“You won’t find it.”
He glanced at her. “Nobody can erase data, let alone access our system except for one of us.”
“Research it if you don’t believe me. In fact, visit the recorder’s office and look for the deed. I bet you’ll find Kyle’s name on it.”
“You’re kidding, right? This is a joke.”
“Take my advice and leave town for a few days. There’s nothing for you to lose.” Except your life if you don’t go.
She headed for the door.
“Katie?”
She turned the knob, then faced him.
“You can explain everything, right?”
She grinned. Of course, she could provide an explanation. But would he believe it?
“Yes, I can. And I will. Promise.”
16
Katie slid into the passenger seat of her Camaro and shut the door.
“Did you tell him?” Jules asked as she reached to turn the key in the ignition.
“No, but I gave him enough to think about.”
“Oh?”
“Kyle’s address is listed on my driver’s license, my checks and all my prior speeding tickets, which are still recorded in their database.”
Jules dropped her jaw and her eyes grew wide. “You’re kidding.”
“I told him to check on the property deed. Kyle’s name should be on it.”
“Oh my God! You are so clever.”
Katie had caught a lucky break. The vampires had failed to clean up properly. They had to have known her name from filing the police report. So why didn’t they do a search for her and wipe out all her records? It had to be an oversight. Even if they had erased the data, they probably would’ve forgotten about the deed. Their loss equaled her gain.
“I need him to trust me. He suspects something is wrong–”
“I picked up on that instantly.”
Jules swiveled her head in both directions to check for traffic, then pulled out of the police station and onto the main road. Traffic had lessoned, but the evening mass would soon fill the streets.
“I promised I’d explain everything to him later, but for now he should leave town for a couple of days.”
“That’s smart. Gain his trust. Raise his suspicion. He’ll dig for clues…”
“In a couple of days when this is all over, I’ll sit down with him and give him answers.”
“Not a bad plan.”
Katie nodded, believing her plan would work too. He’d already suspected foul play. Her tips would give him proof he was on the right track. But he’d never get the answers to how someone accessed their database or why Charles followed Brandon’s instructions. Only Katie could provide him the answers. Would he accept them? She couldn’t see a reason why he wouldn’t. He was a smart man who lived by the same morals Kyle did. The difference with Ben was the detective needed evidence to convince him the impossible was possible.
“Do you have your phone with you?” Katie asked.
“Yeah. Why?”
Katie peered between the seats for Jules’s purse. Finding it, she lifted the bag and dropped it into her lap. “Do you mind?”
“No. Who are you wanting to call?”
Katie dug the phone from the side pocket. “Amy. Do you have her number?” She touched the screen and it illuminated.
“It should be in my contact list. Why do you want to call her?”
Katie located Amy’s name and called it.
“I want to know if she saw Joe at the bar last night before I arrived. I also want to ask her if she recalls the name of the green-eyed guy that was with the Asian vamp.”
Holding the phone close to her ear, she listened to the buzzing sound. Although she felt confident she now had two vampires to face instead of one, she wanted to gather as many details as possible so she could formulate a plan for Riker. There was a slim, very slim, possibility Brandon had been at the bar with the Asian vamp and then left to go to the police station. Maybe the description Ben gave was a bogus one. The vampire who manipulated his mind could’ve implanted it. If such were the case, they had an unanswered question about Joe. What happened to him? When was he taken? Beyond reasonable doubt, a vampire kidnapped him. The gory messages at Jules’s house were meant for Katie.
“Hello?” the voice on the other end of the line asked.
“Amy, it’s Katie.”
“Katie, what’s going on? Are you working tonight?”
“No, I’m not working. I called because I have a couple of questions for you.”
“Okay.”
“Do you recall Julie’s boyfriend, Joe?”
“Yeah, real nice guy.”
“Did you see Joe last night at the bar?”
“Uh…let me think.” Silence passed. “It was so crowded for a while. Then the couple came in that I told you about. The guy ordered drinks for everyone and I spent the next fifteen minutes running around to deliver them. I took a small break to call you.”
“Did you ever see that green-eyed guy with Joe?” Katie pressed.
“Let me think…”
Katie glanced at Jules and shook her head. So far, no valuable information obtained.
“I remember he sat with the Asian woman, then he moved.”
“Moved to where?”
“Uh, I think a booth.” She sounded hesitant. “Yes, a booth.” Her tone shifted to more of an upbeat one. “And Joe was there. I remember some guy pinched my rear and I turned. Joe was with two guys and one of them was the one with green eyes. That jerk hit on me twice last night.”
“Who, the guy with green eyes?”
“No, no. The one who pinched me.”
“Did you see them talking or notice anything unusual?”
“Who, the guy who pinched me?”
“No, Joe and the other two guys.”
“Oh, no. I was too distracted and I had to finish serving the free round to everyone.”
“Did you see Joe leave with the green-eyed man?”
“Honestly, no. I was at the bar setting drinks on my tray when I glanced up and saw him leaving.”
“Was the booth empty?”
“Uh…come to think of it, yeah.”
The news confirmed everything Katie suspected. Joe, being the nice guy he was, asked the wrong questions to the wrong person and was now a hostage somewhere. If Katie knew the location where the vamps were staying, she could save Joe.
“Thanks, Amy. I really appreciate your help.”
“Sure. Is Julie with you? I thought it was her calling me.”
“I’m with her. She had to run a few errands before leaving for her vacation.”
Jules frowned. “Some vacation.”
Katie pointed to a self-storage facility on the side of the road. “Pull in there, please.”
“Where are you?” Amy asked.
“Stopping for gas.”
“There?” Jules pointed.
Katie nodded. “I have to go Amy. Thanks again for the information.”
“Sure thing.”
Katie returned the phone to Jules’s purse as Jules turned into the lot of the storage facility.
“Why are we coming here?”
“I want to get some information and check out this place. I think we need to move my weapons in case those vamps decide to return to your house.”
“Good call.”
Jules parked in front of the entrance to the small building advertising storage units available. The actual facilities were located off to the side behind a gate and a wire fence with meshing at the top, similar to the kind prisons used to keep inmates within the walls. Security looked tight. Good enough. At least she’d have close access to her weapons and wouldn’t have to worry about them falling into the wrong hands.
Katie strode inside the small building with Jules close behind her. A middle-aged woman with long white hair appeared from a back room. The sound of dog barking followed her.
“Calm down, Trixie,” the woman said, her gaze lowered. The dark re
sponded in protest and she fussed at it again.
Katie stopped at the counter and set her purse on it. “Hi.”
“How can I help you, dear?”
“How much are your storage units?”
The woman pulled out a drawer from under the counter. “We have two different sizes. One is a 5 by 5 and the other is 5 by 10.” She placed a piece of paper on the counter and slid it to Katie.
Jules peered at the paper with Katie. The smaller units would offer plenty of room and she could add more weapons if she wanted.
“How is your security at night?” Katie asked.
“We keep two dogs outside all night. Entrance to the facilities requires a key card and code. I’m sure you noticed when you pulled into the lot, we have barbed wire along the top of the fence so people can’t jump over it.”
“Sounds pretty good,” Jules commented.
“The office is closed, but a guard stays here all night. We also have security cameras at every corner. We ask that you use your own locks, but if you don’t have one, you can buy one from us.”
The woman turned with her arm stretched upward at the display of locks hanging on the wall.
Katie removed her wallet from her purse. “I’ll take one of the small units and the toughest lock you have.”
Ten minutes later, Jules and Katie were unloading the bags of weapons from her Camaro and placing them in the storage unit.
“This is a good idea.” Jules stood in the middle of the room as Katie carried the last of the tote bags.
She set them against the wall. “We have enough time to get the others and bring them here. I think we should grab something to eat before we head back to the hotel.” She scrubbed her brow with the back of her hand.
“How are you feeling?”
“I need to workout and think.”
“Does it always give you a lot of energy?”
Without asking, she knew Jules was referring to Kyle’s blood. “Always.”
“Do you have anymore?”
She hesitated to respond. “It doesn’t matter if I do or not. It won’t make me any stronger.”
“Maybe I should take some.” Jules stepped closer to her.
“No.”
“Why?”
“For one, it’s too dangerous. You’ve never taken it before. And two, I have one vial left of Kyle’s blood and I’d prefer to save it for an emergency.”
Jules sighed heavily. “If you had more, would you share it?”
Katie weighed the good and the bad. Yes, Jules would be able to fight next to her, but she didn’t have the quick defenses or moves needed to fight a vampire. Most injuries would heal with the elixir in her system, but a knife to the heart or bullet to the brain would cause damage. As for the side effects, Jules might find herself in a hospital bed to overcome them. She had yet to see the withdraw Katie would go through. If Jules had seen, she doubted she’d even ask to take any vamp blood.
“Maybe.” Katie stepped around her and headed for the open door. “Come on, let’s get the other stash from your house.”
“Katie?”
She waited on the other side of the door as Jules exited. “Yeah.”
“Please don’t think less of me because I’m upset over Joe, or for freaking out at the house. I can help you.”
Katie secured the lock on the door, then met her friend’s gaze.
“I played with a roller derby team for a couple of years. I know how to fight.”
The disco loving roller-skating detective knew how to fight. The news didn’t surprise Katie. Instinct told her Jules had the ability to be a strong fighter like Katie. Her weakness toward blood and guts was one she could overcome. Practice would help her learn quick moves to fight a vampire, but the only way to truly beat one was to become like one. Jules had guts and determination needed for any battle, but the enemy was not ordinary and that’s where the problem lied.
“You’re a strong woman, Jules. I think you’re handling Joe’s situation far better than any normal woman would. This isn’t easy. And your reaction to the dog was normal. Hell, I wanted to puke. So I don’t think you’re weak. You’re not. You’re human.”
“Like you.”
“Yes.”
Jules wrapped her arms around Katie’s neck and hugged her. “Thank you.”
Katie nudged Jules’s arms away. “I know you want to help, but I’m going to ask you to step aside and let me fight for us. When this is over, I’ll show you some moves and how to use knives.”
“You’re going to make a great leader. Maybe you can’t see it, but I do.”
She held back the argument for another time. Katie was not a war leader, but until she could prove it, her words were weightless.
“Let’s go,” Katie said with a jerk of her head.
“I want to pick up a few other items at the house,” Jules said as Katie stepped around the car. “I still have my roller skates and yours in my closet.”
Katie opened the door and paused, staring at Jules.
“What?” Jules asked.
“Are you serious? Our lives are in danger and you want to get our roller skates?”
“Hey, you have a work out room. What do I have? Nothing. I could really use some time to release my emotions and think. Skating helps me.”
“All right.” Katie relented to her friend’s request, understanding all too well the need to release emotions and think. Besides, Jules’s idea actually sounded better than running on a treadmill. The change of scenery and fast paced action might help Katie think of a plan to deal with their vampire situation, which she’d have to face after the sunset.
They each took their spots in Katie’s vehicle. Jules took control of her keys and driving again, not that Katie minded. As Katie stared out the window, a touch of angst settled on her heart. Fighting two vampires would be difficult. Fighting three was impossible, and that’s what Kyle had faced. Her lover never had a chance.
And just as he’d suffered, so would they. With Riker’s help, she’d destroy them, one way or another. The simple plan for revenge hadn’t changed. Come nighttime, she would prepare for battle.
17
“If that cunt of Kyle’s touched Debbie, I’m going to rip out her heart and shove it in her face,” Brandon growled with his bloodstained pointed teeth jutting from his mouth. The blood had come from the dying man gagged and lying on the floor.
“Calm down. You’re consuming too much energy pacing back and forth. You should get some rest.”
Steven lounged on the long sofa with a pillow propping his head. He laid sideways facing the flat screen television and watching daytime crap since there was nothing better to do. Until the sun dipped beyond the horizon, which was several hours away, they had to stay in the basement of the Jennings’s farmhouse. The amenities were nice and they even had snacks waiting for them–one in the bedroom and two in the bathroom. Mrs. Jennings daughter, a college student in her early twenties, was especially delightful. His mouth watered as he thought about tasting her blood again.
“Debbie should’ve called. Something has happened to her. I just know it.” Brandon passed in front of the television for the millionth time and the light flickered briefly.
“You’re overreacting. A measly human couldn’t have hurt Debbie. Now get some fucking rest.”
He took his pillow and threw it at Brandon. It bounced off the vampire’s head and he cursed in response. Eyes glowing bright, Brandon picked up the pillow and tossed it back. Steven caught it with little effort.
“I’m not tired.” Brandon’s protest sounded like a toddler refusing to go to bed.
Steven returned his attention to the television, trying to ignore his friend’s attitude. The young vampire had a lot to learn after only four decades of immortality, such as patience and control. His temperament made him a good fighter, but there were times it landed him in trouble. Steven had to save his friend’s ass last year after Brandon had started a bar brawl because some drunken humans, who happened
to be part of a biker gang, had hit on Debbie. They used broken bottles, knives and guns to fight Brandon. It took close to a half hour, but with Steven’s help, the battle ended with every human dead or dying on the floor. He and Brandon walked out with their bodies full of bullets. It took hours to dig them out, which was a painful and disgusting chore Steven disliked immensely. He remained pissed at Brandon for weeks and reminded him about the brawl every time someone eyed his girlfriend in a bar.
“That fucking bitch is dead. Both of them.” Brandon grumbled, walking in front of the television again.
The strobe light effect created from Brandon’s multiple passes irritated Steven’s eyes. “Sit the fuck down before I make you.” His deep tone and clipped words were indicative of his frustration. He wished Brandon would shut his trap and stop pacing. With the sun burning bright in the sky, neither one of them could do anything. The immature vampire knew it, so why bother bitching. It did nothing but annoy Steven. “Sit!”
Brandon obeyed this time and fell backward into the recliner. “Something is wrong. She hasn’t answered her phone–”
“Would you stop worrying? Maybe she went home with a mortal man and stayed at his house.”
Steven fluffed the pillow as he placed it back under his head. His patience was depleting fast. If Brandon kept wining about his girlfriend, Steven would punch some sense into him to shut his mouth. He wanted to catch a bit of sleep before calling the soon-to-be dead man’s girlfriend.
“That’s not even funny,” Brandon said dryly. “I’d cut the bitch’s head off if I found her with another man. She knows it.”
“Get. Some. Rest.” Steven used his deep voice again to emphasize his order.
The recliner made a clicking noise as Brandon leaned back in it and the foot piece lifted. Silenced passed long enough for Steven to hear the local news announce rain in the forecast for the evening and next two days. Two days in this piss-ant Midwestern town would be too long. He was ready to get back to New Mexico. The Wild West was his home, had been for the last century and a half. Women tasted better, blood was warmer and he could get rid of bodies without having to do much clean up work. People disappeared all the time in the desert.
“Do you really think Debbie would leave or do something without telling us?”
Immortal Revenge Page 17
