The Vampire Council: Case File:1

by Steve Cunningham

  ‘He’ll turn down the alley way to his right, I turn down this one and cut him off!’ Will shouts as he turns down the next alley way they pass.

  The man gets himself to his feet. Seeing how close the rookies are to him now he panics even more and makes the decision to turn down the alley way just in front of him to his right.

  ‘Will was right!’ Katie shouts whilst trying to keep up with Jeff.

  As the man gets halfway down the alley Will runs round the corner blocking his exit. He quickly turns to exit the way he entered but Jeff and Katie were there blocking him. Will shouts down the alley, ‘You punched me you dick!’ As the man’s attention was on Will, Jeff took this opportunity to pull out his taser gun, which is an issued weapon to all vampires on missions, and shot the man with it. He begins to convulse, ‘holy shit!’ Will screeches in a high pitched voice. As the man falls to the ground, Will notices Jeff had tasered him. ‘I mean. Good shot.’ Will coughs and looks around to try and not bring attention to his girly shriek. Katie laughs.

  ‘Right, you two keep him detained. I’ll fetch the van and bring it around to the main road.’ Jeff points to the end of the alley where Will was, then turns and runs out of the alley. Katie runs over to the man laid on the ground and detains his arms behind is back. Will leans against the wall and looks at her. Katie looks up at Will and tilts her head in confusion but with a smile.

  ‘I didn’t scream. I mean I wasn’t scared for a second.’ Will tries to laugh it off. Katie giggles as she lifts the man to his feet still in a daze from the shock of electricity.

  ‘Are you going to help?’ Katie asks still smiling.

  ‘Oh yeah, sorry. Sure.’ Will pushes himself off the wall and helps Katie carry the man to the end of the alley to wait for Jeff and the van.

  ‘What do you look like?’ Katie smiles at Will.

  ‘What you talking about I look pimping.’ They both laugh as they wait.

  CHAPTER 13:

  A TERM USED TOO OFTEN

  Dirk bursts through the main entrance doors of the Ruby Hotel with a look of anger and determination across his face. Rita finishes sorting some files beneath her front desk. She picks up some folders to file away somewhere different from the front desk. As she straightens herself upright from being bent over she looks eyes with Dirk heading her way. The folders in her hand now drop to the floor as shock and fear freezes her entire body. Her blood runs cold at just the mere sight of Dirk. Everything inside herself is telling her to turn away and pretend to be busy but her mind has lost all control of her body. She is as still as a statue. As Dirk reaches the desk, Rita can feel her heartbeat increase dramatically as her breathing quickens. Dirk stares at the fear in her eyes. He smirk appears on his face. He loves the power to strike fear into people.

  Located to the right of the computer on the front desk is a brass bell in which regular customers use to get the attention of the worker behind the desk. Dirk looks at the bell then proceeds to pick it up. Holding it in his right hand he gives it a closer inspection looking all around it. With his left hand he reaches into his inner jacket pocket. Rita lets out a little squeak of noise. She panics as she knows that Dirk keeps a gun within his jacket at all times. Dirk holds his hand in his jacket as he looks past the bell and now again into Rita’s terrified eyes. He pulls his hand out with speed. Dirk begins to laugh out loud within his head at the sight of Rita jumping out of her skin at fear for her life. From his pocket Dirk had pulled out a handkerchief. He pulls the bell to his mouth as he exhales his breath onto it then proceed to polish it with his handkerchief before placing it in front of himself on the desk.

  ‘Keep your items on your desk clean and organised. People might respect you more.’ Dirk pretends to be helping Rita but they both know he was just messing with her. Dirk folds his handkerchief before putting it back into his inner pocket.

  ‘I’m sorry sir. I’ll clean it all right away.’ Rita’s voice quivers with fear.

  ‘See that you do,’ Dirk straightens out his cuffs not looking at Rita, ‘is Jacqueline in her office?’

  Rita opens a programme on the computer which is used to log who enters and leaves the hotel at all times. Rita begins to scroll through the log for the day so far. Dirk pulls out a pocket watch from his breast pocket on the left hand side of his jacket. As the watch case pings open Dirk lets out a huge sigh to emphasise his annoyance that Rita was taking too long for his liking. Rita’s finger begins to scroll the wheel on the mouse quicker. Within seconds she spots that Jacqueline had not left the hotel yet today.

  ‘I believe she is sir.’ Rita quickly enters Dirks name and his time of entry to the hotel before closing the programme. She turns to face Dirk but with static movement as fear still courses through her veins.

  Dirk closes the pocket watch and places it back into his breast pocket. ‘Maybe if you knew how to work faster and more efficiently you wouldn’t be such a low rank, getting punished on a regular basis.’ Dirk leans over the desk and begins to whisper into Rita’s ear. ‘Speaking of punishment,’ Dirk pauses. Rita’s breathing becomes sporadic as a tear rolls down her cheek. ‘I expect to see you at mine again later. But this time stop the screaming.’ Dirk lifts his head back to look deep into Rita’s eyes to watch the tears appear. With his hands he wipes the tears from her cheeks before he grips hard on her ears. ‘It makes it harder to enjoy fucking you.’ He lets go of her ears. Gives out a chuckle at the sight of her teary eyes before walking away towards Jacqueline’s office.

  Rita slumps to the floor behind the desk. She scrunches herself beneath it to hide. The force willing her to hold back her emotion as much as possible finally breaks. She begins to cry hysterically. She straightens out her legs as she uses her left arm and hand to guard her vagina. And with her right arm she covers and guards her breasts. Her mind fills with the images, the pain and the disgust she felt of the many previous times Dirk had raped her.

  † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †

  ‘The fuck Jacqueline?’ Dirk bursts through Jacqueline’s office door and storms towards her desk. Jacqueline sat on her chair behind the desk calmly looks away from her monitor to focus on Dirk.

  ‘A simple hello would’ve sufficed. Or better still to knock on my door before entering.’ Jacqueline isn’t scared to talk to Dirk in this way as she knows Dirk has always lusted over her.

  ‘Usually I love your flirtatious banter, but not today.’ Dirk’s face is serious as Jacqueline rolls her eyes and smiles at the thought of ever flirting with someone like Dirk. ‘Do you realise what you’re doing?’

  Jacqueline picks up the cigarette box on her desk and pulls one out. She looks around her desk looking for her lighter. It’s not on the desk. ‘I swear it was there earlier.’ She proceeds to open the drawers of her desk still looking. In frustration Dirk pulls out a lighter from his back trouser pocket and slams it on her desk. Jacqueline picks it up and lights her cigarette as she takes a drag. ‘Do you mind if I keep this?’ She exhales the smoke.

  ‘Go for it, I’ve got more in my car.’ Dirk takes a deep breath and composes himself.

  Jacqueline smiles to herself as she knows her lighter is in her bra. She wanted to test whether she still had Dirk wrapped around her finger. ‘To answer your question Dirk I know exactly what I’m doing. You must have heard by now about the attack by Leofric on two of our new recruits.’ She takes another drag whilst Dirk answers.

  ‘Yes word has gotten round the council, but it’s being shrugged off as a random misfortune.’

  Jacqueline coughs out the smoke in her lungs at the mention of the council believing it’s random. ‘Random? Bullshit was that a random attack Dirk. The vampire hunter league knew we had recruited new members that day and sent one of their top hunters to kill them. No one outside of the council knows when we recruit, not even rogues. So why was Leofric lying in wait so close to the base?’

  ‘So I’m one hundred per cent certain you’re thinking we have a traitor within the council
.’ Dirk’s back tenses at the mention of the word traitor.

  ‘We must have a traitor, there’s no other explanation. That’s why I’ve called for an urgent meeting of the council heads. I was thinking we could possibly get to the bottom of who the traitor might be. If not that at least come up with some plans to tighten security until we do.’

  Dirk pulls up a chair from the corner of the room and places it in front of Jacqueline’s desk. He sits. ‘As I’ve said the council have made up their mind, they’re just not caring about it. If you ask me it seems like the council is beginning to fall apart.’ Dirk states in a serious tone.

  ‘And this is why I need your help.’ Jacqueline stubs out her cigarette in the ashtray then leans forward on her desk. Her cleavage now fully on display in front of Dirk’s eyes, all part of a plan to trick him into helping her.

  Dirk clocks on pretty quick to Jacqueline’s plan but little does she know a plan of his own making is formulating in his mind. ‘Well anything for you.’

  Happy that her plan had worked wonders Jacqueline leans back in her chair, ‘As you’re the highest ranked vampire I thought having you backing the meeting and demanding the others to attend they’ll be far more likely to show up.’

  ‘If I do this for you, what do I get in return?’ Dirk winks at Jacqueline. She cringes inside but doesn’t let it show.

  ‘I wouldn’t get your hopes up Dirk. I was thinking more along the lines of you finally proving yourself and repairing your tarnished reputation as a traitor.’ Jacqueline guessed by Dirk’s slight jerks that using that word un-nerved him.

  ‘Since you put it that way. I’ll be happy to make sure that all the council members are present at your meeting.’ Dirk flashes Jacqueline a smile.

  Jacqueline doesn’t reciprocate the smile; doubt starts to appear in her head, but happiness about how her plan to get Dirk to do her bidding overshadows the doubts.

  The office door swings open as Vaelen enters. He stops dead in his tracks at the sight of Dirk. Decides to look straight past him and address Jacqueline. ‘What’s the traitor doing here?’ Vaelen spits out with anger.

  ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa.’ Dirk steps up from his chair as he raises his arms and pretends to wave surrender flags. ‘Calm yourself down big boy. That’s not entirely fair to be throwing that word around.’ Dirk smiles as he walks towards Vaelen waving his finger at him. ‘It’s used far too often nowadays. And if I remember correctly Vaelen didn’t you withdraw your accusations about me apparently being what you call it?’

  Vaelen changes to vampire form as he grabs hold of Dirk’s finger and pulls him close so they were face to face. ‘Shut up. And get out.’

  Dirk smiles. ‘Should be careful with those fangs. Could poke someone’s eye out.’

  Vaelen’s temper was pushed too far. He pushes Dirk away and walks towards Jacqueline’s desk. Dirk brushes down his jacket with his hands to straighten out his suit. ‘It’s ok I was about to leave anyway. Another piece of the puzzle is set. The wheels are turning my friends. I bid you farewell.’ Dirk leaves the office and closes the door behind him.

  Vaelen turns towards Jacqueline with a confused look on his face due to what Dirk was saying as he left. ‘What was that about? What wheels?’ Vaelen seeks answers.

  Jacqueline lights up another cigarette. ‘My little plan to trick him into helping me get the council together worked a treat. I never really thought about how powerful these puppies can be.’ Jacqueline cups her breasts and pushes them up increasing her cleavage before letting go to take a drag on her cigarette.

  ‘I don’t know. I don’t trust him.’ Vaelen looks into Jacqueline’s eyes.

  ‘Then trust me. I’ll be working close with him. I’ll know straight away if he tries to pull a fast one or if he has ulterior motives. Nothing will get past me.’ Jacqueline smiles as she rests back in her chair to relax and finish her cigarette.

  Vaelen heads towards the door. She underestimates that man. He stops and turns back towards her. ‘Oh yeah I almost forgot. The rookies. First mission successful, I have the rogue downstairs detained in one of the interrogation rooms. You want me to begin the questioning?’

  Jacqueline stubs out her cigarette. ‘Actually Vaelen let’s see what our recruits can do.’

  Vaelen laughs out loud. ‘Are you serious? I mean Jeff might be alright with his lawyering background but I’m sure Will and Katie will just copy what they’ve seen in films.’

  ‘If so, let’s see. Tell me when they’re ready to start and I’ll come watch through the two way mirror.’ Jacqueline reaches for her cigarette box again.

  ‘As you wish.’ Vaelen leaves and closes the door behind himself.

  Jacqueline takes a long drag from her newly lit cigarette as she gets as comfortable as possible on her chair. Hopefully this mess can be sorted soon.

  CHAPTER 14:

  AN INTERESTING INTERROGATION

  Outside the interrogation room in a corridor of the hotel. The room number is hidden by a sign that reads ‘staff only’. Will, Katie and Jeff stand in a formal line as Vaelen paces up and down as he explains what the rookies’ next task will be.

  ‘Well done on apprehending this man by the way. You were unaware but I was watching all three of you on your mission.’ Vaelen stops in front of Will. Will looks dead into Vaelen’s eyes and raises an eyebrow; Vaelen’s stern expression doesn’t change as he begins to pace back and forth again. ‘I admit you did an okay job. Something’s were handled relatively professionally. And other things not so much.’ He stops in front of Will again, this time Vaelen’s stern look turns more into a slight frown. Will tries his hardest to fight back a smirk as he remembers the things he said on that mission. Vaelen’s unimpressed with Will as he begins to pace once more. ‘You’re next task will be to interrogate the man who you had captured.’

  Katie slowly raises her hand.

  ‘Yes Katie?’ Vaelen asks as he stops pacing and stands in front of the recruits.

  ‘What specifically would you like us to get out of him?’ Katie asks.

  ‘I was just about to get to that.’ Vaelen snaps back. Katie’s enthusiasm deflates. ‘There’s two specific pieces of information we would like you to retrieve from him. One being the location of his group’s hideout. The other being the name of his group’s leader.’

  ‘Well this shouldn’t be too difficult.’ Will states as he begins to jump on the spot and punch the air psyching himself up. Jeff drops his hand on Will’s shoulder to stop him from jumping around. Will stops jumping and looks at Jeff. Jeff begins to take his jacket off.

  ‘No offense Will, but if anyone’s going to be the violent one out of us three it’s going to be me.’ Jeff drops his jacket just to the side of the door and starts to roll up his shirt sleeves.

  ‘Just because you’re slightly more muscular than me, you think that gives you the right to be the heavy man in our group?’ Will barks at Jeff tensing his shoulders to make himself seem bigger. Jeff looks him up and down. Barely putting any effort into it Jeff gently pushes Will. Will stumbles and loses his tenseness. Katie giggles at Will’s attempt to be tough.

  ‘It’s good to see you picking roles. I shall leave you all to it. I shall be in this room here.’ Vaelen points at the door next to the interrogation room. ‘Remember I will be watching you. I know you’ve only had a bit of training on how to interrogate but I’m sure you’re if you remember what I’ve taught you so far you’ll get the information in no time.’ Vaelen walks to the door and opens it. ‘Good luck.’ Vaelen enters the other room and the door shuts behind him.

  Will pushes Jeff. Jeff laughs.

  ‘Thanks for making me look like a pussy in front of the boss man.’ Says Will.

  ‘Look I’m the oldest and the strongest, I’ve seen more fights than you have pubes little boy.’ Jeff laughs at his statement.

  ‘Well I shave so that would make your little joke invalid wouldn’t it old man.’ Will smirks over at Katie, pleased with his quick comeback. Katie slightly blushes
as she smiles back.

  ‘Seeing as you like to run your mouth a lot why don’t you do the shouting. You shout, I punch and Katie does the sweet kind approach.’ Jeff looks to Katie for approval of his plan.

  ‘That sounds good to me.’ Katie smiles.

  ‘Fine, whatever, let’s just get this over with. So I can get my snack on.’ Will pumps his fists.

  ‘Right. Here we go then.’ Jeff says as he unlocks the door to the interrogation room and opens it.

  The interrogation room is sound proofed on all sides of the walls with white tiles. There’s a single florescent light filling the room with bright white light. The man they captured is sat tied to a chair placed with its back against the far wall.

  Will pushes past Jeff and enters first walking calmly towards the captured man. Jeff and Katie follow in. Katie shuts the door behind her. Will reaches the man and bends down slightly until their eyes meet. Suddenly he grabs the man’s shoulders and begins to shout in his face.

  ‘Where are they? Who do you work for?’ Jeff quickly pulls Will away. Katie grabs hold of Will’s hand and gives it a little squeeze as she looks into his eyes with a slight smile. Will smiles back liking the fact she saw the funny side in what he had just did. Jeff stands in front of the man. The man looks up at Jeff and spits at him. The spit lands just left of the buttons on his shirt. He looks down at the spit now on his shirt and slowly looks back at the man. Out of nowhere Jeff swings his right arm and lands a powerful right hook to the man’s face. The man spits out some blood and slowly turns back to face Jeff.

  ‘Nice right hook you have there. Mind if I test out the left?’ The man begins to chuckle as Jeff swings a left hook to the man’s face. The man wiggles his jaw from left to right. A loud click comes from his jaw bone. ‘I think you may have broken something there.’ He spits out a loose tooth amongst more blood. ‘Excuse me sir, may I have another?’ The man chuckles again. Jeff’s patience has now worn thin and angrily lands a swift kick to the man’s groin. He cries out in agony. ‘Really! The face I can handle, but my balls man. What the fuck?’ He says through the pain.