Seamus paced the length of the room and back several times before he answered. As he walked, he reviewed his mental list of the woman’s many injuries. Finally, it hit him.
“She has bruises on her upper shoulders.”
“So? Near as I could tell, she had bruises everywhere.” But there was a definite glint of interest in Conlan’s eyes that wasn’t there before.
“I’d have to take a closer look to make sure, but I remember seeing a series of small bruises along the top of her shoulders, like someone was holding her down. And before you ask, the angle was all wrong for it to be the same person who was busy…doing other things.”
There was no need to itemize how many ways the woman had been brutalized. Conlan had seen all of it for himself.
The chancellor kept writing for several more paragraphs before he finally set the pen aside. Finally, he stood up. “I’m going to give Rafferty a call.”
“Should I borrow that pad to write out my will?” Seamus tried to inject a note of levity in his voice, but suspected he failed miserably.
“Not quite yet. Get some rest. This might take a while.” Then he walked out and locked the door behind him.
When had her cottage shrunk to this size? When Megan first moved in, her new home had seemed spacious and yet cozy. Now it was stifling and oppressive. Of course, she was pretty sure the way the four walls were crushing in on her had more to do with her state of mind than any real flaw in the design.
Poor Phoebe had clearly picked up on Megan’s foul mood, and it was making her fussy. She wouldn’t sleep, and she wouldn’t eat. Instead, she demanded to be held constantly. But when Megan tried to cuddle her, her little face turned bright red, her body stiffened and then the crying started.
Megan tried rubbing her daughter’s back. “Darn Seamus, anyway. I know he’d calm you right down with those smooth moves of his. Instead, here we both sit, crying and frustrated.”
Neither Rafferty nor Joss would tell her where they were holding Seamus. She still couldn’t believe that they’d think he was capable of killing not just one, but two women for no reason.
Admittedly, she wasn’t the most experienced woman when it came to the males of any species. But despite that fact, she wanted to believe that she knew Seamus Fitzhugh better than either Rafferty or Conlan did. Maybe her ego didn’t want to think she had trusted her heart to a man who would make such sweet love to her and then go right out and kill.
It didn’t make sense. She didn’t believe it. And she was tired of being kept away from the man she loved. Sure, she’d badly misjudged the kind of man Banan really was. However, looking back, she realized that she’d loved the idea of Banan, not the person he really was. She’d somehow ignored the warning signs that he was all wrong for her.
When it came to Seamus, though, despite his secrets, her instincts insisted that he was a good man, one who could be trusted with her heart. At least Phoebe had finally settled down, although judging by her quivering lip, it wouldn’t take much to set her off again.
A new determination settled over Megan. “Phoebe, I’m not going to settle for secondhand information. I want to hear what happened directly from him. He owes me that much.”
It was almost dark outside, so Rafferty should be up and about. She’d start with him and Joss. If they wouldn’t give her what she wanted, she’d track down Conlan. Surely he’d let her talk to his prisoner. If not, she’d fix Seamus another meal and then sit back and watch for Conlan to deliver it. Yeah, that would work.
“Okay, little one, we’re going to find him. And heaven help anyone who gets in my way.”
As she spoke, Phoebe relaxed in her arms and contentedly blew some impressive spit bubbles, a clear sign her daughter approved of her plan.
Okay, then. First she’d pack up a meal to go and add extra for Conlan as a bribe. After that, she and Phoebe would start their quest.
“Riley, you did a fine job. I haven’t had quite this much fun in a damn long time. Did you see Rafferty clock his pet medic?” He smiled at the memory. “I bet Fitzhugh’s head is still ringing like a bell.”
Banan’s cousin sat cross-legged on the ground. “Yeah, it was almost too easy to be fun. Those noble types make me sick.”
“When Rafferty gets done with him, he won’t be feeling anything but pain.” Banan laughed as he scraped the dried blood out from under his nails with his knife. “Or more likely, he won’t be feeling anything at all. He’ll be dead.”
Riley opened a pack of blood and poured it into his glass before topping it off with some whiskey. “Of course, once we snatch your woman, they’ll know it wasn’t Fitzhugh since they’ve got him under lock and key.”
“True, but as much fun as we’ve had, I’m ready to be done with it. Once the sun goes down completely, we’ll check out Megan’s place. As soon as it’s safe, we’ll grab my daughter and call in our ride for the last time.”
Riley belched and scratched his head. “Megan’s not going to give up her baby without a fight.”
Banan’s smile showed off his fangs. “I’m counting on it. And when I’m finished with her, you’re welcome to what’s left.”
Considering how helpful Riley had been, he supposed he should offer to let him have the first chance to enjoy Megan’s considerable charms. But that wasn’t going to happen. First of all, while Riley didn’t seem to mind leftovers, Banan was more fastidious about his fun. But more important, he couldn’t afford to leave any witnesses behind.
His cousin had become expendable. He’d leave Riley behind, staging his death as if Megan had managed to take him out before dying herself. Then Banan would torch her house with the accelerant Riley had brought along, which was guaranteed to leave nothing but ashes behind. With luck, once the fire was out, Rafferty and his chancellor buddy wouldn’t be able to tell whether or not Phoebe had died along with her mother.
By the time they got some forensic expert to tell them any differently, his daughter would be safely stashed away in the Delaney compound where she belonged. His parents and grandparents would be satisfied he’d done his duty by the family and give him free access to the Delaney fortune.
It was time to set the last details in motion. “I’m going to go down to the creek and wash up. Contact your buddy so he’ll be ready to swoop in and pick us up. I want to make sure he’s in place before we make our move.”
“He’ll be here. I promised him extra to make sure he’d stay close by.”
“That was real smart of you, Riley. You’ve thought of everything. I appreciate it.”
“Anything for you, cuz. After all, blood is thicker than water.” Riley held out his glass of the red stuff as if making a toast and laughed at his own joke.
“That’s a funny one, Riley. I’ll be back in a few.”
Banan let himself out of the tent before he gave in to the urge to punch his cousin on general principles. Although it didn’t hurt to pay the hired help the odd compliment, he hated to encourage stupidity.
The only comfort came from knowing that by this time tomorrow, he’d be back among his own kind and living in luxury as he so deserved.
“No, Megan. This isn’t a social club.” Conlan crossed his arms over his chest and planted himself directly in front of the door. “He’s a prisoner, not a guest. He isn’t allowed visitors.”
“I’m not just any visitor, Conlan Shea. I’m delivering another meal.” Megan tried to push past the security officer, but she might as well have been pushing against a stone wall.
“Rafferty said no one in, no one out.”
“Fine.” Megan turned her back to Conlan. “Can you lift Phoebe out of her carrier, please? I need to change her.”
He sighed and pulled Phoebe out of the back carrier and then held her out to Megan. Instead of taking her daughter, Megan picked up the basket and slipped past the now furious chancellor.
“Damn it, Megan, come back here.”
“Not until I see Seamus, Conlan.”
She kept moving, but
glanced back to see how he was doing with Phoebe. She would have laughed at the sight of him holding her daughter out at arm’s length, but he was already mad. There was no use in making the situation worse. He caught up with her after only a short distance.
“Okay, okay. I’ll take you to Seamus.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously,” he said, sounding thoroughly disgruntled. “I hope you’ll feel real bad when this costs me my job. Rafferty carries a mean grudge.”
“He won’t fire you for letting me talk to an innocent man.”
She injected as much conviction as she could into the statement. It wasn’t hard, though, because she believed what she was saying.
A familiar voice spoke up. “You believe I’m innocent?”
She whirled around to find Seamus walking toward her, looking tired but smiling at her. When he held out his arms, she didn’t hesitate. It was hard to tell which one of them needed the hug more.
“I’ve been so worried.” She blinked hard, trying not to cry.
“I’m sorry about that,” he whispered.
He gently brushed away her tears with his fingertips as he bent his head down and kissed her. She gave herself up to the moment, taking comfort in the strength of his embrace and the promise of Seamus’s kiss. Here, wrapped in each other’s arms, for a few seconds the world and all of their problems simply ceased to exist. At least until Phoebe let loose with a loud wail. She felt Seamus’s mouth turn up in a smile.
“Someone feels left out,” he whispered as he eased away.
Conlan immediately handed Phoebe into Seamus’s waiting arms. As soon as Seamus cuddled her up to his shoulder, she stopped crying. When he had her settled, he wrapped his free hand around Megan’s shoulders and pulled her close. She’d never thought she could trust another man, much less a vampire, but it felt so right for Seamus to offer her and Phoebe the shelter of his arms.
Conlan looked a bit jealous. “One of these days you’re going to have to explain this gift you have for charming females.”
“Not all females, Conlan. Just these two.”
“Yeah, I see that.” The chancellor’s expression turned serious. “I hate to break this up, but we need to get moving.”
Megan looked from one man to the other. “You’re setting Seamus free?”
Seamus carefully eased Phoebe back into her carrier. “We’re going to examine the body. Conlan wants to verify what I told him about her injuries. We have to hurry because the longer we delay, the greater the chance someone else will get hurt.”
“Can I come?” she asked, but wasn’t surprised when he said no.
“It’s not safe for you to be seen with me. Whoever is out there could be watching. We don’t want to put you at risk by letting them know how much you mean to me.”
His words and the heat in his eyes melted her heart. She wanted to tell him about her own feelings for him. But now clearly wasn’t the time, and not just because Conlan was still hovering right behind her. She knew Seamus well enough to know he’d want to finish clearing his name before taking that next step with her.
“Okay, I’ll go home and wait for you there.” She raised up high enough to kiss him again, but kept it simple and sweet. Even so, she flashed her fangs at him. “Don’t make me wait too long.”
He did a little flashing of his own. “I’ll try to hurry. Lock yourself in and stay there unless it’s me, Conlan or Rafferty at the door.”
His words sent a chill through her. “Do you think I’m in danger? You really think it could be Banan, don’t you?”
Conlan nodded as he led the way down the hall. “We thought of him first off, but computer records show he’s been in New Eire since he left the estate. I’ve sent one of my operatives to verify that in person. We should know for sure soon.”
They’d reached the door, but Seamus stopped her from leaving.
“All we know for sure is the killer has been going after females, but I have a bad feeling about this whole situation. It can’t be coincidence that both murders were done when I had no alibi. The only vampire I’ve had a problem with was Rafferty, but he’s not behind this. If the killer is targeting me for some reason, that could put you and Phoebe at risk.”
“Can’t I stay at the clinic with you?”
“We don’t want anyone to know that I’m out and about, so my warden here was going to slip me out a secret way.” He was clearly unhappy about having to refuse.
Conlan spoke up. “Why don’t I follow her home and stay with her until you get there? Rafferty will meet you at the clinic.”
Seamus held his hand out to Conlan, who gave it a firm shake. “Let’s get this wrapped up.”
“Sounds good.”
“One more thing, Conlan. I’m sorry if Rafferty comes down hard on you for letting me run loose.”
The chancellor didn’t look overly concerned. “Either he trusts my judgment or he doesn’t. Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time I lost a job. I was looking for work when I came here. I can look again.”
Despite his nonchalant attitude, there was a definite undercurrent of pain in Conlan’s voice. Megan sensed he wouldn’t appreciate any questions.
“Thank you, Conlan. I’ll feel better knowing you’re with me.”
“It’s nothing,” he said.
But they all knew that wasn’t true.
In the end, Megan made a show of leaving in a fit of anger, in the hopes that it would throw anyone who might be watching off their trail. Then Conlan let Seamus out of the building through an underground tunnel that resurfaced in a thicket of trees about thirty meters away.
Once they climbed out, Seamus closed his eyes to listen to the night. Other than the usual rustles of small critters and the breeze stirring the leaves overhead, it was quiet. When he looked around, he noticed Conlan was doing the same thing.
“Seems clear. I’ll take off for the clinic. If all goes right, I should be able to do a quick examination of the body and take pictures. If I don’t catch up with you at Megan’s in an hour, come charging to the rescue.” Then he added, “But make sure you take Megan and Phoebe someplace safe first.”
Conlan smiled. “Man, you’ve got it bad.”
“Jealous?”
“Yeah, maybe I am.” He clapped his hand down on Seamus’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep her safe or die trying. See you in a few.”
Then he took off at a dead run. Seamus waited a few seconds to see if he picked up on anyone else in the area who might follow Conlan. When all remained still, he headed for the clinic. When he reached the trees across the field, it was hard for him to slow down and proceed with caution. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the situation was poised to go from bad to much, much worse.
There was only one vampire who had reason to cause problems like this on Rafferty’s estate—excluding Seamus himself—and that was Banan Delaney. According to Conlan, no one had entered through the gates nor had there been any breaks in the electric fence. That didn’t mean that the vampire hadn’t found some way to go over the fence or maybe even under it.
Once the bastard thought Seamus was out of the way, he would go after Megan again. With the horror of that prospect riding him hard, Seamus took off running for the clinic. He let himself in through the front door and quickly locked the door behind him.
Only a few steps into the waiting room, he came to a screeching halt. He wasn’t alone. Another vampire had passed through the room recently. After tasting the air, he relaxed, at least marginally, when he recognized the scent as Rafferty’s.
“Okay, where are you?”
The older vampire limped into sight. “About time you got here. I hate to be kept waiting. I’ve already put the victim in the same room we used last time.”
He headed for the examination room to study the victim’s injuries. Rafferty followed him.
He got his equipment and then uncovered the body. The injuries looked even worse under the stark overhead lighting. The woman had suffered a
lot of pain and violation before she’d died. Seamus clicked on the recorder and did his best to choke back his fury as he started at her head and methodically cataloged the cuts, bruises and worse.
It took a long, long time to describe them all. By the time he was finished even Rafferty looked pale. Seamus forced himself to do a brief summary of the cause of death and then formally signed off.
When he was done, he walked away from the table and out toward the lobby. Rafferty followed close on his heels. Seamus stopped and stared at the furniture scattered around the waiting room, his hands itching to pick up the closest table and destroy something with it.
“Go ahead, because if you don’t break something I will. Or maybe we both should.” Rafferty picked the table up, testing its weight. “I think it would make good kindling or maybe a whole bunch of toothpicks.”
Seamus couldn’t help it. He laughed, although it wasn’t a happy sound. “Yeah, but it does okay as a table, too. It’s not the furniture’s fault that someone needs to die.”
“So listening to you in there, it was definitely two vampires who did that?” Rafferty’s eyes were ice cold.
“It took two to do all that damage. The second one might not be a vampire, but my gut feeling is that both of them are. The kind that like to play with their food.”
“When I get my hands on them, I’ll do more than play with them. They’ll die, and it won’t be pleasant.”
Seamus shot him a questioning look. “So you’re not coming after me for this?”
“Not after I saw your face in there. Any doubts are long gone. Your rage over what was done to her was genuine.” He set the table down with exaggerated care, obviously still not quite in control of his emotions. Then he sat down in the nearest chair. “Sit down. I’m too tired to look up at you.”
Seamus needed to get back to Megan, but they needed to solve this mess even more. “You want to hear my theory?”
“Sure, because I’m drawing a blank here. If it wasn’t you, then it was one of my other friends. I don’t like the thought of that any better than when the facts pointed in your direction.”
Vampire Vendetta Page 21