Chris waggled the tube at Steve. “This is going to be enough to get you back on your feet?”
Steve nodded grimly. “It will bury the symptoms until I can get a larger dose from my apartment.”
“Do I have to mix it with wine or can you take it straight?”
“Straight is better, the wine is just a preservative.” Steve thought about that for a moment then relented, “I suppose the wine is also for appearances sake as well.”
“Better for people to think you’re an alcoholic than to realize you’re a vampire, eh?”
The word struck Steve like a punch in the guts. “Chris…”
“I know. I know. Not REALLY a vampire, still, give me my indulgences.”
“Which indulgences?”
“Specifically, the one where I tell myself my best friend is a vampire. I have to admit I find that so absolutely and completely awesome! I mean, you’re as strong as three men and, until the other night, I thought you were unbreakable. I’ve never seen you sick a day in your life. I have seen you beaten, stabbed and shot, but each time you recovered in hours when any other man would have been hospitalized for weeks.”
“Pros and cons of my Porphyria and the way I was raised as a result of it.”
Chris’ smile faded. He knew Steve’s vampire nature was the result of a medical condition called Porphyria. And he knew the condition is such that the “heme” part of his hemoglobin cannot be properly synthesized by his body. Unlike the essential amino acids a “normal” human being needs to consume in order to survive, Steve must consume what his body cannot make. Chris understood the supplementation required would be the drinking of raw human blood. The “cons” Steve was referring to were those of a person with Porphyria going too long without consuming that part of the blood his or her body is unable to synthesize. Then the red blood cells start breaking down leading to excruciating pain, madness and death. As far as his strength and rapid recovery were concerned, well, that was a bit more complicated to explain.
“Sorry. Sometimes I forget it’s not all super powers.” Chris removed the collection tube from the syringe and held it out to Steve. “Here.”
Steve still wore an uneasy look on his face although his body was practically quivering with anticipation of the tube’s contents.
Seeing his friend’s reluctance Chris said, “It’s not like this makes us engaged or anything, just take it already.”
Steve reached out with a trembling hand and carefully plucked the tube from Chris’ fingers. He immediately put it to his lips and downed the contents in two quick swallows as if throwing back a couple of fingers of tequila.
Steve felt the beneficial effects of the blood instantly; his headache quickly diminished from an intense throbbing to an almost imperceptible drone. The aches in his body disappeared completely and the sense of emptiness in his core now felt partially sated.
“Better?” Chris asked as he finished securing a bandage over the area on his arm where he had drawn the blood.
“Much. Thank you, Chris.”
“Not a problem. So you want to tell me what happened?”
Truth be told, Steve’s stomach was still unsteady and the now more subtle thrumming behind his eyes threatened to make every spoken word resonate with pain inside his skull. In spite of all of this, Steve managed to relay everything that had happened. Afterward he could see a familiar look on his friend’s face as Chris’ analytical mind switched to the “on” position.
“Okay, we have an unexplained trauma affecting an entire building’s worth of people. Then your…uh, ‘family’ shows up and Alpha gives you the big beat down without giving you any rhyme or reason why they are hanging around.”
Chris paused as Steve confirmed everything with a gentle nod. “Well, I would say you had quite an evening!” Chris concluded.
“Thank you Captain Obvious.” Steve chuckled.
“So what’s our next move?” Chris asked unexpectedly.
Steve was caught off guard. “What?”
“Where do we go from here? You’re the detective, what’s next?”
“You actually still want in on this?”
“I believe you said the Captain wanted you to bring me in on this one. Why? Hell I don’t know, although I do know the Captain and I have a tolerant relationship at best. He knows my skills and I respect his instincts. Maybe he knew or suspected something whereby I would prove myself to be useful in the long run.”
Steve thought about it and nodded again. “All right, you’re in. Do you have the morning paper?” ”Yeah, Why?”
“I want to get up to date on what’s currently happening with the case. I know it’s been two days, but maybe there’s something in the paper that could give me some insight.”
“Oh, in that case I have something even better.”
Chris walked over to where the television sat on a flat entertainment unit. Pushing a videotape into the VCR, Chris switched on the TV and returned to Steve’s side. The TV played the end of a teeth whitening toothpaste commercial which sang a catch phrase then faded out. When the picture returned it was of the early morning news from two days ago. The heavily made up anchor announced the headline story.
Our top story this morning revolves around the ongoing investigation into the possible terrorist attack on the local nightclub and hot spot, The Inferno. Bringing us the latest information is Carrie Sanchez reporting from The Inferno. Carrie:
Thank you, Marc. Just after midnight last night police were sent to the scene of the nightclub, The Inferno, to break up a disturbance out on the street. That’s when the officers on the scene noticed the locked doors of the nightclub, a serious violation of the city fire codes. The officers eventually forced the doors open and entered the club only to succumb to what authorities believe is the first biological terrorist attack on American soil.
Authorities believe the biologic agent was spread though the ventilation system by whoever initiated the attack. All persons including club owner, Phillip Devereaux, were affected by whatever agents were released.
What makes this story even more frightening is what followed as emergency crews arrived on the scene. As the emergency crews rushed in to administer aid to the victims, they too succumbed to the effects of whatever still lingered in the air. All police and medical personnel who arrived on the scene collapsed as well and needed to be evacuated by federal emergency crews arriving shortly thereafter. Currently, at the request of the World Health Organization, the biohazard unit of the Pharmanetics Corporation is overseeing the clean-up procedures. Their report, for now, claims the danger is over. In charge of the clean-up is Pharmanetics CEO Alex Daniels.
Alex Daniels:
We have been, and are currently registering zero levels of any biological or other contamination in the club or the surrounding area. At this point in time there is no further danger; it is clear that whatever was used in this instance was a self-limiting material which dissipated over time. Our efforts shall now turn to the aid of the victims and their recovery. We at Pharmanetics are ready and willing to assist Federal and State law enforcement agencies in any way we can to help in the apprehension of those responsible.
No word has been released at this time regarding the state of the victims or if there have been any deaths. The only word is that the victims have been placed in quarantine and every measure has been taken to assist in their recovery. Pharmanetics is attempting to identify each of the victims so friends and loved ones can be kept apprised of the latest developments.
Carrie Sanchez, Channel 3 Morning News, reporting.
Anchor:
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack on…”
“Turn it off Chris.” Steve was dumbstruck by the report. The cover-up was so huge it boggled his mind.
Chris walked to the TV and switched the power off.
“Jesus! None of the officers on the scene collapsed that night!” Steve said in exasperation.
“At least not while I was there. When th
e hell did that happen?”
“I don’t think it did,” Chris acknowledged. “You and I were both there. I feel fine and whatever happened to you was the result of the run-in you had, not as a result of some kind of gas attack.”
“So whoever is involved in this has the ability to influence the press.” Steve thought out loud, “and that means…what?”
“As I said, you’re the detective, you tell me.”
Steve thought for a moment.
“Chris, what do you know about Pharmanetics?”
Chapter 12
Walking into the Police Station, Steve was overwhelmed by the scarcity of officers and the high level of activity of the few who remained. With the disappearance of almost an entire shift of officers, those remaining were spread so thin the city was running on a skeleton crew. Phones were frantically being answered with the callers being put on hold. Desk clerks were filling out forms, answering phones and taking statements all at the same time. Uniformed personnel were doing the best they could; however, it was clear such an immediate shortage of people was taking its toll on the whole of the police force. The Mayor and the Governor had called for neighboring cities to lend personnel and for the Academy to lend new recruits to help with the load. The trainees were working the office and performing guard duties while the active officers patrolled the streets and investigated crime scenes such as they could until some relief from the neighboring cities arrived.
Fortunately the news of the lack of law enforcement personnel was relatively well-kept from the public. In the interest of public safety, and to suppress the fear of rioting and the emboldening of the criminal element, the various press agencies were cooperating for the time being, holding back releasing a full story until the relief arrived.
Steve felt a surge of pride in his city as people came together to work toward a common goal. This city of plastic appearances, self-glorification and solipsistic ideals could surprise you every now and again with its ability to reach out in a time of need. Los Angeles could truly become a City of Angels when the need arose.
A few veterans stared in surprise as Steve made his way to his desk. Steve was the only officer who was on site who hadn’t “disappeared” that night. He was sure more than a few of his brethren were wondering how he had accomplished that feat. Steve felt as if he wanted to cringe under the scrutiny of those accusing eyes, but he pressed forward until he reached his desk. No sooner had he sat down then the buzzer on his phone rang. Steve answered it on the third ring.
Steve figured this call was coming. The Captain was missing and, in true military fashion, his temporary replacement had already been assigned. Paul Meyers had been a lieutenant and lead investigator in the Internal Affairs division of the LAPD. Steve knew of him only by reputation as a tough but fair investigator who did his job well and didn’t abide by any of the “Big Blue Wall” code of silence which was prevalent in most police precincts. Meyers was 40-something, athletic, always wore a sports coat, never suits. And that was about all he knew of the man. What disconcerted him about Paul Meyers was the fact that as close as he had been with the Captain, Steve was an unknown to Meyers. This normally wouldn’t have been a problem, assuming he could adequately explain the last two days, which, of course, he couldn’t. Steve had no explanation for what may or may not have happened for the two days he’d been “out.”
“Jacobs here,” Steve spoke evenly into the phone.
“Jacobs, Paul Meyers here. I need you in the Captain’s office now. Don’t keep me waiting.” The acting Captain hung up the phone.
Steve didn’t think the tone Meyers had taken with him was too brisk and he really appreciated the fact that Meyers had said “the Captain’s office” and not “my office” when he told him to report. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. Whatever the case, he was out of his chair and heading toward the Captain‘s office before he’d hung up the phone.
Steve knocked on the glass door as he entered the Captain’s office. Meyers was on the phone trying to speak to the screaming voice on the other end. It sounded as if he was being called to task by whoever was having the one-sided conversation. Finally the hollering stopped and the line went dead on the other end.
“What an asshole,” Meyers sighed as he hung up the phone. “Our Chief of Police certainly has a knack for making as loud a scene as possible.”
Steve smiled as Meyers spoke. Yeah, he seemed okay Steve thought, even if he was I.A.
“I guess there’s no reason to enlighten you with the information the Chief had to impart. He’s begun to put the pressure on me regarding this whole debacle.”
Steve nodded and continued to listen as Meyers spoke.
“All right now. Since I never had the unfortunate pleasure of reading through your current file while I worked with Internal Affairs, I read through your personnel file this morning after your call.”
Steve waited patiently as the acting Captain thumbed through his file.
“You do realize that prior to your call requesting information we had all assumed you had disappeared with the rest of our men. You have missed two shifts without explanation and then call requesting information on the case to which only a few people have access. You have to know how this looks. With all of the pressures and people watching this case it’s not as if we can allow any potentialities to fall through our fingers.”
Steve didn’t like it, but he could understand the skepticism. Maybe he had gotten spoiled with the amount of leeway the Captain had always given him. Whatever the case, an explanation was due so Steve started talking. Meyers, to his credit, listened through the whole story, excluding the run in he had with Lei and Alpha, and blamed his absence on investigating the crime as the Captain had requested him to do, which led him to Pharmanetics.
“Why Pharmanetics?” Meyers asked with what appeared to be genuine interest.
“It just strikes a strange chord with me that a major pharmaceutical corporation is doing the clean-up of a potential biological attack for the World Health Organization. Maybe I’m being a conspiracy theorist, but the thought occurred to me this might actually be some manufactured new party drug like ‘Ecstasy.’ Maybe they’re looking into producing something with a legitimate medicinal purpose but with the bigger profit margin of an illegal substance. I’ve been to a few raves and I can tell you, that as a police officer, if I were to bust one person I would have to bust everyone. I have nothing to back this up, but could Pharmanetics have hired someone to pass out samples of a new drug to see if a clientele could be formed? The Inferno would be the best place to start.”
Steve finished and waited for the incredulity from Meyers he was sure would come.
“All right; follow-up on Pharmanetics and see if you can dig anything up from their history, shareholders and so forth. Check in with me via phone and email. You have my numbers.”
“Excuse me, sir?” Astonished at the ease at which Meyers absorbed all of the information, Steve had to shake himself to break the spell he was under.
“I am expecting answers from you and soon. Do I need to remind you that we have a lot of people counting on you not only to figure out what is happening in our city, but to find our missing people as well?" The air of authority was building in Meyers’ voice.
“No, of course not; it’s just that I’m having a hard time believing what happened and I went through it.” Slightly embarrassed Steve continued, “I guess I expected some skepticism and doubt on your part.”
“I really don’t like any of this,” Meyers continued. “I am somehow giving the go-ahead to something I would otherwise be investigating if I was still a lieutenant in Internal Affairs.”
“I understand. We won’t let you down, Captain.”
“See that you don’t. Dismissed.”
Chapter 13
Steve looked directly into the eyes of the security chief stationed in the front lobby of the Pharmanetics building. He was making an unofficial and unscheduled call upon the CEO and founder, Alex Daniel
s. He had politely requested to speak with Mr. Daniels for a few minutes regarding The Inferno clean up which had been completed but was still being monitored by Pharmanetics employees. When the security guard abruptly told him to forget it, Steve pulled out his credentials, flashed his badge, and said he would come back with a court order, yadda-yadda…the usual routine. The eyes of the security guard got bigger and darker as he restrained himself. Speaking into a landline phone on the desk, the security fellow called Alex Daniels’ office. Whoever answered the phone asked for a few minutes and said he would come down directly and escort Steve to Mr. Daniels’ office.
After the security guard explained all of this to Steve the staring contest had begun. As Steve watched this man’s eyes he realized this was no ordinary security guard. The eyes, truly being the window to the soul, do reveal a great deal about a person. Steve recognized the look in this man’s eyes. This guy was probably a soldier or a mercenary who had been hired as muscle for the company. The troubling part was how young this man appeared to be. He couldn’t have been out of his twenties, yet he had that same unyielding look that comes only from battle experience. Far more experience than he should have at his age.
Steve’s gaze did not falter nor did he back down under the scrutiny of the security guard. Seconds crept by like minutes as he waited until finally, Mr. Daniels’ assistant emerged from the elevator. The woman was tall, lean and very blonde. This was the kind of woman you would expect to have a supermodel contract along with a professional beach volleyball career. She was wearing a smart charcoal black business suit with classy shoes and sparse but elegant jewelry.
“Detective Jacobs?” She had no detectable accent to her voice, which was contrary to what Steve was expecting. Steve answered without breaking his gaze with the security officer.
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