“I will, but it’s not likely anyone’ll be anxious to get inside. That’s one strange looking dude, man,” said Julio.
“He’s albino. Being dead just make’s him look even paler.”
“He looks like a frickin’ ghoul.”
What were the last words he’d heard Jess say to him? “Maybe I’ll find you.” Had to be coincidence. With rigor already setting in, there hadn’t been enough time for her to find him, kill him, and bring him here. Had there?
Back in his apartment, he flopped onto a kitchen chair and stared blankly at his dried out bagel with congealed cream cheese. He took a sip of coffee. It was tepid. He pushed his breakfast away and went to the patio door. He stepped onto his tiny balcony overlooking the crummy street below. This was his only place for solace, as pitiful as it was.
Bergeron hadn’t been killed in the basement. There wasn’t enough blood. And, after last night, it was way too coincidental that he showed up dead in Britt’s apartment building. So why had he been put there?
Britt heard the sirens and stepped back inside. He didn’t want to come face to face with any of the boys from his precinct. Ten minutes later, when the knocking started on his door, he knew it was his ex-buddies in blue.
“Yeah?” he said pulling the door open and crossing his arms over his chest.
His mouth went dry when he saw Devon Bishop. They’d been partners once. Devon was a bigot, a cruel man, and he liked to push people around.
“What do you want, Devon?”
“Britt, you’ve got a db in the basement and you ask me what I want? I want to know what happened to him.”
“How the hell should I know?”
Devon pushed through the door and into Britt’s apartment. Britt wanted to stop him, to tell him to get the hell out of his place. But if he refused to let him in, Devon would probably find a reason to put him in jail.
Strange how things work out. He would have gladly gone to jail for murdering his partner, but he hadn’t. No way was he going to jail for something he didn’t do.
“Did you see the guy down there?”
“Yeah, I saw him.” The muscles tightened in his neck. Devon hadn’t changed a whole lot. Thicker around the middle maybe. A meaner look in the eyes. “Word got out this morning and I went down for a look.”
“What do you think happened?”
Britt didn’t expect that. “I think somebody slit his throat.”
“Not much blood down there.”
“No. He was probably moved.”
“If that’s the case, there was probably a very good reason they wanted that body in this particular building.”
“Such as?”
“You tell me. As far as I know, you’re the only killer who lives in this building.” He tried to laugh but just ended up coughing. His two packs a day habit was getting the best of him. “How long were you a cop, Brittain? Ten years?”
“Yeah. So what?”
“In all your years as a cop, how often did things happen by mere coincidence?”
Britt glared at Devon. “How the hell should I know?”
“Oh, I think you know as well as I do. Never! Things always happen for a reason, because someone decided to prove something, or some dumb schmuck thought he’d be able to outsmart the cops. But never in all my years did a dead body get placed somewhere coincidentally.”
“If you’re trying to say I killed him, you’re wrong. Why would I move him to my own building?”
“Maybe because you know police procedure. Maybe that’s exactly what you had in mind. Let the cops think you wouldn’t have done that because it’s too obvious. After all, you got away with it the last time. Maybe you want to see if you can get away with it again. Is that it? Need to get more jollies?”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Devon, what happened to Randy Starr was an accident. I didn’t mean for it to happen.” Britt took a quick breath and let it out slowly. He’d said all he was going to say on the subject. If he tried to argue his innocence, Devon really would think he had something to do with the death of that poor guy in the basement. Hell, he’d suspect someone if they spent too much time protesting.
“You say you didn’t mean to. Thing is, you’re the only killer in this building. We’ve checked everyone’s records. Even the gang-bangers who live here look tough, but they’ve never really been into anything more serious than petty larceny.”
Devon’s dispatcher’s voice came over his radio. He was told to meet the coroner downstairs.
“This isn’t over, Brittain. I’ll be back. I know you’re involved in this somehow. I won’t stop until I find out how.”
“You’ll be wasting valuable time. Meanwhile, whoever ripped up that man is getting away.”
“I don’t know if I’d call that freak downstairs a man. Did you look at him? He’s all white, like some kind of freakin’ albino. His teeth are filed to a point and he’s got weird tattoos. If you ask me, maybe it’s not so bad that someone’s taken that defect off the streets.” He stalked out and slammed the door closed behind him.
Britt slumped into a chair. He felt as if he’d been running a marathon. His heart pounded and he could feel a fine sheen of sweat on his brow.
For a moment he was tempted to contact Jess to see if she knew anything about this, but decided against it.
Whatever was going on, he’d be better off to stay out of it.
Britt tried to remind himself of that fact when Jess showed up at his place at eight o’clock that night.
“I’m here on a case,” she began. At least she didn’t just push her way in like Bishop had.
“I thought Devon Bishop was the detective on this case.”
“It’s been passed to me.”
“Why?”
“I could tell you if you were part of my team, but as it is…” She shrugged.
Bishop would be more than a little pissed that his case had been handed off. Britt frowned at her. “So why are you here at my place?”
She looked down the hallway. “Going to invite me in, or shall we raise our voices so all your neighbors can hear?”
Britt leaned out the door and noticed at least two other doors partially ajar down the hallway. His neighbors had a tendency to be nosy when cops were in the building.
He backed up and allowed her access. “C’mon in, but you’re wasting your time. I have nothing to do with this.”
“I’m concerned, Britt. Concerned enough to be here right now. The fact that Bergeron was killed and brought here to be found is worrisome. Somehow, you’ve been connected to me already. I’m not sure how that happened, but you may have to accept my offer now. If I’m right, your life is already in danger.”
He looked at her long and hard. Tried to look past those lips that he longed to taste. “Does that mean you’re going to tell me what this job of yours is all about?”
She heaved an exasperated sigh and walked away from him. He liked the way she looked in her silk skirt and kitten soft sweater that clung to her curves. Her long hair hung softly down her back and he longed to touch it. Probably not a good move. He could imagine her flipping him over the couch if he tried something like that.
“For now, stay alert. There are dangers in the city that you know little about. You’ll need to protect yourself.”
“Honey, I’m an ex-cop. I’ve seen just about everything bad that can happen. And don’t worry. I’m quite capable of looking after myself.”
“Not this time. This is way beyond your realm of expertise. Besides, this job requires specialized knowledge and equipment.”
“Such as?” He stared at her. He’d seen just about every sick thing possible in the line of duty. What was left?
She turned. For a moment he felt as if her eyes had changed, gone suddenly lifeless. Instantly, he was aware of something deep and dark hidden behind her façade. Something in the depths of her eyes. It didn’t make sense, but right now he felt as if he could be sucked into the dark abyss beyond the blackness of her pupils,
if he looked into them long enough.
He tore his gaze from hers. Felt as if he’d physically extracted himself from a force much stronger than him. As suddenly as the sensation of being trapped in darkness forever began, it was over. Looking at her now, all he could see were the echoes of a pain so horrible he might not want to contemplate its origin.
“Wear a cross,” she said.
Even though her expression shook him to the bone, he was able to get out a sarcastic laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“No. I’m deadly serious.” Head up, jaw tilted forward, she frowned at him.
He held his hands up in the air and tried to stifle a grin. He could see anger building in her. The last thing he wanted was to piss her off any more than he had. By her furious expression, he decided she must have one hell of a temper. But unlike the rest of the force, she at least treated him like a human being.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. It’s hard for me to be semi-involved,” he said, gazing at her seriously. Did she realize he’d just told her something he didn’t normally divulge to anyone? “I was once a cop, remember? My instinct is to try to figure things out. But since I’m a suspect, that’s probably not a very wise idea.”
“Good call.”
He turned from her. His gut twinged. “What were you doing at the church the other night?”
As he waited for her answer, he sat on the couch and spread his arms across the back. He watched the tip of her tongue as it moistened her lips. The way her eyes looked him over.
“I might ask you the same question,” she said.
“Easy. I left a fare there. The guy seemed disturbed, upset, so I thought I’d make sure he was okay.”
She put her hands on her hips and tipped her head at him. “Really.”
“Yeah. Really. The guy was acting strangely. There weren’t many lights on in the church and I wondered what he planned to do there. I told you I have an innate curiosity that, once upon a time, made me a good cop.”
“So, what did you find out about him?”
“Nada. The guy was in the confessional when I got inside. I figured I’d leave him to it.” He didn’t tell her that the lights went out in the church and the guy didn’t come out.
She looked at her watch. “I’m late for an appointment.”
Entranced by her lithe form and smooth movements, he watched her walk toward the door. “I thought you came to talk to me? Since we haven’t had much of a conversation, I assume you’ll be back?”
“Would that be so bad?”
“Depends on why you come. If it’s about that poor sap downstairs, can’t say I’ll be thrilled. How did you know his name, by the way?”
“Britt, please don’t patronize me. You know quite well we met Bergeron in an alley the other night. It was dark, but you saw enough of him to recognize him again.”
Britt met her eyes and tried to see the truth behind them. “Maybe.”
“It’s not a coincidence Bergeron was left here by some human tomcat leaving his prey at your doorstep to show how good he is at his job.”
“Strange way to put it.” He stood and crossed to the door. “Why would someone do that?”
“To scare you.”
“It didn’t work.”
“Maybe it should have.”
He let his gaze slip over her smooth skin, willing himself not to reach out and touch her. They were within arm’s length and he had to force himself to remain still.
“You don’t want that?” she said.
“Don’t want what?” Damn, he wanted whatever she was offering.
“You don’t want some killer leaving you presents, right?”
“Hell, you know I don’t.”
“Then think about my offer. Things are likely to escalate if you don’t.
She’d killed the mood. He no longer wanted to ravish her. “If I were a suspicious man, I might think you’d done it in order to recruit me.”
“That would be a logical line of thinking, if I weren’t a cop.” She smiled at him for the first time. He felt that strange feeling zap through his brain, but once again was able to clear it away.
“Good night.” She opened the door and stepped into the hallway, then looked back at him. “And Britt, humor me, will you? Wear a cross.”
“I don’t own one,” he grunted, not wanting to admit he’d be even remotely desperate enough to consider it. If he renounced his faith, he had to renounce its symbols too.
“There’s one in an envelope on your table. Consider it a present from a friend.”
He looked back at the table to see she had left an envelope. How’d she do that without him seeing it?
It was no surprise when he turned back to the hallway and found her gone—again. He sighed and slammed the door shut. It seemed she was as good at sleight of hand and she was at disappearing.
Chapter Four
“Cross my heart and hope to die.”
“Very funny, Jess.”
“Regent, I swear this guy is the best bet for a vampire hunter I’ve ever seen. Of course, he doesn’t believe in vampires yet, but he’s strong. Stronger than he knows.”
“Jess, honey, vampire hunters are dangerous. Especially to you. Even if you teach him yourself, there’s no telling whether he’ll turn on you or not. Man has a tendency to want to kill those things he’s afraid of. You have to be sure he’s the one person on your team you’d trust with your life. Because you’ll eventually have to do just that, trust him to help you keep your humanity.”
Jess flopped down onto the old sofa that had been in Regent’s office for at least forty years. Dust particles billowed out in a mushroom cloud around her. “I think you should hire a housekeeper again, Rej.”
He laughed and gave his sister a wink. “I can’t seem to keep them. They get spooked by visitors in the night, or by the work notes they find on my desk. Do you know how many times I’ve had to go to the Bishop and explain myself? It’s a wonder I wasn’t excommunicated years ago.”
“Ah, you’re too good for that Regent, dearest.”
“You shouldn’t call me dearest any longer, Jess. It dates you. That’s something an older person would say. You’re going to have to get hip. Use verbiage the younger people use today.”
Jess patted the couch beside her without setting off another dust cloud. “Sit beside me, and for just a few minutes, let’s be brother and sister, not vampire and protector. We haven’t been ourselves for such a long time.”
“You know why, Jess. I’m old. I’m afraid for you. We have to find someone who can take over for me. I don’t have many good years left.”
“Regent! Don’t talk like that. I swear you’re getting more morbid every day. Are you depressed? I can’t blame you if you are, after spending your whole life keeping me in the light.”
“That’s been a joy and you know it. I’ve been blessed by God to keep you from being taken over by the darkness.” His face clouded. “But you and I know the truth. The demons are always there, always waiting for you to let down your guard.”
“Not that again. Sit down right now, I insist. Let’s watch reruns of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on TV.”
Regent sat beside her and took her hand in his. “I swear you watch these programs just to annoy me.”
“Would I do that? I’ll be good to you tonight and watch The Bells of Saint Mary’s with you.” It was an ancient movie they had on VHS tape and had nearly worn out.
Regent had taken off his collar. He wore simple black slacks and polo shirt, his usual attire. The skin on his arms was wrinkled and slack, his face a drooping resemblance to the young, vibrant brother she’d always known.
“If this man is who you think he is, we’ll have to teach him as soon as we can.”
“He’s not quite ready yet. He needs a little time.”
“He’s still an outsider?” Regent ran a hand over his eyes. “He isn’t on your team yet, is he?”
“Not yet, but I’m sure it’ll happen any day now. How could h
e resist a cause like ours?”
“You’ve told him what the cause is?” He cast a hopeful look in her direction.
“Of course not,” she said, regretting it when he slumped against the couch and sighed. He looked as if his world had just caved in. Why? They’d spent fifty years of fighting vampires together. Why would he be devastated by this?
“Turn the volume up so I can hear it,” he said, and tuned her out. Their discussion was over; he’d be asleep within minutes. She sat beside him, holding his hand until well after midnight.
When she finally left him, she stepped through the window onto the sloping rooftop and stared up at the dark sky, enhanced by the light of the waning moon. A shadow caught her attention. Then she saw a person running away. She tipped her head and listened. Besides having fabulous night vision, she also had superfine hearing. Urgent footfalls on the dry blades of grass reverberated through the night. They were moving away from her at a steady pace. Not a vampire. Their ragged breathing gave away their humanity.
Someone had been outside the window, listening to what she and Regent had just said to each other. Hairs rose on the back of her neck. Maybe Regent had a good reason to think she needed a new protector. He was no longer physically capable of battling the enemy, and she risked his safety by just being here.
Britt picked up the bubble envelope Jess Vandermire had left for him and tore it open. Inside lay what looked like a Clergical cloth. He’d once been Catholic and recognized some of the symbols embroidered on the raw silk.
A silver cross big enough to fit in his palm lay nestled inside the cloth. Holding it up in front of his chest, he looked at himself in the mirror. Imagine, Britt the lost lamb wearing a cross again. Would the sky fall if he put it on?
A noise outside brought him out of his thoughts. He shoved the cross back into the box and tossed it onto the table.
He went to the tiny balcony overlooking the street. Below, cars sped by and someone shouted obscenities down the street. Could’ve been kids having fun. It could’ve been someone getting mugged.
The sound he’d heard a minute ago had been closer though. Almost as if something had been right outside his window. Craning his neck and leaning carefully over the edge of the rickety railing, he looked at the roof two stories up. The escape ladders were all locked in place. Must be his imagination. He shrugged and stepped inside.
Grave Illusions Page 4
