by C. J. Pinard
Closing the laptop, I went to my bathroom, stripped off my clothes, and started the shower. I glanced at the clock on my nightstand and saw it was 11:30 a.m. With no other plans for the day, I did what any single girl with no plans would do. I decided I was going to go into work and use their fancy computers to do more searches.
Once I was clean and hair was back in a ponytail again, I threw on some skinny jeans, knee-high riding boots, and a blue hoodie with the Broncos logo on it. Ya know, just trying to fit in and everything. After putting on a little makeup, I grabbed my purse and darted out the front door.
In no real hurry, I pushed the elevator call button, totally distracted about my new lead. The doors slid open and I stepped inside, grateful it was empty.
This is why you’re such a loner, Lotus. You’re antisocial. Stop hating people! my inner voice scolded.
The doors were about to close when a strong-looking hand punched through and slid them back open. Greeted with Drew’s handsome face, it immediately lit up in a smile, both dimples puncturing his cheeks.
“Hi, Lotus.”
I nodded. “Drew.”
“Going down?” he asked, his hand hovering over the button.
“Since I already punched the lobby button, I think you can tell that I am, in fact, going down.”
He chuckled a little. “Ok, box girl.”
“Can you not call me that?”
A grin twisted his mouth. “If you insist.”
I dared to look up at him and he was staring at me with intense blue eyes the color of the clear Caribbean waters. I wanted to reach up and run my fingers over the slight stubble on his chin, but of course I didn’t. Thank God he was fully dressed now so I could more easily resist the urge to look him up and down.
“You have beautiful eyes, I’ve never see that shade of green before,” he said to me.
Any normal girl would swoon at that line, but not me. I did, in fact, have an odd shade of green for eyes, something between lime and Astroturf. If he thought they were strange now, he should see me when I’m, A… feeding or drinking blood, B… fighting or chasing a suspect, or C… uh, feeling frisky. They glowed green like the end of a car charger in a dark car. Not as visible during the day but in dark places, like elevators, they would scare a person.
I slid my gaze away from him, not wanting him to look any longer for fear of me beginning to feel frisky. The elevator car stopped and the doors slid open he gestured for me to go first. I purposely walked faster than him so I wouldn’t have to walk side by side and be caught in more awkwardness, so I turned my head around and smiled at him. “Thank you, blue eyes.”
Oh, my God, did I just flirt? I swallowed hard and walked faster when I heard Drew chuckle again behind me.
Chapter 5
On my way to the office, I stopped at Starbucks to get a coffee. I loved modern-day coffee shops. They were convenient, had perfect tasting coffee, and were always full of nice and interesting people. I liked this store in particular, as a few of the ‘baristas’ knew me by name. I did sort of have an unforgettable name.
I always wondered what my birth name had been. I’d been left on the doorstep of a nearby fire station as a baby and apparently the first set of foster parents, for whatever reason, didn’t want to keep and raise me. Maybe they were just in it for the money. Maybe I had done weird freaky supernatural things as a baby and scared them. Who knows? Nobody will ever know. Being rejected by both my birth parents and the first set of foster parents was a hard pill to swallow, but not something I should dwell on. I was glad they had given me such a unique name, even if its feminine meaning didn’t really match my personality.
I left with my coffee and made my way to my office. The precinct was, of course, open and a bevy of activity but none of my coworkers paid me any mind. They were used to seeing me here on weekends. They knew I had no life.
I went to my cubicle and set my coffee on my desk and my purse next to my chair. I quickly logged into my computer and pulled up the special programs we used to find the baddest of criminals. The first search I did was about the owner of Killjoy.
The owner was singular, a businessman from the Middle East who apparently still lived there and rarely stepped foot in the United States. I quickly found the manager of the store and he checked out clean, too. Not a vampire as far as I could see.
I’d searched this database before for suspects and sometimes I could tell someone was a vampire just by the information. Short and sparse work histories but hugely fat bank accounts. That meant either drug dealer, trust fund baby, or vampire. A few fake social security numbers or ones of dead people. This manager seemed to be a legit, tax-paying human.
My computer system, Lexus-Nexus, allowed me to pull up a customer list of Killjoy, and that bitch was a long one. It would take me hours to go through this to see if there were any Denver connections. I realized that would be a waste of my time, as our vampire killer seemed to be squatting in abandoned warehouses and probably left no paper trial. He didn’t seem as if he had a home here, which piqued my interest even more. What was he doing in Colorado, wearing expensive cologne but living like a homeless person?
I was about 90 percent sure the creep who’d been sleazing around outside my window watching me was our “Vampire Killer” but the proof was going to be hard to obtain. I really needed to get to Vegas to investigate this. But how was I going to justify this to my boss?
The pen in my hand began to tap my chin as I scrambled for a way to try to get the Denver P.D. to pay my way to Sin City to investigate. I knew I had a good lead but how was I going to tell my boss this? “Hey, John, I’m pretty sure our killer is from Vegas, buy me a plane ticket, will ya?” Right. That would go over like a lead balloon.
It was clear I was gonna have to go on my own and just foot the bill myself. Money wasn’t the issue, it was the police authority I needed in case I had to make an arrest. Then I thought about all the governmental red tape I always had to deal with when it came to suspects – Miranda Rights, going by the book, and everything else, and smiled. Maybe if I was just “vacationing” in Vegas I could bend the rules a little. Bending the rules was fun, and I figured I was due for a little fun in my mundane life.
Waters gave me a sideways glance as we were in the car, on our way to a robbery call. “You’re going to Vegas. Alone?”
I snorted. “What, a single girl can’t have a little vacation alone?”
The light turned red and he stopped. We couldn’t use our police lights and sirens in our plain sedan, not to mention the call was non-emergency.
“You a lesbian or something? Seriously, just tell me. I’ll still like you. I’m all for equal rights. I just want to know.”
I stared at him at horror. Not for thinking I was a lesbian, but for his boldness in asking me. “No, Waters, I’m not. I just prefer to stay single.”
The light turned green and he hit the gas. I took a swig from my coffee as I waited for him to respond to that.
“Well, I suppose that’s your right. You should try to find yourself a man, though.”
I set my cup in the cup holder and folded my arms over my chest. “Why? Do you think I need a man?”
He hesitated for a minute. “Yeah, you do. You’re kinda uptight. Anyone ever tell you that before?”
“I am not uptight!” I protested, now thoroughly offended by this jackhole of a partner of mine.
He laughed nervously. “Yeah, you kinda are.”
“Well, maybe Vegas will help with that. I’ll see a few shows, do some gambling. Maybe I’ll hit it big and get to quit this stupid job with its crappy pay and shitty pension.”
I laughed on the inside. I so wasn’t in this job for the pay. It really was crappy pay and an even crappier pension. I was already collecting another pension from my previous cop job in Texas. They let me collect after 15 years on the Austin, TX, P.D. I loved being in law enforcement and I probably always would be.
I looked at his white dress shirt and blue tie and the
way his hair was thinning at his temples. I really did hope Stephan Waters lived a long, happy, human life. I really did. But I wouldn’t let myself get too close to him, because in another 30 or 40 years he’d be dead from some hideous human disease and I’d still be just me, frozen in time.
Just like I wouldn’t let myself get too close to my superhot neighbor, Drew. Damn, that guy was like a Greek god, all chiseled and tall, dark, and dreamy. I wish I could just use and abuse him for my own personal pleasure like some women did, but that just wasn’t me and never would be. Which was why I would always be alone.
I longed to share my life with someone but humans were off-limits and a waste of time. There wasn’t anything I could garner from a hot human male but a few years of fun and pleasure and then it would end. He’d figure out I was a freak, and I’d have to move to another state, and that would be the end of that.
I sighed at my predicament, yet again, and got another sideways glance from my partner.
“You can change the station if you don’t like my music,” he said, jutting his chin at the radio station.
As if his taste in music was the source of all my angst. I’d love for that to be my biggest problem in life.
The robbery call turned out to be nothing. Some jealous divorce he said-she said crap that was a total waste of the police’s time, and belonged in front of a judge. I was anxious to get back to my desk and use the department’s computer to search for flights and hotels for my Vegas trip.
My boss waved nonchalantly when I told him I was taking a four-day trip.
“I don’t give a shit, Smith, go have fun. You need the time off, you’ve been uptight lately.”
Geez, what kind of bitchy vibes have I been giving off? I asked myself. Second person in two days to say something similar.
“Well, um thanks?” I said back, walking out of his smelly office.
I went home and packed a small suitcase, and then at 9 a.m. the next day, I parked my Mazda in the long-term parking at Denver International and took the flight I’d booked online a few days prior to Las Vegas. The flight was short, and I was grateful. I hated flying, as ironic as that sounded.
I hadn’t bothered to check my bag, and wheeled it with my purse slung over my shoulder out into the airport. I was surprised to see and hear slot machines in the airport. Wow, these gamblers just couldn’t wait to get to it, could they? I thought.
Hopping in the first cab I saw, I instructed the driver to take me to the Luxor Hotel where I’d booked a reservation the same day I’d booked my flight. I watched in awe as palm trees and glittering billboards passed me in a blur. Some of them were quite risqué and definitely not suitable for anyone under 18. The Strip was bumper-to-bumper traffic, but I didn’t mind. I was too busy people-watching everyone in their shorts and warm weather clothes walking along, holding drinks and shopping bags. The climate was still warm here and I kicked myself for not packing different clothes.
The taxi driver deposited me and my lone bag at the front of the hotel and I paid him and tipped him generously. After checking in, I found my room and took a few minutes to freshen up and change clothes.
Using my cell phone to find out where exactly this Killjoy store was located, I was ecstatic when a map showed it was right across the street in some indoor mall set inside a large, popular hotel. I took the elevator down and went out front, gasping as the warm desert winds hit me in the face like a hot hair dryer.
Looking both ways and then jay-walking across the street (What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas – right?) I made my way quickly to entrance of the huge hotel. It boasted fancy fountains shooting out in front and grand white pillars lining its entrance. The gold doors split automatically to let me in, and I soon found myself standing on highly polished white marble floors, glittering brightly under the ornate crystal chandeliers above my head. There were pitchers of water decorating a few tables, the water bouncing with cucumber and lemon slices floating in them. I dragged my eyes away from the glam and found the directory, scanned it quickly, happy to find what I was looking for.
I truly didn’t know what I was going to say when I arrived at the store, but I had a slight idea that whatever went down was going to involve some magic.
Chapter 6
The smells that assaulted my nose were unbearable. I usually avoided shops like this (and candle stores, too, holy hell no!) but seeing as I didn’t have a choice right now, I plastered on a smile and breathed through my mouth. Although I was quite sure I could feel the perfumes seeping in through the pores of my skin.
A very good looking man who wore what were probably designer clothes and about a gallon of hair gel approached me almost immediately. “Hello, miss. I am Amir. What can I help you find today?”
I smiled politely. “Is the manager available? I have a complaint.”
Watching as his smile fell, he quickly recovered and ushered me to the front of the store. “Of course.”
He took his place behind the cash register. “I am the manager. What problem are you having?”
I took a deep breath and looked around the store. Its pristine white floors were shiny and bare. The white walls were lined with fragrances but the store was otherwise empty of people.
I turned around and licked my lips. Then I locked eyes with Amir, hoping this trick still worked.
“Amir, I need you to show me a database of all your recent customers.”
His brown eyes looked confused for a minute, until I could see a change in his face. I let out a breath. A little. He was now under my spell.
Nodding, he moved to the computer behind the desk and his long olive-toned fingers began to move lithely over the keyboard. After about 30 seconds, he turned the monitor toward me and showed me a list of names.
“You looking for someone specific?” he asked in a semi-robotic tone.
I nodded. “Can you narrow it down by single men?”
He shook his head. “No, we don’t ask that.”
“Amir, look at me,” I said. “I need you to answer me honestly.”
He nodded.
Pointing at the screen, I said, “Which one of these customers scared you? Freaked you out a bit? Maybe made you nervous?”
His eyes got big. “I had one about a month ago. Very frightening. I thought he was a devil. Came in late at night, around midnight, right as I was closing.”
“That’s great. Do you know which one of these was him?”
Amir shook his head. “No. He wouldn’t fill out the customer list.”
Disappointment flooded me. I felt like I was so close. “Do you have security cameras in here?”
He nodded. “Yes.” Then his fingers went to work on the keyboard again. I turned around when I heard someone enter the store, a couple of teen girls.
“The store is closed for a bit, ladies,” I said to them.
They scowled at me and turned around and left. Then I walked to the door and engaged the deadbolt and flipped the CLOSED sign around.
“Did you find anything?” I asked Amir, walking back to him.
“He came in the day before my birthday, I do remember that. I am looking now, miss.”
“Amir, look at me.”
He swung his gaze away from the screen to me and nodded. “You’re doing a great job,” I said. “Keep looking and I will leave soon.”
He nodded again and went back to the computer.
I never had been sure how this weird hypnotism trick of mine lasted, but I always felt compelled to re-engage each victim to be sure they were still under my spell. I was sure they were, but it’s not like I’d ever had anyone to teach me how to use these freaky powers of mine.
He tapped the screen and turned it back around to face me. “That’s him.”
I could hear Amir’s heartbeat speed up as he showed me. He swallowed thickly and pointed at the screen. This guy had been truly afraid.
I moved my eyes to the screen and saw it frozen on a tall blonde man. He closely resembled the guy I’d chased out of m
y window the other night – and the window at the warehouse – and I had to bite back a gasp.
“Can you print that, please?” I asked.
Amir hit a few buttons and a printer hiding under the counter flared to life. It quickly spat out a colorful but grainy photo of the only lead I now had on my vampire killer.
I quickly folded it and put it in my purse and looked at my victim. “I’m leaving now, and I was never here. You had a quiet night here alone.”
He blinked his understand at me and as I left the store, I turned around and said, “Delete the security footage from the past hour from that thing.” I pointed at his computer. He nodded and went to work on it. I flipped the sign back to OPEN after sliding open the deadbolt and leaving the store.
I practically ran back to my hotel, dialing Stephan’s number while I was walked.
“Waters,” he answered.
“Hey, you at the office?” I asked.
“Yeah, why?” he replied, as I could now hear computer keys clacking.
“Good, I need you to run a guy,” I said, as I reached the front doors to the Luxor.
He sighed. “Aren’t you on vacation?”
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, but I, uh, saw someone suspicious and need you to run his pic through the facial recognition thingie we have there.”
“Thingie? Really?” He sighed again. “Fax it over and I’ll call you when I have something.”
“Thanks, you’re the best!” I said with more enthusiasm than I felt. I rolled my eyes and ended the call, pocketing the phone and heading to the front desk.
“May I help you?” the young man behind the counter asked.