“So what! Dimitri might not have had anything to do with the staged murder, but Gerald Smith’s fingerprint was found there with the stolen blood that Dimitri, his cousin, had in his refrigerator. Related!” Lauren scoffed before knocking back the milk in her carton.
“Also, Dimitri tried to set up Victoria by saying she stole the blood when you interviewed him, Detective,” I added brusquely.
“Yes, he did. That’s rather interesting. But if Victoria is romantically involved with Gerald Smith, how does she fit into this?” he countered.
“That’s the million dollar question,” I said, holding my half-eaten donut in the air.
“Detective and friends, Ms. Emily Vance is in the interrogation room #2. The other suspects have cleared the building. Whenever you’re ready,” Ms. Spinks said with a smile, tapping her neon acrylics on the door.
“Detective, why don’t you allow another member to go in with you and Ms. Vance? I’d like somebody else to have the experience,” I said dryly.
“Certainly, who wants to assist me?” he bellowed, looking at the group carefully.
Wolfe looked down at the floor. I assumed he knew I was going to be on the other side of the two-way mirror.
“I wanna go, Detective,” Maddie sparked brightly, taking the first spot in line as we filed out of the conference room.
“That’s fine with me, that hag creeps me out,” Lauren added.
Willow widened her eyes, nodding and smiling at Lauren as she took her place in line behind her.
“Alright, guys, let’s go. Like last time, the remainder of the group will take their position on the bench outside of the room. Maddie and I will go in, and you all need to remain quiet as not to alert the suspect to your presence.”
“Aye Aye, Cap’n,” Wolfe smirked, following me closely down the hallway.
We took our seats on the bench, Wolfe taking the spot next to me. Emily Vance was gazing at herself in the mirror, playing with her frizzy hair. I questioned if she could see us, and all I could do was stare back at her. It was uncanny—sitting as voyeurs with her unaware of our presence. I cringed as she opened her mouth, exposing her gums, teeth missing. Yet, when I had seen her before, I remembered a full mouth of yellowed, jagged teeth.
We stifled laughter as she made strange faces into the mirror. Detective Chase and Maddie entered the room, catching sight of her making faces in the mirror. The detective smirked and Maddie gave an expression of pure mortification. Emily startled, spinning around to face them.
Wolfe leaned over and whispered in my ear, “That’s your sister.”
I gazed at him with a grin, slapping him gently on the thigh, trying not to laugh. He gently squeezed my knee.
“Hello, Ms. Vance. How are you today? Can you please take your seat over there,” Detective Chase’s voice bellowed from the speakers above the mirrors.
Maddie turned around to the two-way mirror and gave us a wide-eyed expression as the detective whispered something inaudible into her ear. She turned abruptly around. I supposed he instructed her not to face the mirror.
“Hello, Detective,” Emily Vance crooned, feeling her face with stocky fingers.
Detective Chase and Maddie paused for a moment, watching her odd behavior. He cleared his throat and swiped the hair of his receding hairline.
“Emily, what happened to your teeth?”
“Donno, they fell out,” she responded bluntly.
“Did you know Jody James personally?”
“Yes, no, I don’t know. I’m not sure,” she said in an erratic tone, slapping her own cheek a couple of times.
“We need to know your story so we can piece together the night of Jody James’ murder in Arles Cave. Do you remember that night?”
“Yes, I’ve already told you all of the details. Why did you ask me back, Detective? Are you attracted to me? Do you want to date me?” she said coyly, framing her spider-veined face with her sausage fingers.
She stood up, fluffed her frizzy hair and blew a toothless kiss towards the Detective.
Wolfe shot a look of disgust towards me as Lauren and Willow hugged each other tightly, obviously smothering a fit of laughter.
“I’m so glad I’m not in there, don’t know how Maddie is not freaking out,” I whispered into Wolfe’s ear as softly as I could muster.
“I’m glad you’re not in there so you could sit with me,” he whispered into my ear, lightly kissing me on the cheek. He pulled back, his eyes were sincere.
I blushed uncontrollably, turning to view the room of chaos where my best friend was undoubtedly cursing me inside of her head for suggesting she go in there to interview this crazy loon.
Wolfe had stolen a kiss on my cheek, unprovoked, without reason, without a standing deal. It was wondrous; happiness overcame me. I forced my focus on what was being said in the interrogation room, so I cocked my head sideways, to hear the speakers better.
“No, Emily. There’s new evidence. We heard about the altercation at the Stop-Go on Biscane Street with Jody James. This was on the day prior to her murder. Do you recall the details of this altercation?”
“No, maybe? Not sure,” she responded, plopping her plump body back into her seat and heaving an exaggerated sigh.
The kiss. His perfect, soft lips had caressed my cheek. I mentally begged him to do it again, longing for my lips to meet his.
This wasn’t appropriate. I bickered inside of my head, compelling myself to concentrate on the Emily Vance interview, forcing my eyes on the two-way mirror. The reason why Detective Chase didn’t want me involved with a club member, a colleague, became crystal clear—emotions were nearly impossible to control.
“Your teeth were found in a truck stop. The DNA from the teeth is a match. We know you pulled your teeth out after the news reported there was a bite mark on the victim. But we know the bite happened well in advance of the murder.”
“So, what does this have to do with me?” she scoffed, moving her head like a bobble head doll.
“We have a witness who saw you engage in a fight with Jody James in the parking lot. She saw you bite her on the shoulder. Did this happen?”
“No, it did not. And no, I did not pull my teeth out. They fell out, and I don’t remember where they fell out, but last I knew it wasn’t illegal for your teeth to fall out,” she shouted before dashing out of the room.
She burst into the hallway, slamming the door. As she scurried by us like a crazy penguin, I ducked on the other side of Wolfe. Seconds later, a uniformed officer sprinted after her and escorted her out of the station.
20 THREATENED TONGUE
On Monday, Janice dropped me off at school in her Town Car, license plate Frost 3. To my surprise, Agent Bronson was home sick, and the agent assigned to Janice followed us closely behind.
My mind spun in a whirlwind for most of the day for I had spent half of the night before studying my evidence board and the other half talking on the phone to Wolfe, the stolen kiss weighing heavily on my mind. At least we mostly discussed the case, so Detective Chase would have been happy. English, history and computer class breezed by, calculus was a little slow but amusing to exchange glances with Wolfe. I soon found myself in the cafeteria line with Maddie.
“Hey, I got the updated report from Detective Chase this morning,” I said cheerfully as we trekked forward in the line.
“Anything interesting? I keep waiting for him to use our report of my water and sediment samples,” she said in a hard voice.
“In due time, Maddie. When he needs to place anybody in the cave who denies being there, he’ll use it along with the crime lab’s report,” I snickered in a low voice, pointing to the usual pizza and French fry entrée. “He went to the Stop-Go on Biscane Street last night, interviewed the clerk, and watched the video surveillance cameras.”
“Really? And?”
Accepting our orange plastic trays of cafeteria delights, we headed to our usual seats.
“We have a potential loony case on our hands. That V
ance lady is ten times more nuts than you ever imagined,” I reported, sliding down into my seat and sliding my tray in front of me.
“Uh, no, Fiona. I know how nuts she is, remember? I was in the interrogation room with her!” she scoffed with a smile, taking her seat across the table from me.
“No doubt, Maddie. Okay, so she bit the victim during a huge fight in the parking lot. The clerk broke it up, just as Sydney reported. Sydney was seen on the surveillance camera walking into the store, watching the fight as she walked. After she made her purchase, she stood in the store window as the clerk broke it up, sending the two women on their way.”
“So what? Sydney watched the fight. Does that prove she wasn’t involved? We never really thought she was?” Maddie said, her voice skeptical.
The cafeteria ambiance was noisy. Maybe it was that my nerves were on fire from Jody James, Gerald Smith, or the fact I couldn’t get Wolfe off my mind. I was subconsciously annoyed—whatever the reason might have been.
“It lends Sydney credibility, is all. She said she saw it and reported the events exactly as they happened. She’ll need the credibility. Especially if her loving cult members decide to turn everything on her.”
We took a break from the conversation to eat our lunches until Maddie broke the silence, dropping a half-eaten pizza onto her tray.
“That’s crazy the bag lady bit her. Who bites another person? Isn’t it obvious that she is the murderer? I mean, she’s nuts, she has a history of violence towards the victim, duh!”
I shook my head, taking a long drink of chocolate milk.
“Well, the owner of the Jade Palace didn’t say anything about a fight, and two enemies don’t go out to eat together. Plus, Emily had chloroform in her system,” I reported in a level voice, “so as crazy as she is, her story simply fits.”
Maddie’s eyes widened in fear as she noticed something behind me. I swiveled around to share the sight and noticed Camber Johnson rushing towards me. She flew into the adjacent seat at our table in a panic.
“Fiona, Maddie. Can I talk to y’all for a minute?”
My mind responded with a no until my conscious caught up with my reason.
“Sure,” I said softly.
Camber surveyed around the cafeteria with her un-matching blue and hazel eyes.
“Well, I got into a big fight with Dimitri last night at our meeting in the cave. I’m really scared and don’t know what to do,” she said, flinging her straight locks onto her back, most of the blue curls didn’t comply, popping down in front of her shoulder.
“What was the fight about?” Maddie inquired, leaning in to the conversation from across the table.
“Well, I was there with Damien and Vic the night of the murder, but we found the body already dead. They were being idiots, taking pictures and Sydney walked in, freaked out, and everybody panicked,” Camber whispered.
She twisted around, scanning the cafeteria.
“And, so what is the problem now? Damien and Victoria have already admitted they were there that night. They didn’t admit to any picture taking, so if you have evidence of this, we’ll be glad to take it,” I said, my voice unemotional.
“No, Victoria has them; she was the one who took them,” she corrected, hesitating for a long moment. “Dimitri said he’s going to cut out my tongue if I quit the House of the Nightmare Army. I don’t know what to do!”
“Why do you want to quit? Isn’t this something you chose to do in the first place?” Maddie inquired cynically.
“These people are not stable. I had fun at first. I love vampires, love the movies, the parties, all of the culture. But when you get down to it, these people think it is real. They take it dead serious,” she whispered loudly in an icy voice, her eyebrows crinkled in trepidation.
“Do they believe they are immortal?” I asked casually, taking a quick bite of my pizza as I knew the lunch period was waning.
“Somewhat, I mean, in ways. They don’t think they will live forever, but they believe a life force gives them added power. And they believe they can transcend dimensions in a sense. It’s all wacky, and I want out. I’m in love with a boy from Hartford now, and I just want out, want to be normal. I met Damien and Vic in English class, got put on a project with them, and we became friends. Biggest mistake of my life.”
For the first time, I felt sorry for her. I saw what Wolfe had seen in her as a friend. I saw what Willow had protected so vigilantly at first when Detective Chase listed her as a suspect. Just like Sydney, she didn’t belong with this group and was crying out for help.
“Camber, all I can do is report this via my connections with the crime lab. What I suggest you do is get restraining orders against Damien, Victoria and Dimitri, and that way, if they cross their boundary with you, they will go to jail. If you are successful, you should probably give Sydney your advice on how you did it,” I said vigilantly, shoving a few fries in my mouth.
“Good advice. Thanks, Fiona. Oh, and Wolfe really loves you, by the way. You’re a lucky girl; he is probably the most handsome boy at this school. If I didn’t have a thing for older guys, well,” she paused. “But he’s so head over heels for you, I’m sure nobody else has a chance.”
She smiled before scurrying out of the cafeteria, and sprinting down the hallway. I hadn’t noticed it before, but she still had two off-duty police officers trailing her.
I was afraid to look at Maddie. I knew she was going to launch into another lecture about Wolfe. I was cautious, easing my eyes to look in her direction, breathing slowly in and out through my mouth.
“Fiona, you should go for it. I mean, who cares what Detective Chase says, anyway. I get we are a training lab, but this is a high school, and we can’t help the way we feel. I mean, if you told me I had to stay away from Carden, I would consider quitting the club over it. I feel that strongly for him already,” she said boldly, her tone was matter-of-fact.
It was a rollercoaster when I spoke to Maddie about Wolfe. It seemed her opinions wavered by the day. I’m sure she was confused herself, wanting to date Carden, and knowing she was technically forbidden to do so. I supposed she believed if I were in a relationship with a club member, it would make her feel better about her doing the same.
“Really, you’d quit over him?” I grinned.
“Maybe I’d make him quit first, but I am just saying, it’s not right for Detective Chase to make demands on who we date—we are in high school.”
“You’ve done a one-eighty. Maybe Carden has softened you a bit,” I laughed, a grin stretching across my face.
I hitched a ride home from school with Lauren because Agent Bronson was still out sick, possibly with what either Janice or I had been stricken with. An apparent miscommunication, there wasn’t a replacement black suit waiting for me at the school. Checking the time, I remembered Janice had a previously scheduled doctor’s appointment for a checkup after her illness, and the agent assigned to the house was with her.
I was exhilarated to be free of the watchdogs, but annoyed I was stranded at school without a ride. I sent a text to my mother to let her know I was riding with Lauren, and she responded that it was tolerable. Gerald Smith had been silent. Maybe we had numbed to it? As we drove towards my house, Lauren glanced over at me and smiled a brilliant smile.
“So, you and Wolfe doing the hookup, huh? I’m jelly, baby, and that is one piece of eye candy, wooooo!”
“What are you talking about,” I said, fighting a forceful smile, failing miserably in my effort to sound nonchalant. “We are just friends.”
“Don’t say that under oath,” she laughed, making a left turn onto Nikale street.
She pulled up in my driveway; I jumped out, thanked her, and strolled into my living room. The house was dead silent, unnerving. It was strange to be alone in a house that was normally bustling with activity—even if it would only be Janice, she moved around with the energy of ten people.
“Have a seat right o’er there, lil’ lady,” a crackled voice boomed
from the corner of the room.
I gasped, turning my head slowly towards the voice. My eyes focused on a silhouette in my peripheral vision. I eased over; still wary of whom I would lock eyes with. He stood in the corner in an odd stance, an average-sized man of forty something, hair in a halo around his scalp, beard grown into a scraggly mess under his chin. He wore a stained flannel shirt, unbuttoned, with a t-shirt underneath that said Incorruptible, cutoff jeans, and scuffed biker boots. Stepping with caution towards my couch, I lowered myself onto the cushion, choosing to avoid eye contact and staring at the ground.
“What do you want, and why are you here, Mr. Smith?” I mumbled incoherently.
I recognized him. It was Gerald Smith. I had met with him in a prison interrogation room during our last murder case. He blamed my father for putting him in jail. He had been the caller. He wanted us to know something equaled revenge but what was it?
“Well, I’ve been waiting. I’ve been patient. Those black cars keep showing up, watching everything, and now they’re gone. What, they don’t care ‘bout ya anymore? Or better yet, them feds think I’m gone?” he scoffed before unleashing a malevolent fit of laughter.
I gazed straight ahead out the window through the split between the drapes. The day wasn’t somber. It was beautiful. Things like this couldn’t happen on a sunny day. It wasn’t right. Breathe, I had to remind myself.
“What do you want?” I croaked faintly.
I inhaled the deepest breath I could muster, to store up enough air to power an earsplitting scream for help if I spotted a jogger.
Given the time of day, my neighbors were at work, nobody was home at Maddie’s house, and our homes were nicely spread out on our street—something my parents looked for when house shopping.
Fiona Frost: Order of the Black Moon Page 22