by Alex Duval
“A what?” Jason asked blankly.
Adam’s eyes went wide.
“I’m from Michigan, Turnball. Not the Amish country. Of course I’ve seen Star Wars,” Jason said, and laughed.
“Well, I don’t know,” Adam protested. “Who knows what kind of deprivation you’ve suffered, living in the middle of the country all your life? Michigan is in the middle, right?”
Jason rolled his eyes. “Let’s get back to the list,” he said. “What do you think of Maggie? I don’t know her last name. She’s on the girls’ swim team.”
“Maggie Roy? Huh. Well, she’s from the Heights, but that’s the only thing I’d call suspect about Maggie,” Adam answered.
“I’m pretty sure she’s been feeding on Aaron Harberts,” Jason told him. “Somebody definitely drained him at Brad’s party—he was still tired at swimming practice a day and a half later. And I know he and Maggie got friendly at that party. I heard them talking about it.”
Adam added Maggie’s name to the list, then put stars by the names of people who had been confirmed. “Anybody else?”
“Not that I know of. But until a few days ago, I didn’t believe in vampires,” Jason said. “So I guess anything’s possible. What’s the plan?”
“I figure we talk to people who were at the party the other night,” Adam said. “See if anybody noticed Carrie talking to anyone on this list. That’s how we narrow down our suspects.”
“But your eye is on Scott,” Jason said.
“It is. I mean, you saw them on the bed.” Adam squeezed his eyes shut as if that would block out the memory. “But I’ve been thinking about it. There’s no actual proof against Scott. I don’t want to miss something by focusing exclusively on him.”
Jason nodded. Made sense. “Aren’t people going to wonder why we’re so interested when we start with the questions?” he asked.
“I’ll tell everyone I’m making a documentary about Carrie’s death,” Adam said. “You tell them you’re helping me. People are morbid—they’ll want to talk about it.”
Jason had seen that for himself. “All right. I’ll do what I can.” And maybe, just maybe, he thought, this investigation would keep his mind off Sienna.
“Anything?” Jason asked Adam on Thursday at lunch.
Adam shook his head. “The usual. Everyone loved the party, no one remembers a thing about it. You ask them for specifics and their eyes glaze over.”
Jason didn’t know what to say. The truth was, he had a hard time remembering anything specific from the yacht party himself. And everyone he’d talked to about Carrie’s death said the same thing: They saw her making out with Scott Challon. And nothing else. “What about Scott? He still seems to be our number one suspect. Did your dad tell you anything new?”
“Yeah. The cops released him. The only evidence against him is circumstantial: He was the last one seen with Carrie.” Adam looked pretty wrecked. Jason wondered if he’d been sleeping at all this week. “And it’s just as we expected,” Adam went on. “Carrie’s drug tests came back, and of course they were all negative. So the police have ruled her death an accident, not murder. They’re going to close the case today.”
Jason put down his pizza. Suddenly he didn’t feel hungry anymore. This was so unreal. He knew Carrie had been murdered, and yet the police couldn’t even prove it. Hell, they didn’t even suspect murder anymore. “I wish we could tell the police about the vampires,” he said. “They’re working without all the info.”
“Yeah, but I’d like to go to college next year,” Adam said. “‘Gee, Dad, I’m pretty sure Carrie was killed by a vampire’ is like a one-way ticket to a lovely padded cell.”
“Did Scott say anything to the cops?” Jason asked. “Anything we can use?”
“Actually, he said Carrie went off with Luke Archer toward the end of the party,” Adam said.
“Luke?” Jason frowned in thought. He did remember having seen him there, but Luke had seemed solidly committed to his alone-time with Luke. “Did the cops talk to him?”
“Nah. My dad said they tried to, but they couldn’t find him.”
“Why not?” Jason asked. “He’s been in school.”
Adam shrugged. “Don’t know. It’s weird. But now that they’ve decided her death was accidental, they don’t even care about talking to Luke. Nobody else saw Carrie with him, anyway.”
“Maybe Scott was just trying to shift the blame to someone else. Easy to blame the quiet loner,” Jason said thoughtfully.
“So Scott is still our prime suspect,” Adam surmised.
Jason nodded. “We think he’s a vampire and we definitely saw him with Carrie.”
“The police report puts Carrie’s time of death around twelve thirty,” Adam said. “And the timestamp on my film has Carrie making out with Scott at twelve fifteen.”
“That doesn’t give her much time to have gone off with Luke, or anybody else,” Jason pointed out.
“It was Scott—it had to be,” Adam said grimly. “The police have just released a bloodlusting vampire. How long do you think it’s going to take for him to kill someone else?”
Fourteen
“Let’s hit the pool, guys!” Coach Middleton yelled into the locker room after school.
Jason grabbed his towel and slammed the locker shut. Usually swim practice was his favorite part of the day—a chance to relax, work his muscles, feel the water. But, today, he dreaded it. He’d managed to avoid Brad all week. In fact, he’d avoided all the friends of Dracula, at least the ones he knew about.
Does Brad know Sienna told me the truth? Jason wondered. Is he going to be pissed? And what about the exchange they’d had at Belle’s party? Jason wondered if he should apologize, maybe say he’d been drunk?
“Freeman! Let’s go kick some ass,” Brad called, rounding the row of lockers. “I’m going to set a fast time today.” He whipped his towel at Jason, hitting him in the arm, and let out a whoop. Some of the other guys picked it up, howling as they charged out to the pool.
Jason followed more slowly, not sure what to think. Brad was acting as if nothing had happened between them. Was it possible Sienna hadn’t told him about her conversation with Jason?
Or did Brad just not care that Jason knew he was a vampire? Because why would he? It’s not like Jason was DeVere’s own Van Helsing.
“Warm up,” Coach Middleton ordered.
The guys plunged into the pool and began with some easy laps. Jason wandered over to where Brad was about to jump in.
“So what up?” Brad greeted him. “Haven’t seen you all week. I mean, I’ve seen you, but you know. I can’t believe it’s already Thursday. I haven’t even started to study for this French quiz I’ve got tomorrow.”
“Feels like it was Monday about three minutes ago,” Jason agreed.
“I hear ya,” Brad agreed. “The first few weeks of school are always cake. But then the homework sets in and the freedom comes to an end. Sucks.” He gave Jason a grin and dove into the pool as Van Dyke climbed out, shaking water from his ear.
“Yo, Freeman!” Van Dyke bellowed, lifting Jason in a bear hug that almost crushed his ribs. Van Dyke dropped him back to the ground and ambled away.
Jason chuckled, but felt a little guilty. Van Dyke had always been affable, but now Jason had a hard time looking at him the same way.
And with Brad, it was even worse. He’d been nothing but a friend to Jason ever since they first met. In return, Jason had accused him of murder. Great.
It’s more than that, a little voice whispered in Jason’s head. With Brad, it went beyond the vampire issue. It was the Sienna issue. Jason felt guilty just watching Brad in the pool, knowing how he felt about the dude’s girlfriend.
Sienna. How did he feel about her, anyway? Attracted to her? For sure. Disturbed by the casual way she talked about drinking blood? Also, for sure. Under the circumstances, Jason reflected, it probably wasn’t safe to have feelings for her at all.
“You’re up, Freeman,” B
rad called. Jason started. Brad was already climbing out of the pool.
“Thanks,” Jason said. He shoved the thought of Sienna out of his head and plunged into the water.
Swimming focused him. It always did. It blocked out hot girls and vampires and murder mysteries. There was only Jason and the water. Practice ended too soon. He wished it could last for days, long enough to let him finally get rid of all the stress the past week had generated.
But shortly, he was out of the water and heading for the parking lot. Dani had gotten a ride today, so he would be driving home alone. And he was alone when he heard Sienna laughing. Jason didn’t have to look up to know it was her, probably there to pick up Brad.
His stomach clenched into a knot. He didn’t want to see Sienna, but he couldn’t avoid her. His eyes just couldn’t resist taking a look at her. Without meaning to, he stopped and glanced over.
Sienna sat leaning against the adobe wall of the front stairway, laughing as Brad told her some kind of story. Jason felt his face grow hot. She never laughed that way with him.
“Hey, Jason. Our relay team’s getting good, don’t you think?” Brad called.
Great. Now Jason had to go over and join them. Had to watch as Brad slipped an arm around Sienna and she rested against him, reaching up to kiss his cheek. Whether Sienna was a vampire or not, Jason felt a surge of jealousy.
“We should be able to shave off a few more seconds in another couple of practices,” Jason said, trying to get his mind off Brad and Sienna.
“I was thinking we should make another run to Eddie’s for those fish tacos,” Brad said. He glanced at Sienna. “Can you believe this guy ordered a beef taco there?”
Oh, don’t even think about asking me to third-wheel with you and Sienna, Jason thought. “I’ve never been such the fish guy,” he replied.
“Okay, but you and Adam and I should definitely hang out again,” Brad said. The line sounded a little rehearsed to Jason. “Maybe we could even convince Adam to show us a little of his movie. Since we’re all the stars and everything.”
That one came out even more rehearsed. Got it, Jason thought. Sienna must have told Brad about her conversation with Jason. Which meant Brad knew that Adam was onto them, that his movie was about the vampires, and now Brad worried that Adam might tell other people what he knew.
Just like the first day we hit Eddie’s, Jason realized. Brad had seen Adam filming the big guy that Dominic had pulverized. He knew that it was totally fishy that Dominic had beaten up a guy the size of a house, so he didn’t want Adam talking to Matt. That explained Brad’s sudden change of plan and his sudden interest in hanging with Jason and Adam. Jason chuckled. He was finally starting to understand a lot of things.
“You think Adam would be up for that?” Brad asked. Even Sienna looked a little anxious about the answer. Jason decided to tell them what they really wanted to know: whether Adam was against them or not.
“I doubt he’d be willing to show the masterpiece until it’s done,” Jason replied. “But I know he’d be up for a taco run. He’s always telling me how long he’s known you—you and Sienna and everyone. He’s a fan.”
The unasked question had been answered. Brad smiled. Sienna relaxed.
“Cool. I’ll text you,” Brad told Jason. He slid his arm from Sienna’s shoulders to her waist. “Catch you later.”
“Bye, Jason,” Sienna said, giving him a long, serious look as she headed off with Brad. But it wasn’t enough. A few words and a meaningful look was just not enough of Sienna.
I’ve got to see her alone, Jason thought. Even if she is a vampire.
“Red alert,” Adam said, coming up to Jason in the walkway at the end of Friday afternoon. “I got a tip.”
“Yeah? What?” Jason asked.
“I followed Scott into the bathroom after physics. Heard him making plans to go out tonight. I’m going to trail him, see if he tries to pick up a girl.”
Damn, Jason thought. He’d been planning to go to Sienna’s after school, but he didn’t want to tell Adam that. He’d never admitted to his friend that he had a thing for Sienna, even though Adam must have noticed by now.
“You think you’ll be okay without me?” he asked Adam. “I have plans tonight.”
“Oh. Yeah, sure,” Adam said. He didn’t sound all that confident, though.
“Listen, all you’re going to do is follow him, right?” Jason asked. “You’re not going to try to fight him or anything.”
“Right,” Adam said.
“If you need me to play Robin the boy wonder, call me on my cell and I’ll get your back,” Jason told him as they walked out to the parking lot.
“You know it.” Adam split off toward his Vespa, while Jason headed for the VW.
Dani was waiting for him. “Thank God it’s the weekend,” she said as soon as he got in the car. “I am so sick of getting up when it’s still dark out.”
“Yeah,” Jason murmured, pulling out of the lot.
“Kristy and I are going to this barbecue tomorrow—Alexa Vassard is throwing it. Apparently Alexa’s parents have the biggest hot tub in Malibu,” Dani said.
“Uh-huh.” Jason tuned out while Dani talked about her plans. He was just happy to hear her back in social mode. Maybe she would like it in California after all. He let her chatter on while he thought about what to say to Sienna.
He knew it would be a little weird to just show up at her house like nothing had happened. Still, they hadn’t exactly had a fight….
“Is that Scott Challon’s brother?” Dani asked.
The mention of Scott’s name caught Jason’s attention. “Huh?” he queried, looking around. He’d stopped at a red light, but he hadn’t noticed the car that had pulled up beside him. Dani nodded toward it, trying to be subtle. “You know, Scott, the guy the cops thought—”
“Yeah, I know Scott,” Jason interrupted. He leaned forward so he could see past Dani into the vintage Mustang next to them. Luke Archer sat at the wheel, lost in his own world, as usual. He didn’t even glance in their direction.
The light changed, and Jason hit the gas. “That was Luke Archer,” he told Dani. “He’s not Scott’s brother.”
“Are they cousins or something?”
“No.” Jason squinted at his sister. “Why?”
“They look so much alike,” Dani commented as she pulled her bag onto her lap and began digging through it for something. Obviously she was done with the conversation. But Jason was stuck on the Scott and Luke thing.
“They don’t look anything alike,” he said. “Scott’s a jock, and Luke’s a…I don’t know, a loner.”
Dani rolled her eyes. “That has nothing to do with what they look like.”
“I know, it’s just that they’re really different. Luke’s thin and pale and stuff.”
“They have the same hair,” Dani said. “Same basic chin and cheekbones.”
“If you say so,” Jason replied doubtfully. “Obviously you spend way more time looking at guys than I do.”
Dani swatted at him and he laughed.
After he’d dropped her off at home, Jason headed straight over to Sienna’s house. He wanted to get there before he chickened out. If he was going to see her, he had to do it now. He had to know what was up between them. Did she feel anything for him? Did he pull at her heart the way she did at his? And did that even matter? Did anything matter other than the harsh fact that she used his kind for food?
Jason leaped out of the car, strode to the door, and rang the bell. He hoped Sienna would answer, but he figured he could deal with her mom again if he had to.
He wasn’t expecting Zach Lafrenière.
“Freeman,” Zach said, sounding less than thrilled. He looked Jason up and down with his cool dark eyes, radiating a faint air of disapproval. Even so, Jason wanted Zach on his side. Something about him demanded attention. He was all coiled energy, like a snake ready to strike.
“Hey, Zach,” Jason said. “I’m looking for Sienna.”
Zach didn’t move. He held Jason’s gaze for a moment, his dark eyes boring into Jason as if he could read his mind. He knows, Jason realized. He knows Sienna told me about them. But he didn’t break eye contact. Even though his heart had begun to race, he didn’t want Zach to know he was on edge.
This guy is a vampire, Jason thought. But the idea was still too Sci-Fi Channel to feel real.
“Sienna!” Zach called suddenly. Then he nodded briefly to Jason, turned, and walked away, leaving the door open. Not exactly an invitation, but not a get-the-hell-out-of-here, either. Jason stepped inside and followed Zach toward the backyard.
Sienna was just getting up from her chaise when Jason reached the glass doors. His heart sank as he took in the scene: not just Zach, but Brad, Van Dyke, Belle, Dominic, and Erin. They all sat around the pool, just hanging out like normal people. Except that they were all vampires. Sienna hadn’t confirmed his suspicions about Belle and Dominic, but Jason was pretty sure that this group had more in common than just money and social status.
Jason was alone in a house full of blood-drinkers, and something primal inside urged him to run. But Sienna came walking toward him, a smile playing on her lips, her dark eyes as intoxicating as ever. Jason could feel that she wasn’t evil.
He forced himself to act normally as he stood by the doors, waiting for Sienna to reach him.
“Jason,” Sienna said. “Hi. Do you want to join us?”
He took a deep breath. “Maybe. What are you doing?”
Belle and Zach exchanged a look. Van Dyke suddenly got up and jumped into the pool, swimming furiously.
“Nothing,” Sienna said. “Just hanging.”
But everyone was quiet and tense. Clearly, Jason had interrupted something. He glanced at Zach again, who didn’t look away. “No thanks,” Jason said. “I just wanted to drop by and say hello. So, hello, and now I’ll let you get back to…hanging.”
He turned back into the house, and Sienna followed him to the front door.
“What was that all about?” he asked her quietly.