middleman-the guy who brought the women to the killer. I think the guy in jail was also a murder pimp and not the killer. But he's not talking, except to claim he did it. If I'm right, this guy's more afraid of the killer than he is of going to prison for life."

  "So the cops want me to stay here until they solve the case? No matter how long it takes?" Madison shook her head and started for the door. "Uh-uh. No way. I'm outta here."

  Notchey grabbed her upper arm to stop her. She winced as his hand covered a fresh bruise from the night before. "Except for me, the cops don't know anything about you, Madison. What happened to you last night never officially happened."

  That stopped her short. "But Bobby's body-"

  "There is no body. We want the mastermind of these killings to simply think you and Bobby disappeared, hopefully together. We want him off balance, pissed off at his underling."

  Madison plopped down on the leather sofa across from the fireplace, her mind burning like the logs in the grate. "So I've been kidnapped a second time?"

  "Think of it as a personal witness protection program."

  She turned toward Notchey. "But I didn't see anything!"

  "Maybe not, but why did Bobby pick you? Or did he? Maybe the killer is someone who handpicked you himself and ordered Bobby to serve you up. If the killer is still on the loose, do you want to take the chance he'll finish what he started?"

  It was quiet between them while Madison churned everything around in her head.

  "I'm going to lose my job."

  "You're a waitress, Madison. You'll find another job." After a slight pause, Notchey toned it down. "I didn't tell your boss I was a cop. I told him I was a friend of the family and that you had a family emergency and will call him in a few days. He told me that stuff about you when I told him I didn't know you well and asked what you were like."

  Notchey sighed and walked over to where Madison sat still as stone. "Trust me, the Dedhams will treat you well. They have a housekeeper who comes in during the day, so you'll have some ... some non-vampire company. Being vampires, the Dedhams mostly sleep during the day anyway."

  "In coffins, right?" Madison shuddered.

  After giving her an eye roll, Notchey answered, "No, not in coffins. They sleep in real beds, just like you and me. Modern vampires seldom sleep in coffins."

  Madison wasn't convinced.

  "Hang out," Notchey continued. "Watch TV. Read a book. Sleep 24/7 for all I care. But I want to catch this bastard, and so far you're the only one who's been snatched who's still alive."

  She looked up at Notchey with suspicion. "What's it to you? Why are you going rogue over this?"

  Mike Notchey turned to look at the fire, then rotated his head back to Madison. He started to say something, then changed his mind and headed for the door. "See you tomorrow night," he shot over his shoulder at her.

  Wh
en Notchey opened the door, the Dedhams were waiting on the other side. Dodie was holding a large bag, which she handed to him. "Pauline made her chicken soup today, and I wanted to make sure you got some. There's also a few oatmeal cookies in there."

  Notchey took the bag and kissed Dodie lightly on the cheek. He shook hands with Doug. With one last grunt at Madison, he left.

  Doug and Dodie entered the den. They stood in front of Madison, their arms wrapped lovingly around each other's waists. They looked like an ad for AARP membership or an upscale retirement community.

  "Don't worry, Madison," Doug said, his voice now tender. "We won't bite ... at least not unless you want us to"

  Using her sharp elbow, his wife dug him hard in the ribs.

  FOUR

  fter Detective Notchey left, awkwardness as thick and heavy as motor oil settled between Madison and the Dedhams. They were trying to be solicitous and charming, yet Madison eyed the vampire couple warily, still wondering if she was to be their next meal.

  "Can I get you something, Madison?" Dodie asked with a smile. "Maybe just a little nibble?" When she saw Madison flinch, Dodie edited her comment. "Well, perhaps later. Maybe we should get better acquainted instead."

  Doug glanced at his watch. "The Amazing Race will be starting soon." He picked up a remote from the table in front of the sofa and aimed it at the large flat-screen TV mounted above the fireplace. The TV popped to life. "We love that show. Never miss it." He looked at Madison. "You ever watch it?"

  Madison slowly shook her head from side to side, continuing to stare at the retired couple with a cocktail of fear and curiosity. Inside her chest, her heart thumped fast with anxiety. Beaters. That's what she was to them-a beater.

  "It's great," Doug continued with enthusiasm. "It's like a worldwide scavenger hunt with multiple teams of two competing against each other." Satisfied with his channel choice, he put the remote back on the table and eyed Madison's position on the sofa. "Scoot over a bit," he told her, "and we can all watch it together."

  Instead of scooting over, Madison got up and started for the stairs. She might not be able to leave the house, but that didn't mean she had to stay in the same room with them.

  "Please don't go, Madison," Dodie said in a soft, pleading tone.

  Madison hesitated, her mind weighing her options and not finding many. After a glance at the doorway, she returned to the sofa but at the last minute chose to sit in the big leather chair next to it that Notchey had occupied earlier. After exchanging glances, Doug and Dodie sat side by side on the sofa, with Dodie sitting nearest Madison.

  On the TV, Lesley Stahl was interviewing an environmentalist about global warming for 60 Minutes. "Dodie's right, Madison," Doug said after muting the sound. "We do need to get to know each other, especially if you're going to be staying with us for a bit."

  "It's not my choice," Madison said sullenly, keeping her eyes on the TV. "Believe me." She slouched in the chair like a petulant child.

  "I'm sure it's not," Doug continued with soft amusement in his voice. "Until tonight, did you even believe vampires existed?"

  Madison shot him a glance, then aimed another at Dodie. The Dedhams looked like grandparents straight out of a Disney family movie. Grandparents trying to have a heart-to-heart chat with an errant granddaughter. She shook her head and turned back to stare at the TV. After a few moments of silence, she turned back toward them and straightened in her chair.

  "No. And I'm not a hundred percent sure they exist now." She narrowed her eyes at the couple. "What's the catch? If you two are powerful vampires, why do you need me, a lowly beater?"

  Dodie looked embarrassed. Doug laughed.

  "I'm guessing," Doug said, still chuckling, "that Mike told you about that term."

  Madison nodded. "Yes. And he said you're helping the cops find some killer that's on the loose."

  "No," Doug corrected. "We're helping Mike. In general, we don't like the police much and tend to stay away from them. We find them a bit too nosy."

  For the first time, Madison offered the Dedhams a small smile. "That much we have in common."

  Encouraged by Madison's slight thaw, Doug got up from the sofa and sat on the edge of the coffee table, directly in front of Madison. "You can go at any time, Madison. We're not going to hold you prisoner here. But we-and that includes Detective Notchey-feel you'd be safer here for the time being"

  "So he told me." Madison looked at the TV, where 60 Minutes had gone to commercial. She turned back to the Dedhams. "Like I told Notchey, I don't know anything. Bobby Piper came into the diner once in a while, usually alone, although Notchey told me that Bobby might not have been working alone."

  The Dedhams exchanged meaningful looks, which put Madison on alert. "What?" she asked, looking from one vampire to the other as her heart pounded faster. "There's something you're not telling me." She sat up straight in the chair. "And why are you two involved anyway? Why would you care if a few beaters die?"

  Frowning, Doug snapped, "Why don't you quit beating that term to death."

  Dodie put her hand on her husband's knee, letting him know that she would field the questions. "These murders, Madison, could adversely affect our way of life. By `our,' I mean the entire vampire community."

  Madison scooted hard back into her chair, putting distance between herself and the Dedhams, even if only a few inches. "There's a whole freaking community of you?" She quickly looked around as if more vampires would come oozing out of the wall paneling any second.

  "Madison, dear," Dodie told her in a motherly tone, "please calm down. And, yes, there are other vampires in the world and quite a few right here in Los Angeles."

  "So a vampire is behind these killings?"

  "No," Doug answered with blunt confidence. "Definitely not. But we believe someone posing as a vampire may be behind them."

  Dodie nodded in agreement. "A lot of people are into vampires these days, Madison. Some even pretend to be us. I'm sure you've seen or heard of that."

  Madison had. "Yes, but they're usually harmless goth types, aren't they? Creepy posers?"

  "Most of the time, yes," Doug answered. "For obvious reasons, real vampires don't wear their true identity on their sleeves for public viewing. Over the years, most of us have learned to adapt and blend in. Others simply stay away from the living. We just want to live quietly. If these murders continue, it could trigger a serious scare in Los Angeles. A lot of innocent people could get hurt, and I don't mean just the women who get kidnapped."

  On the TV, Andy Rooney was doing his end-of-show monologue. Madison stared at the screen while she digested the information she'd just received. "But how can I help if I don't know anything?"

  With a soft smile, Dodie rose and left the room, but not before giving her husband a nod of encouragement.

  Doug got up and paced in front of the fireplace, stretching his long legs. "For starters, you can keep yourself safe. We don't know if there is a pattern to how the victims are chosen, but if there is, it could help lead us to whoever is doing this. Mike is going to come by again tomorrow. I'm sure he'll have more questions."

  Madison thought about her previous conversation with Notchey. "Detective Notchey said the police think they have the guy who's been doing this. But Notchey doesn't think they do."

  "They don't, or else why were you grabbed?" Doug's eyes zeroed in on her with intense frankness.

  That thought had also occurred to Madison. Unless it was some copycat creep, the real killer was still on the loose.

  "Whoever it might be, Madison," Doug continued, "he is still out there. And he's powerful, able to control others and get them to do his bidding. If it was a vampire, the rest of us would know, even if it was a vampire from outside our area. We're a very tight community."

  Dodie returned with a small tray. On it was a plate of oatmeal cookies studded with plump raisins, along with a large mug of steaming hot chocolate. She placed the tray on the coffee table in front of Madison and resumed her place on th
e sofa. "Here's a little snack for you, Madison. I made the cookies yesterday."

  Doug came to stand near Dodie. "You will be safe here, Madison. I promise you that." As he spoke, he placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. Dodie looked up at him, and again the couple exchanged looks before Doug's attention returned to Madison.

  "We understand that you will miss work," Doug continued. "And Mike told us that you might even lose your job. If you decide to stay, you will be well compensated for your time here"

  Madison shook her head as if she hadn't heard correctly. "You want to pay me to stay here until this is over?"

  "Yes," Doug said firmly. "It's that important to us."

  "And I will not be considered a food source?" she pressed, determined to know all the details.

  Doug threw his head back and laughed loudly. "Do you want to be?"

  "Hell, no!"

  "Then you won't be. In this house, no means no" He looked down at his wife and smiled. "Both Dodie and Pauline are excellent cooks. We have a nice large place here. Think of it as a little paid vacation."

  "That's it?"

  "Not exactly," Doug informed her. "The deal does come with some fine print."

  Madison rolled her eyes. "I knew it. Economics 101-there ain't no such thing as a free lunch."

  Ignoring her sarcasm, Doug fixed Madison with a burning look. "You can never talk about us or our way of life, or about the other vampires you might meet while here. Not to anyone. Ever. That understood?"

  "Sure," Madison said with a cocky grin. "Whatever happens in the coffin, stays in the coffin."

  "We're serious, Madison." Doug's tone turned thick and menacing. Dodie cleared her throat; it brought Doug's ire down a few notches.

  "I get it," Madison assured them. "Keep my mouth shut" She shrugged. "No problem. I'm good at that. You want me to sign some sort of confidentiality agreement?"

  Dodie reached over and patted Madison's knee softly. "That won't be necessary, dear. You see, if you betray our trust, we'll have to kill you. And I'd really hate to see that."