by Alves, Carl
Enzo smiled. “I’m going to scan these and email them to Andrews. Then I’ll print some copies so you can distribute.”
“Charlie Senerchia and Mike Reed will be at the house tonight. I don’t know who the Feds are sending. I need their cell numbers so we can be in contact.”
Enzo nodded. “I’ll get them for you when I talk to Andrews this afternoon.” He scanned the photos. “What about you, Pat?”
Tony shook his head. “The Goat has some crazy, lame-brain story to tell you.”
“He first alerted us to Alexei. He showed guts and spunk by telling me what happened. A lot of other people would have turned tail and run. He’s earned respect.”
The Goat’s eyes opened wide. For a second he looked startled, like a rabbit caught in an electric fence. “Um, that means a lot coming from you, Mr. Salerno. I gotta tell you about what happened yesterday with this old man I met. This is fucking incredible.”
The Goat relayed Vasilly’s story. After he finished, he produced the stake that killed the vourdelak. “This is the real deal. No bullshit.”
“How can you be sure?” Tony asked. “You said the old bastard’s a drunk.”
The Goat narrowed his eyes. “That don’t mean what he said ain’t true.”
Enzo gazed at the city skyline as they bickered about the merits of Vasilly’s tale. After a few minutes he turned and raised his hand. Immediately they stopped arguing. “I can’t say whether or not he’s reputable, but if what he said is valid, then there’s one important thing to note. You said that when the villagers attacked the vampire, they used a variety of weapons that didn’t work, including stakes. But Vasilly’s stake killed the fucking thing, right?”
The Goat nodded.
“Then it can only mean that the type of wood used for the stake made the difference. You said it’s made out of ash?”
“It sure is.”
“If that’s true, then the stakes we have won’t work.” Enzo twirled a pen with his fingers. “I’m going to contact my guy at the lumber yard. We discussed the possibility that a chemical reaction harmed the vampire, but we didn’t have any information about a specific wood for the stakes. I told him to make it out of whatever. Maybe you got something here, maybe you don’t, but it can’t hurt to try.”
“If you heard this dude, you’d agree. Um, do you mind giving me back the stake? If I ever go up against Alexei again, I want to have it with me.”
Enzo stifled a chuckle and handed it back. The Goat was hanging on to a thread of belief. In many ways, they all were.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Alexei’s anger had been simmering over the past few days. The others were watching him, he was sure of it. It wasn’t over, but he was tired of it. He would not be a slave in his own house. They would treat him with respect.
He went out the previous evening to unwind, but kept looking over his shoulder, convinced someone had followed him the last time he went out with Nora.
He gritted his teeth as he walked down the stairs of the mansion. They were watching a German movie on the enormous plasma television. He grabbed the remote control and turned it off. “I know what you have been doing and I’m sick of it. I demand it stop. If anyone has a problem with me, then say something now.”
Sasha raised his left eyebrow and crossed his arms. “What are you talking about? Speak some sense, man.”
“I don’t know who’s responsible, but I know you’ve been watching me. I told you I would be cautious. This is no way to treat someone of my stature.”
Heinrich put his hand on Alexei’s shoulder. “I have a good grasp of what happens in the house. If someone was tracking you, I would know about it. You have known me for a long time. You can trust me.”
Alexei pursed his lips. He wasn’t sure he could trust anybody.
Magdalena curled herself into his arms and ran her fingers across his chest. “You’ve been too stressed. I can feel your tension. You need to relax.”
Alexei released himself from Magdalena. He stared at the others and found pity in their eyes. How dare they pity him! He was more powerful than any of them. His anger rose at the sight of Magnus’ smug face. The brood leader was enjoying his consternation.
“I’m not paranoid. Perhaps those of you without my heightened senses are incapable of comprehending this, but I know when I’m being followed.”
Magnus remained seated. “If you’re going to make accusations, then back it with proof. If this was true, I would know about it.”
Alexei laughed. “And I should trust you?”
Magnus’ voice remained steady. “Think what you want. If you choose to let paranoia consume you, then there is nothing I can do about it.”
Gabriella, who had been standing in the back of the room, stepped forward. “I think there might be something to your claims, Alexei.”
All eyes were on Gabriella. Magnus’ brow furrowed.
Alexei put his index finger in the air. “Ah, I knew it.”
Gabriella said, “Your suspicions may be valid, but your anger is directed at the wrong target. On several occasions, I have noticed people driving by or sitting in their vehicles. I had never noticed them before in the neighborhood.”
Magnus’ face tightened. “I don’t like this. People can’t learn the truth about us.”
Heinrich frowned. “We’ll investigate. If there’s a problem, we’ll deal with it.”
“Oh, I’ll deal with it,” Alexei said.
Gabriella shook her head. “That would be a bad idea. You’re too hot right now.”
Alexei exhaled. His body was one big bundle of tension.
“I’ll find out if there is anyone watching us and I’ll deal with them.” Magnus said.
“I’ll join you,” Heinrich said.
Alexei folded his arms across his chest. “I would like to be there. For all I know, you’ll do nothing and tell me the situation has been settled.”
Gabriella grabbed his hand. “Alexei, you must trust us. We’re family.”
Alexei sat on one of the comfortable chairs. Magnus shouldn’t be in charge. He was probably the one spying on him.
He brooded in silence after Heinrich and Magnus left. The others resumed watching their German movie. Alexei had little interest in it. His mind was filled with conspiracies and distrust.
Charlie Senerchia kicked aside the beer cans that littered Mike Reed’s living room. “What the fuck? You been drinking all afternoon?”
“Sure have,” Reed said. “You want a beer?”
“No, I don’t want a fucking beer.” Charlie kicked a can of Coors. “What the fuck are you thinking? You know we’re staking out the vampire house.”
“That’s why I’ve been drinking. How did we get stuck with this job, anyway?”
“Because Tony said so. He’s the boss, and if he says go to the vampire house, then we go. After coming up short with the cash, the last thing I want is to piss him off.”
“I don’t want to go,” Reed said.
“Well, you don’t have any choice, ‘cause Tony expects us there. What’s the matter with you? You scared?”
“You’re damn right I’m scared. You should be too after what happened with Johnny Gunns, then Mike, Tony and Vinny? They went down against one vampire. We’re going into their nest.”
“We’re just scoping the place out. If we see anything, we call Tony. This is an easy job.” Charlie pulled him to his feet. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
They drove to Wynwood. When they arrived, Charlie dialed Agent Maples.
“What took you so long?” Maples asked. “You shoulda been here an hour ago.”
“We had some issues,” Charlie said.
In the background, Reed let out a loud belch.
“This is ridiculous.” Maples paused. “If you see anything, call me.”
“You got it.”
Maples clicked off the phone.
“Asshole,” Charlie muttered.
Reed chuckled. “Of course he’s an
asshole. He’s a Fed. They live to bust our balls.”
Charlie changed the station on the satellite radio and sunk back into his seat.
A half-hour after they arrived, dusk settled into the placid evening. Reed looked around frantically. “This is when they come out, you know. We’re fucked now. They’re going to get us.”
Charlie glared at his partner. “Just chill.” He reached into his glove compartment and pulled out a packet containing Valium. “Here. Take a few of these.”
Reed swallowed the pills.
He was quiet for a while. Just when Charlie thought he was going to have a peaceful evening, Reed started up again. “Man, I’m hungry. I can’t hold out all night.”
Charlie shook his head. “What the fuck’s with you? You were drinking all day. Shouldn’t you be filled with liquid or something?”
Reed shrugged. “All I know is I’m hungry.”
“Tough shit. It’s not like we can order a pizza and have it delivered to the car. And we can’t leave, so you’re stuck.”
Reed grumbled, causing Charlie to turn the volume higher. Because of the radio’s volume, Charlie barely heard his phone ring.
“What are you doing over there?” Maples asked. “Jerking off?”
Charlie gritted his teeth. “I had the radio on.”
“Well turn it down,” Maples said. “You’re supposed to be paying attention.”
“I am paying attention!”
“We just saw three of them leave the house. We’re going to follow. I’ll have Andrews send back up. Got it?”
“Yeah I got it.”
“Good.” Maples hung up the phone.
“Those assholes should treat us with respect. Hey, we found out about this place.”
“What are we going to do?” Reed’s voice sounded frantic. “We’re all alone.”
“Chill, dude. Some new Feds are coming.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Tough shit,” Charlie said. “We’re not going anywhere.”
“This is the last time I get involved with this shit. Next time I’m telling Tony to…”
“You’re not telling Tony anything unless you want to eat your meals out of a straw.”
Reed grumbled something, and then complained again that he was hungry, so Charlie turned up the volume on the radio.
Reed started again. “Dude, I have to go to the bathroom.”
Charlie shook his head. “You’re like a little kid. Go outside.”
“But this is a classy neighborhood.”
“I don’t give a fuck. There’s plenty of trees.”
“Can’t we go to a pizza joint or something?” Reed asked.
“Just go outside.”
Reed froze. “We got trouble.”
Charlie’s eyes went wide when two figures approached the car. One was tall, about six two, with short blond hair and icy blue eyes. His face was smooth and he was powerfully built. The second had brown hair and a mustache. He was shorter and stockier, but no less imposing.
“They’re, um, vampires, aren’t they?”
Charlie nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Now what?”
Charlie’s heart pounded. His throat constricted. He never thought they would actually encounter any vampires.
“We need to think of something, quick,” Reed said.
“All right. My girlfriend’s cheating on me, so we’re spying on her.”
“Okay.”
The blond vampire approached the driver’s side, and his companion went to the other side. He motioned for Charlie to lower his window.
Charlie complied.
The vampire smiled. “I don’t believe you’re from this neighborhood, and it appears you’ve spent an inordinate amount of time parked here. Several neighbors expressed concern. I like to be hospitable, but my neighbors are concerned about burglars. Would you be so kind as to state your business?”
Reed fidgeted, which didn’t help Charlie’s nerves. For a while he said nothing. He took a deep breath. “My girlfriend lives down the block, and, um, I think she’s cheating on me. I’m trying to find out if she is, you know.”
The blond vampire frowned. “That doesn’t sound legal. I can’t imagine the police would appreciate a stalker in this exclusive neighborhood, so I suggest you leave.”
“Yeah, I was just going to,” Charlie said.
Before he started the car, the second vampire spoke in a foreign language.
The blond’s face darkened. “Please step out of the car.”
“Just drive out of here,” Charlie said.
“No fucking way.” Reed had a wild look on his face as he reached underneath his seat and pulled out a stake.
In German, Heinrich said, “Be careful. They have a stake in the car.”
Judging by the driver’s lack of intelligence, he thought they were Mafia and not law enforcement. Regardless, he would have to deal with them.
Magnus scanned the surrounding area. “Step out of the car.”
He heard the driver’s heart beat quicken. Sweat beaded down the other’s forehead.
The passenger yelled, “No fucking way!” He reached underneath his seat and pulled out a wooden stake.
So these two want a fight. They just sealed their fates.
Magnus yanked the driver out of the car. He lifted him high in the air and slammed him onto the concrete sidewalk.
He glanced at the other side. The driver’s companion lunged at Heinrich with his stake. With one hand, Heinrich gripped the man’s wrist. With his other hand, he clutched the man’s neck and squeezed. The stake fell harmlessly to the asphalt.
Magnus glanced at the driver. He was unconscious and did not look like he would wake anytime soon.
Heinrich covered the man’s mouth and sunk his fangs into the side of his neck.
Magnus dragged the driver to Heinrich.
“We need to remove this car,” Magnus said.
Heinrich glanced at him. “Let’s put them in the back seat. Is that one still alive?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Perhaps we could get information from him.”
Magnus put the driver in the back. After Heinrich finished feeding, he put his victim’s body there as well. Heinrich then entered the car, turned on the engine and drove to the other end of the block.
Magnus brought the driver into the house.
When he returned, Heinrich said, “I’ll take care of the car and the body.”
Magnus clasped his hand. “Be careful, my friend. It appears that our friend Alexei may not have been paranoid after all. Unfortunately this situation has taken a drastic turn for the worse.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Bleary-eyed, Enzo ran his fingers through his hair. His face was wrought with tension. It was four in the morning, and he had yet to sleep. “We have to do something.”
“You can’t be sure they didn’t take off,” Mark Andrews said. “Agent Maples told me that Senerchia was belligerent and uncooperative.”
“What the fuck difference does that make?” Tony Scrambolgni said. “Those fucking vampires took them. I’d stake any amount of money on it.”
Rick Carroll finished eating his cheeseburger. “Maybe we should try their cell again. They might have turned it off or gone out of range.”
“Come on, Carroll,” Enzo said. “They’re not going to answer. We’ve called them a hundred times. The vampires know we’re on to them. They’re either going to lash back or blow out of here.”
Sophie emerged from her bedroom with a change of clothes, and entered her living room where the men congregated.
It wouldn’t make sense for Enzo to go to the FBI offices, or for the Feds to go to Enzo’s home or office, so she suggested they meet at her house in Media. It was the closest place she could think of as neutral territory.
The two parties had been in phone contact throughout the evening. She, Tony and Enzo arrived before midnight. Andrews and Carroll arrived a half hour later.
; Enzo said, “Mark, look at the situation logically. Agent Maples left at 8:32. Winfield and Barnes arrived at 8:45. Why would Charlie and Mike choose to leave during those thirteen minutes without telling anyone? The logical conclusion is that once your agents left, the vampires attacked. You’ve already alerted the police in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and New York, and there’s been no ID on their car. They haven’t shown up at their homes. We’ve contacted their family and friends, as well as establishments they frequent. Unless they drove into the Schuylkill…”
Mark paced, his arms folded. “So what do we do now? We have about a half dozen ash stakes. We’ve got, I don’t know, thirty or forty wooden bullets, none made of ash. We need more time.”
“We don’t know that the other stakes won’t work,” Enzo said.
“The last time we talked, you seemed convinced they had to be made out of ash.”
“If they flee, then what do we do?” Enzo asked. “It ain’t enough to let them leave. My guys need payback.”
“Damn straight,” Tony said. “Five of our boys are dead. We can’t let that shit go unpaid.”
“This isn’t about revenge,” Carroll said. “This is about saving lives.”
Enzo folded his arms. “Fine. If they leave, then they’ll kill people somewhere else. Don’t tell me you’re okay with that.”
“Of course not,” Carroll said. “We can keep them under surveillance. If they take off, we’ll follow them.”
Enzo glared at him. “We’re talking about vampires. They could probably fly or walk in shadows or something, and we’d never know they left.”
Mark lowered his voice. “How soon can your guy get more stakes?”
Enzo took a deep breath. “I don’t know. He’s got a shipment of trees coming in from Vermont. Maybe he’ll have them ready tomorrow.”
“Let’s wait another day. We should have more bullets by then.”
“They’re a flight risk,” Enzo said. “That’s a chance I don’t want to take.”
“If we’re going to do this, then let’s do it right,” Carroll said. “We haven’t slept all night. We don’t have our weapons ready. It would be a big mistake.”