General Population (2 page)

She removed the half burned candle from the base and placed it in one of the small drawers to the desk. inside was another one, not as big with a yellow and orange swirl to it. She grabbed it from the drawer and placed in onto the base. Striking a match from the box next to the candle she lit the wick.

Just a little aromatherapy will do the trick
,
Tara thought. She had suspicions and the candle would reveal the truth.

"I hope I didn't keep you ladies waiting too long."
 

Drahomira turned quickly, slightly startled. She seemed surprised at this. Maddix cleaned up very well, everything fresh and scrubbed except for a perfect trim of stubble that he preferred to wear.
 

"Not at all," Tara said, all business. "Maddix Benbrook, this is Ms. Drahomira Statsny."

She rose from her seat and extended her hand. "Very pleasant to meet you, Overseer."

"Please, you can call me Maddix."

He approached his desk and noted the candle burning. After exchanging a few glances with Tara, it was all clear to him. He smiled and nodded.

"How may I help you today, Ms. Statsny?" Maddix took his seat behind the desk.

"I have a problem that I am not sure how to deal with," Drahomira replied, taking her seat.

Tara vacated the room.

"What kind of problem?" Maddix asked.

"It is my brother. He appears to have been killed."

"I am so sorry for your loss. What makes you think he was murdered?"

"I can not say for sure," she paused, "but it appears as if someone has attacked him in my family's garden. I found his body lying there."

Maddix watched her carefully, looking for a sign. "Any idea why someone would want to do this?"

"My family," she coughed, "has many enemies. Could be anyone."

I just need one more tell, come on!
Maddix waited and watched as she became more uncomfortable.
 

The coughing continued.

"Are you okay, Ms. Statsny?"

A single bead of sweat began to drop from her forehead. It was clear now. "I think you are attempting to make a fool of me, Ms. Statsny."

"No," she continued to choke. "I assure you. My brother has been killed."

"I don't mean to be rude, but someone of your … shall we say heritage, does not die that easily, nor is there usually a body to be found afterwards."

Her coughing gave way to tears. That was enough proof for him. She was definitely a vampire.

"Your magic candle has revealed the truth?"

"It's not magic." Maddix turned to blow out the wick. "It's infused with some garlic essence. Quite useful to spot vampires in a crowded room actually."

Her mouth stretched to a thin line. She wasn't amused. Garlic was such an annoyance to be near, and could be lethal in the right doses. The weaknesses of the undead were a cruel joke and bitter ironies.

"Now that all the cards are on the table, what is this really about, Ms. Statsny?"

"Just as I said," she replied, wiping her eyes and mouth with a handkerchief. "My brother was attacked in my garden, and his body was laying there lifeless."

"Not possible."

"I know how this seems, Overseer. I can not explain it myself, which is why I am coming to you now."

"Have you reported the incident to the constables? They usually handle crowd control."

"Crowd control?" She was visibly annoyed by the remark.

"Yes, problems with the prison population are their responsibility. Has been for decades."

"Incompetent fools all of them! That so called captain of theirs is the most incompetent of all."

"I won't argue with that." Maddix couldn't hold his smile back. Larouche could be inefficient, and a dick. "Let's say I believe you, what would you have me do? Investigations are not something my position handles. We aren't equipped for it."

"I am only asking that you see for yourself and draw a conclusion about who could have done this. I suspect the dogs may be to blame. Disgusting things."

It was the most likely theory. It's no secret that werewolves and vampires were mortal enemies. There had been a few foul words exchanged but never any serious fights in his time as overseer.
 

"There are some guidelines I am supposed to follow. Staying within town lines is one of them. I'm not sure that—"

"You are protected in Malevolent City, no?"

Maddix nodded.

"Then don't think of yourself as the warden, consider yourself a guest in my humble home."

"I'm not a warden, just an overseer."

"To most of us here, there is little difference."

Curiosity was swelling in Maddix. This was a chance to get outside and really do something. The responsibility was great, but the job was boring.

"All right," Maddix perked up from his thoughts, "I'll look into it. I will be over sometime today."

Drahomira stood up and extended her hand. "Excellent. My servant, Stillwel, will assist you with anything you need. I may be in slumber when you arrive."

Maddix shook her stone cold hand. Thoughts of this beautiful woman sleeping in a coffin danced in his mind. It was sexy yet dangerous. There was an appeal to that; he couldn't deny it.

Each bid their good-byes and Maddix watched as she exited through the door. Her body moved gracefully as she walked. So hard to believe how deadly this woman must be under different conditions.
A domesticated killer
, Maddix thought.

"It's amazing how beautiful they all are," Tara remarked.

Maddix turned. "Yes. Every curse has its upside I guess."

"What's the next move?" Her voice was excited.

"Look up what you can about the Statsnys. I think I read something about them in one of the old journals. Then try to cross reference unusual vampire deaths."

"Unusual?"

"Yeah, I've never heard of any vampire dying without making some kind of noise, explosion, or flames."

"Got it. I'll dig out some of the old logs by the Founding Fathers."
 

"Great idea," Maddix said. "I'll also need some tools."

"I thought you might so I grabbed the key for you."

Tara popped a tiny brass key into his hand. Never before had Maddix thought he'd have to open the cabinet. Inside were a variety of weapons—a pistol, several boxes containing silver tipped bullets, various religious artifacts, and a long, wooden-tipped stake with a reinforced leather grip.

Time to go to work
,
Maddix thought.

Despite the intended purpose of the town and its residents, Maddix enjoyed walking through the main strip. It was pretty basic, made up of businesses that the prisoners had created; making use of their talents they had when they occupied the real world. They didn't have a currency of any kind but managed to create an economy out of trade and exchange.
 

Most of the vampires and werewolves were tradespeople of varying sorts. They had helped to create the homes they all dwelled in. It was this attempt at forging a community that convinced the Founding Fathers not to wipe them out completely so many years ago. The pact they had agreed on together was a live and let live policy rather than a draconian set of laws.

 
Even though its primary residents were supernatural in nature, the town still contained all the basic resources for sustaining life. There was a general store, a pharmacy, the constable station, and Kirkpatrick's Pub. Kirkpatrick's was
the
hangout for werewolves to drink and cause a ruckus, and the food was always fresh and amazing with some newly hunted game and ripe vegetables.
 

The werewolves and vampires lived in tightly knit packs, but there were a few loners here and there living in small homes or apartments in town. Maddix found it amusing that despite the lack of humanity, people were still people and wanting to be a part of a clique seemed to be ingrained in the psyche.

One large imprisoned community of supernatural monstrosities all locked behind a magical gate, and Maddix was responsible for it.

Maddix had never actually left the outskirts of town. It was frowned upon by the Founding Fathers, and since no one ever really came to him with issues, it was never necessary. Being the overseer in Malevolent didn't exactly come with a set of rules or a training manual, but each one before him kept a journal of their experience and knowledge. These tomes were more like a set of best practices rather than a rulebook set in stone. Maddix did his part to log his experience but so far, the only thing Maddix had to pass on was his tips and tricks for bluffing in poker—something he had gotten excellent at.

Tara and Maddix would have lengthy discussions about the Founding Fathers. Aside from the American history reference, neither one of them really could remember anything except that they were the ones who sent them there to oversee the prison. Tara assumed they were just a part of government nobody talked about. A big factor for the prison was in its secrecy, thus the memory wipes and no detailed records other than the journals.

A half-hour walk out of town was a collection of rather impressive looking houses raised up over the land. Vampires liked to be high above everyone, so most of their dwellings were on top of mountainous looking hills with trails cut into them for effect. One of the many vampire reference books in Maddix's library had stated that vampires built their houses in this form to excite curiosity in treasure seekers. Having the ability to change into a bat made the need for stairs and paths useless, but for them it was a trap to have groceries delivered right to their doorstep.

The Statsnys possessed a house much larger and more menacing than the others in Malevolent. The front door was big and intricately decorated with carvings of demonic imagery, and a modestly sized metallic bat with a heavy door-knocker set into its claws.
 

Maddix knocked on the door and barely a minute passed before it opened. An older gentleman in standard butler affair answered the door. Maddix was a little surprised to see the human figure standing before him. He had expected another vampire or something more sinister.
 

"Overseer Benbrook, I presume?"

"Yes." Maddix extended his hand in greeting.
 

The man did not return his handshake but continued to stare are him in anticipation.

"Um, yeah." Maddix dropped his hand, feeling awkward. "Feel free to call me Maddix."

"Not at all, Overseer Benbrook. Your title suits you. I am Stillwel, the butler. Please come in."

Normally Maddix would have been flattered by the respect of his title, but Stillwel's voice was drawn out and eerie.

"Madam Statsny has informed me of your visit and that you wish to inspect Master Statsny's remains."
 

"Yes, Ms. Statsny seems to suspect foul play."

"Indeed, sir."

Maddix followed Stillwel upstairs. There were several doors with no indications where they might lead. It wasn't too often that one got to freely walk through a vampire clan's home and he wanted to take in as much as he could.
Finally
,
he thought.
There will be something interesting to write in the journals.

"Is this where they all—" Maddix choked, not sure how to word the question.

"Sleep, sir? Yes. The eldest of the clan take up residence in the mansion. The youngest reside down below in the caverns. Havel Statsny and his sister are the most elderly of the family."

"Amazing! How old is she exactly?"

Stillwel looked at Maddix for a moment before speaking. "It would be rude for any man—especially a man in her employment—to ask a woman her age. Wouldn't you say?"

"Well yes, I suppose so. Never thought of it that way. Just how long have you been employed by the Statsnys?"

"It is difficult to say. My concept of time is unclear since we arrived here."

Maddix understood where he was coming from. Nobody really knew how long they had been in the prison or when exactly. One journal briefly explained something about time and space being out of sync with the real world and Malevolent, but no one knew for sure. When an overseer left the prison, that was it—they were gone.

"May I ask why you are here? You aren't a normal resident exactly," said Maddix.

"You are correct. I am bound to the master. I am his familiar."

"So you are a slave?" Maddix questioned.

"I am more than willing to serve the master."

According to history, anyone who was unfortunate enough to be overpowered by a vampire suffered one of three fates. Most of them would be consumed completely and die, some would be consumed and then turned into vampires themselves, and an unlucky few would be charmed into becoming human slaves. Those of weak character were the most susceptible to being hypnotized and then controlled through promises of immortality and power. Their masters would discard most familiars once their usefulness was gone.

When they reached the room, Stillwel pointed through the doorway with his hand. Luxurious furniture with silk covered cushions and skillfully carved wood decorated the bedroom. Wide open, in the center, laid a polished wooden coffin resting on top of a stone altar covered in satin. Lying motionless inside was the body of Havel Statsny.

At first glance, Maddix could tell immediately that Havel was Drahomira's brother. They had many similar facial features and he was just as flawless as she was. Whether that was genetics or vampirism though, Maddix wasn't sure. Not every vampire was good looking, but they were still alluring when they weren't trying to kill you.

Maddix took a moment to look the body over. He could see bite indents and some scratches, nothing breaking the skin, but still noticeable.
 

"Who discovered him?" Maddix asked.

"Madam Statsny. The master often enjoyed reading in the garden after rising. He was found on the ground lifeless and the grounds were torn up around him. She suspected a wolf and tried to give chase but found nothing."

"Did she bring him back up here?"

"She did, sir."