“Deal,” Raven said. “Don’t stay too late; this stuff will burn out your corneas and give you nightmares.”
Still smiling, Raven stood, gathered her things and headed out, reaching the Shelby as the sun was going down.
During the drive home, she couldn’t help going over what Strohm had said. The hardest part to swallow was that her mother had lied to her about the facts and even asked her to swear an oath of loyalty as Fürstin, to protect the Mistress and the throne at all costs. Raven had always known her mother was a manipulative bitch—it came with the job—but this was above and beyond even that level of control.
Raven pulled into the drive as twilight was turning the horizon a rosy shade of pink. She wasn’t surprised there were no guests; most of those of the blood would be rising only now. It was only the most powerful who could rise before full dark. She parked the Shelby in the garage and hurried to the library, where she knew her mother would be taking the vampire equivalent of breakfast. As she suspected, Valentina was seated in her favorite chair, her feet tucked under her like a little girl. A mug of warmed blood was sitting next to her and she was nibbling on a piece of raw beef on the end of a silver fork while reading the news on her iPad. She looked up when Raven entered.
“Ravenel, my daughter, what a pleasure to see you. I didn’t expect you home tonight. Don’t you have a dinner date with Lord Du Guerre?”
“Hello, Mother,” Raven said, closing the door behind her and shooting the bolt.
Valentina watched her curiously and put her fork down on the plate next to her. “What’s wrong, Raven?” she asked, her voice less formal.
Raven took a deep breath and sat in the chair opposite her mother. “I need to speak with you, Mother. About your ex-husband. The one before Daddy.”
Valentina watched her daughter for a moment, her eyes darkening. After a handful of heartbeats, she nodded. “What would you like to know about Strohm?”
“Mother…Mom…he came to me last night on my way home. Trapped me in an atrium somewhere downtown and confronted me. I know he’s still alive.”
Valentina jumped up, dislodging the mug on the table, and moved to her daughter, concern etched in her face. “Are you okay?” she asked, reaching out and turning her daughter’s head, checking for any bite marks or wounds. “Did he bite you? Did he hurt you?”
Raven shook her head and took Valentina’s hand in hers. “So it was really him. No, Mother, he didn’t harm me. He said he was my father…that as Fürstin the laws of the Totentanz said I had to help him depose you and share the truth with the rest of the Court.”
Looking relieved, Valentina knelt in front of her daughter. “He is not your father, Ravenel. The closest he came to you was drinking from me while I was carrying you in my womb. He’s a liar and a master manipulator who can tell the sweetest of lies and make them seem the truth.”
Raven closed her eyes against the tears. “What does that make you, Mother?”
Valentina paled and stood, moving to look out the window, her back to her youngest child. “I did what I had to, Raven,” she said, one hand against the glass. “Strohm had gone mad. He was preparing for all-out war on preternaturals and humans alike. He wouldn’t listen to reason. He and his closest advisors were planning some big move and we had no choice. He had to be stopped before he brought us all into the light of day.”
Raven stood and moved to stand next to her mother. “What happened, Mom?”
Valentina paused and turned to her daughter. “Your father and I, along with some of my loyal supporters, fought with Strohm. He killed many who were dear to me, but your father managed to wound him, using that weapon you prize so highly. But we were unable to truly kill him. His power was too great even then. Instead, we chained him with silver, stuffed him with garlic, staked him, and buried him in holy ground where no one would find him. I ascended to the throne by right, with your father at my side. War was averted and we went on as usual, pretending not to think about the creature we had deposed and hidden away.”
“You lied to me, Mother,” Raven said.
Valentina nodded once. “That is true, my daughter. But I couldn’t tell you or anyone else the truth. Though I ascended in accordance with the laws, if anyone knew that Strohm may still live, it would have been terrible. His followers were many and powerful. They would have continued to fight.”
“Mother…” Raven said. “I’m sworn to protect the throne. By the laws of the Court, Strohm is still the rightful Master of this city.”
Valentina shook her head. "No, my love. By the laws as they were written, I am the rightful Mistress. Strohm was defeated in battle. In order for him to ascend, he will have to defeat me or my champion in mortal combat. What Strohm told you was what he changed the laws to after he had killed his sire. He never had the authority to change the Totentanz.” She laid a gentle hand on Raven’s face and smiled. “My child, did you truly think I would let you swear an oath that may put you at odds with me?”
Raven lowered her eyes and bit her lip, feeling like an idiot. “I’m sorry, Mother. The evidence Strohm gave me was persuasive.”
“Of that I have no doubt,” Valentina said. “He’s a master of deception and has more than a thousand years of practice. Even if he were not so powerful, he would still be dangerous. Are you all right, love?”
“I am now,” Raven replied. “Thank you for explaining. I have another question. You were with father before the fight with Strohm? Long before?”
Valentina blushed slightly and smiled. “I was. I met your father and fell in love long before the revolt. We of course kept it secret from Strohm…but if he came to you, he obviously knew about us and our affair.”
“And you said he fed upon you while you were pregnant with me. Is that where my power comes from? Is that why I, as a dhampyr, have Fürstin-level abilities?” Raven asked.
“Yes, Raven,” Valentina replied. “The blood of the most powerful vampire among us runs through your veins. You are far more than a half-breed. You are half sanguinarch. Were you to choose to feed regularly, you would have all the powers of a pure blood…”
“…but none of the weaknesses,” Raven finished.
“Yes, my child. In truth, I think Strohm may have fed on me for that very reason.”
“What do you mean?” Raven asked in surprise.
Valentina paused for a moment, looking her daughter in the eyes. “Raven, if Strohm had an army of dhampyrs like you, he would be unstoppable. The supernatural realm would be torn apart.”
V
Raven and Valentina were sharing a carafe of wine and catching up on events when Raven’s cell phone rang. She recognized the number as Levac’s and answered on the third bar of her ringtone.
“Hey, Rupert,” Raven said. “What’s up?”
“Storm? I think I found our bad guy.”
Raven sat up and set her wine glass on the table. “Really? Who is he?”
She could hear him clicking the computer mouse before he replied, “His name is Verick James and it looks like he’s the security manager at...wait for it…Anderson, Richards and Symone.”
Raven’s mind raced, filling in blanks with information she had filed away during the investigation. “That makes sense,” she said at last.
“It does?” Levac asked. “You’ll have to fill me in ’cause it sounds like another dead end to me.”
Raven laughed and said. “I’ll explain it to you when we go to question him. I assume we’ve got an address?”
“Yep, he lives in midtown. Want to go ask some questions?”
“I’d love to,” Raven replied. “Give me the address and I’ll meet you there.”
She jotted down the address Levac rattled off on a scrap of paper, kissed her mother on the cheek and made her way from the library. Valentina watched her go with love and fear in her eyes.
Raven arrived at the address just after Levac, who was leaning against the fender of his badly dented Studebaker Lark and sipping coffee from the shop a
cross the street.
“Not a bad address,” he said as Raven got out of the Shelby. “The rent here has to cost as much as I make in a month. Think I could get a job in private security?”
Raven pulled a string of cheese from Levac’s jacket. “Not until you learn to get your dinner from the plate to your mouth without wearing it. Cheese is not a fashion accessory.”
Levac laughed and made an “after you” gesture. Raven giggled and led the way into the lobby of the large apartment building, her heels clicking on the polished granite floor.
The building, known as Hancock Harbor for its views of the lake, had been constructed to appear naked. Strategically placed steel beams made the exterior look unfinished, while highly polished exposed conduits, ductwork and vents crisscrossed the lobby. Raven and Levac ignored the décor, instead moving straight for the elevators. Raven was not surprised that the elevator followed the same motif, appearing somewhat unfinished with an exposed gate over an art-deco mirror for a door combined with polished glass walls that made the car look open to the air. They stepped silently inside and rode to James’ floor, Raven trying to ignore the open grid work under her feet. Heights ranked up with blood-play.
The doors opened a moment later to reveal a short hallway that led straight to James’ condominium. The sound of light jazz filled the corridor and Raven’s sensitive nose picked up the scent of roasting garlic and burning onions. She wrinkled her nose in distaste and motioned for Levac to go first.
“Now what’s wrong?” he asked, stepping into the hallway.
“I hate the smell of cooking garlic,” Raven replied. “It’s almost as bad as dead bodies or spoiled milk.”
“Remind me never to try to send you flowers,” Levac said. “It would be impossible to find one you like.”
“I always appreciate a nice red rose." Raven followed Levac down the corridor. “And lilies are always nice. I like lilies.”
The two detectives reached the end of the hallway and Levac knocked on the large white door. It was opened a moment later by the man formerly known as Tasker. He was wearing a white dress shirt, grey slacks, Italian loafers and a surprised expression. He dropped the pasta he was stirring and rabbited, disappearing around a near corner and bounding through the spacious apartment. Raven and Levac leapt after him, drawing their weapons in unison.
“Stop, police!” Levac called as he rounded the corner.
Raven dodged around him and muttered, “I think he knows that, Rupert!”
The two had no time to admire the tasteful and expensive living area, as James was already slipping out the sliding glass door and making his way along the ledge. He had kicked off his shoes and was running barefoot for better traction.
Levac leaned over the edge of the patio and pointed his pistol in a cup and saucer grip. “Chicago Police,” he yelled. “Freeze!”
Again, Verick James ignored the command, instead sliding down one of the building’s angled girders and leaping to a ledge below.
“Who is this guy? Jackie Chan?” Levac asked, trying to draw a bead on the fleeing man.
Raven leaned over to see where James had gone, then turned to Levac. “I’ll follow him; you head back down to the lobby and try to cut him off.”
Levac’s jaw dropped open and he looked down at the Christian Louboutin stiletto pumps Raven was wearing. “You’re going after him?” he asked incredulously. “In those shoes?”
Raven kicked off her shoes and handed them to Levac. “Of course not! Don’t lose these!” She then leapt off the ledge to land on the steel beam below.
Raven continued to chase after James, who was scurrying along the ledge like a Parkour champion. Raven, being thinner and lighter, was gaining on the larger man, but he had the upper hand when it came to experience. Where Raven was having difficulty with the height, James simply kept running and leaping from ledge to ledge like he was the son of Tarzan.
Raven gritted her teeth and trusted in her vampire side to keep her safe. She jogged along behind James, leaping and climbing from building to building, doing her best to ignore the dizzying height and slick ledges. Twice, Raven lost sight of James, as she had to take an alternative route to keep up with the more experienced man, who seemed to know exactly when to leap and when to drop to a balcony below. After losing him for the third time as he blindly tucked and leapt across a wide alley, she knew she was going to lose him completely. She pressed her bare foot to the wall and jumped, letting her supernatural strength carry her to the other side of the alleyway to land in front of the larger man. James made a move to dodge, but Raven was too quick for him. She caught him backhanded across the face and drew her weapon.
“Okay, Mr. James,” she said, pointing her gun at his head. “Playtime is over. You are under arrest!”
“You are more than you seem, detective,” James said, his eyes dark.
“So are you, Mr. James,” Raven replied. “For one thing, I think you’re a psychotic killer who likes to watch people explode from the inside out.”
James shook his head. “I am not, Detective Storm. I’m a loyal employee, doing his job. Nothing more.”
“Right, just doing your job, which is to kill people,” Raven replied. “Put your hands on your head. You have the right to remain silent…”
VI
Midnight came and went as the officer on duty set about processing Verick James. For his part, James cooperated fully, providing documentation, allowing himself to be photographed, and assisting with the taking of his fingerprints. When Raven and Levac stepped into the interview room an hour later, Verick was looking relaxed and much more himself.
“Good morning, detectives,” he said in his rich voice.
“Hello, Mr. James,” Levac replied in a conversational tone. “Mr. James, you have waived the right to have an attorney present. Do you certify you understand you have agreed to waive this right?”
“I do,” James replied. “As I said, I have done nothing but mislead you in your investigation, at the instructions of my employer.”
“Who is your employer, Mr. James?” Raven asked.
“I am employed as the personal security officer to Mr. Drake Anderson,” James answered.
“And what does that have to do with impersonating Mr. Tasker?” Levac asked.
“Mr. Anderson instructed me to do so and to provide you answers to any questions you asked.”
“I see…” Levac said. “And were you aware the real bocor Tasker was deceased and rotting away in the church basement?”
James shook his head and spread his hands nervously. “I was not,” he said. “I was told the bocor was another company employee who was indisposed, and as he and I looked so much alike, I was needed to stand in for him in order to protect the company’s interests.”
“What interests?” Levac asked.
“I don’t know,” James replied, one hand moving to his stomach and rubbing as if he were in pain. “And I didn’t ask. My job was to do as I was told and I have learned not ask questions unless I really want to know the answer.”
“Was?” Raven asked, her eyes dropping to James’ midsection.
“I quit after all this,” James replied. “Something isn’t right at that place and I no longer want any part of that corporation. Could I have a glass of water, please?”
Levac reached for the pitcher of water that sat on the table. Raven, however, moved around the table and pulled James away from metal surface of the tabletop, making his chair scrape on the tile.
“What did you take? Did you take any medication today?” she asked.
“Just some stomach medication. I have acid reflux,” James replied. “How did you know?”
Raven turned to the mirror behind her and yelled, “Get me salt, right now!” She then handed James the cup of water Levac had poured. “Drink, quickly!” she ordered.
James complied, drinking the glass of water as a patrolman entered with the box of salt from the nearby lunchroom. Raven snatched it away and poured a hefty quan
tity into another glass. She topped it up with water and thrust into James’ hand.
“Drink!” she ordered again. She then glanced at the patrolman and said, “Get me a bucket or garbage can or something; this could get messy!”
James drank the salt water and immediately began to gag, spitting the last mouthful of water onto the floor and retching. Raven had been too late, however. James gurgled and there was a distant popping sound, like a holiday firework going off. Blood foamed from James’ mouth and he collapsed to the floor, his stomach protruding from below his ribs.
Ten minutes later, James had been pronounced dead and his body taken away by one of the late-shift technicians. Zhu would complete the postmortem in the morning, but Raven already knew what they would find: mercury fulminate. She and Levac had adjourned to their office and were staring at their murder board. After several long minutes, Raven stepped forward and circled a name on the board, one they hadn’t considered a suspect.
“Rupert, I have an idea. Do me a favor and run this guy’s credit card and bank history for the last six months and get back to me. I think you’ll find he has been buying meat pies in Old Town and making some large cash withdrawals without making deposits anywhere else. Then find out if his name is on the Whitehall board of directors.”
“Um, okay, what are you going to be doing?” Levac asked.
“I'm going to Club Purgatory to show Pashta this picture,” Raven replied, yanking a photo off the murder board and shrugging into her coat. “I have a hunch you and I are both idiots.”
“Hey…” Levac said to her retreating back. “Maybe just you...?”
CHAPTER NINE
It had started to rain again, a cold, hard rain that blew in from the shadowed west and chilled to the bone. It fell in sheets that caused the erratic Club Purgatory sign to spark and whine in the darkness. Raven ignored the shower of sparks that greeted her as she walked toward the entrance of the club, a look of determination on her face.
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