“Thank you,” Rio said, holding out his hand. “Anrio Peron.”
“I’m Miriam, nice to meet you, Anrio. Didn’t I see you in here yesterday?”
“I was in here…my first day in town. Not a lot of choices, although I kind of like the atmosphere. Pretty much what a person expects of Alaska…a bit of the Wild West mixed with Nantucket.”
She laughed, and Rio was amazed it sounded quite genuine. This was nothing like he had expected, nothing like the woman Amp had described.
“I’ve never heard it described better,” she said. “What brings you to Petersburg, Anrio?”
He had been expecting the question; had prepared his story carefully.
“I got out of the Army not too long ago, and wasn’t sure what to do with my life. My mother passed last year, and left me a little money. I thought before I settle down and make a new life, I’d go see some of the places I’ve been dreaming about. In the Army I saw Georgia, and Louisiana, and New York…Iraq, Afghanistan, and South America. Now it’s time to see Alaska, Hawaii, and maybe Europe.”
Bridget arrived at the table with their drinks, refusing the twenty dollar bill Miriam offered.
“On Billy,” she whispered. “Enjoy.”
“How about you?” he asked, raising his bottle, and saluting the bartender with a smile and a nod. “Are you a native Alaskan?”
“Born and raised in Juneau. I’ve been in Petersburg for several years, came here for a job, and I love the area. It’s quiet, and friendly, and beautiful.”
“What kind of work do you do?”
“I’m an operations manager for a small business on the island, a very low key and private company. How long do you plan on being in town, Anrio?”
She was good at deflecting questions about herself, Rio thought. He knew she’d been doing it a long time.
“I’m operating on no timetable, open ended ticket all the way.”
“Have you had the chance to see the entire town?” she asked.
“Just up and down Main Street.”
Rising, she took his arm, pulling him up. “Come on, I’ve got all afternoon, let’s go see everything there is in Petersburg. Shouldn’t take long, but we’ll string it out.”
“For you,” Rio said, handing Bridget a twenty and a wink. He followed Miriam out of the bar into the bright sunshine. They strolled up and down the main street, stopping at every store window, Miriam having a tale or tidbit of gossip about every business and businessman, and most the people they passed. They ended the walk near the docks, standing in front of the other bar on the strip.
“This is Kito’s Kave. I understand it used to be a nice place, was owned years ago by the mayor of Petersburg, Kito something or other, but it’s pretty much a dive now. Somebody told me back in the early seventies, Kito brought in a group of strippers from Anchorage or Seattle or somewhere. Petersburg went wild, the men jamming the place every night, the women petitioning to recall Kito as mayor. While the girls were here, they set up shop in the Tide’s Inn, and sold their wares. It was a regular little scandal in Petersburg. One of the good looking ones stayed behind because she fell in love with one of the Coast Guard boys, which pissed everyone off all over again. I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure true love didn’t conquer all.”
“You seem to know everything there is to know about this town. It must be pretty special to you,” Rio said, the two walking back up the street.
“It is what it is…where I work, and where I’m pretty much stuck. I wish I could break away and go somewhere else, but…never mind, that’s a mood killer, and I’m in about the best mood I’ve been in for years. This was nice, Anrio. You’re a gentleman, and a nice guy. I’ve truly enjoyed the afternoon.”
They had arrived back at the start, standing on the sidewalk in front of the bar.
“Thank you for the tour, I’ve learned more in an afternoon with you than I ever would have on my own. Do you get to town every day?” he asked casually, staring into her blue eyes.
“Sometimes, it depends how hard my boss is working me. I try to get things organized so I can have afternoons and evenings free a few times a week. You going to be around tomorrow?”
“I am. A few beers helps me deal with the weird hours up here.”
She surprised him, and leaned forward, giving him a kiss on his cheek. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow. Thank you, Anrio. This was a good, good day.”
Turning, she walked down the street, and turned into a lot, disappearing from Rio’s view, his eyes following her the entire way.
Rio sat in the same tree that night, his view of the Wilson front yard and entrance unobstructed. He would rather have been hidden at ground level in brush or bushes, but the tall black iron fence prevented a good view, and if needed, a clean shot. He felt secure where he was, hidden from the eyes of the security patrols. The tree was three hundred yards away, close enough to see who was coming and going; far enough not to call attention to himself. Rio was a master of camouflage, confident in his ability to stay invisible. A person, even knowing he was about, would have a hard time spotting him.
At one a.m. the routine around the compound was broken, making Rio sit up and pay attention to what was happening. The front door had opened, and four of the young vamps were milling around the porch.
It didn’t take long for Rio to see the headlights of the vehicle driving down the road, the bright beams reflecting along the length of fence, turning and waiting for the gate to swing open. The vamp at the gate leaned down; checking the car’s inhabitant, then waved it on.
Turning back to the house, Rio saw the front door open, Miriam and a man Rio had not seen before stepping onto the front porch.
Wilson, Rio thought, staring hard through his binoculars at the tall man dressed in dark slacks, and dark dinner jacket.
His gaze switched to Miriam’s face, noticing the frown and steely eyes as the woman watched the approach of the black Escalade. She had on a beautiful red gown, her hair falling to her shoulders, and she was in heels that brought her close to the same height as Wilson. A good looking couple, Rio thought. Although Wilson’s smile looked genuine, Miriam looked like she was ready to kill. Trouble in paradise, he guessed. Maybe I can find out what that’s about tomorrow.
The man who exited the passenger side of the vehicle was taller than Wilson, lean and solid, Rio noticed. A good looking man who moved with the confidence of a soldier, he thought. Rio had seen the walk, the self-assurance in Rangers who had been tested in battle, and found worthy.
The two men shook hands warmly, each holding the others forearm like old friends. Then Wilson introduced Miriam, and the group went inside, the front door closing behind them. The driver of the SUV drove it around back to the garage, out of sight of Rio.
Could be a business acquaintance, Rio thought, but he doubted it. This man…and he was certain it was a vampire, had all the attributes of a fighter…no, a warrior. Rio had a bad feeling in the pit of his gut, a feeling that he seldom ignored, one that kept him alive more than once. This isn’t good, he thought. They’ve broken routine, and brought in an outsider. Could they possibly know we’re out here?
It was going to be a late night.
------
Miriam went through the motions of being the gracious hostess for the unwelcome guest, giving the man a tour of the house, introducing him to the various children roaming the hallways, and forcing herself to speak fondly of Wilson. She had expected to be up all night with the men, but after her duties were finished, Wilson excused her for the evening, letting her know she was not needed, or particularly wanted.
Smiling a goodnight to the man and nodding at Wilson, she left them in the living room as Wilson brought out the Cuban cigars, and turned on the soft classical music he loved so much.
Miriam retired to the second floor of the house where her bedroom suite was located, changed into her night clothes, and went into the reading room off of her bedroom. This room was situated directly above the study Wi
lson and his friend were sitting in. She carefully locked the door, and turned the lights on low. Miriam had discovered years before that the air vent rising from the study was a perfect conduit for sound she could hear clearly by listening at the floor vent.
It had been a long time since she had eavesdropped on Wilson, but her curiosity was driving her crazy. She wanted to know the connection between the two, and why Wilson thought so much of this man that he would offer her body as some type of enticement? She was on the verge of running, leaving this life behind, and all she needed was to hear Wilson give her away.
------
“We may have a problem,” Rio was saying into the phone to Nikka. He explained about the visitor that had arrived at Wilson’s estate, described his take on the man’s apparent military bearing, and how the entire routine around the grounds had changed during the night.
“About an hour after this guy walked through the door, suddenly the security level picked up. Instead of the haphazard strolling around the compound by some random vampire, they started patrolling in pairs, doing complete circuits of the fence. Another thing that is new is they were armed with shotguns, although to tell you the truth, they didn’t look comfortable carrying them, as though they’re unfamiliar with the weapon. The thing is, this guy kicked the security into gear immediately, as though he expects trouble. The good thing is, he didn’t bring any friends with him. The main force is still Wilson’s boys, and I don’t have a lot of respect for them, at least not the ones I’ve seen.”
“Do you think he brought in a security expert? Maybe his paranoia is flaring up again,” Nikka asked, her mind going into overdrive.
“Don’t have a clue, Nikka, but that’d be a hell of a coincidence. It’s something I have to find out from Miriam. Hopefully she’ll show today. Is Bobby nearby?”
“Yeah, he’s right here. Please be careful, Rio. You’re not going to be any use to me in several different pieces.”
“Always careful, honey. It’s just a job. Don’t forget, the good guys always win. Talk to you tomorrow. Bye.”
“Goodbye, Rio. Good luck.”
“Hey Rio, what’s shakin’?” Robert asked, taking the phone.
“Are you packed and ready to move when I need you?” Rio asked.
“Affirmative. Bags packed, fatigues laid out, weapons loaded and locked and ready to go. We have a pilot in town who Amp arranged to be on call around the clock for an emergency flight to Petersburg.”
“How long will it take to get here, if things begin to come apart?”
“One hour, from the time you call. Rio, we could just come over now, find a place to hang out, and be available immediately. We’re itching to go. There’s nothing to do here but walk around in the woods, and that’s getting boring as hell.”
“Let’s wait one more night, see if I can find out what’s going on. We’re real close to going in. I’ll visit with Miriam this afternoon; then watch them tonight, and tomorrow we’ll make some kind of decisions. Listen careful, man; if I send you a 911, get your ass over here with the rest of the infantry, because if I text you, the whole thing is blowing up in my face.”
------
When Miriam came through the door of the Harbor Bar at six o’clock, Rio knew instantly something was wrong. She was dressed in jeans, boots, and a plaid shirt, and she didn’t acknowledge Billy, Bridget, or anyone else in the bar. She was focused on the back room, and when she spotted Rio, she headed directly to his table.
“We have to talk,” she said, not taking the offered chair.
“Absolutely,” he answered, his gut warning him of a problem. “Here?”
“No. Meet me at Kito’s Kave, there’s a back room to the left, there won’t be anyone in there this time of the day. Ten minutes.”
Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked back out the same way she had entered, too agitated for friendly greetings.
Rio finished his beer, leaving Bridget a nice tip, said goodbye to Billy, and walked out the door, turned left and strolled down to Kito’s. Walking into the darkness of the town’s other tavern, he had to agree with Miriam’s apt description; this was a real dive. Dark and smoky, it was home to the town’s hard drinkers, the fishermen hooked on red port, the unemployed who spent their welfare checks on cheap gin, and the over-the-hill women who had seen better days.
There were a half-dozen patrons sitting at the bar, most of the drinkers staring down at the bar, one old geezer trying to talk the bartender out of a free beer. Several tables were taken, although the sound was subdued, the place reminding Rio more of a funeral wake than a drinking establishment.
Stopping to buy a Bud Light, he wandered left and found the room Miriam had described, wondering briefly if this was a set up, immediately discarding the idea. A local bar wasn’t the ideal place if the vamps wanted to take him out. A big part of his brain was telling him to trust Miriam, that there was more to the woman than Amp had recognized. The other part was warning she was a vampire’s whore, and she needed to be dead.
She was waiting for him, sitting at a table, the only person in the room. “You want something to drink?” he asked, before sitting.
“No, please sit, Anrio. We have to talk.” This was not the carefree woman he had spent several hours with the day before. This person was all business, focused and prepared…and scared, Rio thought.
He took the seat across from her, putting his full beer on the table. He wasn’t sure what was coming, but his stomach was telling him the mission might very well depend on it.
“Okay, what’s up?” he asked, taking a long pull from his bottle.
“I need to know who you are, Anrio…and what you’re doing in Petersburg?”
Uh-oh, Rio thought, hesitating, trying to gather his thoughts. “I told you what I’m doing…”
She cut him off, holding up her hand and interrupting him.
“I know what you told me, Anrio…and unless I’m way off base, I’m calling bullshit on your story. I’m going to ask you something, and I want the truth…otherwise I walk out the door, and anything I have for you walks out with me. Understand?”
He nodded, waiting.
“I think you’re here to spy on Beryl Wilson. You’re some kind of scout, and the shit is getting ready to hit the fan. Is that correct, Anrio? Are you part of a plan to take down Wilson?”
Rio hadn’t seen this coming; was as surprised as he ever had been.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Miriam,” he lied, trying to buy time, wishing he had a weapon. He glanced over Miriam’s shoulder, anticipating an attack, realizing if a vampire was coming for him, he was already dead.
Miriam stood up so fast her chair fell backwards, hitting the floor with a bang, drawing a bark from the bartender in the other room.
“You’re not a good liar, Anrio. I told you if you lied to me I’ll walk out the door. Just know this…we’re on the same team here. Without the information I have, your plans are not worth shit. You and the rest of your group are going to be butchered, and you’ll die knowing you could have prevented it.”
Without another word, she turned, and started out of the room.
Uh oh, Rio thought. This can’t be good. He made up his mind, his gut winning the battle that had been going on with his common sense.
“Miriam!” he called. “Come back…please.”
She stopped, turning, and glared at him.
“No more lies!” she demanded, staring him straight in the eyes.
He didn’t hesitate.
“No more lies,” he agreed.
She came back to the table, and resumed her seat, wary of this man, but wanting desperately to trust him. The next few minutes could determine both of their futures, if they had a future.
“First of all, we both know of the existence of vampires…there’s no question about each other’s sanity?” She watched his eyes closely, knowing this was the statement he would react most to. She was relieved to see acceptance on the man’s face;
and not an ounce of surprise.
“Correct about the vampires; jury still out on the sanity,” he replied.
“Okay, let’s try this again. Who are you, Anrio, and what are you doing in Petersburg?”
This time Rio didn’t hesitate.
“My name is Anrio Peron, just like I told you when we met. My friends call me Rio. You’re accurate about my business in Petersburg. I was retained to do an initial surveillance on the Wilson compound, in anticipation of a possible military-type strike.”
“Retained by Anne Marie Paine?”
Whoa, Rio thought, getting blindsided again. Just maybe it was time to fold the tent, and head on home, taking his friends with him. A few more minutes, and he was out of the game. Changing directions for a moment, he asked a question.
“How did you make me for this? Was I that obvious?”
“You work for Anne Marie?”
“Yes, I work for Amp…how did you know that?”
For the first time, Miriam smiled, a tiny movement at the corners of her mouth; there one moment, gone the next.
“That was pure luck, Rio. I can call you Rio, can’t I? We are friends; you just don’t know how close of friends we are.”
Rio nodded, waiting for her to continue.
“I watch people coming in and out of town, almost a hobby. I have to take my entertainment wherever I can find it. I live with a monster, and whenever I get out of the house, I try to find a certain degree of normalcy. When I heard about a spy, there was no doubt it was you.”
“You heard there was a spy? Could you maybe elaborate on that…you know, since my life depends on who else has this information.”
“I’ll get to that in a moment…it’s almost old news to me. See, I’ve been waiting for almost two years for Anne Marie to return. I saw her that night, was almost killed by her, and I knew all the way to my soul that she would be back…and the blood would flow like Wilson could never imagine. It was dumb luck we met the other day. Good luck, though…I think. For both of us.”
“Amp might not think so. She doesn’t speak real highly of you.”
Kill Wilson (Petersburg Vampires) Page 17
