by Megan Hawke
I was instantly out of that bed and rushed up to him, clutching his arms as I searched his face for any clues. He couldn't look me in the eyes, which had to be a first.
"Why are you humiliated? Is it something I did? Tell me, I won't ever do it again."
He looked surprised.
"Not you, me," he said. "My stupidity got us both captured."
My concern turned to anger. That killer vamp would pay for what he did.
I forced myself to relax and shrug. "It happens."
"How can you just shrug what happened off?" he said.
"I'm still alive," I said. Shrugging, "I don't know. Things that used to bother me as a mortal, don't rate a second thought as a vampire."
And that bothered me sometimes. Not often, but sometimes.
"Then you don't care someone drugged you and left you tied up to die?"
Something deep in my belly twisted. For Dane's sake I was trying to keep my rage at bay. Vampires didn't feel guilt or remorse, or a hell of a lot of compassion, but we knew rage and hate and vengeance. I tried to keep them at bay, so I didn't turn into a bad vampire, an evil vampire. It wasn't that hard, as long as I don't dwell on slights.
"I care, and that bastard is going to die," I said. "But his death was already planned."
Dane perked up. "You know who it is?"
"No. You don't?" I said. He just rolled his eyes in frustration. "Didn't you see who captured you? Or see him capture me?"
"No. When I pulled to a stop, a pair of red eyes popped open in the dark," he said. I felt my eyes grow wide. Vampire eyes glowed red in the dark, when looking into light. Predator eyes. Night predator. "Like a stupid amateur fool I looked, and that's all I remember until waking up freezing, tied up and miserable, and feeling you pressed against me."
"The Crimson Knot killer is trying to scare us off," I said. "The only question is it Gustav or Philip."
"He tried to kill us, not chase us off," Dane said. "I was conscious enough to know you woke up and got us...where ever here is, free just in time. He did not intend for you to wake up until the sun came up and vaporized you. I saw the white pad covering your face."
"Yeah. Chloroform," I said. "But he misjudged if he wanted me unconscious long enough to be vaporized by the sun. The chloroform evaporates pretty fast, and I bet he knew that. No, he didn't want us dead, just to go away."
Dane looked unconvinced. I wasn't completely convinced, but it was hard to believe the killer was that incompetent. Hell, if he wanted us dead we were easy enough to kill while unconscious. As it turned out, he put a lot more effort into tying us up.
"Are you so sure?"
"Yeah," I said. I walked over to my boots. The warning note was stuffed inside the left boot. Dane's eyes widened as he read it. "This proves he doesn't want to kill just anyone. Just certain people. Neither of us is on his list."
"But who is on his list?"
"If I'm right, Penny Degge, Nessa Wicker...and Sabrina," I said. I almost choked on Sabrina's name. "And maybe Roger."
I pulled the photo I lifted from Whitney's apartment out of my pack. Holding the picture in one hand, I pointed out each victim, naming them. Then I named the others. He knew Sabrina, and had briefly met Roger. He didn't know Roger was a vampire at the time.
"Why them?"
"Good question," I said. "I suspect jealousy. Bitterness."
"I don't understand," he said.
I paused to assemble my thoughts. Dane wasn't the most social animal in the word. He was a staunch and loyal friend, but he had few if any self-esteem issues. Either Gustav or Philip felt denied entry into Sabrina's little circle of friends, or was cast out. I should question her about which of them tried to join their group. Or…
"I just had another thought," I said. "Maybe Philip or Gustav was replaced by Roger in that group of friends. You know vampires. Anger could easily turn into a need for vengeance."
My phone started ringing. I dug it out of my cluttered purse before the voice mail kicked in. It was Sergeant Stephen Longhouse.
"Yes, I'm still alive. Barely," I said instead of hello. "So, is this call a kiss or a bite?"
Dane gave me such a look. I've never used that expression with him, and was probably wondering just what my relationship with Longhouse was turning into. I sensed the lightest taint of jealousy and concern within him.
"A bite, I guess," Longhouse said. Good for him, figuring it out the first time I used it. I stole if from a vampire detective show on VEN. "We have another victim."
"Son of a bitch!" I cried. I felt all cold inside. If I was right, then I knew the victim. The previous victims were all just names. This would be different. I looked at Dane, took a deep breath, and said, "He's killed again."
"Who?" Dane said.
"Dane is with you?" Longhouse said.
"Yes. We're working together on this," I said. Looking up at the Heavens, praying I was wrong, I asked the question I didn't want answered. "Who was killed?"
"A young woman named Penny Degge," he said.
"Aww, Penny," I said. Heart hammering, I sat on the edge of the bed. "She was killed last night?"
"No, Sunday night, early Monday morning," Longhouse said. "Her body was just discovered an hour ago."
I lifted my head. Thinking. I knew what Gustav and Philip smelled like. She might still have her killer's stench upon her, or lingering in the apartment.
"Can I see her before they touch her?"
"No! What? Why?" he said.
"I have the nose of a bloodhound," I said. "I know her, and a lot of her friends. I might be able to pick up the scent of our killer."
"Really?"
"Yes, if the scene hasn't been muddied too much," I said. Okay, I wasn't that sure. I've tried to sniff out a killer before. And the trail was a couple days old. "This could break the case."
"If it was my case, I'd let you see the crime scene," Longhouse said. "But this is Morris' case. I told you he doesn't like vampires."
"Actually, I don't recall you mentioning his dislike of vampires. Ask him if he likes catching serial killers before they kill again. Mention that I knew her casually, so I might be able to help him there, too," I said. "Call me when you have an answer."
I hung up on him. Didn't matter. I was feeling dejected and hating myself. I might've been one of the last people to speak to her. She died while I was off looking for Sabrina. That reminded me of Gustav.
"Gustav wears Old Spice," I said.
"So?"
"Whoever chloroformed me was wearing Old Spice," I said. "Shit, the one time I met Philip he was wearing Old Spice, too. Not as strong Gustav."
"Any other vamps wear Old Spice at The Crimson Knot," Dane asked.
There was only one other vamp there. Roger. I'd never smelled him wearing any after shave or cologne. That would bring attention to himself, and he was always loathed to do that.
“I only know of three vamps there. Roger doesn’t wear Old Spice,” I said. “That leaves Gustav and Philip.”
I thought Gustav was the killer, but he had an alibi. My sister. Unless he really did mesmerize her. Roger claimed Gustav had really strong mental powers. He could’ve mesmerized Sabrina, making her “remember” they had nonstop sex while he left, murdered Penny, and returned. If his mental powers were as strong as Roger claimed, then Sabrina might even swear under oath that he never left her side.
Of course, he really could’ve spent the night banging my sexy sister. I can’t imagine any man not wanting a roll in the hay with her. And she’d always been very obliging to the boys.
“Shouldn’t we leave?” Dane said. “I don’t like this place.”
I found it strangely comforting.
“Sure. Let me clean up,” I said, and morphed into a wolf for all of five seconds, and then back into a woman.
“Son of a – !” he cried, jumping back. “Why did you do that? To freak me out?”
I spread my hands and gave him my best "what?" look.
“Sorry. That’s
the quickest and best way to clean up,” I said. “Surely you knew that.”
“Yeah, but still...,” he said, grimacing. “I don’t like it. Warn me next time.”
So he’d rather I spend fifteen minutes in the shower? I liked showers, and I adored bubble baths. But fact was by morphing into a wolf or bat I perfectly cleansed my body, hair, teeth, everything almost instantly. Now all I had to do was put on my face and fix my hair.
“I won’t do it in front of you again,” I said.
Freaking Dane out was the last thing I wanted. I wanted him to like me, to love me, to be my best friend, and best lover. So I tried to not be too vampirish around him.
Well, I didn't try too hard. But I did try.
“Is Heidi living with you?” Dane said, startling me.
“Yes,” I said. He nodded like that explained a lot. “Why?”
“Just wondering. She said she couldn’t live with me,” he said.
I picked up my purse, moving slowly as I processed that. Heidi said nothing to me about moving out, much less about moving in with Dane. I wouldn't blame her, but I wouldn't like it one bit.
“You asked her to live with you?”
He gave me one of those nervous grins, shaking his head.
“No, but I think she wants to.”
Of course she did. Heidi adored Dane. Who didn't?
“Do you want her to live with you?”
“Oh no,” he said. That unsettled him, which pleased me. “Though, I hope you allow her to visit sometimes.”
“You just want to screw her,” I said, disgusted. “I thought you were better than that.”
“No, sorry to disappoint but I’m a stinking dog,” he said, not sounding all that guilty about it. He grinned at me. “Between you and Heidi, I’ve kind of developed a taste for hot, uninhibited vampire sex. My Lord, you two are willing to do anything.”
Dane was working himself up into major horny. My own libido was being fired by his rising one. Okay, I’m a vampire. I don’t have a lot of control over it sometimes. There was no desire to have any control where Dane was concerned. What he wanted me to do, I wanted to do.
“You liked our little three way?”
“Oh my God,” he said. “I never understood what the appeal of that was until the other night. Wow.”
I laughed. “Yes, you are a dog.” I gave him a sultry come hither look that made him swallow hard and sent his heart to racing. I was naked. We were both horny. “You want to – ” My phone rang. “Son of a – it’s Longhouse.”
“I’ll have to talk to him about his lousy timing,” Dane grumbled.
“Hello, Sarge,” I said. “That was fast.”
“I had to work fast. They’re at the crime scene now,” he said. “I was afraid they would finish and start removing evidence before I spoke to them.”
“Is the body still there?”
“Still hanging from the ceiling,” he said. “Morris isn’t real happy, but he is willing to let you take a look before they remove anything.”
“Yes!” I said. There was a twinge of guilt, since I knew Penny casually. But this break could really help me towards finding the killer. It was Tuesday of Thanksgiving Week. Henri Trudeau wouldn’t appreciate going into the holidays without this case resolved any more than I would. “What’s the address?”
“You don’t know where she lives?”
“I only met her a couple times, Longhouse,” I said. “I didn’t date her. Where’s she at? Should I meet you somewhere?”
“Is Dane coming?”
“Dane, are your coming to the crime scene with us?”
“Of course.”
“Yes,” I said.
"Good. I have you coming in as consultants," he said. "Experts on vampires."
"Perfect," I said. "Does this mean we're going to get paid?"
"No."
Sergeant Longhouse gave me the address, and sketched out directions well enough we’d find it. He would meet us in the parking lot out front.
That was enough to spur me into action. In no time I put on my face and my clothes. The prospect of visiting the crime scene in my sexy black leather teddy and thigh boots had me less than thrilled, but Penny's apartment was closer to Dane's house than Kale's. I would not have a chance to change. I just knew Detective Morris would be less than impressed with me.
Dane fired up the Jeep while I checked out and settled the tab. He drove me first to a little hole in the wall café right there in Deep Ellum that sold blood by the cup. Dane bought me a sixteen ounce cup of hot cow's blood, while he got a large coffee.
My blood was down the hatch before we reached Kinky Corner, just two blocks over. Part of that was heavy traffic slowing our progress, but it was mostly my insatiable hunger. I missed two feedings the previous night after being captured and bound up.
My Ninja looked undisturbed. The keys were still in the ignition. Lucky me it was still there. Without thought or a word, I walked to the wall next to the ladder we had been bound to, squatted low, and jumped flat-footed straight up and over atop the roof. Aside from a little bird poop my backpack was undisturbed as well.
I literally just stepped off that two-story roof and dropped feet first without a second thought. It was second nature to me now. My stilettos hit the concrete with a rifle like report and clatter. Dane frowned at me, then glanced up at the ladder. Then he smiled wide.
“What’s so funny?” I said.
“Oh, nothing,” he said, and then chuckled.
It was good to see him smiling and laughing again. Dane had dealt with vampires long enough to know you can’t let minor setbacks get to you. Not saying that getting drugged and tied to a ladder is a minor setback, but we survived it so time to move on.
“What? I could use a good laugh, too, you know?”
“It’s nothing. Really. Just...you are acting so damned vampy right now, dressed up in skimpy black leather and boots, jumping effortless on and off two-story buildings...,” he said, and looked up at the access ladder again. “And it occurred to me that you were tied to the ladder upside down all night.”
“Me being tied up all night is funny?”
“No, you hanging upside down all night is funny.”
“Why?”
“Duh. Vampire. Bat. Hanging upside down to sleep,” he said. I didn’t think it was funny. “Don’t you get it?”
“I get it. I get that you’re stupid.”
“Shut up,” he said, and laughed.
Okay, I cracked a smile. Who can stay surly with someone standing next to you laughing? To hide that fact I went over and cranked up my Ninja.
“Follow me,” I said. He had the address and directions, so I wasn’t worried about him getting lost if we were separated. I was more concerned with Family Wolves prowling about. “We’ll take Greenville up to Forest, then over to Audelia.”
Penny’s apartment was near the intersection of Forest and Audelia. There were some nice apartments in that area, and many were quite reasonable. I looked at several when I was hunting for my first place out of college.
Penny's apartment was easy enough to find. There were four marked Dallas Police squad cars and two Dallas County Sheriff cars, lots of bright yellow crime scene tape and a small crowd. I think every light in her second floor apartment was on.
Eight uniformed cops held the crowd back. I spotted Longhouse with a couple other men in suits. My sense of hearing picked up their conversation perfectly, even through the crowd noise and being thirty feet away. They were talking about Dane and I.
Pushing through the crowd, I ducked under the crime scene tape. Three cops called out and hurried towards me as Dane joined me. I held up my hands to hold them off.
"I'm supposed to here," I said.
"We're Sergeant Longhouse's vam – his consultants," Dane said, eyeing the attentive crowd warily.
The three cops came to an abrupt stop, before all turned their full attention to me. Two were African-American, and the third was white. All three were
clean shaven and clean cut, tall and handsome. I kinda favored the clean cut look, but always seemed to attract the opposite.
"You're Black Heart?" the youngest cop said. He looked young enough to be fresh out of college and the police academy. His uniform was the best fitting of all three cops. Of the three, that African-American cop was the only showing any interest in me other than the professional. "You don't look like a cold-blooded killer."
"No, I'm a warm-blooded killer," I said. I rattled the nerves off all three cops. "Vampires aren't cold."
An excited murmur flowed through the crowd as word spread about my identity. The other two cops looked much older. The other African-American looked mid-thirties, while the white cop had to be forty-five to fifty.
All three narrowed their eyes and stepped towards me.
"Cool your jets, Officers," Longhouse said. They came to reluctant halts. "That pretty little thing has the physical strength to pull your arms off and beat you to death with them." He stopped three feet in front of me, looked me up and down with a disapproving frown. "I watched a vamp girl half her size pull a grown man's head clean off with without even trying."
"I bet it wasn't all that clean," I said.
"No. No it wasn't," he said, and shuddered. "Nice outfit, Sable. Always a good idea to show up on a crime scene dressed for pole dancing."
"It's a long story," I said. "I didn't have time to go home and change." I indicated the apartment. "Can we get this over with? I'm sure no one wants me here any longer than necessary."
"You got that right," a surly African-American said. He wore his dark, dark gray pinstripe suit well. Looked customer tailored. His medium length afro was liberally sprinkled with gray. "The only reason I agreed to this is because Longhouse vouched for you, and he said you knew the victim."
"Sable, Dane, this is Detective Anthony Morris. We were roommates at the academy," Longhouse said. "Tony, this is Sable Hart and Dane Douglass."
"Pleased to meet you," I said, sticking out my hand.
Morris looked at it like it was a poisonous snake. Then he gave my hand a very brief shake. He shook Dane's hand a few times.
"I'd like to ask you a few questions about a few other open cases I have," Morris said. He wasn't scared of me. And he did not like me at all. "Namely, the slaughter of numerous men and women at two times, at homes rented by a Clive Honeywell and a Yuri Romanov."