Harper saw several supernatural creatures as she made her way through the club, including a succubus, a limpex, and a love fairy. Her eyes were drawn to the cupid, as Brittney liked to call them, over and over again. She remembered the last time she'd spoken to one about her love life. He had said she'd end up with someone who's traits were far different from Alec's.
She wondered what he'd say now. Part of her wanted to go find out, but she also didn't want to jinx her new relationship by worrying that she and Alec weren't meant to be. So instead, she just followed the others into the VIP area. They closed the door to the back room and locked it after them, though the bouncers were quite adept at keeping people out.
The back room was completely sound proof and full of monitors. There was a long table and they all sat at it. Alec and Brittney were already there, both sipping sodas. Alec flashed her a smile, and Harper felt her heart do a flip.
"So what did you guys find out today?" Alec asked.
"Well," Conner began, "Harper and I found out that Stanley has made it so her demons can't associate with any other demons in the city. She's keeping them segregated."
Harper nodded. "That could be one reason they've turned against her."
"Well, we didn't find out anything," Sarah said. "Not about Stanley anyway. We were waylaid by a man who was taken advantage of by the fake police officer, though. He was scammed out of half his savings."
"We think it's a shimmer," Brittney said. "That's how he's managing to fake the clips of them stealing that he then uses to blackmail them with."
Conner whistled. "I haven't seen a shimmer in years. I didn't know there were any left in Vegas."
"We think he's working for someone higher up," Alec said. "Scams to get money aren't really the style for shimmers."
They all sat back and considered this.
Then Brittney told them of their plan to use the police to force the possible shimmer to use specific casinos.
Conner nodded. "Then Alec and I can masquerade as tourists," he said. "It's perfect."
"It's going to take a few days to prepare," Brittney said. "Harper, you can I can man two of the other casinos. Ryan, Marcia and George can also help."
Harper nodded. "Sounds good to me. Though, shouldn't we be waiting until Alec or Conner has apprehended our suspect?"
"You can," Alec said. "But we're going to need you on the police force. I doubt they're going to want to volunteer that many men for this, so you'll want to show that you and Brittney are willing to help."
Brittney nodded her agreement.
"Let's get back to Stanley," Conner said. "We haven't found out why her men are going against her. At this point, I'm going to say we should just try and stop a few and ask them."
"How do we know if they're Stanley's men?"
"We'll ask her," Alec said. He turned to Sarah. "Has Peter had a chance to talk with her yet?"
"No," Sarah said. "I told him to hold off on that until I get back. I want to go with him."
"Good," Alec said. "That means you can ask her for more information about who we're hunting down. She wasn't too specific. Just said to get rid of the men going against her. Stupid woman."
Harper laughed.
"I mean it," Alec said. "I don't know how she expected us to do much with the information she gave."
Harper shrugged. "Maybe she's waiting for us to come ask. Can I go with them?"
"If you want," Alec said.
"Let's go now," Harper suggested to Sarah.
Sarah nodded. "We'll pick Peter up on the way."
"Conner," Alec began, but before he could get further than that, Conner held up a hand.
"I'm going to go underground and do some investigating of my own," Conner said. "The San Fransisco is good, but it's not the only source of information."
"Just be careful," Alec said. "Don't draw attention. Actually, you know what? I'll come with you."
Harper raised her eyebrows. It was unusual for Alec to agree to underground, even if it was for a case. He hated associating with the other vampires. She decided he must be really set on seeing Stanley's job through.
Chloe stood. "Well, I'm going to go home then. There's nothing else for me to do tonight."
"I'll go with you," Brittney said. "We can do some wedding planning."
Harper watched the way both of their eyes lit up and smiled. She turned to Sarah. "Let's get going."
Sarah nodded and the two of them made their way out of the club and down to Harper's space-gray convertible.
"Where's Peter?" Harper asked.
"My place," Sarah said.
Harper nodded and drove over to Sarah's tiny house. Peter met them outside and climbed into the back of the car. "So we're going to Rebecca Stanley's?"
"That's right," Harper said. "You sure you're up for that?"
"Yes," Peter said. "I have to start pulling my weight."
Harper laughed. "Alright then."
They drove over to Rebecca Stanley's house -- more of a mansion -- and parked outside. They got out and went up to the front. There were two succubi guarding the door. Harper recognized them, even though they weren't in their demonic form.
"What can we do for you?" said one of the women. Harper told herself to see them as human, and that's how they appeared.
"We're here to see Councilwoman Stanley," Harper said. "Tell her it's Afterlife."
One of the women eyed them for a minute, and then went inside. After a couple minutes, she returned. "Please follow me."
The three of them exchanged a glance. Both Harper and Peter had been attacked by her men before, and neither one of them wanted to experience that again. They had no choice but to be there among them, though. They were led past the main room, and into an office. There, they were seated.
After a few minutes, a vampire came in. He looked them over coolly. "Can I get you something to drink? The councilwoman will be just a few minutes more."
Harper had the urge to order a screwdriver, just to see if they'd bring her one, but instead asked for a bottle of water.
Sarah, on the other hand was thirsty. "Can I get one too?"
Peter quickly chimed in. "One for me as well, please."
The vampire nodded and disappeared. After a bit, he returned with three bottles of water. He quickly passed them out and then stood by the door, watching them all mistrustfully.
A few minutes later, Rebecca came in. Harper felt an immediate sense of dislike. The councilwoman eyed them all and then went to sit behind the desk. "So you've come to see me. I've been waiting for this visit for quite some time. I assume it means that you're finally ready to get started on the task I've set for you?"
Sarah flexed her fingers. Harper saw Peter reach out and take her hand. She cleared her throat. "Yes. We've come to speak to you about the job. You've given us very little to go on, and we need more information if we're going to help you, Rebecca."
"Oh, please, call me Councilwoman Stanley," Rebecca said.
Harper glared at her.
Rebecca shrugged a shoulder. "The niceties must be adhered to. What would it look like if I started allowing my people to use my first name?"
Sarah opened her mouth but Peter squeezed her hand and she quickly shut it.
"So the information we need..." Harper said.
"Yes," Rebecca said. "Let's cut straight to the chase. I'm a busy woman, and I know you're all very eager to get out of here."
"We have no idea how to identify those who are against you," Harper said.
Rebecca nodded. "John, come here a moment."
The vampire by the door approached.
"Hold out your hand."
John flipped his hand over and extended his wrist. On it was a red tattoo in the shape of a star.
"All my men have these tattoos," Rebecca said. "All my supernatural men, anyway. Those who have gone rogue, to to speak, have these tattoos, but they've become a green color. That's how you'll identify them."
Despite herself, Harper couldn't
help but feel a bit impressed. "How did you manage that?"
"I have a special tattoo artist," Rebecca said dismissively. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that any demon that bears this tattoo in green has set themselves against me. I want you to take them out."
"And why have they set themselves against you?" Peter asked. "I mean, you seem so powerful. Why would they risk their lives by angering you?"
Rebecca met his gaze calmly. "That's none of your business."
"It's our business if you expect us to kill them," Sarah said cuttingly. "We're not assassins."
"In this case, that's exactly what you are," Rebecca said. "You lot agreed to this deal, now I expect you to see it through."
Harper bristled. "You know, for someone that wants our help, you're an awfully difficult woman to work with."
Rebecca met her gaze. "Harper, dear, you have to understand. A woman in my position doesn't get the luxury of having friends. I have one goal in mind, and that's to be the mayor of Las Vegas. Have you asked yourselves why?"
"Because you want power," Sarah said.
"Don't you listen to my campaign promises?" Rebecca asked. "I plan to clean up this city. Already, I have dozens of demons under my control. That means they're not out feeding and killing indiscriminately. Once I'm mayor, I can extend my reach even further."
Harper shook her head. "You expect us to believe you're doing this for the good of Las Vegas?"
"I don't honestly care what you believe," Rebecca said. "You came here to find out how to identify those set against me. I've given you that information. John, can you see them out?"
NINE
Sarah swore all the way back to her place. She was in a bad mood over getting sent away from Rebecca's without all the answers she wanted.
"It's alright," Harper said. "We'll be able to identify the demons that have gone against her now, and we can question them on why they've suddenly decided that she's not the person to follow."
"I just can't believe her," Sarah said. "Treating us like that. Telling her vampire to escort us out. She could have at least given us more information. I mean, the tattoo thing is nice to know, but we still don't know where to find them. They could be anywhere. We also don't know how many there are, or anything about what type of demons they are."
Harper nodded. "It's frustrating," she agreed. "We'll talk more about it tomorrow. I'm exhausted."
"Yeah, go home," Sarah said.
Harper nodded, and Sarah and Peter climbed out. They went inside together.
"So, are you sending me home?" Peter asked. "It's not the weekend."
"It's late," Sarah said. "I thought tonight you could stay. Don't get used to it, though. I mean what I said; you're not moving in yet."
Peter rolled his eyes and then transformed into his fox form. Other than Brittney and Sarah, nobody else knew he could transform yet. He wanted a better handle on his abilities still.
Sarah watched him slink over to the couch and then followed him. She sat down and picked up the remote for the TV. She considered a moment and then tossed it aside. "I mean, what are we supposed to do? Go all over Vegas, picking off every demon with a green tattoo that we see? It's utterly ridiculous."
Peter came back into his human form and put an arm around her. "Well, she's testing us, clearly."
"What?"
"She wants to see the extent of what Afterlife can do," Peter said. "If it was just a matter of cleaning up some rogue demons, she'd have her own men do that. She wants to know that we can follow orders and how well we do it. That's the only explanation."
"I suppose," Sarah said.
"Let's not focus on Stanley right now," Peter said.
"How can you think of anything else?" Sarah asked.
Peter shrugged. "Because I'm in the home of my beautiful girlfriend, who just said that I can stay the night. I'm thinking of a lot of other things right now."
Sarah lightly punched his arm. "That's what you're always thinking of when we're alone together."
Peter grinned. "Perhaps. You should take it as a compliment, you know."
Sarah couldn't help but smile. "Come on then," she said. "I'll race you to the bedroom." She launched herself off the couch, transforming as she did. She ran into the room as a red fox, and then jumped on the bed. Once there, she transformed into herself again, stripping out of her clothes.
An hour later, they both laid exhausted on the bed, covered in sweat. Peter grinned over at Sarah. "See if you let me move in, we could do that all the time."
"Shut up," Sarah said. "You're ruining the moment."
Peter laughed.
Sarah grabbed a pillow and held it to her chest. She had just started to drift off when her phone rang. She glanced over at the clock. It was far past the cut-off for phone calls. She ignored it, and a second later, it dinged from a text message. She groaned.
"Just ignore it," Peter suggested.
Then it rang again.
Sarah reached over and grabbed it from her pile of clothing. She saw it was Elizabeth calling. She quickly answered.
"Beth? What is it? What's wrong?"
Her sister's voice came through, loud, clear, and slightly hysterical. "I was just threatened, Sarah. Someone came to my house and threatened me and Regina!"
"What? Who?"
"I don't know!" Elizabeth said. "Some tall man with dark black eyes! He said he wanted me to pass along a message to you. I'm scared, Sarah. What's going on?"
"Just hold tight," Sarah said. She grabbed her clothes and began to dress. "I'll be there in ten minutes. Make sure you lock your doors." She hung up and looked for her shoes.
"What's going on?" Peter asked.
"Someone with black eyes paid Beth a visit," Sarah said. "I have to go make sure she's alright."
"Do you want me to come?" Peter asked.
Sarah hesitated. "I suppose it might not be such a bad idea. Do you have your gun?"
"No," Peter said.
"Well, no matter," Sarah said. She fetched her own and stuck it in a handbag. Then she grabbed her keys. "Come on, Peter. Hurry up and get dressed. We don't want to waste time."
"Yes ma'am," Peter said.
He hurriedly dressed and then grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge on their way out. They got in Sarah's car and headed to Elizabeth's. Sarah was grateful she wasn't pulled her over, because she sped the entire way.
Once they'd arrived, Sarah pounded on the door. "Beth! It's me! Let me in."
The door cracked open a little and Elizabeth's wide, scared eyes peered out. Then she removed the chain and stood back. Her eyes flitted to Peter, but she didn't question who he was. Instead, she let them into the house. Regina was in her bassinet in the living room.
"Thanks for coming," Elizabeth said.
"It's not a problem," Sarah said. She sat down on the couch and gestured for the other two to do the same. Once they were all sitting, Sarah looked at Elizabeth. "Okay, tell me everything that happened."
"A man came," Elizabeth said. "He didn't introduce himself. He just knocked on the door and when I answered, he shoved me inside and came into the house. He said he had a message for you."
"What was the message?" Sarah asked.
"He said that you need to do your job, no questions asked. What does that mean, Sarah?"
Sarah exchanged a glance with Peter. There was only one person who would send that kind of message. "It was from someone that needs our help. Not the nicest of people. I'm sorry they came here, Beth. You and Regina shouldn't have to deal with my problems."
"Your problems are my problems," Elizabeth said. "Are you in trouble?"
"Not yet," Sarah said. "Not unless we refuse the request that's been made of us. If they're threatening you, that means they won't stop for anything."
Elizabeth looked to Peter, then back to Sarah. "Well, what is it?"
"I'd rather keep that to myself," Sarah said. "There's no reason for you to worry about it."
"I'm worried because they came here," El
izabeth said. "I have no way to defend myself. They could have attacked me or baby Regina."
"Well, that's going to change," Sarah said. "You can start going to the gym with Peter and me. I'll make sure both of you get memberships. Then we can work on teaching you how to fight supernatural creatures in case they come at you again. My guess is that it was a vampire."
Elizabeth shuddered. "Great."
"I know," Sarah said. "I'm sorry they involved you in this, Beth."
"It's not your fault," Elizabeth said. "I was just scared."
"You should have a handgun around for protection," Sarah said. She took hers out of her handbag and laid it on the table next to the couch. "I'll get another one. You keep this."
"I don't know how comfortable I am keeping a weapon in the house," Elizabeth said. "I have a baby."
"And that's all the more reason for you to learn to defend yourself," Sarah said. "Keep it. You can keep it somewhere safe."
Elizabeth still looked skeptical but nodded. She turned to Peter. "I'm sorry, I don't think we've met. Are you Peter?"
"I am," Peter said.
"And you know Sarah from work?"
Peter looked over at Sarah, waiting.
"Not exactly," Sarah said. "I mean, we do kind of work together, but Peter is... well, he's my boyfriend."
Elizabeth blinked. "You got a boyfriend and didn't tell me?"
"It's a recent development."
"Not that recent," Peter said. "I've been begging her to introduce me to you. We were going to invite you to dinner at her place, but I suppose this impromptu meeting works just as well."
Elizabeth beamed at him. "Sarah's got a boyfriend, and he's cute. That's so wonderful. It's an absolute pleasure to meet you, Peter. So you work for Afterlife?"
"Kind of," Peter said. "I'm supposed to be the cleanup man, but there haven't really been any jobs for me to clean up after yet. I did get to meet the councilwoman--"
Sarah cleared her throat, but the damage was already done. Elizabeth furrowed her brow. "The councilwoman? Which one?"
"Sorry," Peter mouthed to Sarah.
"Which one?" Elizabeth repeated.
"We're doing a job for Councilwoman Rebecca Stanley," Sarah said with a sigh. "She's got a lot of demons on her side, and she needs us to take care of a few rogue ones. That's the job the vampire was talking about."
The Zig Zag Scam (Afterlife Book 12) Page 5