Eternal Service

by Regina Morris

  “Why is that?” Alex asked. She picked up a mini cake and took a bite. The creamy cheese filling coated her tongue and lips, leaving a velvety, smooth taste in her mouth. Her eyes closed for a moment and she enjoyed the wonderful taste. Cheesecake and many other desserts were typically not in her diet plan.

  “A blood exclusive diet rocks. You get the perfect body weight for your frame.” She did a ‘Vanna White’ move across her body. “This will all be what it needs to be again. I went through two pregnancies without the magic wand of being a vampire, and now, I’m loving it.” She took a bite of the mini–cheesecake; her manicured nails became coated with graham cracker crusts in the process.

  Alex’s lips twisted in disgust. The file the government had about the vampire culture certainly had holes in it. There was no mention of pregnancies and children other than Jackie’s two kids existed. Maybe the information wasn’t important until Jackie had joined the team. Maybe no one was particularly interested in the subject. Either way, the lack of information upset Alex. She made a mental note that she would append all documents with additional information.

  “The Colony has been established a long time. Are you and William the first team members to have children?”

  Jackie took a deep breath. “Other than Raymond’s son Sterling, the members just don’t have kids. Daniel raised his younger sister, Sulie raised Sterling, Mason had a family when he was human … I guess everyone feels that they already raised their kids.”

  “What about Sterling and Ben?”

  “What?” Jackie let out a deep chuckle. “Those two are bachelors through and through, girl. I can’t imagine one of them changing diapers and running after a rug rat or two. Although, they are both fond of my babies. They get along just fine.”

  Alex took a bite of her dessert. “Your youngest looks to be about eleven. Your turn must have been recent. Within the last decade I guess?” Alex pried.

  “That’s right,” Jackie said as she reached for another mini–cheesecake to set on her plate. “Five years ago,” she held up her hand with her fingers all splayed. “William and I wanted more than just a few decades together … so viola.”

  Alex took a sip of her tea. The files did have some information about turnings. She wondered if the info was accurate. “But being turned meant that you died.” She paused briefly to judge Jackie’s response. When the vampire just shrugged her shoulders she asked, “Were you afraid to go through it?”

  Jackie took a large bite of her pastry and set it down. She paused to answer while she finished the bite. “A little. You know, it's a big change. But I knew when I married William that my turning would happen eventually.”

  “May I ask what made you decide to do it five years ago?”

  “Oh, sure,” she laughed. “All you got to do is ask and I can’t help but to share.” She licked her fingers clean and focused on the timeline “After Nicole’s seventh birthday, Sulie come up to me with some bad news. She detected pre–cancerous cells in my ovaries.” Jackie shook her head, “Girl, that ain’t news you ever want to hear. My mama died of ovarian cancer years ago. I only had her and my father growing up, and I saw the toll it took on him watching Mama die. So, I chose to go through the change because … well, let’s just say that no one ever chooses to die or chooses to have a loved one die.” Jackie sighed. “I didn’t like watching Mama die and I figured as long as I was human, William would be watching me die each day as I grew older. I love him too much to have him go through my loss.”

  “Oh,” Alex said and then let the silence creep in.

  Jackie wiped her hands on her napkin. “Now, don’t be like that.”

  Alex looked up, “Like what?”

  Jackie’s finger pointed to Alex, but not accusingly. “That brain of yours is having a hard time wrapin’ itself around all of this. One minute human, the next vampire.” She pointed at the untouched pastry on Alex’s plate. “You’re even too much in your head to enjoy your second cheesecake.”

  Alex glanced down and noticed the uneaten dessert. “It's hard to think about dying and being an immortal.”

  “That’s because you’re thinkin’ with your brain, not your heart. The brain is good for crunchin’ numbers, for focusing on the tough issues and such. But your heart tells you your path.”

  “You still die.”

  “OK. Think of turning like this. A new vampire is born, right? It’s just another way of having a baby. It’s the vampire way, that’s all. You need to stop thinking like a human and embrace something different.”

  “But it's a big transition,” Alex protested.

  “Drinking blood is an easy transition. Hell, you end up lovin’ the stuff. Giving up food isn’t a big deal, except for cheesecake.” She chuckled, “The night before I turned I ate an entire meal of it. I had plain cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake …” She started laughing. “Anything cheesecake was great for dinner that night.”

  Alex joined in with laughter. “I think I’d have a meal of chocolate. And wash it down with a mug of cocoa!”

  CHAPTER FORTY–TWO

  Raymond waited patiently in the rain for his sister Sulie to arrive at a downtown high–rise. Water streamed down his jacket as he stood under the green awning which led to the main door. The home belonged to one of the Supreme Court Justices, and Raymond needed Sulie’s medical expertise to determine whether the Justice had been poisoned.

  Justice McCade was the first name on the list of nine Justices to check. Raymond glanced down at his phone. He pulled up the list and asked his GPS map finder to plot out the addresses of all the Justices. He grimaced at the map, with its red flags scattered across the DC and surrounding areas. This was not going to be a one–night job. The rain picked up and thunder sounded in the distance. That’s when he noticed his sister’s Porsche turn down the street towards him.

  He watched as Sulie parked her car across the street and ran through the puddles to join him. Droplets of rain matted down her blond curls and a drop of rain dripped off her nose. Once under the awning she shook the rain from her jacket and rung the water from her hair. “Which one is this?” she asked.

  Raymond pointed towards the top of the building. “This is where Justice McCade and his wife live. We’ll start with them because we know he has been targeted,” he told her.

  “This building has underground parking,” Sulie said. “Is his car here?”

  Raymond shook his head. “His secretary told me that his calendar was empty tonight, so he should be home. His wife is out of town.”

  Sulie smiled. “The secretary told you that, did she?”

  Putting the phone back into his pocket, Raymond grinned. “There may have been some charm and compelling involved, but yes. She did tell me.” Raymond reached for the door handle just as the heavyset doorman leaned forward and opened it for them. The gold tassels on his sleeve shifted when the breeze from the outside pushed on the door.

  “Evening,” he nodded to them as he stood sideways in the doorway to allow them to enter. “Who are you visiting today?” He led them towards the locked inner door, not reaching for the key, waiting for their answer.

  Raymond stared into the man’s eyes. “Justice McCade is expecting us. I’m sure he instructed you to allow us in.”

  The man’s eyes dulled. “Yes. Of course. He’s been expecting you.” He reached in his pocket and hit a remote control that unlocked the inner door. “Fifteenth floor,” he said as he ushered them in. “The elevators are right this way.”

  “We can find them,” Raymond said, allowing the man to resume his initial position and give them privacy.

  Once alone, they walked down to the bank of elevators, finding the one that had access to the penthouse. “Two for two. And I’m sure the compelling isn’t ending here, Raymond. You’re on a roll tonight for someone who doesn’t like to interact with humans,” she said as they entered.

  Raymond sent for the elevator, not commenting on the remark. “After you,” he said wh
en the lift finally arrived.

  On the fifteenth floor were the penthouse suites A and B. The elevator opened to a small foyer, with the penthouses located one on each side of it. Raymond cleared his throat as he turned from the security camera and got Sulie’s attention.

  She looked squarely into the camera. “If the feed is live, and if they archive the footage more than just a day, we might be able to make use of that.”

  Raymond knew Sulie would need to see the Judge in person to make a ruling about his physical state, but if a vampire were seen coming and going from this apartment, it could give them a lead. “Too bad the camera is just visual with no heat signature,” he said.

  “It’s something though.” Sulie rang the doorbell, and a moment later a voice came across the intercom.

  “Yes? Please identify yourself by looking into the camera and speaking into the com,” the male voice said.

  Raymond paused before he pressed the intercom button, “He sounds too young to be the Justice.”

  “Butler?” Sulie guessed.

  “Only the Justice and his wife live here. No children, so maybe.” He pressed the button. “We’re here to see Justice McCade. Personal business.”

  A moment later the man replied, “Do you have an appointment?”

  This time Sulie spoke into the com in a sexy, breathy voice. “No. He asked that I be discrete.”

  Raymond pitched his voice so only Sulie could hear, “What?”

  Sulie’s rolled her eyes and replied in the same vampire pitch. “These guys all have mistresses. I’m hedging a bet that he is no different.”

  “The man is seventy–six years old,” Raymond replied.

  Sulie didn’t comment. Instead, she pushed the com button again. “He said I could come by tonight since his wife would not be in,” she said in her normal pitched tone.

  The door buzzed them in just as she finished her sentence. They were greeted by the man who had spoken to them through the com. By the way he was dressed, Raymond suspected he was not the Judge’s butler. He was more than likely McCade’s assistant.

  “You’re a bit early. Come in,” he said gruffly. Taking a good look at Raymond he added, “Payment was made in full.”

  Sulie followed the man into the tastefully furnished penthouse. “I’m early?” she asked.

  “You must be new. If you’re asked to come back, you need to wait outside until I escort you into the building. You can’t be let in by the doorman again. Have a seat.”

  “Young man,” Raymond said, getting his attention. “Why do you think we are here?”

  “As far as I was told, she is here for some secretarial services.” He glanced over at Sulie, “Have a seat miss.” He smiled as he visually inspected her body. “You on the other hand,” he said turning towards Raymond, “I have no idea why you are here … but you are excused.”

  Raymond’s eyes squinted at the man and his hands balled into fists. The man was done ogling his sister, even if it meant that Raymond had to close his eyes permanently. He grabbed the man by the shirt and got his attention. “You’re done. Do you understand me?” He peered into the man’s eyes, “Where is Justice McCade?”

  The man paled. His eyes went distant. “He’s in the study.”

  “Fetch him,” Raymond growled.

  The man left the room right as Sulie began to giggle. “Honestly Raymond.”

  “What?” he asked.

  “It’s nothing. Just let it go.” She gazed over to a desk and noticed a picture of McCade and his wife, family vacation photos, and some pictures of their grandchildren. “The man is obviously a pig,” she added as she pointed down towards the photos.

  “Nonetheless,” Raymond said as he paced the room and studied more pictures on the adjacent wall.

  The door opened and McCade stepped in. He wore a red housecoat and held a glass of whiskey in his hands. “Well. Hello, there.” He eyed Sulie from top to bottom. “You’re not in a dress. My standard order is for dresses only.” He licked his lips. “But there’s nothing wrong with the occasional exception.” He crossed the room quickly, but stopped mid–stride when he noticed Raymond.

  Raymond grabbed a picture of his wife from the wall and held the photo up. “How is Mrs. McCade this evening?”

  McCade’s face reddened in anger. “Who the hell are you?”

  “Good Lord! Where is your sense of decency?” Raymond glared at the letch and compelled him. “First, you are going to fasten your robe. I don’t want to see you.” He nodded in Sulie’s direction and added, “Plus, a lady is present.”

  Sulie nodded at the recognition.

  The Justice did as he was ordered, and Sulie asked. “How long have you been married?”

  “Forty–eight years this May,” he said in a dull tone.

  “You’re not trying to make it to fifty?” Raymond sneered at him.

  McCade stood there, looking confused in his compelled trance.

  “Do you love your wife?” Sulie asked as she took the picture from Raymond and rehung it on the wall.

  “Yes.”

  Raymond rolled his eyes. “Did you take a vow to be faithful when you married her?”

  McCade’s face was pale as he nodded the vow was taken.

  “Of course you did.” Sulie snapped. “Do you believe your wife has been faithful to you?”

  “Yes. She would never betray me.”

  “Really?” Sulie asked. She took a good look at the balding, portly man.

  “Yes.”

  “There is no accounting for taste,” Sulie said.

  Raymond crossed the room and stood closer to the man. “This woman is a doctor. She is going to give you a full physical. You will let her. To you she is the most repulsive woman you’ve ever set eyes on. You feel no attraction to her. Do you understand?”

  He turned his head towards Sulie. His eyes squinted and his mouth grimaced in disgust. “Yes. A physical exam.”

  “There will also be no talking except for answering my questions,” Sulie commanded. She then looked at her brother and said in a vampire high–pitched tone. “After this is done, we need to pull a limp noodle on him.”

  Raymond chuckled as he walked towards the door. “I’ll let you handle that. I’m going to find the assistant to see about the camera.”

  “Don’t forget to check the pantry. If I’m done before you I’ll check the bathrooms,” Sulie said as she began touching the man’s face. She stared into his eyes and began to read his physical state.

  *******

  The camera was a dead end. It wasn’t even hooked up with real wires, yet it wasn’t a wireless. Raymond hit the jackpot though with the assistant, whose name was AJ. He had been with the couple for the last five years and was well informed about the daily ins and outs of the home.

  “The kitchen is down this hallway,” AJ said. “We have weekly food deliveries for the staple items, like milk, breads and such. I go every two weeks for any additional items. Of course, the McCades eat out a lot.”

  Raymond glanced inside the refrigerator, but unless the poison was continuously being put in the fresh groceries, the poison would not be in there. More than likely any poison would be in an item the couple ate daily, or at least stayed in the house for a long period of time. He looked in the pantry and started inspecting the cereal, the flour, and the sugar containers. Most of the packaging of the soup mixes, gravy packets and bottles were all freshness sealed – so would probably be unlikely suspects.

  The salt, herbs and seasonings were next. Other than finding some old supplies, they checked out okay. Raymond then tore apart the water purifier. He wasn’t a plumber, he had no tools, but his sheer strength ripped the filter. “Damn,” he cursed. There was nothing here. Overall he should have been grateful the kitchen had no poison, but he strongly suspected he had missed something. He was in the middle of sniffing the dish soap when he heard his sister calling him. He set the soap down and walked towards the sound of her voice.

  “I found it,” Sulie e
xclaimed. “It was here in the bathroom.”

  Raymond glanced around the tiny room. “Where is McCade?”

  “He’s sitting in the living room, rethinking his lecherous life.” She picked up the shampoo bottle and handed it to her brother. “Here is the culprit.”

  He unscrewed the cap and took a sniff. His eyebrow rose questioning his sister.

  “Taste it.”

  Pouring a drop onto the palm of his hand he took a small lick of the lotion. His lips smacked together as he pondered the taste, so he read the label. “Just plain dandruff shampoo, but it tastes salty.”

  She took the bottle and cap from her brother. “Your tongue will tingle for a few minutes. It’s a sodium based poison. A lab will have to tell us which one. More than likely it is fast acting if given in large amounts.” She held up the half empty bottle. “The balding lewd wonder out there will probably have this same bottle for a good year.”

  Raymond considered that idea. “What about Mrs. McCade? If she also uses this shampoo, we could be looking at a shorter period of time.”

  Sulie shook her head and pulled back the shower curtain. A collection of body washes, fruity shampoos and conditioners lined the tub. A pink shaver sat next to the many bottles. “I’m guessing this area here belongs to her.” Sulie then pointed across the tub where a cracked bar of soap sat. “This here is his pile of hygienic cleansers.”

  “How long?”

  “Until he croaks? He may not. The poison is a low dosage. I’m guessing McCade probably only washed that patch of hair on his head once a week. Our perp probably didn’t count on that.”

  Raymond breathed a sigh of relief. “Regardless of what we think of him, he is a human being.”

  She picked up the deadly shampoo bottle. “I’ll make sure new shampoo is purchased.” Sulie walked out of the bathroom, her brother turning off the light. “Let’s release these two and check out the other Justices. We now know what we are looking for, so if you want to go spend some time with Alex …”

  “I can see her later,” he quickly said. “This is important enough that …”