"What's Water's doing here?" At times Parker Vaughn could be sweet and cordial, others hard and imperious, at the moment she was just plain, put out.
"She's giving us an update on the periphery cases that might be linked to the Rogue Maker." Studwick's voice said quite clearly that he could do without Vaughn's drama. Though it was obvious she was far from getting the hint.
Vaughn looked to Agent Fox raising an imperial eyebrow in question. "Shouldn't the lead Agent be giving that information?"
"I'll be giving a quick summary of the current cases, but with Ms. Waters being the Paranormal Investigator and one of the top Consultants in the world... I thought to let her go over the information she's found and the evidence to support a new theory for the Rogue Maker's profile." Agent Fox's subtle dig didn't go unnoticed by those in the room. While she appreciated his continued backing, it wasn't the time to poke the dragon.
"I was under the impression this gathering was to meet the House Council Investigator and be updated on their investigation. Especially if we are now to be working together...." Agent Savage let the question hang in the air, looking at Studwick for confirmation. The others were looking at Persephonii who had yet to tell them the specifics of the Vampyre Investigators involvement. Truthfully, she'd been putting it on the back burner in light of all her other work. She was hesitant to see what adding, yet another party to the already crowded teams assigned to the Rogue Maker. Tensions were high and the Vampyres, though helpful, might mean more toes stepped on and wounded egos for the P.P.D.
"Ms. Water's continued involvement in the cases has been due to the fact that the work load is far too much for one consultant." Never mind the fact that that Vaughn was working one case, while Persephonii was working four cases with evidence connecting them to the Rogue. All while still taking the odd case for the firm and helping to discover what was happening to the Wyr community. In contrast, Vaughn and Agent Savage were focused solely on Mr. Fischer and the media circus that followed him.
"Perhaps too much for Ms. Waters? We don't have time for information we've already seen and reports we've already read." Parker's scorn of Persephonii was very much at the fore front of her statements. Her unprofessional behavior throughout the case was noted by many. Disrespecting someone who had worked hard, side by side with the P.P.D for nearly a decade was earning her more criticism than complements.
"Oh.....really? I logged into the data base an hour or so ago, so far the only ones to access any of the case's information, include Agent Fox's and Ms. Water's reports were, Fox, Waters, Detective Fitz and myself." Studwick's casual reprimand clearly spoke volumes about his feelings for their lack of focus or care on anything other than the Fischer case.
Persephonii could see this going on for another hour, taking up all the meeting time and leaving them no further along than before. It was with great relief that she turned to see Sebastian, Talia and Miklos enter into the room.
Making formal introductions, she spouted names and ranks, gave information to the human parties about the Vampyre Council and it's Investigator. Likewise, she gave the Vampyre's information about those involved with the different cases and their roles in the meeting. It was all very polite, which seemed to make Sebastian smile. Persephonii was sure that the information she had about the Agent's and local P.P.D was nothing the Investigator didn't already know.
"We were expecting any Investigators from the Council to show up quite a while ago, why make introductions now? Having trouble with your own investigation?" Agent Savage was clearly not impressed with the credentials of the Investigator. While such hostility was not uncommon, Persephonii had not expected so blatant a comment given their own lack of advancement in the case.
Both Agent Savage and Vaughn seemed unimpressed with the presentation. Despite all the preparation and backing from those present, they refused to change the task Forces' agenda or to take stock in "Percy's Team's" 'speculations' despite solid proof and important findings.
Vaughn even went so far as to use Mr. Blake's evidence as "seeing the Rogue Maker everywhere." Like the boy who cried wolf. Vaughn with a few words had reduced Agent Savage's impressions of the evidence to mere conjecture. There was definitely something going on between them, but Persephonii couldn't say out loud that they were sleeping together or had romantic relations without seeming as much of a jerk as Vaughn was being.
"It seems that you are waiting on paperwork to show these connections, which will be another day or two. As I see it, you're theory and 'search terms' have already added to the computers search time. It's your additions that have us all waiting so long." At this Savage seemed done and ready to move on.
Vaughn clearly gave Percy a dismissal. "Waters has presented her 'theory' and can now go back to her work. I'm sure she's booked."
"You seem to misunderstand Ms. ...Vaughn was it?" Sebastian's cultured tones, clearly made their way across the room.
"Ms. Waters has been specially selected to function as the House Liaison, much like your F.B.I Liaison's between different departments. Ms. Waters will make sure that any relevant information we find makes it to the correct parties and anything pertinent to the Rogue Maker and his Chyldren makes it back to us. And thus, must be an integral part in all aspects of the investigations." A small shrug of the shoulders followed this announcement. Parker looked ready to protest, either that or throw a tantrum.
"You think that we will need you to take down this Rogue?" Savage finally voiced his opinion on the matter. Visibly upset that his hands had been tied.
"As per the Vampyre Accord and codes, the minute this case was classified 'Rogue' the Vampyre Council should have been informed. I'm sure you are aware that the Reveer's are busy with a case back east, and will not arrive before the month's end. While you have a few Human Hunters in your Task Force, they have not dealt with this type of situation before. We have no idea the type of power or skills this Rogue has. I would think you would welcome all the help you could get." It was the most Persephonii had ever heard Sebastian talk. His soft tones were even, his baritone voice was polite if not chilly. She realized that he was trying not to step on too many toes right out of the gate. But the truth was he had every right to claim the whole case as a Vampyre Council Affair and shut everyone else out. Instead he had taken her advice to heart and sought to cooperate with the other departments to end this case a quickly as possible.
It was also the first she had heard about the Reveers absence and their plan to catch the Rogue. If Lykos was having to deal with something back east, it meant that the incident in question was a lot bigger than a Rogue Maker. She shuddered to think what that might be, and hoped to hear from the family soon.
Sebastian's insistence about Persephonii's status as Liaison to the Investigator and the F.B.I team now put her on a more even playing field, better able to deal with Vaughn's petty interactions. It had come at a serious cost to her freedom, as being the backup consultant. Now in the lime light, she was being asked to do this and that. In a day she had become an errand girl, included yet excluded from the main group. Vaughn was not giving up her power or position anytime soon.
With their obvious and full dismissal of the facts, Persephonii was sure 'they' must have their own meeting of the minds. Vaughn was right in one thing, she did have a 'Team' and people to back her up. Currently quite a few of those people were miffed at her for withholding certain pertinent facts...Vampyre facts... from them but she was sure it was officially time to 'call in the troops for a pow wow'.
Since Agent Savage seemed inclined to give Vaughn her way, Persephonii was convinced they couldn't use any of the conference rooms that the P.P.D would normal use. Instead she sent out texts and emails asking for them to meet at the warehouse within the next week.
Loading up their computers and things after the failed meeting, Chase offered to take her back with him to the Warehouse; they both had more work to do in the office.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? Your house is a little crowded at
the moment. Perhaps being so close to the Para's is muddling that super brain of yours." Chase's questioning of the meeting at the warehouse given her current house guests was not a surprise, however the snarki-ness was.
"You've been overly 'GRRR' to everyone including me... What is going on Chase? You're emotions haven't been this out of control since..." before she could finish that sentence he turned back towards her.
"Dr. Carver and I have been talking." He ran a hand through his hair, disrupting the slicked back locks. Persephonii waited for him to continue, his aura was agitated. She didn't have to look over her glasses to see it; she could feel it standing so close to him. He clearly wanted to talk to someone about it, but was having reservations.
"We've been talking over the phone. She's been scared and still feeling like she's being monitored. I keep trying to reassure her, but this is.... some crazy stuff." The 'crazy stuff' comment evidently meant that he was having trouble separating the professional from personal feelings. Persephonii doubted the relationship was up to the Madison level, but he clearly felt for this woman and was having trouble that he couldn't give her any answers yet.
"It's getting personal, isn't it?" She paused after opening the passenger side door, looking over at him from across the car roof.
"At first it was just talking about the things she had seen and felt at work, then about her day... In the last two weeks, I've talked with her nearly every day. She's fragile right now and I.." He stopped mid sentence, placing his head in his palm, elbow resting on the top of the open door frame.
"And you like her. She's smart, funny, beautiful. There's nothing wrong in being attracted to someone Chase. It's the circumstance's and timing that you're worried about." He raised his head to look at her.
"I know you haven't dated anyone seriously since Claire.... Dr. Carver must be something else to make you think such deep thoughts." Pausing to take a moment, she thought about Chase and his 'love them and leave them' mentality. Though she couldn't, exactly, place herself in his shoes, she could guess the reasons behind his hesitancy.
"But you're right she is fragile. She's lost someone very close to her, someone who could have been something more... you can very much relate. I can too. This hesitancy you're feeling is your conscience ...surprise you still have one!!" He chuckled softly at her declaration.
"You know she won't be ready for a relationship until she finds out what happened. The 'what if's' can drive a person to distraction. It's nice that she has someone to lean on. Someone who understands." The soft look she gave him had him nodding back. They both understood tragedy and loosing someone close. Having to give up or change what you though the future would hold. The plans of mice and men....
"A chance to move on." Chase's softly spoken words floated to her on the night breeze.
"You know how I feel about saying 'I told you so', but I knew there was a decent guy under that Casanova persona all along!" She wasn't above teasing him to lighten the mood. It seemed to have worked at prying him from his morose thoughts, as the next thing he said was a very exuberant.
"Get in the car, Percy!!!"
Outside Detectives Montgomery and Fitz cubicle, P.P.D. Lakewood. 4:16pm PST.
Sharing information with the House Investigator was not looked on so warmly by their human counterparts. The fact that she would be sharing their findings in return, only marginally cut the sting. Persephonii knew that the majority of the population understood very little of the actual workings of the Para as individuals, communities, and a larger nation within the U.S. It was true that the Para populace was about a fourth of the larger Normal Populace, but that was merely because a good deal of the Others, tended to stay within their pocket dimensions. Who knew how many civilizations existed within and yet outside of what could be seen. It was truly a discussion for physicists and philosophers.
At the present, she had to deal with Fox, and now Fitz and Montgomery, who were looking equally put out. Granted, she could have given them more information on who her sources were but she had told them the 'when, what, why and where'. They had all been strapped for time, their attentions diverted to six other things, and had appreciated the insight. It was only now when they felt their toes were stepped on that they took affront, and that affront was pointed directly at her.
“I know what you're going to say....” Persephonii tired to start with something a little less volatile but it came out before she could filter it. This speaking, before thinking thing was getting out of hand.
“Oh, so premonition is part of your gifts now?” Montgomery’s sarcasm was not appreciated. Smoothing ruffled feathers and egos would go a long way, she was sure, however, she was not sure they had the time.
Montgomery said nothing, just watched Sebastian and his team move around the area. She was unsure what the Investigator's blank expression meant but didn’t think she would ‘look’ to see what his aura said, she wasn’t positive she wanted to know.
“Mr. Ardeal has been sanctioned by the Houses, and has full government backing for joining in on any vampyre related investigation. Though I’m sure he also prefers working alone.” Agent Fox's eyes gave her another look which clearly said, 'you're not getting off so easily'. Obviously, the email she had sent him earlier hadn't been quite as specific as she had thought.
She hadn't been expecting to get pounced on when she entered the P.P.D office that morning, hoping to find the scanning and sorting of the business paperwork finished. Coming away empty handed hadn't been too much of a blow. Though they weren't questioning her honesty or professionalism, she could tell she had hurt them by not including them in the loop.
Taking the three aside she talked softly, not wanting to draw any attention.
"I am sorry that I put off telling you." Agent Fox seemed to want to interrupt so she continued. "And that isn't because I thought to leave you out or go over your heads. I had every intention of telling you. With all the cases, it always seemed to be put on the back burner. I know it was rude and I am sorry. But I truly believe we aren't going to solve this case without their involvement." She paused looking at their faces, ready to dispute her statement.
"You know that the agents have had no luck talking with anyone in the Vampyre community and we've all been hounding our contacts with no more information than when this started." Looking directly at Montgomery, she knew he had some informants in the Vampyre community, but had heard nothing about the Rogue Maker either. A slight nod of his head told her, he saw her point.
"This whole Liaison position is new to me, and you know where my loyalties lie. So I'm asking you to trust me on this. It may not be the best of circumstances but we seem to be a few of a handful of people that are not running with Agent Savage's blinders on." It was as small of a confession as she could make. Though the circumstances weren't the best, things appeared to be working out, somehow. She hoped what little luck they seemed to have held up under the strain, long enough to catch this killer.
"You've noticed it too, hunh?" Fitz's gravelly voice was quite in their personal space.
"What? The fact that the Captain's got his hands tied and everyone it toeing to Savage's line of B.S?" Montgomery was clearly not asking a question so much as stating his opinion. After which he took what Persephonii could only think of as an 'angry' gulp of coffee.
"Which also means that we could be the only ones to break this case." With a small amount of agreement, Agent Fox seemed to relent. He was in a hard place running between the F.B.I teams and Persephonii's. She could now better understand the stress and strain.
"The one thing we are missing is the Vampyre side of things. Sure the Investigator is not welcomed with open arms, but they have more knowledge, experience and clout in this area than we do. Not to mention if it comes down to a Hunt, I would rather have them out there watching our backs than Agent Savage's Hunters." Nodding in unison, the small meeting broke up and headed out to their respective work. Persephonii heading to drop of some more paperwork that Agent Savage had 're
quested', part of the never ending errands he seemed to find for her. Turning back toward the hall to make her way to the filing room she heard Fitz call out behind her.
"Like him that much do you?" Not knowing what to say, or her current personal opinion on Sebastian Ardeal, she ignored the laugh in his voice and walked quickly toward the end of the hall.
Chapter 18: H.V.V:
Human Vampyre Virus or H.V.V. The human version of the Vampyre Virus is the most common, though a few other rare strains are known to exist. It converts the human body into a nearly immortal organism, with only one caveat. That the system must consume blood in order to maintain its homeostasis.
A Few Days Later: Persephonii’s Warehouse, Study. Lakeshore, WA. 8:15pm PST.
Looking around at the group assembled in her study, Persephonii could admit the collection of people was a rather odd combination; Chase, Detectives Montgomery and Fitz of the local P.P.D., Special Agent Colton Fox of the F.B.I., Sebastian Ardeal and a few of his Kiss, Dr. Underwood, who had been kind enough to come on her day off and Persephonii who stood at the front of the room. Briefly she had thought about inviting Dr. Carver to this pow-wow but had reservation about bringing her in on the case. Whoever was watching the lab likely had been the one monitoring the doctor, which made her a liability and her welfare a concern.
From her position, Persephonii could see that the double doors leading to the media room up on the second floor were slightly ajar. It looked like the pack was interested in what she had to say. Though she had activated the wards that would keep the visiting Vampyres and Wyrs from being able to hear each other, via heart beats or some other bodily function, it did not prevent them from seeing each other. She hoped Harker had the good sense to heed her warning to stay out of sight. She had mentioned the other guests to each other, and although both groups had been polite, meeting face to face with two groups of Paranormals was often rife with tension.
At First Sight (Persephonii Waters Book 1) Page 20