Dark Experiments

by Lana Campbell

  Obviously with what happened down the hall, Christian and his partners were getting no closer to answers. Maybe it was time to have a talk with her stepfather and find out if he and Dominic had discovered something. Everyone in the Davenport house was talking about some competitor of Nathan’s possibly being the creep behind all of this. “When you see Christian, ask him to give me a call when he has time, please.”

  “Sure thing.” He gave her a warm smile and a wave as she hightailed it out of the nurses’ station, her destination Nathan.

  Tiffany found him in his home office flipping through something on his holotop, exactly where she expected him to be. Dominic was seated on the other side of the desk studying the screen of his own holotop. Both men looked up as she walked through the open doorway into the room.

  “Tiffany. Is everything okay?” Nathan asked, glancing over her with concern.

  She wasn’t at all and probably exuded sick worry from her very pores. She took a seat next to Dominic across the desk from Nathan. “I’m fine, but Christian isn’t. Another incident occurred at his clinic this morning. I don’t know details, but I know something happened to one of his patients and I think it was bad. I know the two of you are trying to help him figure out who’s behind this. Any luck?”

  Nathan pushed his chair away from his desk and released a ragged breath. “So far it’s been a series of dead ends in this investigation.”

  “Who the hell is this guy?”

  Nathan leaned into his chair and crossed his arms. “Probably no one you’d know. His name is Damien Alexander.”

  Tiffany rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me? That name makes him sound like a cross between Satan’s spawn and marauding Roman dictator.”

  Both men laughed. Nathan said, “Pretty close.”

  “So, what’s his beef with you?” She crossed her arms and leaned into the chair.

  “About a year ago I outbid him on a very desirable commercial property.”

  Dominic added, “It was a little more complicated than that. Actually, the seller screwed him by accepting a sizable deposit from Damien and refused to return it when Nathan paid the seller above full asking price.”

  She snorted. “Then he ought to be pissed at that guy, not you.”

  “He’s embroiled in serious litigation with the seller, but that’s beside the point. I’ve been a thorn in his side for years. That wasn’t the first property I yanked out from underneath him. He’s been investigating my personal life and he knows I’m vampire.”

  Tiffany leaned back into the chair and rolled her eyes again. Drama was Nathan’s middle name. If vampires could develop ulcers he ought to have one the size of Cleveland. “Do I even want to know how he figured that out?”

  “You do not,” he replied with an arched look.

  From that comment, she knew at some point he’d been caught feeding from a human because Nathan didn’t transfuse. What astounded her most was the fact her mother put up with Nathan’s late night blood sucking rendezvouses. As a Christian woman, she’d sooner die than drink human blood. So Tiffany didn’t get why her mother tolerated Nathan’s activities, but then her mom adored Nathan and he her. Really, that’s all that mattered.

  “Okay, whatever. So, what’s your gut telling you? Do you think this guy is behind this mess at the clinic or what?”

  Nathan shook his head. “I really don’t think so, but I’m not ruling it out yet.”

  Dominic turned in his chair and faced her. “We’ve done all we can to try to connect him and we’ve come up empty. Most likely what happened to you and what’s occurring within Christian’s clinic is something entirely unrelated to Damien.”

  “Well, that’s just great. This puts everything back to a no progress mode, because if Christian or his partners had a mere inkling of who was behind this, they’d have stopped this psychopath by now.”

  Nathan gave her a sympathetic smile. “It’s not a bust yet, Tiffany. I think we might have discovered a way to help Christian. Dominic and I have been discussing some ideas to catch the person or persons responsible assuming they’re operating within the four walls of clinic.”

  “Well, it’s obvious they are.”

  Dominic laid a hand on her forearm. “Possibly, and it’s as important to us as it is to Christian that the person responsible for these crimes is caught and dealt with, Tiffany. We nearly lost you. This asshole will pay. I promise.”

  She knew he meant that because protecting those within the family fold was everything to these two guys. “Thanks. So, what do you have in mind?”

  “We want to install an audio/video surveillance system at the clinic. Christian may have something in place, but the system I have in mind would be far more sensitive and—”

  “Undetectable?” she interjected. Knowing Dominic, he’d been online purchasing state of the art, CIA-type stuff that would track a person’s every sound and movement at any point in the building. Good for him. Anything that could help the clinic and save lives was worth any lack of privacy. “I wonder what Christian will think of that?”

  Dominic gave her an edgy look, leaned into his seat and crossed his arms. “Of course, the devices are intrusive, but such measures are necessary when people’s lives are at stake.”

  She waved a hand at him. “You will get no argument from me there.”

  Nathan picked up his cell phone and tapped the screen to display holotime. “I’d planned to talk to Christian tonight to discuss details after his visit with you. Now that he’s had another incident, I’m not going to wait.”

  Tiffany didn’t say anything while he made the call. She glanced toward the ceiling and sent up a little prayer that the patient he’d been with when she’d left, was still a living, breathing one.

  Fortunately, Christian picked up.

  “Tiffany is here with me. She just came from your clinic and told me there was a problem this morning with a patient.”

  With holotime, she could hear and see Christian, but the hologram image faced Nathan so he couldn’t see her.

  He made a sound that was part sigh, part groan, which made her insides cease.

  “Yes. We lost a patient.”

  “Oh, God no.” She leaned forward and dropped her face in her hands for a few seconds.

  Nathan cleared his throat and gave Dominic a fierce look. “You have my sincere sympathies. Dominic and I have been working on some ideas. We may be able to help stop this…person, if you could call a baby murderer a person.”

  Nathan told him their plans, then they discussed a meeting with his partners to figure out a time this system could be installed. They scheduled it for five thirty. At one point Dominic took the phone and added some details about the how the surveillance equipment worked, but Tiffany had tuned out by that point. Crazy maybe, but she swore she could feel Christian’s pain as if it were her own along with deep sorrow for that poor, innocent pregnant lady whose life had been stolen by some maniac.

  The unfairness and evil of it all began to make her boil inside.

  “Tiffany?”

  She glanced up at Nathan. “Yeah, I’m sorry. What?”

  He held out his cell. “Christian would like to speak to you.”

  She blinked at him, then reached across the desk and took the phone. “Hey. You okay?”

  “Not really. You?”

  “Don’t worry about me.” Man, what she wouldn’t give to be with him now, to say or do something that might shave away even a fraction of his pain because she could feel his agony, see it in his eyes and it literally pummeled her soul.

  “Right now, I’m just so angry I want to tear up something, rather someone.”

  Tiffany knew anger was just one ingredient in his nasty casserole of emotions. She didn’t know what to say. Instinct told her she just needed to employ her ears more than her mouth, which caused a gap in the conversation.

  Christian bridged it. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. Talk to me.”

  “We’re good. Rig
ht?”

  She huffed. “Of course, Christian.” She wanted to say more, but they had an audience.

  He let out a soft, sad sort of laugh. “Good. Just checking. I feel so shitty at the moment, I wasn’t sure I might have dreamed our visit earlier.”

  She sucked her lower lip between her teeth wishing back those amazing moments and feelings.

  “No dream. Do you have any idea what time you’ll get off?”

  “It’s going to be a very full and complicated day. And as always it’s up to the babies. I have two mothers in labor presently, a host of appointments and meetings. It may be nine or ten before I get there tonight.”

  “Do what you need to do. If you need anything, even an ear, call.”

  “I will. Thanks, Tiffany.”

  “I’ll talk to you later.” She ended the call then handed Nathan the phone.

  He sat it on his desk and stared at her with a troubled look. “I’m so deeply sorrowful for all that’s happen to Christian and to you, but Honey you have my word I won’t rest until whoever is behind this is stopped.”

  She tried for a grateful smile. “You rock, Nathan. You too, Dominic. Thanks guys. And when ya’ll nail this asshole, do me a favor and make him suffer in ways that would shock and awe the employees of the Spanish Inquisition torture chambers.”

  Nathan chuckled then grinned at Dominic.

  Dominic stared at the hologram and swiped. “Googling methods of torture and the Spanish Inquisition.” He glanced at her with a wicked little gleam in his green eyes.

  Tiffany rolled hers. So did Nathan.

  Chapter 14

  Tiffany ran into Chelsie on the way to her room. Chelsie’s bedroom door was open when she passed by and Chelsie called out, halting her.

  “TJ! Do you have a minute?”

  “Yeah. What’s up?” she asked as she walked inside.

  Four dresses were laid across the end of the bed and Chelsie stood there staring at them with angst. “I have an interview this afternoon with Christian and his partners and I don’t know what in the world to wear. Which one would you choose for a job interview?”

  “Are you serious? You need to be talking to Dannie, not me. I know less than you about fashion.” Their younger sister’s artistic talent extended to many other things including couture threads.

  Chelsie’s eyes rounded with horror behind her thick glasses. “Oh God, no. You know how she is.”

  Tiffany giggled. “Yep. She’d drag you to every high-class clothing place in town, then later to some fancy salon that only employed people with accents.”

  Chelsie burst out laughing. “Exactly. Now please help me.”

  “All right.” She walked over to the end of the bed and examined Chelsie’s choices. She picked up a long sleeved, high neck, tea length, navy blue dress that a nun might wear when she took her final vows. “Seriously? Is the Pope going to be present during this interview?” She tossed the nasty thing aside and picked up the next one in line, a grey turtle neck, full length thing that reeked of decades gone by. “Okay. That just needs to be burned.” She shivered, looked over the next two which were equally as hideous, then sighed. “Maybe we do need Dannie.”

  “No T.J. She’d want to go shopping and the places she buys clothes don’t even sell my size.” Chelsie grabbed her forearm, led her across the room to the closet and yanked open the door. “Help me pick out something professional. Something nice.”

  “Why is working for the V clinic so important to you?”

  She glanced up, her expression a little wistful. “I envy vampires. Your species have benefits humans don’t. Like longevity, superior physical strength, psychic and telekinetic abilities. I just find it all so fascinating and I want to learn all I can about their bodies and minds.”

  “Well I don’t find it at all fascinating. Direct sunlight scalds our eyeballs and human blood keeps us alive. Those are not benefits.”

  “Cancer and the myriad of diseases that plague humans aren’t benefits to our species either. We could argue this all day. Just get in here and help me pick out something.”

  Tiffany stepped into the closet and began pilfering. She paused, pulled out a very disturbing item and held it up. “Dear Lord. Denim Coolocks? You’ve got to be kidding me? Forget this.” Tiffany grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her out of the closet. “Let’s go shopping. Maybe do lunch if you have the time. When’s your interview?”

  “Four thirty.”

  “Perfect. Let’s go.”

  Chelsie was impossible to shop with. Women’s clothing stores sold garments designed to make women look attractive. Chelsie seemed clueless to this fact. She was after some outfit that would just hide her body because she was a bit overweight and it bothered her. It was in all the right places though, but there was no telling her that. Women paid good money for tits and an ass like hers and her long, flowing auburn hair was literally envious.

  They trekked through dozens of clothing shops at two Malls and nothing seemed to be working for the girl. Tiffany was about ready to buy her a burka and call it a day, but when they hit The Gap, Chelsie finally managed to find a cute shirt/skirt combo that perhaps even Dannie would have approved of. Once that headache was out of the way, they stopped at an Olive Garden for a late lunch.

  Unfortunately, this sister outing had a third and fourth wheel. David and another security guard, Tyler, who had been assigned by Nathan to Chelsie. They tried to stay out of the way most of the time, yet within a reasonable distance should a threat arise. Tiffany wanted to talk to Chelsie in private. So, when the hostess called their name, she told the two guys to bounce to the bar. Once they were seated with menus, Chelsie said, “So tell me how you’re really doing? We haven’t had five minutes alone since you came home from the hospital.”

  “I know. Sorry, but I was hiding out in my room because I just wasn’t ready to talk about things yet. I didn’t mean to shut you out.”

  “That’s okay. I can’t imagine how difficult this has been for you. You look great by the way.”

  Tiffany gave her a grateful smile. “Thanks. I feel fine. Christian still has me on daily transfusions. He’s been drawing blood too. I’m assuming the last test was okay or I wouldn’t be sitting here.”

  “That’s good news. God, TJ, we were all so scared for you. I know you were really angry with Christian for making the decision to turn you, but there’s not one of us sorry he did. I hope you aren’t still brooding about it.”

  Tiffany set her menu aside and released a long breathe. “No. Obviously this wouldn’t have been a life I’d chosen for myself, but it’s better than pushing up daisies. There are a few advantages I suppose.”

  “Like Christian? Maybe something could happen now?” She flashed a knowing grin.

  “Maybe.” Chelsie knew intimately how she felt about Christian. At least when it had just been a crush for her. “You know I care for him. I care about the things he cares about too. I probably shouldn’t say anything, but Christian lost a patient today. I went to the clinic this morning to see him and when I was leaving I saw his partner Asa dragging a crash cart into an exam room. Later I found out the lady had died.”

  Chelsie’s eyes rounded and she palmed her mouth for a second. “Oh my God. Do you have any idea what happened?”

  “No, but I’m pretty sure she was murdered and probably with the same shit that nearly offed me. Christian and his partners have to be losing their minds. Someone inside that clinic is poisoning people, Chels, and I suspect upping the ante. That poor lady. And the baby. She’s the first adult who’s died.”

  “That’s awful.”

  “I know. It’s insane. Luckily, Nathan and Dominic are working on some ideas to help the V clinic. Maybe you might want to rethink this interview. At least for the time being.”

  Chelsie shook her head. “No way. This news makes me more determined than ever to help Christian and the V clinic. You’re right. I can’t imagine how Christian is holding it together. It’s evident people are at ri
sk walking through the doors of that building. Case in point.” She gestured her direction.

  The server arrived to take their order. After she left, Chelsie affected a much-needed subject change, but it ended up being the previous hot topic.

  “You skated the Christian issue a few minutes ago. So, what’s really going on between you two?”

  Tiffany stifled a sigh, still reeling from the mornings events. “He claims we have the life mate connection. I’m thinking he’s right.”

  Chelsie’s eyes grew round behind her thick glasses. “What? When did you guys, you know, do it?” Chelsie understood vampire mating dynamics as well if not better than she. She’d like everyone to think her interest stemmed from a scientific point of view. Maybe it mostly did, but Tiffany knew if Chelsie had been in her situation and woke up vampire, she’d have dealt with that reality far better than she had.

  “It happened the first night of my first day on the job. I can’t even explain why, but I wanted him to bite me.”

  “Was it awesome, scary, what? Was it hot? It was hot wasn’t it? You’re hiding a smile.”

  Tiffany let that smile bloom. “It was,” she allowed. “It would have been nice if he’d told me he felt the connection before he went and blabbed it to Mom, Nathan and everyone else in the house.”

  “Well didn’t you feel it too?”

  “Of course, but Chels, I was a human virgin. It was mental sex and it was mind-blowing, but how could I have possibly known what we experienced wasn’t the norm for human/vampire feeding experiences? I was so pissed at him for keeping that from me, yet spilling the beans to Nathan. Can you even imagine my embarrassment? Everyone in the family knew Christian and I had done the vampire deed and I didn’t know that they knew.”

  “Well, I get your point, but you need to cut Christian some slack, TJ. The man loves you and it’s incredibly obvious especially now after what happened. He rarely left your side while you were critical. It was obvious long before that. Everyone in the family has known for years the two of you were meant for each other.”