Charlie waved him over and they lifted the body bag and placed it on the main surgical table.
Charlie might have learned not to take work too seriously after working in the morgue as long as he had, but Solomon could never quite stomach the death of the young. Particularly when it was clear they’d just done something stupid.
Charlie unzipped the bag. Solomon looked down at the body of the girl. Being dead had not diminished her youthful beauty. At least not yet. He ran his eyes over her slightly podgy body yet pert breasts.
“That was considerate of her,” Charlie mumbled grimly.
“What’s that?”
“She even trimmed her hedges.”
“Trimmed her…? Oh Christ, Charlie.”
“Hey, I’m not like you old farts that needed bush to keep warm in the forties. I hate having to go to the dentist for a haircut.”
“Can we get back to the job at hand? Look at her arms.”
“Sure.” Charlie shrugged, snapped on a pair of surgical gloves, and bent over the body, examining more closely. He lifted her arms, turned to check both sides of her neck, opened her mouth to gauge her throat. “Looks like a typical OD,” he said, removing the gloves. “There are several puncture wounds that match something like heroin or meth. I still don’t get it. What am I missing? What do you think I should be looking for?”
“This wasn’t any regular drug overdose. Don’t ask me how I know, I’ll get to that. I’ve seen a heap of drug deaths over the years, but in the last two months they have spiked. I’ve been on the force over eleven years and seen some shit, but I think this goes deeper.”
“What do you mean?”
Solomon took a deep breath. He looked around, though he knew no one could be eavesdropping. “This is going to sound stupid. First of all, this is not something I’m telling anyone else in the department, but I need to tell someone and I know I can trust you.” He paused again and indicated the corpse. “I think whatever this is, there’s something bigger to it. The department is covering it up, and other things as well. A few months ago, I was involved in a missing person’s case, after two detectives were taken off it. A recent paraplegic just went missing from R.P.A hospital after a blackout. So either he miraculously healed, or he was taken. A few weeks later the call came down. I was off the case too. No reason, no cause and I didn’t hear who it was assigned to.”
“Ok, I can see how that would piss you off…”
“The case went cold!” Solomon replied. “No one was assigned to it in my area. I did some checking, and saw it was passed on to a Victorian branch. What would they do with it? Surprise, it’s just sat there for months and still is. I kept track, and called them two weeks ago and got fobbed off. My superintendent found out I called and had a go at me. Said I was causing trouble and not focusing on the cases I was assigned.”
Solomon let a huff of breath out. “So I did. I landed a few of these drug overdoses. All of them the same type of thing, except for this—” He pulled out a vial from his trousers and showed it to Charlie. The liquid inside still glowed a bright, luminescent blue.
“What the…?”
“Damnedest thing I’ve ever seen. It definitely ain’t heroin or coke. I would’ve handed those in, but this shit glows. Plus, I’m pretty sure I’m being lied to.”
“You want to leave it here?” Charlie asked.
“I want to find out what it is. From someone not linked to the police. I know you’ve still got your connections.”
“Mate, I gave that up ages ago.”
“Charlie, please. My gut is telling me something is up. I’ve had five of these cases in the last fortnight. Exact same MO. This is the first one I got to early and I found the blue stuff. Maybe it’s all a coincidence, I don’t know. I can keep toeing the line of obedience at the office as long as I know something is being done, somewhere, somehow. I really don’t think the department is doing the right thing here.”
Charlie seemed mesmerized for a moment. “Well, let’s figure out what this stuff is, then.”
*
Melina moved through the Hall of Relics, struggling on shaking, disobedient legs. The Hall was basically a corridor with rooms leading to various treasures Vincent had collected over the centuries. Snapped awake by the visions, she rose to find the source. This time, they continued after she’d woken, calling to her. The flashes were coming more rapidly now, and Melina suspected she was getting close.
She passed a plinth displaying the pistol thought to have killed the great Pewmulwuy in 1802, one of the most skilled Aboriginal vampire hunters. Some said his descendants were the current leaders of the Forgotten, the group based in Redfern sworn to defend their tribe and land from any who would prey on them. Faceless, Fearless, was their mantra.
The more recognised and valued treasures were kept hidden in a vault far below the room in which Melina now stood. She recalled once hearing Vincent tell about a sword with an almost white blade. He had bragged it was the oldest Australian artefact, that it dated back to hundreds of thousands of years ago. It represented an ancient society, before recorded time, or lost from history. The myth of the sword, he’d said, was that it had been cursed and could only be wielded by one warrior. This individual, whoever it was, had disappeared and the legend was that the weapon would lie unused and unknown until they returned. The only wielder now was Vincent’s ego.
Melina drifted past more displays: a broken sceptre belonging to Queen Elizabeth I, a breastplate of a Roman Legionnaire from Gaul, several other items she did not really pay attention to. Finally she stopped before a steel security door with fingerprint analyser. This wasn’t here before. She had not been in this part of the mansion for months, but there was no way anyone could have installed this door unless Vincent had ordered it done during the daytime. She looked back at the other doors off the hall. None had fingerprint scanners except this one. Why? What does he have to hide in here?
She approached the door and the visions that had been plaguing her grew frantic. This was it. This was the cause of her trouble. The origin of the visions must lay behind this door.
“Melina.” Vincent’s voice was quiet but harsh.
She started and spun around. So engrossed in how close she was to finding out the reasons for her wakefulness, she had blocked out all other senses.
“What is behind this door?” she asked, turning back to it.
Vincent was silent and the tension grew. Melina was suddenly aware of what she had said and how. She turned and faced him, bowing deeply. “Forgive me, my king. I feel foolish.”
“Quite right,” Vincent snapped, eyeing her. “It is not your concern.”
“Please, Vincent, I need your guidance. It has happened again.”
“What has happened again?”
“I woke up today in the sunshine. Again!”
“No, you did not.”
“Sire?” What was he playing at?
“I have been over this with my son and we both agree that this did not happen. No matter what wild fantasies you cook up, waking up in the day simply cannot be done, my child.”
“But the fact that I’m standing here is proof enough! I was already out of my coffin and found my way here, all while the rest of the family slept. The visions I’ve been having led me to this door. If you could tell me what is behind it, I would have my answers and the evidence you require.” Melina looked at the door and ran her fingers up and down the cold metal.
Vincent’s hand slammed the door just next to where her head was. His palm and fingers sunk into the steel slightly as if heated. “You have been one of my favourites. It pleases me to look upon you, and your beauty is beyond compare, but you have defied me enough on this matter.”
Her ears rang but she was determined not to flinch away. “Defied? I am begging for your help!”
Vincent whipped a stinging backhand across her face, sending her into the steel wall. “You make up impossible stories for attention. You wish to sneak into my private chambers.”
He made to hit her again but Melina dodged the blow and struck one of her own.
“Are you insane, woman?” Julian was instantly there behind his father. “What have you done?”
Melina could not answer. She had struck the king out of pure instinct alone. Regardless of reason, it was a treasonous act, punishable by death.
In their momentary shock, Melina took what was likely to be her only chance. She sped past them towards the stairs.
Julian teleported into her path. “Really? You’re going to try and run?”
A furious Vincent appeared behind her. “Put this insubordinate bitch in the dungeons, while I decide what to do with her.”
Julian grabbed her arm and marched her towards the dungeons. She had only one small hope. Once she was sure she could whisper without being overheard by Vincent, she leaned into Julian. “Please…if you have ever truly loved me, listen. I need help. Your father is hiding something behind that door. Whatever is beyond it is calling to me. Please, Julian. I need you to find out what your father has in there. That’s all.”
Julian stopped just in front of a small white chamber with a single lamp in the ceiling. He shoved Melina in and grasped the door. Before closing it, he peered intently at her. “You really mean all of this, don’t you?”
“Yes, of course! Please, just ask him. Whatever you have to do. I’m going out of my mind.”
He gave a sharp nod. “All right. On one condition. Join with me. I demand Go deo,” he said, holding both hands up. “Prove your loyalty to me once and for all.”
Melina slowly reached out. The Gaelic mystical vow meant she must honour a partnership with Julian forever. Another flash shot through her skull. This pact was her only chance to be rid of these cursed visions. She joined hands with Julian and both sliced the skin of their palms with their fingernails. Each offered the other a palm to drink from. Julian wobbled a little on his feet, as the poison of a fellow vampire’s blood entered his system, but only a small amount was needed to make the vow official.
He raised his head and licked his lips, smiling fiercely at Melina, before kicking her inside and slamming the door closed.
“Foolish woman. You think I would betray my father for someone whose greatest skill is sucking cock? And ever since you’ve been losing your mind and not doing that job anymore, I find you completely useless. You forget, I’m not Dante.”
Melina spat out the blood she had taken. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to reverse the Go deo.
No, she thought sadly. You’re not.
Chapter 22
Upgraded
“Hey, Nick.”
Nick grabbed his algebra book from his locker for his next class and turned to see who was speaking. “Hey…Lisa is it?”
“You remembered!” The girl giggled and blushed.
“Uh, what’s up?” Nick had been getting all kinds of attention once he was discharged from the hospital and returned to school. There had been lots of whispered rumours and unabashed staring, but that didn’t bother him as much as he thought it might. It seemed the attack had had a silver lining. He felt more confident now, and more self-aware. And the other students seemed to notice. He’d also let his hair grow since being at the hospital, and had not yet shaved off the sprouting stubble on his face. He couldn’t be sure, but maybe that was getting him some added attention too.
“I don’t know if you are going to Stewie’s party on Saturday but if you do, I think we should totally go together. You know, if you want?”
“Stewie?”
“Oh, he’s in our history class. He wanted me to let everyone know. So we are all meeting at the park down in Coogee, at the swings, nine o’clock Saturday night. We could meet and go from there. Let me know, yeah? By the way, don’t tell Stacie about it, ok? Stewie doesn’t want her there. You look really good today by the way,” she said, giggling again and hurrying off to class at the sound of the bell.
She had well and truly motored away before he had a chance to reply. He didn’t know Lisa all that well, and he didn’t know Stacie either, except that she and Lisa always hung out together. It seemed strange that Lisa would be so willing to go to a party without her friend.
He had just closed his locker when the scent of rosewater soap reached him, and he knew without turning around that he was not alone. This time, he at least recognised the face to put a name to it straight away.
“Stacie!” Nick slung his bag over his shoulder and set off toward his algebra class. Is this just a coincidence? he wondered.
Stacie smiled and followed along. “Nick, I’m supposed to invite you to a party.”
“I don’t suppose it’s Stewie’s, is it?”
“No, is he having one? Anyway, Pat’s having a party Saturday. Ten o’clock at Coogee Bay Hotel. Do you know it?”
Nick raised an eyebrow. “Vaguely. Tell me more.”
“Well, I was hoping you would go with me so I wouldn’t have to be there all alone,” she said, putting her hands together and giving him a pout.
Jesus, Nick thought. What is it with these popular girls? He admitted to himself, however, that he didn’t know what was worse: the fact she thought that would work on him, or that a few weeks ago, it actually might have. Now, though, he knew better. He could see more clearly; he could see fake.
“Can I invite anyone else?” Not that he had anybody in mind, but he wanted to confirm his suspicions.
“No, it’s all hush hush. Not even Lisa, ok?”
Suspicions confirmed. Still, no reason not to push this a bit further. “I would love to go to the party with you, Stacie. But let’s meet at nine at the swings, and head to Coogee from there, yeah?” He even gave her a wink to clinch the deal.
“The swings, huh? Sounds like we’re going to have our own pre-party.” She grinned at him meaningfully and then walked past and moved on down the hall.
Nick pulled a notebook out of his bag and scribbled a note. “Saturday sounds great. Nick.” He slipped it through the vent in Lisa’s locker. It was a cruel thing to do, but Nick hated the idea of being played by two chicks that wanted to beat each other for him. They didn’t care about him. He was a notch on the bed post for both of them. Most guys might like that kind of girl, that kind of attitude. Well, they could have them. Or whatever would be left of them when they got through with each other on Saturday night.
Nick knew he didn’t want the things that most guys want. He was not so insecure that he needed as much pussy as he could handle. He didn’t want to be a poker machine where everyone got a go. He wanted to be a high-stakes casino, where the best got the jackpot. Speaking of the best…
Nick spotted Nicole walking quickly towards her office. She wore all black, including oversized sunglasses. Her body language indicated she wasn’t here for a long visit. It was a get in and get out moment. Based on his own experiences this week, Nick could understand why. Several eyes followed her, only to return to their activities when she entered the counsellor’s office.
Nick felt the return of the adrenaline. Sensible thoughts about heading to algebra class left him. His jackpot was there to be won.
There had been no messages from her for days. The last ones he got were those she had sent as he lay in the hospital bed. Still, he thought as he walked over, some of the whispers around school were that she had pretty much attacked Miller in his defence. He felt he owed her gratitude for at least that.
He knocked on the door as he stepped in. Both Nicole and Mrs. Davies were in the room, sitting opposite each other. They turned abruptly toward him, both looking flushed and upset. It seemed he’d interrupted something serious.
“Hi, uh, excuse me,” Nick said, talking to both. “I’m sorry to interrupt. I was just wondering if I could talk to you, quickly?”
“We’re in the middle of something,” Mrs Davies said.
“Sure, it doesn’t have to be now. Just…sometime today?” he replied. “It’s not desperate.”
Mrs. Davies was about to retort but
stopped as Nicole sighed loudly and rose to her feet. “If it’s not desperate, it shouldn’t take too long,” she said, perhaps more to Mrs. Davies than to him. When she stood up, Nick caught a whiff of her strawberry lip-gloss and started to sweat.
“I want to have a discussion about that invitation, Mr. Slade,” Mrs. Davies said pointedly before the door closed.
“Had a lovely night! Thank you!”
Nicole shot him a disapproving look and Nick realised he’d said it out loud. Deep inside his head, he heard laughter; no. More like a mischievous growl.
They found a quiet spot around the back of the school. “Ok, I’m here.” Nicole crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. “What is it?”
“First, I wanted to say thank you for sticking up for me the other day. You didn’t have to.”
Nicole barked a laugh that was anything but happy. “If you don’t mind, I really don’t want to hear that from you. I screwed up royally and hearing that just makes me feel ten times worse.”
“Ok, I get that. I just want to know where we go from here?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The feelings we have for each other,” he stated.
“Oh for… You interrupted my meeting for this?” Nicole turned and walked away.
“Nicole, wait! Why can’t you just talk to me? I’m not trying to pressure you, really. You attacked a guy heaps bigger than you because he put me in hospital. That was not the act of a friend. That was anger. You were livid because something had happened to me. I know.”
Nicole placed a palm on her forehead. “You really are not going to let this go, are you?”
“Maybe the reason you went off is because you feel something that you’re not facing. I’m not trying to hustle you. I just want to know the truth, whatever it is. That’s all. I swear.”
Nicole wheeled around on him. “Ok. I am going to say this once and once only. I swear to god, Nick, after this, you will let this go, or I will make you. Maybe I have feelings for you, ok? But that is irrelevant. It does not change the fact that nothing can happen between us. And you already know this, because I have told you plenty of times. I gave into my feelings the other day and it almost cost me my career. In fact, it is still up in the air. That speech I gave—the one you stole a ticket to hear—basically means nothing now unless I can set it right. I don’t know what will happen to me if Trent or his parents decide to sue or take it higher and I can’t control that. I can control this, between you and me. Remember what I said about making a hard call and not trying to be popular? Well, this is it right here. I’m living proof that I practice what I preach.”
Day Dreamer (Undeadly Secrets Book 2) Page 17