"Blade and Kenneth are investigating, but I wanted to help." I sat across from her. "I still think Richard Mainwaring might have done it."
"Any proof?" Diana asked the question I'd been asking myself for days.
"No." I shook my head. "But who besides another vampire would know Margie was one?"
"There are plenty of supernaturals who hang out around here who would have no trouble spotting a vamp. Shifters, werecats, a few others that I've gotten vibes from." Diana set down her can. "Some are pretty edgy but Margie wasn't the kind of vamp who made enemies. Not like Trevor who probably got careless, drank from the wrong person, place or thing, and didn't bother to cover his tracks."
"It does seem likely that the same person staked both Trevor and Margie." A fact that just confused the issue as far as I was concerned. "Did Trevor and Margie know each other?"
"Sure. They'd both been in Austin a while. Been to Damian's annual Halloween parties."
"Speaking of, are you going this year?" Nothing like going from death to party talk. I've never claimed to be Miss Sensitivity.
"Wouldn't miss it." Diana smiled. "You have to go. Damian throws an amazing party. And there's always a surprise."
"What kind of surprise?" If it involved mind control, I was so not going there.
"Last year Damian had a magician saw him in half. I was hoping it was permanent, but no such luck." She sighed. "But the year before he brought in wonderful flamenco dancers and a guitarist from Spain. Fabulous."
"Somehow it doesn't seem right to party hearty so soon after Margie…"
Diana shrugged. "It's what we do, Glory. Life goes on."
"Or not." I couldn't shake the feeling that I should do something.
"Come on, Glory. Lighten up. Margie wouldn't expect anything else." Diana patted my hand. "Besides, you'd only met her once. Why the fixation?"
"She was killed right behind our shops, Di. I'd be stupid not to be a little fixated with figuring out who did it and why. Knowledge is power and can help keep us safe."
"Good point. Okay then. Maybe Westwood does the cross thing too."
"I doubt it. He's really into hunting with his bow and arrows." I studied Diana's pale arms above her black bustier. "Your wound ever give you problems?"
"Nope. As you can see, it's as if it never happened." Diana smiled. "Vamps rule. We help each other. That's why I don't think another vamp would kill his own."
"Are you kidding me? Get real, Di. Vamps love, hate and get even if we're crossed. And with abilities that make us a hell of a lot more lethal than mere mortals." Abilities that, short of shape-shifting, I was working on in my spare time.
"You're right, Glory." Diana sipped her drink. "Kenneth's supposed to come by tonight. The poor guy's really lost without Margie. When he gets here, I'll ask about Margie's relationship with Mainwaring. I agree Mainwaring does seem a little intense."
"See? I'm not crazy. Margie knew Richard from Paris. She might go with him willingly. And because he thinks we're demons from hell, he killed her."
"That's quite a stretch." Diana put down her can. "Margie was a nice woman who just happened to be vampire, not a demon from hell or anywhere near there. I've known plenty of reckless vamps who deserve a stake more than she did."
"I give up then." Like Damian had said. Back to square one. "So I guess Richard's probably not the killer. Flo says not. Damian says not." I glanced toward the door. "Even Valdez says Richard didn't do it."
"Well, if the dog vouches for him…" Diana got up. "Someone took her out and they're still out there somewhere. You got on your Kevlar under that T-shirt?"
"Yep. I'd be crazy to go out without it. But…" I looked down. "It's not exactly a Wonderbra, is it?"
"Nothing can make you fiat chested, Glory, but your curves aren't curving."
"You mean I look lumpy, dumpy and fat. Thanks for the reality check." When you can't see yourself in a mirror, you can pretend you're hot stuff even if you're not. Hey, I look down, I see cleavage. That's hot, isn't it? But I avoid looking at my backside. You know why.
"Hey, reality right now, honey, is we wear whatever keeps us safe. I've got my own vest in back. To change into before I go outside." Diana stretched. "Back to the computer. Payroll. I'll be in the back if you need me."
"Thanks." I got up too, but it only took a minute to find out that present customers hadn't been in Mugs and Muffins the night Margie was killed.
"I think I'm wasting my time, Valdez. No one knows anything about anyone." I picked up his leash. "Let's hit the grocery store now."
"Can we call reinforcements?" He trotted along beside me. "You know they won't let me inside unless you want to do the blind thing again."
"Sure. I'll drive up, park, hop out and then go blind." We were in the alley now, the hearse just a few feet away. "Not going to happen. I'm okay to go to the store."
Valdez stopped suddenly and looked around. He morphed into attack mode. "Get behind the car. Now."
"Oh, God!" I ran to crouch between the hearse and my dead Suburban. "Come here, Valdez. What are you doing?" Sure I had on my Kevlar, but I didn't want to test it up close and personal right now. Not ever if truth be told.
Valdez growled then barked frantically. "Stay down!" He darted toward the end of the alley.
"I am down. What is it?" I hoped this was one of his cat frenzies and not because he'd smelled olive wood.
More really ferocious barking. Anyone who didn't back off in the face of that had a death wish. Or a really lethal method of defense. I unlocked the passenger door, crawled into the car and began honking the horn frantically. Wait. Had that been a yelp? I quit pounding the horn and listened. Silence. I rolled down the window an inch.
"Valdez!"
The back door to Mugs and Muffins flew open and Diana and her two helpers poured out. Diana had thrown on her Kevlar vest, had her fangs full out, and was armed with a broom. Her helpers each held a frying pan.
"Get back!" I yelled. From the light of the open door, I could see something move near the back door of my own shop. "Valdez! Are you all right?"
"All clear, Glory. Tell Diana and the others to go back inside."
It had sounded like Valdez's voice. It had to be his voice. Who else talked inside my head and sounded like an extra from The Godfather? I cautiously unlocked the car door.
"You sure you want me to send them inside?"
"Just do it. Now." Valdez almost barked the order.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Diana jabbed the air with her broom. I didn't doubt for a minute that, with her vamp strength, she could do some serious damage with that broom.
"False alarm. I'm fine. Thanks for responding, though. You just never know."
Diana waved the broom. "We stick together. Let me know if you need me later." She touched her wide-eyed workers' shoulders. "Relax, darlings. You saw nothing, heard nothing, except Glory honking her horn and Valdez barking at a stray cat." She pushed her employees back inside and slammed the door. I heard the dead bolts click shut.
"Okay, what's the deal? Valdez, are we talking cat here?" I still wasn't ready to just walk out into the open. "Or something or someone more threatening?"
I kept low and the dark lump by my shop's back door moved again. The security light above the door was out. Westwood's work? He did seem to favor working in the dark. Night vision goggles probably.
A whimper. "Help me. I'm wounded."
"Wounded! Oh, my God!" I saw myself at the back door and I was there, looking down at Valdez stretched out on the concrete, an arrow sticking out of one of his back legs. "You've been shot!"
"Westwood. I don't think I can walk and I'm losing blood." He groaned and lifted his head, his eyes gleaming in the dark. "I think he's gone, but help me get inside. Then lock the door in case he comes back."
"Valdez, puppy." My voice broke and tears ran down my cheeks. I rubbed his head, then quickly unlocked the back door.
"I'm sorry, but this will hurt." I gently slid my arms un
der him. "I'm going to lift you now." He weighed a ton, but I don't have vamp strength for nothing. I cradled him against my chest and carried him inside. I laid him carefully on the table in the storeroom, then rushed to lock the back door.
I wiped away my tears then turned back to him.
Valdez moaned and looked up at me. "I'm fading fast, Glory. It's been swell knowing you. Say good-bye to Florence for me."
"Stop it. You're not going to die. He hit your leg, not your heart." I hoped I was right about the dying part. He was bleeding pretty heavily. I grabbed a wad of paper napkins someone had left on the table and mopped at the blood seeping from around the arrow. I used another napkin to dry the last of my tears, then focused on the arrow sticking out of his flank.
It didn't take vamp powers to figure out this was Westwood's work. Olive wood smell, same kind of arrow that had hurt Diana. A paper was tied around the end of the shaft.
"Damn it. Westwood sent us a note. Hasn't he heard of the U.S. Postal Service?" I rubbed Valdez's head. "I'm so sorry."
"Me too, Blondie." He licked my hand. "Could you call me puppy one more time? I liked that." He groaned. "I just wish I had time for a farewell bag of Cheetos."
"You'll have a lot more than a farewell bag, puppy." Oh, boy. I had to stop crying and get a grip if I was going to get both of us through this. "You're not going to die, damn it." I wiped my eyes again and studied the wound. The arrow seemed stuck, like it had hit the bone.
"I'm going to pull out the arrow. Then heal you. Like we did with Diana, remember?"
"Hold on, Glory." He rolled his eyes at me. "Flo did that. I don't think—Ow! Ow! Ow! Damn it!"
I'd gotten out the arrow. Now it was time for some vamp magic. I pressed my hands on either side of the wound and concentrated.
"Heal!" I sounded like a televangelist at a prayer meeting. And it wasn't working. I pressed harder.
"Hello. That hurts, Glory." Valdez's leg quivered. "Maybe you should call Flo."
"She never leaves her cell phone on when she's at church or with Richard." I tried to beam my thoughts to the bloody wound. Was it closing? "Maybe I should get Diana."
"No, you can do it, Blondie." Valdez lifted his head. "I'll concentrate with you this time."
No time to wonder why Valdez thought he could help. "All right. On three. One, two, three." I pressed and stared and prayed and, would you believe it, that wound closed. Vamp magic at its best.
"Fan-damn-tastic! We did it." Valdez moved his leg tentatively. "Help me down."
"Wait! Let me clean you up." I ran to the bathroom, washed my bloody hands, then wet some paper towels. I held one against my eyes for a moment and said another prayer. Thank you, God.
"Glory." Valdez still sounded weak.
"Coming." I hurried back and gently washed his dark fur. I ignored the smell of fresh blood. Even from a dog, it had a certain aroma that I couldn't deny got my fangs swelling against my gums. But I'm civilized and way beyond giving in to my more primitive urges. At least where blood is concerned. Now if Westwood crossed my path, I'd unleash my beast.
"Are you sure you're okay?" If I didn't have Valdez's completely unmarked and damp hairy hip right in front of me, I wouldn't have believed it. I'd healed him. What a rush. What power. And how long had I denied I even had power? No more. I rocked.
"How does that feel?" I tossed the bloody towels in the trash.
"Okay, I guess. Lift me down and I'll see if I can walk. I sure could use a Twinkie about now."
I picked him up and he laid his head on my shoulder.
"You're my hero, Blondie." He licked my cheek before I set him gently on the floor.
"No, you're my hero. You went right after Westwood."
"But I didn't get him." Valdez shook himself, then looked at his back leg.
"Careful now. I'm not Flo, you know. You may not be completely healed."
"Don't sell yourself short, Sweet Cheeks. This is what I call a freakin' miracle." He walked slowly around the room. "Not even a twinge. But I'll feel better once I get a Twinkie fix."
"Soon. All the Twinkies you want." I picked up the paper that had been wrapped around the arrow. I didn't want to read it. "What kind of message could Westwood be sending me?"
"Open it, Blondie. We got to know. And I'm sending for Blade." Valdez lay down on the floor. "I'm not hurting, but I'm weak all of a sudden."
"You're probably in shock and don't call Blade. We don't need him."
"It's my deal, Blondie. I've got to report." Valdez groaned. "I'm having a sinking spell. I did lose a lot of blood. We got any snacks around here? I bet Ryan has a stash behind the counter."
I raided the drawer where either Ryan or Lacy had stuck some peanut butter crackers. I sniffed them and wondered for the thousandth time how it would feel to crunch again. Can you tell I really didn't want to read Westwood's love note? I threw it on the table and hand fed Valdez until all the crackers were gone.
"Any better?"
"Yeah, thanks. Got any Coke to wash them down with?" He wagged his tail. "Now I'm parched."
"How about bottled water?" I opened the fridge I'd put in when we'd set up the shop. "You should probably have a Bloody Merry. To replace the blood you lost. I'm getting one for myself."
Valdez shuddered and sat down with a thump. "Put the water in a bowl. I ain't no blood sucker. No offense, Blondie."
"Excuse me?" As much fun as it was to see Valdez back to his usual self, I was still stalling. I dumped the water into a bowl and listened to Valdez lap it up. I took a deep swallow of my Bloody Merry before I finally picked up the note again. My stomach churned as I unfolded it. I looked at Valdez then read it out loud.
"Don't try your vampire tricks on my men. I'm watching you and my spaghetti. Westwood."
Banging on the front door. Blade stood outside. I was shaking as I let him in.
"What is it, Glory? Are you all right? Valdez just said there'd been an incident at the shop." Blade held me away from him and looked me over. "Are you hurt?"
"No. Westwood shot Valdez." I sat abruptly in one of the overstuffed chairs CiCi had consigned just last week. I was having one of Valdez's sinking spells. Between the concentration I'd used to heal Valdez and the note… I still gripped it.
"I sacrificed myself for your lady, Boss." Valdez came to stand next to the chair. I sank my fingers into his soft fur.
"You look all right to me, Valdez." Blade knelt in front of me. "You're pale, Glory."
"She's shook up. She healed me. See for yourself. The bloody arrow is still on the table in the store room." Valdez looked up at me and I swear he was smiling. "It was a near miss. But we're okay. She called me her puppy. What do you think of that?"
Blade jumped up to go into the storeroom. When he came out, he was as pale as I felt. "Are you wearing your Kevlar? Did the arrow hit you anywhere?" Blade knelt in front of me again.
"He never even got a shot at me. And I do have on my Kevlar." I held out the note. My hands were surprisingly steady considering my insides were quivering nonstop. "He sent us a message, Jerry. I think we've got a spy in our midst."
He opened the note and read it. "Son of a bitch. You're right. Spaghetti. But no one was here when you said that except for me and Mara." He looked around and grabbed a small plastic bag from the counter.
He went into the back again and I heard him drop the arrow into the bag. I saw stars and put my head between my knees before I passed out. Valdez was right. I was still really shook up.
Blade came back into the room. "Gloriana, lass, breathe. Are you all right?"
"I'm okay. Just a little dizzy." I felt his hands on my back and made myself take even breaths until the room stopped spinning.
"Hey, what about me? I took an arrow in the hip for your woman."
I sat up. "He's right, Jerry. Valdez was shot to carry a damned message. I hate Westwood."
"And you healed the dog, all by yourself. God, Gloriana, I had no idea…" Blade squeezed my shoulder. "You're incredible."
"I helped. Added my power—"
"Valdez, thank you. You can believe me when I say you'll be rewarded in good time." Blade gave the dog a speaking look. "Now go sit by the front door. I want to talk to Gloriana."
The dog sniffed but turned around and headed for the door. He put on a pitiful show, head down, limping.
"Wrong leg, puppy." I gave Blade a dirty look. "Can you cut the dog some slack, Jerry? He saved me."
"Right. And I'm grateful, of course." Blade crouched in front of me again and took my hands. "But about this note. Think, lass. Did you tell anyone about our conversation the other night?"
"You think I'm the leak?" I shoved him away and stood. Amazing how I could go from incredible to dumb as dirt in a heartbeat. The room spun for a moment so I held on to the chair. "What about Mara? Maybe she's a blabbermouth. Or did you say something to someone?"
"Of course not. I don't know what to think." Blade ran a hand through his hair. He was letting it grow and it reached his collar. The natural curl was probably annoying him, but it was very appealing to a susceptible woman. Which I was not at the moment.
"It would be nice if, just once, you'd realize I'm not an idiot." It felt good to get that off my chest.
"Lass, of course you're no' an idiot." Scottish Blade put his hands on my shoulders. Okay, maybe I'm a little susceptible. But I hate it when he tries to charm me.
"Knock it off, Jerry. Speak American." I lifted Jerry's hands off my shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Gloriana." He looked down at the note again.
He obviously didn't have a clue how to handle me after all these years. And how cool was that?
"The question on the table is how could Westwood know such a detail? Spaghetti, right?"
"Right. The three of us were alone here. Along with Valdez." Blade looked around the shop, like he'd see a spy hiding behind the counter.
"Westwood's a technology freak." I could see the bookshelf next to the counter. "Bugs! Oh, my God. How stupid. We've got bugs!" I would have smacked myself in the forehead, but I was more than a little unsteady.
"Sit down, Gloriana. You're obviously still upset." Blade tried to guide me back to the chair. "Call an exterminator tomorrow."
Full-Figured Vampire 1 - Real Vampires Have Curves Page 23