“That’s the general sentiment of everyone we’ve spoken with.”
Risking seeing something gruesome, Paulette turned to face the room again.
“May I have your contact information in case something of interest arises or I hear anything I should pass on?” Luc asked.
Paulette was grateful he was ending their conversation and that they would be out of her house soon.
Clarence withdrew a business card from his jacket and reached out to hand it to Luc.
When Luc touched it, Clarence said in a low voice, “You understand that anyone found to be hiding or giving aid to the perpetrator will receive the same fate.”
“As they should,” Luc replied, as Clarence let go of the card.
“Luc!” Paulette said, trying to break the tension in the room. “You didn’t invite them to the tournament next Friday night!”
“Ah. Please forgive me. Do you, by chance, enjoy poker? Whether you do or not, it should be an eventful night with several high stakes games. We have many who attend if only to watch and have a good stiff drink.”
“If we’re still here and have the time, we’ll be sure to stop by.”
“Perfect.”
They stood, and Paulette clasped her hands in front of her.
Ethan took his empty beer bottle to the bar and gave her a short nod.
“Thanks.”
“Of course.”
Luc led them out of the room, and after a bit, she heard the front door latch close. Then the phone rang, and she went to answer it.
“’Ello?”
“Paulette.”
“Oui, Remi. Qu'est qui se passe? Uh! En Anglais, Paulette!” She laughed, admonishing herself, happy that the threat had left her home. “What’s going on?”
“Fuck the language! I need to talk to Luc! Something’s happening to me!”
Again on high alert, she clutched the antique handset to her ear and whispered, “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Non!”
“What is it?”
“I almost killed Michelle.”
“What? Why?”
“The bloodlust! It was too much! I caught a scent, and then it took me over! I couldn’t fight it!”
“Is this the first time it’s happened?” Her fear ratcheted up at the echoing silence to her question. “Remi!”
Another beat passed, and he said, “Non.”
“Where is she?”
“Asleep in our bed.”
Luc strolled back into the room, muttering to himself about vintages and the work in growing grapes worthy of a wine. Then he noticed Paulette, with tears in her eyes.
He raised his hands, palms up, and mouthed, “What is it now?”
With a look of terror and a trembling hand holding the receiver against her chest, she whispered, “It’s Remi! He’s lost control, Luc! He tried to kill Michelle! Mon Dieu! He’s the vampire gone rogue!”
With a slicing motion at his throat, signaling her to stop speaking, he flashed out the door, and then a moment later he returned to her side and yanked the phone from her hand.
To her, he said, “I had to make sure The Directive hadn’t heard you.” Then he spoke into the phone. “Remi, get here. Now.”
Chapter 19
Sophie hummed along to the song playing on the old radio Marcel had let her borrow. Most of the AM stations were talk, but she found one that played soulful jazz.
Marcel had been able to get her a fake ID that looked completely legitimate, and her one-way flight to Boise was scheduled for take-off in 10 hours.
What kind of trouble could she get into there?
The first thing on her to-do list was to find a cheap pay-by-the-week motel. And then to get a job. She didn’t care what it was. She just wanted to be somewhat normal, like everyone else, with a place of her own and a paycheck to look forward to.
Maybe I’ll be a secretary. She played at typing on an imaginary keyboard. Maybe I’ll work at a grocery store. Envisioning standing in front of the SKU reader, she passed a pretend canned good over the make-believe red light. “Beep. Beep.” I don’t care what it is, as long as I never see Gregor again.
“Yes? Officer? Can I help you?” Marcel’s voice came from below, and she froze in place. “No, can’t say I ever seen her. Pretty girl. Hope you find her and get her home.” Another voice spoke, but she couldn’t make it out. “Yes, sir. Thank ya for the card. Gonna put it up here on my board. I’ll let ya know if she shows up around here.”
Sophie heard Marcel’s footfalls on the steps, as he came from the first to the second floor, where her room was. He rapped against the door, and she told him to come in.
“That’s the third time today, Soph. People out there shakin’ the trees, tryin’ to find ya.”
“Should you go ahead and take me to the airport? Drop me off? They have security there.”
He huffed a laugh and said, “Those vamps ain’t gonna get in here, and the cops would need a warrant. Everything’s okay.”
“I didn’t mean it as an insult, Marcel. I just hate that they keep bothering you. My ankle’s fine, and you need to reopen your bar. It’s been closed ever since I got here.”
“Naw, you just keep ya window blinds closed until it’s time to go. Keep outta sight. We’ll leave in a few hours, so ya can check in and whatever else ya gotta do before flyin’ outta here.”
“What about the cops, Marcel? Could they be dirty and working for Gregor?”
“Maybe. But seemed like they’re workin’ on missin’ persons. They did the same thing when I reported Dierdre bein’ gone. Different policemen workin’ on the same BOLO.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Say, did you go through Dierdre’s things? Pack what you can use?”
“Not yet.”
“Make sure you do that.”
“Okay, I will. Thank you.”
He nodded and then turned and left, the staircase creaking with each step he took.
Going to the closet, Sophie looked over the clothes of a daughter who would never need them again. She selected a few items that would fit her and stuffed them into her backpack.
The remaining hours, she spent daydreaming of her new life that was about to unfold.
Chapter 20
“Soph! You ready, girl?”
Having dropped off to sleep, she shot straight up when she was awakened by Marcel’s voice.
“Yes!”
She scooted off the bed and shoved her feet into her sneakers. Grabbing her backpack, she gave one last look around and then shut the door behind her.
Marcel led her to the garage, which was pitch black dark. He yanked a string by the entrance, and a light bulb shone enough brightness for her to see a rusted truck that looked like it belonged in a junkyard, not on the streets.
“We’re going in that?”
“Uh-huh. Go on, now. Climb in and keep your head down.”
“Okay.”
Dodging boxes, car parts, and oil stains, Sophie went to the passenger side and climbed into the cab. She laid down on the bucket seat, gripping the top handle of her bag.
Marcel got in on the other side and stuck the key in the ignition, and after a bit of sputtering, it fired up. Reaching above him, he clicked an old remote covered in grime, and the garage door shuddered as it lifted.
“Let’s get you to the airport,” he said, as he backed out.
When he shifted into Drive, he pressed the button once more and then slowly drove away.
From where she lay, Sophie could only see the buildings they passed with quick flashes of open space in between them. Marcel’s window was down, and the heady scent of the trees and flowers mixed with the smell of the Mississippi at dusk filled the car.
“Despite everything, I’m going to miss being here. Before Gregor took me, I struggled, but I still had some good times.”
“You gonna make new memories, Soph. You ain’t never comin’ back here. Ya hear me?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay.”
After a few stops at traffic lights, the road opened up to the highway, and they traveled on… until Marcel pressed the brake.
“What is it?” Sophie shrieked.
“It’s okay. Somethin’s up ahead. Traffic’s bein’ diverted. Maybe it’s construction. They always got these streets tore up.” Wailing sirens came from behind them, and Marcel flicked his eyes to the rearview mirror. “Police and an ambulance. Must be a bad wreck.”
A chill went up Sophie’s spine, and with it, the feeling that she wasn’t going to be on that plane to Boise.
“Marcel, I’m—”
“Officer up there’s motionin’ for me to stop.”
“Oh, no!”
“Sssshhh!”
The whirling lights of a cop car screeched to a halt beside the truck, and she heard two doors open.
“Oh, my God!”
“Stay down, girl. Let me do the talkin’.”
“Step out of the car with your hands in the air!”
“Okay, officer. Just a minute. Let me get my old bones to move.”
“Now!”
“Yes, sir. I’m followin’ orders. You won’t get no trouble outta me.”
Then Sophie’s door jerked open, and a gun was pointed at her head.
“Get the fuck out, bitch,” said the man holding the weapon.
“Please don’t do this!” Sophie yelled, seeing her escape being ripped away from her.
Her reply was the cock of his gun.
Marcel shouted, “I didn’t give you permission to search my truck! You, let her go!”
Sophie scooted out, and when her heels landed on the ground, the officer grabbed her and flipped her around, throwing her against the truck.
“Just stop, Marcel! Be quiet! Maybe they’ll release you!”
He didn’t listen to her.
“I want the name of your superior! I’m gonna get him on the phone and straighten this out!”
“Looks like he’s resisting to me,” said the officer behind Sophie, as he laced handcuffs around her wrists and snapped them closed. “And now, the fun part. Frisking you to make sure you’re not hiding anything,” he growled into her ear.
He grabbed her breasts and squeezed, before moving lower. He slid his hand into her pants and cupped her pussy, and as he brought it out, he slid a finger through her lips. Turning her around, he stuck it into his mouth, gave her a smirk, and then wagged it in front of her face.
“Nothing to say about that, huh? Using your right to remain silent?”
She looked at the ground, not taking the bait. Nothing she could say would’ve mattered. They’d proven that they were in control of the situation. Struggling, fighting, or mouthing off would’ve only made it worse.
“What’d you do to her? Sophie! Are you okay?”
She mumbled, “Yeah.”
“I told you to stand there and be quiet!” the officer yelled at him.
“Marcel! Please!” Sophie shouted. “I’m fine! Please, just let him go! He didn’t do anything!”
“Harboring a fugitive is a serious offense.”
“I’m not a fugitive!” she shrieked.
“Oh?” The policeman grabbed her backpack and unzipped it. Pulling out a wad of cash, he sneered down at her. “And where’d all this money come from? What’d you do for it? Or did you steal it?”
“She ain’t no thief! I gave it to her! I’m takin’ her to the airport, so she can start a new life in Boise!” Marcel yelled.
“Now, listen here,” the other cop said. “If you don’t calm down, you’re not gonna like what’s gonna happen.”
“Is that a threat, officer?” Marcel asked, as he took a step forward. “I’m a tax-payin’ citizen. I pay your salary.” His voice took on a commanding tone. “You s’posed to protect and serve, not abuse ya power. Now, you, listen to me—”
“Do it now, Vance! He’s trying to use his voodoo power like he did before!” yelled the guy with Sophie, as he began dragging her to the police car.
“Do what?” Sophie screeched, as he shoved her into the back of the vehicle and shut the door. “Marcel!”
When the gun fired three shots into his chest, she screamed. Marcel dropped to the ground, and blood bloomed onto his shirt.
“No!”
The officer who shot him reached for the radio on his shoulder and said, “Get the ambulance up here and pick him up. Yeah, make sure he’s DOA.” He then withdrew his cellphone while staring at her through the window. “Yeah, we got her. We’re on the road on the way to your place.”
Sophie put her face in her hands and cried, as the car drove away.
When they pulled through the gates of Gregor’s estate, Hans was waiting with a broad satisfied smile on his face, bare chested and clad in his leather pants. She’d seen him wearing them once before, when another woman who had crossed Gregor had been brought to kneel in front of him. When Sophie saw her a week later, she was a shell of the person she had been prior to that night.
“No!” She shuddered, as one of the cops yanked her out of the car. “No! No! No!”
Jerking and kicking with all her might, she tried to get out of their grasp, but she couldn’t.
“Take my money! Please! Don’t let him have me! Somebody, help me! There’s almost six thousand dollars in my backpack! Take it all! Please!”
Gregor stepped out of the house and went to stand by Hans, as they pulled her up the stairs. When he took her by her shoulders, the cops let her go.
“Thanks, boys,” Gregor said. “Look for that $20,000 bonus to hit your bank accounts tonight or in the morning. Take whatever she offered you, too, and split it between you. She won’t need it, where she’s going.”
“Thanks. Let us know when you’ve got another job.”
As they went back to their car, Gregor looked down at Sophie and shook his head.
“You knew what would happen, but still, you defied me.”
“Please! Don’t do this to me! Don’t give me to Hans! I won’t try to leave again! I’m so sorry!”
“Yes, you will be.” Passing her over to him, he said, “She’s all yours, Hans. See you when he’s done, Sophie.”
She screamed, as Hans dragged her through the house and down to the basement. She didn’t stop until her voice was cracked and hoarse… until she couldn’t make another sound.
Chapter 21
Remi stepped onto the stone walkway of his brother’s house. Ahead of him, Luc threw open the door, gesturing for him to rush inside.
“Hurry up, Remi!”
Jogging the rest of the way, he crossed the threshold, and after poking his head outside and looking around, Luc shut the door. Remi went to the kitchen at the back of the house and opened the refrigerator. He grabbed two blood packs and sucked one down quickly, before sinking his fangs into the next. As he drank, he took out another bag. Luc was observing the spectacle, but he didn’t say anything until the third was drained.
“What’s going on, Remi?”
“I don’t know!”
“Are you able to sit and talk?”
“Oui.”
“The library, then.”
Stalking off towards the room, Remi headed straight to the bar, giving a nod to Paulette, who was sitting on the settee with her legs curled underneath her. Reaching over the top, he grabbed a bottle of whiskey, and then he went to a chair and plopped down, as Luc took his seat.
“We had visitors, Remi.”
“And?”
“They were from The Directive.”
“What did they want?”
“Someone is on a murder spree, draining humans and dumping their bodies in a swamp.”
“Why are you telling me this... and giving me that look?”
“I think you know, Remi.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You can be honest with me, brother. I won’t turn you over to them. Not without a fight.
”
“I’m telling you the truth!”
“Paulette said that you’ve lost control of your bloodlust.”
“I have.”
“And that you almost killed Michelle.” Remi nodded and put his head in his hands. “What do you expect me, us, to think? Especially after that last card game, when you nearly ripped that man to shreds.”
“I didn’t kill that asshole. Should have, but I didn’t.”
“Because I stopped you.”
“I wasn’t suffering then. I was angry because of what he did to Michelle. You know that!”
“Do you remember telling me that you’d take his body to the swamps for the alligators?”
“So?”
“That’s where the remains of those murdered have been found.”
“This is fucking Louisiana, Luc! There’re swamps everywhere! They’ve always been used as dumping grounds for dead bodies!”
“Do you see the commonalities, Remi? Why we suspect it’s you? Could you be doing this, lost in the bloodlust, and not remember any of your actions?”
“What? Non! C’est impossible!”
“Can you account for your nights?”
“Of course, I can!”
“Well?”
Cocking his head to the side, Remi said, “If you must know, I’m usually in bed with Michelle. Do you want a minute-by-minute breakdown of our activity? Oui. D’accord. You see, first, she takes off her clothes.” He gestured with his hands, spreading them out in the air. “All of them. She gets completely naked. Sometimes I help her with that part. Others, I’m much too busy with her—”
Paulette giggled, covering her mouth. Remi paused, gave her a wink with a smirk, and then raised his eyebrows at Luc.
“Fair enough. And when you’re not… occupied?”
“Playing online, winning everyone’s money or practicing against myself. Ask Michelle! She’ll tell you.”
“Where is she?” Paulette asked softly.
“Alive and asleep at home.”
She placed a hand over her heart and said, “Good.”
Remi took a long drink of the liquor and then wiped his mouth.
“Do you believe me? That I am not this mass murderer?” Luc nodded, sat back in the chair, and gave a reassuring smile to Paulette. “Can we get to why I came over, then?”
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