Blood Game

by Iris Johansen

  Schindler was not easily deceived, but he had obviously been taken in by Caleb’s story. Even now he didn’t want to believe anything but the lie Caleb had told him.

  “Oh, yes,” Joe said grimly as he moved quickly across the yard. “Caleb’s connection with the case is definitely confidential.”

  “Quinn.” Caleb was turning away from the body. “I’m glad I arrived before you. I had a chance to examine the goblet. It’s Jelak’s calling card. And I think he completed the ritual.”

  “What are you doing here?” Joe asked.

  Caleb turned to Schindler. “Do you mind staying here and seeing if forensics turns up anything new? I need to talk to Quinn about that goblet.”

  “No, glad to do it.” Schindler knelt beside a tech. “Take your time.”

  “We’ll only be a few minutes.” Caleb glanced at Joe. “Come on, we’ll talk while we walk back to the house. Selkirk’s kids are in rough shape. I want to spend a few minutes with them before I leave.”

  “I’m not going to let you near them,” Joe said. “I don’t know how you managed to con Schindler, but I won’t have you manipulating those children.”

  “I didn’t tell the whole truth, but I didn’t exactly lie to Schindler.” He smiled. “I am an expert, and I was brought into the case. Only not by you.”

  “How did you know about the murder?”

  “Eve called me. She was upset by Margaret Selkirk’s murder. She said to tell you that if you wanted her to stay out of it, you had to use every resource. She thinks I’m a resource.”

  “So you hotfooted it over here and tried to—”

  “I took advantage of an opportunity,” he interrupted. “Now you should do the same. You’ve been very reluctant to use me except when you need a particular bit of information. I’ve had to waltz around you. I know why, but it’s time the dance stopped.”

  “Just what do you know about me?” Joe asked warily.

  “Nothing specific. But it wasn’t difficult figuring it out. Even though Renata wouldn’t break Megan’s confidence by telling me anything but that she was contacting them about you. But you’re fiercely resentful about the idea of anything to do with psychic gifts. Since I’m the closest representative of that dislike, you automatically rejected anything to do with me.” He tilted his head. “Now why would that be?”

  “I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

  “Certainly. You recently discovered you were one of the chosen, or should I say, one of the condemned. You resent it in yourself but have to accept it. But you’re trying your damnedest not to have to accept it in anyone else.”

  “And just how have I been condemned?”

  Caleb shook his head. “That’s your business. I may be curious, but I’ll never ask you.”

  “How kind.”

  “And it doesn’t matter unless it interferes with me getting Jelak. Eve is on my side in this. She doesn’t want any more deaths, and she thinks I can help. I could use that, use her, but I don’t want to do that.” He looked him directly in the eye. “Now, I’ll ask you again. Will you go hunting with me?”

  Joe was silent. He could still feel the simmering anger and resentment he’d experienced when he’d walked into this yard today. Some of it had been earned, but how much was the anger at Caleb and how much at his own condition?

  A hell of a lot was at Caleb, dammit.

  “Don’t you ever lie to anyone working one of my cases,” Joe said curtly. “I don’t know why Schindler didn’t send you on your way.”

  Caleb smiled. “He likes me. I remind him of his brother.”

  “What?”

  “Never mind. Schindler is a nice guy. I wouldn’t have tried to con him if I hadn’t wanted a look at that goblet. I wasn’t sure that you’d let me examine it.” He added, “Because I’d already decided that I wasn’t going to con you.”

  “You pick and choose?”

  “Yes, I do. I can do that.” He opened the kitchen door. “I hope you find that you can too.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Codes. Are you going hunting with me?”

  Joe hesitated, then slowly nodded. “I believe I am.”

  “Good,” Caleb said. “Now you can go back to Schindler and do all the things you have to do as a fine upstanding man of the law. I’ll go up and talk to the Selkirk kids. They’ll need understanding and strength if they’re going to get through this.”

  “And you’re going to furnish it?”

  “I can help bridge the gap until some of the pain goes away.”

  “What a great humanitarian.”

  “No, I just believe in balance. It doesn’t hurt me to take a little time and devote it to doing something worthwhile. It lightens my core. I do a good many things that people perceive as evil. If a soul becomes too black, then it rots.”

  “An unusual philosophy.”

  “Not really. Actually, very ancient.”

  “Well, you can’t give a fifteen- and ten-year-old enough understanding of this ugliness. Hell, I don’t understand it.”

  “I do,” Caleb said as he went inside the house. “I’ll share it with you. After you finish here.”

  THE BLOOD WAS FINE, WONDERFUL.

  Jelak could feel the clear zing of strength and endurance through his veins. The Selkirk woman had been as strong as he’d hoped. He’d chosen well. He’d been afraid when she’d fought with such fierceness that the blood might not be as mature as he’d hoped.

  Children and young people usually were the ones who were frantic in their struggles. Age usually mellowed and caused death to come easier. But he’d found out to his delight when the woman was begging him to let her go that she had two children. Mothers usually fought desperately to keep close to their young, and motherhood only added richness to the Gift. At any rate, the blood was exquisite.

  He went to the closet, pulled out his black Croco case, and set it on the bed. He hummed a little as he opened it and gazed down at the goblets he’d carefully wrapped in red velvet.

  Three left.

  But he wouldn’t need all three.

  Margaret Selkirk had been better than he had hoped. He had expected her to give him strength to see him through until Jane MacGuire. She had given him more than that, and he might be able to go directly to Eve Duncan. He would know by tomorrow if Selkirk’s blood stayed strong in him.

  He unwrapped one of the goblets. It shone in the lamplight, and he held it up. Jane MacGuire. That would make eleven guests at the table. If he needed to take her.

  “I’m getting close,” he murmured. “Soon I’ll be one of you.”

  He reverently unwrapped the last goblet.

  The perfect twelve.

  He lifted the goblet and felt the blood pounding through him as he looked at the carving. No single figure begging to be admitted. Complete. Together.

  The perfect twelve at the feast.

  “Do you feel me, Eve?” he murmured. “It’s your gift that’s going to save me. I’ll drink deep, then we’ll be together forever. You’ll like it. I know you’ve been waiting for me.”

  His tongue touched the rim of the goblet, imagining the coppery taste of her blood.

  “Just a little longer . . .”

  BLOOD.

  Eve suddenly tensed, her fingers hesitating on the clay of the reconstruction.

  The dizziness had come out of nowhere, followed by that sinking, whirling sensation.

  Then had come that weird feeling of being . . . drained.

  She drew a deep breath.

  It was gone.

  Perhaps it had never been there, only brought on by her obsession with the thought of Jelak.

  And blood. Always blood.

  “Eve.”

  She turned to see Joe at the front door. “Oh, I didn’t hear you drive up.”

  “That’s pretty obvious.” His gaze was searching her face. “I’m used to you being absorbed in your work, but you look a little strange.”

  “I’m fine.”
She picked up her cloth and wiped the clay from her hands. “I just had a sudden chill.” She braced herself. “I thought you’d call me. I knew you wouldn’t like it that I sent Caleb down to Selkirk’s crime scene.”

  “Not one bit.”

  She shrugged. “I believe he can help. I couldn’t stand the thought of another woman being murdered. I heard on the news that she had two children.”

  “A fifteen-year-old girl and a boy, ten.”

  “And he didn’t care if he left them orphans. How are they holding up?”

  “Not good. But Caleb had a talk with them, and they’re better than they were.”

  Her eyes widened. “You let Caleb talk to them?”

  “He was good with Patty’s grandfather. Maybe he’s some kind of psychologist. The kids needed someone, something.”

  Her eyes were narrowed on his face. “But you let him do it.”

  “I gave him his chance. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

  “Joe.”

  “Okay, I decided it’s what I wanted too.” He turned and went toward the bedroom. “So I told him to follow me home and that we’d talk. He should be here any minute. I’m going to shed this jacket and wash my face. Where’s Jane?”

  “She went to see Patty. She thought she might be upset when she heard about Margaret Selkirk. Charlie Brand picked Jane up and will bring her home.”

  “Too bad she’ll miss Caleb. She was in his corner all the way.”

  “But you’re not, are you?”

  “Hell, no. I’m in your corner. I’m in the corner of all those women Jelak is going to kill if we don’t catch him.” He looked over his shoulder. “But I don’t have to be in his corner. He’s not going to stay in that corner for very long. We’re going hunting.”

  ELEVEN

  “I’M SORRY YOUR JANE ISN’T HERE. She always brings an electricity to any occasion,” Caleb said as he pushed back his chair at the table. “Delightful meal.”

  “Hamburger Helper?” Eve said. “Hardly. It was just fast.”

  “Hearty, flavorful, and substantial. That’s all that’s necessary to make it good.”

  “Then food must not be that important to you,” Eve said.

  “Sometimes. Not usually.” He smiled. “But I appreciate you serving me under your roof. It shows a certain acceptance.” He looked at Joe. “And trust?”

  “Conditional,” Joe said. “How about Kevin Jelak? Is food important to him?”

  “At this point, not at all. It probably makes him ill after only a few bites. He’s living on blood.”

  “He couldn’t,” Eve said. “That’s impossible.”

  “It’s possible for a little while longer. He’ll grow thinner, but his energy level will carry him through.” He turned to Joe. “Why did you ask me that question?”

  “I wanted to know how deeply Jelak has bought into this bullshit.”

  “All the way.” He glanced at Eve. “Could we have coffee on the porch? I’ve grown very fond of your wonderful views.”

  “I suppose we could.” Eve got to her feet. “As long as you’re not trying to evade our questions.”

  “Perish the thought. I’m encouraged that Quinn is thinking that I can be useful in digging into Jelak’s psyche.” He got to his feet. “I have a call to make. I’ll meet you on the porch.”

  “Sidestepping?” Eve said to Joe as Caleb left the room.

  He shook his head. “I don’t think so. We’ll know later.” He got down the tray and carafe. “Because I’m going to ask him a boatload of questions.”

  Caleb was just finishing his call when they joined him on the porch. “You’ll be glad to know that Jane is fine. They’d just finished the dinner that Charlie Brand had cooked.” He smiled. “And it was not Hamburger Helper.”

  “You called Jane?” Eve asked. “Why?”

  “I like to keep track of her,” Caleb said as he took the cup Eve handed him. “Jelak thinks she’s important. I do too.”

  “I’m surprised she didn’t hang up on you,” Eve said.

  “She knows I want the best for her. She was impatient, but not angry. She’s a very smart woman.” He sat down on the top step and gestured to the swing. “Sit down. I’m sure you’re impatient too, Quinn. You want answers. I just wanted to be sure about Jane.”

  “So do we,” Joe said. “But there’s an officer with her.”

  “And that was probably enough of a deterrent. However, Jelak is getting closer to his time and may get desperate.” He took a sip of his coffee. “You were asking about Jelak and food.” He chuckled. “You’ve been thinking back about all the trashy movies and novels you’ve read about vampires and the traditional profiles. Let’s see, vampires never eat.”

  “You’ve just said that Jelak doesn’t,” Eve said.

  “Not at this point. According to what his master, Franco Donari, taught him when he was in training, he should have no hunger except for the blood when he was coming near to his completion. Since he’s completely sure that he’s right around the bend from that august state, he’s convinced himself that he has every sign he should have to support that fact.”

  “In other words, he’s sold himself a bill of goods,” Joe said. “What happens when he doesn’t reach this completion? He’d starve to death.”

  “Not for a long time. The mind can do amazing things.”

  “I thought you said this vampire cult Jelak belonged to only believed the more palatable things connected with the legends. Starving seems pretty extreme.”

  “But only in the last stage of his resurrection.”

  “Resurrection? You’ve never mentioned that word.”

  “Didn’t I? Perhaps it sounded too pretentious.” He leaned back against the railing. “What else, Quinn?”

  “Does he believe he can’t go out in daylight?”

  “No, but he’s a night creature because it’s easier to prey. Very sensible. I’ve always wondered if that’s how that legend got started.” He smiled. “And he doesn’t think garlic or onion or holy crosses will make him powerless. A stake in the heart? At this stage he thinks a bullet would do the job. That’s why he’s wary.”

  “At this stage?” Eve repeated. “What about when he goes through this resurrection? What does he think it’s going to bring him?”

  “He’s certain it’s going to give him everything that he wants in the world.” He took another sip of coffee. “It’s going to make him a god.”

  “Even a nut like Jelak couldn’t believe that,” Joe said.

  “He believes what he wants to believe. According to what the cult taught him, when he reaches his final transformation, he’ll receive powers beyond belief. There will be nothing that he can’t reach out and take. No one who will be safe from him.”

  “Easy promises,” Eve said. “And ones that would appeal to a monster like Jelak.”

  He nodded. “And like all gods, he’ll be invisible to mortal man.”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake.”

  “I never said that it wasn’t totally irrational. But you can see how that would make an unbalanced man try to gain all the rewards promised by the cult.”

  Unbalanced? Eve thought. Jelak had to be totally insane to believe that he could make himself a supreme being by spreading this trail of blood and death. “And I can’t understand how he’d ever believe in that cult. It’s too outlandish. You said that he’d gone to several countries before he went to Italy and linked up with that group.”

  “This one suited him,” Caleb said. “It told him what he wanted to hear. And the cult had the cachet of having been in existence for hundreds of years. I’m sure Jelak thought that he’d found the true stronghold of the vampire. There were all kinds of wild tales about how it started. It was believed to have originated back in the fourteenth century because the people of the village of Fiero had seen dark magic performed in their midst by two brothers who had recently come to their town.”

  “What kind of dark magic?”

  “Blood. Power. Death.
The villagers were terrified. For decades they were made practically into servants by the Ridondo brothers and their descendants. But they were also fascinated, envious, and set about to study and copy them. Hence the cult was born.”

  “You’re saying the Ridondo family were vampires?” Jane asked skeptically.

  “I’m saying that the legend connects their dark arts with blood.” He shrugged. “And that Jelak believed the legend.”

  “And you haven’t told us one thing that could help us nail Jelak,” Joe said.

  “You understand him better now,” Caleb said. “You know he thinks he’s got to keep on killing to keep himself alive. You know he’s feverishly trying to reach his goal of resurrection now.” He paused. “You know he’s close to it.”

  “How close?” Joe asked.

  “Selkirk was a good find for him.” He reached into his pocket and brought out his digital camera. “I’m sure you noticed the goblet was different.” He handed the camera to Eve. “He knew right away that he’d found a gem.”

  Eve looked at the viewer. At first it appeared the same as the other goblets but when she looked closer . . . “There are ten men sitting at the table instead of nine.”

  Caleb nodded. “Margaret Selkirk was a step in the right direction. Her blood was strong enough not only to feed him but to give him a step toward resurrection. He only has two to go.” He looked at Eve. “I think that may mean your friend Patty may be off the hook.”

  “Patty.” She immediately caught the omission. “Not Jane.”

  He shook his head. “And not you. He has to have two that will be sure things. And quickly. He doesn’t have time to hunt down another quality kill. He got lucky with Margaret Selkirk.”

  “If he doesn’t get his hands on either one of them right away, will he get reckless?” Joe asked. “If we do a stakeout, could we catch him?”

  “Maybe,” Caleb said. “Or maybe he’ll keep killing to feed until one of you gets careless. That would be a form of triumph for him. How many deaths are you willing to give him?”

  “None,” Eve said flatly.

  “Then we’d better find a way to get him quickly. If he’s frustrated, then he’ll start killing randomly. To prove how smart he is, to prove he’s near to being a god right now.” He met Joe’s eyes. “What’s the best way to trap a tiger, Quinn?”