Adduné - the Vampire's Game (49 page)

“
Beatrice, I don’t understand what you’re saying. Please just go ahead and tell me what it is. I’ve heard a great many things over the years and none of them has ever shocked me so I doubt you will,” he said more than a bit arrogantly. He had only meant to reassure her, but had unwittingly let conceit drip into his tone. He didn’t care. He forgot the cardinal rule of pride going before a fall. It was just like pressing too hard against the window behind him. If the glass were to break then …

“
I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” she answered more than gathering her wits. She seemed to have snapped out of her former delirium and changed into being lucid and serious in one breath. “You don’t understand and I do, that’s the problem. Then there’s the speaking ill of the dead to contend with. I was taught never to do that. It ain’t right, but it seems I’ll have to, so here goes … William left a note.”

Reginald’s ears pricked up. There was a new attentiveness running throughout his body. He was alert.

“
Beatrice, I’m sorry. I don’t know how to put this delicately, but do you mean a suicide note?”

“
No, a note for you. He wrote it before …. before he …” she said her voice trailing off to that same place she’d visited several times during her conversation. “… before he
died
,” she continued emphasizing the last word. “He told me about the last conversation he had with you. You know, the one in the kitchen at Weatherly. He said he told you things, but not everything. He held something back – something that was driving him insane. You knew my William. Got up, ate, went to work, and came home to me. He’d always been so docile – like a little lamb. but not the last few days he wasn’t. He was acting like he’d lost his mind and was living in fear and one of the things he feared most was you not knowing what he knew. That’s why he wrote it down.”

Reginald was confused. He’d already received a note. He’d read it. Was she speaking about another one?

“
Beatrice, I already received a note from your husband.”

“
You did? So that’s what happened to the first page. He sent it to you already!”

Reginald thought back to the handwritten page. He had noticed the numbering. He had even questioned it. It must be there were more pages to it. It made sense, but why on earth had he split up the pages of his own letter?

“
I was wondering about that. The page was numbered.”

“
With a one? These begin at two.”

“
But why didn’t he just send the whole thing?”

“
I’m guessing it’s the same reason he didn’t tell you in the kitchen.”

“
Tell me what?”

“
The name of the vampire. Did his page mention who it is?”

Reginald sat up straighter. His back was no longer leaning on the glass panes. He was on his own.

“
No, no, it didn’t.”

“
Then I’m right then. That’s why he did what he did. He was still alive when he sent that note to you. Not as long as he was alive could he tell you. My William was loyal he was.”

Reginald’s alertness went into hyperdrive. The same focus he used in the courtroom was switched on. She was talking about the vampire at Weatherly. The vampire that Figgs had told him about. The vampire that made his way into his house. The tall, blonde man that was occupying his dreams and bringing on nightmares. She knew who he was. Reginald needed to know. Was it connected to the name Adduné? He had heard that name whispered in his dream – the one in his library. He didn’t know what connection it had with the vampire, but knew it was mentioned for a reason.

“
Well, who is it then? Is it Adduné?”

“
Adduné? I don’t know that name, Mr. Charles.”

Then Adduné was only connected with the egg. It had nothing to do with what happened at Weatherly. Reginald was trying to piece things together, but to do that he needed to know the blonde man’s name. He had been willing to bet that he was who William had meant. Who Beatrice was talking about.

“
Then who is it, Beatrice?”

“
I’m afraid you’ll have to come here to find out. I was going to send the letter, like William asked, but it’s better if you see it for yourself.”

Reginald bristled inside. He was combustible these days. Why couldn’t the old fool just tell him? Why was a trip to her house necessary? It was all so convoluted and unnecessary, but then so was Figgs withholding the information to begin with. He had started all this with his reluctance to just spit it out and be done with it. Reginald remembered Miranda. This might affect her. He was acting like a child having a tantrum – a hissy fit. What did it matter how she told him the name? The point was she was going to tell him provided he collected himself and behaved like an adult.

“
Fine, Beatrice. If you think it’s better that way, I can stop by. What about tonight? It’s late but …”

“
No, not tonight. The doctor gave me something to sleep. I haven’t been sleeping – from the shock of losing my William and all. But ever since reading that note, they don’t work. I took one pill and then another … and …”

“
Beatrice how many pills have you taken?”

“
Just the two. It’s why I’m sounding a little tired and confusing things.”

“
Just don’t take anymore. Do you understand?”

“
Yes, Mr. Charles. Thank you for being concerned, but you don’t need to be. I don’t want to sleep anyway. What with those dreams and seeing the face of …”

“
Of who?”

“
The face my William saw. I need to go. I have to get up early tomorrow. Took a part-time job at a shop. Thought it would help keep me occupied. In the afternoon, I’m going to the doctor for something stronger. There must be something that’ll stop me from having these dreams. Don’t you think there’s something, Mr. Charles?”

Reginald doubted it. He’d be taking it himself if it were that simple.

“
Yes, I’m quite sure he’ll prescribe something appropriate. How does five-ish sound? I could stop by around then.”

“
Yes, five sounds perfect,” she said pausing to deeply yawn. “Oh, I am sorry about that. It’s those pills, you know. Never know when they’ll …”

Her voice fell to a whisper.

“
Good night, Beatrice.”

“
Good night, Mr. Charles. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I hope you feel the same after you see what it is I have to show you.”

CHAPTER 26

The minute they were spotted, Miranda and Tiffany were ushered into the hot new club. No waiting behind the velvet ropes for entrance like the throngs of
never-were
and
never-will-be’s
. Beautiful, wealthy women never wait – they are waited
on
instead.

Miranda had gone back home to change. Tiffany had helped her settle on a strapless dress whose taffeta circle skirt stopped just short of revealing everything. The layers of tulle attached underneath acted as an updated crinoline adding a playful, youthful flavor to the cool sophistication of her look. The black beaded bandeau velvet top added glamour and more than a little drama.

Miranda and Tiffany smiled brilliantly into the camera lenses of the few freelance photographers standing outside. There were always a few photographers stationed at the outskirts hoping to catch a celebrity and thereby score a huge payday from a tabloid willing to pay top dollar.

Tiffany kept a tight hold of Miranda’s hand as she led her into the inner recesses of the club. Strobe lights, simulated camera flashes, and pulsating music set the tone. The black and white interior was sleek and smart. They had done a great job of carrying out the club’s theme without turning it into something stilted, stark, or silly. Miranda returned the smiles of the groups of people she passed. They were all here to be seen and have a good time. Miranda’s eyes rested on a dark-haired man whose six-pack showed through a tight, white cotton t-shirt. The white of his shirt set off his dark tan. His jeans were casually worn, but ridiculously expensive. Miranda knew the brand and had purchased a few pairs for herself. He showed rows of pearly sharklike teeth. Miranda responded by tugging on Tiffany’s arm.

“
He’s cute!”

“
Who?” Tiffany asked, looking up and down the rows of men yearning for someone to call their own.

“
That one. The one with the white T-shirt and charming smile.”

“
Yum! He does look good! I wonder if he’s mean enough to keep you interested.”

Miranda playfully swiped Tiffany’s bare arm.

“
I doubt anyone could be that cruel,” Miranda countered.

Miranda was feeling confident again. She could take the joke. She should be able to handle the razzing – she’d had enough practice with Reginald. She wondered what the old curmudgeon was doing and whether he would approve of her even being in a huge, dark club like this. There must be plenty places to hide stolen merchandise from vengeful vampires.

Another young, tanned dark-haired man approached Miranda and Tiffany. His hair was gelled and spiked up on top like a hedge hog. It gave him a sweet, endearing look.

“
Mind if I buy you girls something to drink?”

They could barely hear him over the ear-shattering club music. The DJ was good and had the dance floor filled with hungry participants.

“
Sure thing. I’m Tiffany and this is Miranda.”

“
I’m Alex. Nice to meet you both.”

They followed behind him walking with linked arms to the bar so as not to be separated by the crush of beautiful people. Miranda was feeling in her element. She liked this kind of atmosphere. It was much the same with Tiffany. She was a complete extrovert who always managed to put on a show. Neither of them minded being looked at and admired. It was one of the great reasons to attend these types of gatherings – to see and be seen.

Miranda and Tiff hopped on two vacant bar stools. Alex stood in between the two and ordered a round of drinks. They sat learning about life, love, and assorted actualities going on in Alex’s young life. He’d just completed college, with a framed MBA for his trouble. He had a cushy six-figure first job lined up starting in September. Life was good in his world.

He seemed to hone in on Tiffany. Miranda could see he was interested in her friend. It wasn’t long before he asked her to dance. It wasn’t unexpected that he wanted to get her best friend alone. Miranda understood – she was all about romance, and nodded her head to Tiffany to indicate she didn’t mind. Tiff gave her a wink and a smile and touched her arm to let her know she’d be back. The one thing they always did was watch out for one another. Neither would ever leave a club without the other – no matter what. It was too dangerous and if there was someone worth taking home – they’d still be worth going home with tomorrow.

Miranda watched Alex spirit her friend to a center spot on the floor. She smiled when Tiffany broke out her bad ass dancing skills. Miranda sat, contentedly drinking and watching her friend shake it loose. Alex seemed to be keeping up. She was thankful for his sake. Tiffany insisted on her men being able to dance. Miranda had seen her make short work of those who couldn’t. Miranda’s first impression was that they complemented each other nicely, but there was so much more that went into making a couple than just looking good together. She sometimes longed for the good old days when she and Tiff thought it was enough. She took another sip of her drink, her eyes bouncing about the room. It didn’t take long to spot him.

He was across the room – a full head taller than anyone else – standing against the wall. Just leaning and staring at her as if he didn’t have a problem in the world. Miranda looked away as if scorched by fire. She felt her pulse quicken and wondered if she should just leave. She got angry with herself for even having that thought. After all, why should she leave when it was Peter that had caused the problem? Let him leave – she was staying put. Before she even had time to finish her thought, she heard the voice next to her.

“
Hello, Miranda.”

She froze. There had been an instantaneous voice recognition. She wondered just how much nerve this asshole had. Brass cojones came to mind. She also wondered how he’d made it across the room. There were droves of people that had separated them. What’d he do? Fly?

She spun around and looked into the face of the man she most loathed.