“No one’s here now, like I said we’re closed.”
“I understand, but we’re getting a signal from his phone that says he is.”
“White phone? One of the internet connected kind?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah, been in lost and found since last night. You can come get it. We open at nine.” And then they hung up on me.
“Well, that was a waste.” I decided.
“It’s not how I would’ve handled the call,” Danny started but then stopped, probably remembering it was my birthday. “But now we know Chris was there, and he might go back. If we get the phone and turn it into the tech guys, they might be able to get more details out of it. I’ll do some digging. There might be someone who’s willing to let us in if I can find the owner.”
“What should I do?”
“Go enjoy your birthday dinner.”
I took his advice, and happy thoughts kept me occupied until the elevator doors dinged open in front of my apartment. I had an hour before Jakob would arrive to whisk me away. All I had to do was shower and get dressed. Except, I had the name of a bar, a seedy, questionable bar, and there was E’s door. Did I think she frequented every dive bar in town? Well, not exactly, but she might know something. I couldn’t stop myself from knocking.
“Hey,” I said, when she opened the door with a little bit of a frown. “Ran into something about our arsonist. You ever heard of the Corner Pocket bar?”
She shrugged. “It’s a pool hall. I’ve played there a couple of times.”
“Anything link it to the New Klan or vampires in general?”
“Not that I’ve seen.” She narrowed her eyes and gave me a searching look. “What have you got?”
“A phone our suspect was using got left there last night.”
“Interesting.” She paused. “But not much to go on. I don’t think they have security cameras you could pull. But there could be one behind the bar, tucked away. When will the warrant come through?”
“Hopefully tomorrow.” I leaned back a step, aware that she hadn’t invited me in to sit down. It seemed I hadn’t been forgiven for the interview fiasco. “Well, thanks for the info.”
“Anytime, neighbor.” She shut the door without a smile.
Thankfully, showering was easier than solving the case, but getting dressed afterward threw me for a loop. I wanted to wear a new lingerie set Anna had helped me pick out months ago. While I wasn’t sure she was the best gauge of what men wanted in lacy underthings, I wanted to surprise Jakob with something he hadn’t seen before, and the black silk was sure to entice.
The problem was, black wasn’t the most versatile color for an undergarment. I tried on three outfits, before I realized the tiny black bows meant I couldn’t wear anything really form fitting and the dark color meant all of my light colored clothes were out. One side of my bedroom was covered in mirrors. I’d watched our reflection there as Jakob and I made love. At the time I’d thought the mirrors were the most wonderful thing in the world, but as I struggled to find something that worked and the pile of discarded outfits on the bed behind me grew, I began to hate them.
Drastic times called for drastic measures. I called Phoebe.
“Chica! What’s going on in your world?”
“I need help, lots and lots of help. Jakob is due to be here in twenty minutes, and I can’t decide what to wear.”
“What’s the occasion?”
“My birthday dinner. We’re going to Satin downtown. I was thinking jeans and a fancy shirt with heels, but all my fancy shirts are white and—”
She interrupted me, “It’s your birthday?”
“Uh, yeah, sorry I didn’t tell anyone. It kind of snuck up on me.” I was grateful Phoebe couldn’t read my lie over the phone. I needed fashion help not another lecture on how I was a bad birthday girl for not telling anyone.
“Feliz cumpleaños! You’re in so much trouble for not mentioning it sooner.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Friday night, Convenire, it was going to be ‘the fundraisers are over’ party, but instead it’ll be your birthday party.”
“Fair enough, now…”
“Back to the problem at hand, right? It’s a trendy spot downtown, so the jeans-shirt-heels combo would work, but it’s Jakob so wear a dress.”
“Really?” I didn’t know Phoebe had been polling Jakob about his fashion preferences unless… “Did you read him or something?”
“I don’t need to read him. He practically projects whenever you walk into the room. The guy is gone in love with you. No, I’m guessing a traditional guy like him prefers dresses. What did you wear on your first date?”
“A dress.”
“And the second date?”
“A dress.” I made her point for her.
“Uh-huh, so put on a nice dress, maybe something that comes off easily?”
“You’re aware it’s only sixty degrees out right?”
“Hey, I can’t solve all your problems. Besides, you’re not going to be outside, wear a coat, and take it off when you walk in the restaurant.”
“Fair enough. Thanks, Pheebs.”
“You’re welcome. Hey did you hear about this Samhain party at Anna’s?”
“I think I was the first to know actually,” I said as I walked into the closet to look at dresses.
“I’m thinking of taking a guy I met—”
“No surprise there.”
“Very funny. The thing is, I’m thinking of inviting him but as a friend. There’s no sparks between us, so normally I wouldn’t, but I’m sort of between man candy right now and…”
“You know it’s totally okay to ask a guy somewhere as a friend.” Phoebe’s entirely open Pagan lifestyle probably meant she’d never had a date that was just a date, not a date and sex.
“Seriously? ’Cause it feels all awkward like I’m misleading him or something if I don’t intend to sleep with him.”
“I promise you, Pheebs, no guy expects sex on the first date. I’m sure they’re delighted when it happens, but they don’t expect it.”
“All right, I’ll call him. It is going to be weird going to bed alone on a Saturday night though.”
I couldn’t commiserate with her, not even the tiniest bit, so I got off the phone and looked at my collection of dresses. I had it down to two, an incredibly expensive black cashmere wrap dress Anna insisted I buy, and a much lighter shirt dress I’d bought on my own. I had to admit, the clothes I bought when I went shopping with Anna, fashion writer and model, looked a thousand times better than my own purchases.
I managed to put on heels, jewelry, stockings, and the new underwear set without deciding on a dress. I was standing in front of the bed concentrating on the two of them when I noticed Jakob leaning against the railing on the other side of the room smiling at me.
“I haven’t seen that outfit before, have I?” he asked, his grin getting wider.
“Which one?” I gestured to the pile of clothes in front of me. I’d gone through half my closet, and I was so wrapped up in the decision I hadn’t heard him come in. Apparently twenty-eight was my year to become fashion obsessed.
“The one you’re wearing,” he said. Before I realized it he was next to me, kissing me deeply while his hands ran over the silk. I kissed him back, thoughts of dinner far from my mind.
“Wear the black dress, I want to feel it against my skin.” Jakob’s voice was a whisper in my ear. It took me a good few seconds to realize he was talking about getting dressed when I was ready to get undressed and forget dinner entirely.
****
By the time we got to Satin, the rain had finally stopped, ushering in the cold. I was glad the incredibly soft cashmere was also incredibly warm. Jakob was wearing a pair of dark pants with a deep gray shirt. All of the dark colors brought out his wonderfully blue eyes and highlighted the creamy skin showing at his neck. If he noticed the cold, he didn’t mention it.
I was enthralled by the way he looked,
the way his fine blond hair shined in the candlelight of the restaurant’s entry way, the way he was smiling even with his eyes. I was in love, completely in love, totally oblivious to the world.
A loud bump brought me right back to the world around us. Something had struck a table in the entry way hard enough that a very large vase was tottering. There was no one anywhere near the table. Jakob managed to grab the vase before it hit the floor. Hey vampire reflexes come in handy some times, but the noise still brought the half of the staff running.
Gus came back to the host stand wearing a tasteful suit and a scowl. He quickly assessed the situation and sent everyone away. “Thank you for saving the vase. I’m terribly sorry,” he said.
“Not at all,” Jakob replied. “I’m not sure why it fell.”
“Marcus, our resident ghost, he’s a bit over enthusiastic at times—”
“Hi Gus,” I interrupted, not wanting to get poor Marcus in trouble.
“Detective Mors,” he said brightly. “You’re back already. Was lunch that impressive?”
“It was indeed. I couldn’t go anywhere else for my birthday dinner.”
“I’m honored. Happy Birthday. I’m sure Marcus will make it memorable.” He led us to our table and pulled out a chair for me.
I thanked him and sat down with a smile. In another instant, Marcus poked half of his head through the wall. He hovered there, half of his head in the room the rest of him hidden away until Gus walked off, then he flew out and over to our table. He’d turned a piece of his ghostly tail into a napkin draped over his arm. With one spectral hand, he reached forward and opened my wine list. He began a silent rendition of the wine steward’s speech complete with overly embellished gestures for sniffing the cork. At one point he presented Jakob with a ghostly cork.
“I don’t drink wine,” Jakob intoned smoothly, and Marcus was so shocked he nearly fell backwards. I lost any chance I had at composure and began giggling. Marcus couldn’t laugh though; instead he switched from the wine steward to himself, rounded head and all, and proudly offered Jakob a salute.
“You can see him?”
“Ghosts are common for vampires. We see them where others do not. Although I must admit it’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a comical one.”
Our waiter found us a minute later, unfortunately Marcus had mimicked him almost exactly, and I could barely keep myself from laughing. Eventually I managed to order and both of them left us. Jakob and I were talking about everything and nothing when a commotion in the kitchen distracted us.
“Does anyone have any idea what’s going on with table five?” I heard an exasperated voice ask.
The reply was lost in the swinging of the doors. The next time I heard the voice it was furious.
“Great, that’s just great. Marcus! Give me back the silverware or else!” A second later the doors swung open, and a delighted Marcus floated in front of my waitress. He bobbed and weaved like a cat between someone’s legs only at chest height. My salad plate arrived perfectly cold, even the recently stolen silverware was chilled.
The salad was good; the dinner was divine. Half way through, Julia came out to ask how it was. She looked harried and overworked, the way I expected a chef at a popular place to look during dinner, but she also looked happy. She made the mistake of asking about the spices in a dish in front of Jakob, and ten minutes later she was still at our table talking with Jakob about the right mix of hot and sweet components in chutney. I didn’t mind, while he talked with Julia I spent my time watching Marcus who was clearly showing off for me. Finally the chef left, promising something special for my birthday dessert.
“Is this the way your birthday is meant to be?” Jakob asked.
“Better, a thousand times better than how my birthday usually is. I’ve never had my own personal comedian or someone as wonderful as you to share it with.”
“There is so much I want to share with you.”
“I feel the same way, which is why I’m worried about tomorrow night.” Jakob looked confused, so I added. “Your…appointment with Amadeus and Vianne.”
“Ah, that.” Jakob was quiet for a moment. “Should I not have told you?”
“No,” I said, empathically. “You should tell me I have nothing to worry about.”
“Nothing,” he assured me. “There is nothing in that house that’s the least bit dangerous to me. I wouldn’t risk myself, not now that I have you.”
“You promise?”
“I do.”
“All right, but I’m going to worry anyway.”
“If you insist. For now why not concentrate on—” He was interrupted by another shout from the kitchen.
“Marcus! Don’t! Give it back!” The double doors leading to the kitchen swung open, and a proud Marcus floated out. He sported a ghostly chef’s hat on his head and displayed my birthday cake in front of him. Its sparkler candle was sending flames through his transparent hands and chest. Through him I could see our waitress looking completely appalled. The rest of the dining room joined her in shock as Marcus swung wildly from side to side holding on to the plate, his mouth open in silent song. He dipped and cartwheeled on the way to the table, keeping the plate completely steady the whole time. The living wait staff finally caught up with him as he delicately put my plate down.
“Thank you, Marcus.” I laughed.
Jakob suggested we go to his place after dinner, and though I suspected something was up, I didn’t protest. My bed was covered in clothes anyway. We were quiet for most of the ride. I couldn’t guess what Jakob was thinking, but for me the ride was filled with reflections on my birthday and how this year seemed much brighter than all the others.
When we stopped in front of his house, I got out of the car, and the cool night air swirled around me. The night, my birthday night, was filled with stars. It was like the whole world was celebrating for me. Jakob found me resting against the hood of the car, staring up at the sky.
“You know, this may well be the best birthday I’ve ever had,” I said, smiling smugly. Whatever else was going on, Jakob and I worked together. I was happier with him than I’d ever been with my husband in our four years of marriage. I was happier with myself when I was around him. Greeting card sentiments aside, I’d never know a love better than this.
“Then I hope what’s inside doesn’t ruin it.”
“What’s inside?” I asked.
“I know you said no gifts, but I couldn’t help myself. It doesn’t mean I don’t respect your traditions, only that I wanted to do this for you,” he said in a rush.
“Inside? You mean it’s not a car?”
“No.” He laughed. “The house is big but not that big. Besides you’re hoping for the Jeep.”
“You noticed, huh?”
“I’d be a fool not to.” He leaned in close to me, his hands brushing my chin. “I offered to buy it from the church for double what they made on the raffle, but they turned me down. I’m sorry. You’ll just have to be lucky.” He kissed me softly.
“I’m feeling pretty lucky tonight. Can we go inside now? Please? I want to see my present.” I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a birthday present. The way my mother had taken a few bills out of her wallet suddenly seemed shabby. “Is it wrapped?” I asked as Jakob laughed.
“It was too big to wrap, but there is a bow.”
I waited impatiently, hopping from one foot to the other at the door. He could barely keep his voice level at my antics. When he finally unlocked the doors, I rushed through, barreling into the house. There was nothing in the living room and nothing in the kitchen.
Behind me his voice called out, “On the dining room table.”
I backtracked, filled with glee at the surprise he’d prepared for me. My childish elation stopped when I saw what was on the table.
The lights were still off, but even in the darkness I knew the shape. The wood felt like velvet under my hands as I caressed it in the dark. The planes were smoother than I remembered and
there was a new feeling too: magic.
“You bought me the chest,” I whispered. The magic was faint like perfume after someone walks away, but it was there. It was warmth and sensuality, protection and love all rolled into one. It was death magic though; it wouldn’t have felt that way to me otherwise. I remembered Phoebe’s comment about the chest and tried to imagine what made that feeling.
“Look closer,” Jakob said, flipping on the light.
Seeing my present took my breath away. He hadn’t bought the chest, somehow he’d found another one that was infinitely better. The folk art painting was the same wide white flowers on the top but now beneath the flowers were our initials, JM and MM, curls of script locking them together.
“Where did you get this?” My voice was still quiet with awe. I turned toward him reluctant to take my hands from the wood. “It would have to be commissioned; there wasn’t enough time.”
“I made it.” He smiled. He kissed me gently then turned me back. “Look inside.”
I slipped my hands underneath the white ribbon and opened the chest. The design on the bottom made me laugh out loud.
“The Saints?” Taking up the entire inside of the box, painted with great care on the bottom was a giant golden fleur-de-lis.
“If you pick another team, I’ll have to sand it off and start again.”
“I would never pick another team!” I said, outraged. I looked back at my present, completely in love. “Thank you.”
“I wanted it to be like us, a mix of the old and the new. I thought you might use it to hold special things.” He’d come up behind me, holding me while I admired it. He was whispering to me, his lips close to my ear. “Perhaps a wedding dress?”
“I didn’t keep mine,” I said, my hands back on the chest. “It was just something Greg bought. This is more important than it ever was.” I kept touching it, admiring the planes of the wood. There wasn’t a single nail; somehow he’d made the pieces fit into each other. Even the brass hinge was held on with wooden dowels. “I never knew you had such skill.”
“It’s been ages since I crafted anything. Then there was always pressure. It was one more chore to be finished with. This I could take my time with. I enjoyed it. I thought about you with every brush stroke.”
Fire in Her Blood Page 25