Hot Demon in the City (Latter Day Demons Book 1) (12 page)

"Farin, I don't know," I answered honestly. "The way Hannah's going, I could be looking for another job by then."

"What should I cook?" Farin had already ignored my excuse.

"Don't go overboard," I said. "Something simple to start with. There's no sense in trying to make a fancy dinner when you're nervous about whether he'll like it or not."

"What do you think he'll like?"

"What did he order at dinner?" I asked.

"Pork chops the first night, Steak the second."

"I have a good recipe for pork loin, and you can make it in a slow cooker if you want. It's practically foolproof and great with potatoes and a green vegetable or salad."

"Can you e-mail it to me?"

"Sure. I'll get it to you by the end of the day."

* * *

"Look what the cat dragged in," Anita said when I shuffled into the kitchen.

"Hey, I've been on the phone with Farin for more than an hour," I retorted. "She wants to cook for Tibby."

"Tibby?" Anita lifted an eyebrow.

"Yes, they've gone straight to pet names," I said. "I think it's serious."

"Please tell me he isn't calling her Fairy," Anita said.

"No, it's Fair Lady, or so I hear."

"Almost as bad."

"Hold further conversation until I have coffee," I grumped, holding up a hand.

"Did we wake finally?" Kory stalked into the kitchen.

"Yes, we did. We need coffee. And silence from all minions until said coffee is consumed."

"Is there anything for breakfast?" Watson rambled in behind Kory, looking like he'd wrestled a sea monster instead of sleeping.

"Nice look," Anita smiled into her coffee cup.

"I cooked all night last night," I made my excuse to Watson while waiting for coffee to brew. I wasn't in the mood to make breakfast for anybody.

"I can make bacon and eggs," Kory offered.

"Great. I'll help," Watson said.

I kept my mouth shut and took a seat next to Anita while we watched them fumble their way through making breakfast. It wasn't horrible, as it turned out. I learned that Watson liked toast with his butter, while Kory preferred his slathered with strawberry jam.

"I met the Romes last night," I began.

"How were they?" Watson asked.

"Thirsty. I made five martinis for the guy who's posing as James Rome, Jr. He likes his made with Grey Goose and imported olives. Laurel had three rum and fruit drinks and didn't even wobble afterward."

Watson stared at me as if I'd turned into something he didn't recognize. "You're sure?" he said, his voice hitting a higher note.

"Yeah. I made them, so of course I'm sure."

"You know where they went afterward?"

"No idea—they were talking to Hannah when I left. Kory," I turned to him, "I met a vampire named Granger last night."

My statement was met with dead silence—from everybody. "What the bloody hell?" Kory breathed eventually.

"He was there and talking to the Romes. It made me wonder if they knew what he was. I also considered his role in Vann's death."

"Go back to the part where you said someone is posing as James Rome, Jr." Anita said.

"It's not him, I guarantee it. My truth meter gave a thumbs-down on that."

"What the fuck is going on?" Watson blinked at Kory. "Claudia insisted that I stock plenty of Grey Goose and imported olives for her visitors, last night."

"Might be a coincidence, but I doubt it," Kory shook his head. "What the hell do the Romes have to do with Granger and Claudia?"

"Donna and Abe Raven were at the Romes' anniversary shindig, only the Romes left the Ravens' names off the guest list after they were murdered," I said. "I checked with the society editor at the downtown office—the Raven's weren't listed and there were no photographs included. The photo of Vann posing with the Romes wasn't there, either."

"The Ravens were at that party—you can see Donna Raven's jacket in the photograph the Romes supplied for Vann's memorial tribute. He was definitely at that party," Anita confirmed.

"Here's another question—Vann knew the Ravens were at that party. Why wasn't he pointing that out in his newscast when he covered the crime?" I asked.

"You think he was told not to mention it?" Kory's eyes locked with mine. I could tell he knew something else, but wasn't willing to volunteer information.

"Vann may have been persuaded, like Hannah has been persuaded," Anita said. I understood then that Hannah was obsessed in some way.

"But why?" I asked. "It makes no sense."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, and I'm not sure I want to know," Watson held up both hands.

Lie
. He knew something, but like Kory, wasn't willing to share.

"You may be better off not knowing," Kory told him. "You could live longer."

"At least we don't have to go to work today," I sighed and sipped my coffee.

* * *

Kordevik

I skipped to my borrowed condo to get more clothes and make sure the place hadn't been compromised. Nothing was amiss as I gathered shirts and jeans from the closet, and nabbed an extra pair of boots before skipping back to Lexsi's place.

I discovered what had been left on my bed when I got there; two sets of black blades, all spelled against heat and fire, the larger set ten feet in length and sheathed in fireproof scabbards.

Li'Neruh Rath had delivered these in my absence. As the larger blades were the proper length and weight for my full Thifilathi, I imagined that sooner or later, I'd probably need them.

At least the walk-in closet was large enough for me to set them on the floor beneath the lower rods. I hung clothing over them, to hide the weapons as best I could. It worried me that whatever was brewing around us had begun to take a nastier turn.

Lexsi, if she found my blades, would know exactly what they were. Her father had two sets that looked much the same. These were mine—from my home on Kifirin. I'd checked the Grey House marks on the pommels to make sure.

It didn't surprise me that Li'neruh may have had a purpose in bringing me to Earth to serve my sentence. I felt it my duty to protect Lexsi, and if I could get to the root of the mysteries swirling about us, even better.

I considered, too, that I hadn't seen Granger at the party; he may have shown up after Anita and I left. For obvious reasons, I was glad I hadn't seen him and he hadn't seen me. Things could have gone very wrong afterward.

After all, I'd already burned down one of his houses. It wouldn't look good if I burned another where he'd been invited as a guest.

My thoughts turned to working out—it wouldn't hurt to drive to the gym and get rid of the restless energy that consumed me. Exercise would calm me down and help dismiss unnecessary worry.

I intended to drag Lexsi along, whether she wanted to go or not.

* * *

Lexsi

"I'm a member, you're my guest," Kory hauled a gym bag from the back of his Jeep. He'd insisted I come to the local branch of his gym to work out. I knew exercise would help with my worries, I just wasn't in the mood.

He refused my refusal, so here we were, in the parking lot outside King's Fitness Center.

Before, all my lessons and exercising had been mostly private, with only one or two instructors. This time, I'd be on display and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. If I joined a gym, I intended to go at a time when it wouldn't be too busy, or filled with weekend clients only looking to hook up.

"Come on, Prissy Pants," Kory teased. "Let's get your sweat on."

"That sounds so attractive," I mumbled and followed him toward the door. "Jerk."

"Double P."

"Single J."

"Is that a reflection on the one letter, or my marital status?"

"Maybe both."

"Fine. For that, we'll work out extra hard today."

"You're not the boss of me."

"Then you get to sit there while I work out extra hard."

"Sounds like fun," I muttered.

"Do I detect sarcasm?"

"You're drowning in it."

Kory thought to push me. He'd never met Uncle Sal, that was obvious. Sal never let me slack for any reason. Yes, I was somewhat out of shape and knew I'd be sore the next day, but I got through weights, running on a treadmill and throwing a few punches at a bag after a long period of stretching.

What bothered me about it, however, was the attention from other guests. Three men came by and attempted to make conversation. Kory, who was working out nearby, frowned at all of them. I think that may have served to warn others away. The jock at the reception desk offered to show me where the showers were after I was done with my workout.

I thought Kory was going to physically assault the man when he put an arm around my shoulder. The touch wasn't welcome and I dipped to get away from his embrace. "You're that girl on the news," he said, awkwardly dropping his hand. "Planning to make this your regular workout spot? I can sign you up on the way out."

"I usually work out at home," I said, attempting to fend him off. "He," I nodded toward Kory, "made me come with him today."

Kory chose that moment to walk toward me. Reception jock backed away. Kory had his shirt off and his abs put reception jock's to shame.

"We'll shower at home," Kory said, snatching his towel from a nearby bench. I struggled into my jacket on our way out the door; Kory stomped along as if he were itching for a fight.

The ride home was silent, except for engine and road noise. I couldn't have said if asked directly whether I appreciated Kory's jealousy. A part of me enjoyed his reaction; another part insisted that I take care of myself.

"I'm getting a headache," I announced, just before we turned up my street.

"Noted," Kory grimaced.

* * *

"Look, I didn't realize that would happen," Kory settled on the barstool next to mine. I was wrapped in the biggest, softest robe I had after showering and washing my hair. A hot cup of tea was in my hands, but I stared blankly into space without drinking.

"I really didn't expect it, either. I'm just not used to that. Is it awful that I wanted to knee him in the crotch?"

"No," he chuckled. "I'd have enjoyed that."

"Me, too." I smiled as I sipped my tea.

* * *

Kordevik

Mason always wakes the moment the sun drops below the horizon. He drinks bagged blood before joining the rest of us. Tonight, he had news when he walked into the kitchen.

"I just heard from Klancy," he sighed. "Mike and the woman have disappeared from the hospital."

Granger had fired another volley. I worried that two bodies would be found eventually. He had no use for humans if they betrayed him in any way, so their prognosis wasn't good.

Chapter 8

Lexsi

Kory drove me to the hospital, where Farin and Rick were already waiting for information. Barricades were set up to keep the curious and uninvolved away from the hospital doors.

After a few minutes, Tiburon joined Farin as we sat at a nearby coffee shop, hoping for good news to come from sporadic news conferences given by the Hospital Administrator and local Chief of Police.

When I saw Chet and Jesse arrive without a reporter to set up in the space allotted for news crews, Kory and I walked outside to join them. I expected one of the weekend crew to report on the disappearances but so far, nobody had come.

"This is something Vann would have jumped on," Chet remarked as he fussed with the camera on its tripod.

"Didn't they tell you who was coming?" I asked.

"Hannah was supposed to meet us. As you can see, she's not here." Chet was disenchanted with the news diva already.

"Let me call Lee," I said, pulling my cell out and punching his number.

"Lexsi?" Lee said the moment he answered my call. "Are you at the scene? Good. I just heard from Hannah—she's stuck behind an accident on the Bay Bridge. Look, I know it'll be awkward for you later, but get in front of the camera to let our viewers know what's going on. The switchboard is lighting up at the station with complaints pouring in."

"All right," I said, working to keep the shudder from my voice. "I'll do what I can."

It was difficult doing the reports with very little prep time, but I got through them. Eventually, Farin, Tiburon and Rick joined Kory on the sidewalk nearby while I told viewers what I knew—or at least what I could report.

It wouldn't do, after all, to tell them that a vampire was likely behind the kidnappings and that things didn't look good for either victim. Twice, we cut to quick interviews with police, who still had nothing to report, and interspersed that with one-on-ones with employees from the hospital.

The police had already acknowledged that Vann was killed and Mike cut and beaten after reporting on the same incident—concerning an initial bar fight and ultimately ending in the bar exploding and then burning down.

I reported that there'd been no word from the Fire Marshall as to the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire, and likely it would take several more weeks before any findings could be released. Forensics experts were going over both hospital rooms, hoping to find evidence; then we learned that at least one other hostage had been taken, too.

A young man working with the housekeeping staff was missing, and he'd last been reported on the same floor as both victims' rooms.

* * *

Kordevik

Lexsi did an outstanding job, explaining the information she'd received from the police, then pulling in the Fire Marshall's office after Clawdia's was mentioned in the press conference by the Chief of Police. She stayed in contact with the weekend crew at the station, who were busy setting up and interviewing hospital employees and other witnesses at the hospital around the time of the suspected kidnappings.

Hannah didn't show until nearly midnight, hissing like a coiled snake. She snatched the microphone from Lexsi during a lull and went to work, although she began by fabricating speculative bullshit.

"We're done, here," I grabbed Lexsi's hand and pulled her away. The others followed us across the street to the coffee shop, which remained open to serve news crews and others who'd gathered for progress reports.

"They're not going to find them," Tiburon muttered. Farin held onto his arm and began weeping. He comforted her in Spanish while Rick looked pale and defeated. He'd visited Mike that afternoon in the hospital, when everything seemed fine.

Things were no longer fine.

Lexsi looked weary. If I thought she wouldn't protest, I'd have lifted her and carried her to the Jeep. Instead, I traded her hand for an arm around her shoulders and held her up as best I could while we walked six blocks to my vehicle.

Mason wasn't there when we got back to the house; Anita had waited up to tell us he'd gone hunting for clues to the kidnappings. Watson had also gone out—to tend bar at the new place in Oakland. If I weren't so tired, I'd have gone to Oakland, too, looking for a fight.

Perhaps I was imagining things, but it didn't get past me that these kidnappings had happened the night after Granger, the Romes and Claudia had gotten together. "Come on, onion, it's time for bed," I led Lexsi toward her bedroom.

Anita lifted an eyebrow but didn't comment. Lexsi was pushed gently inside her suite; I shut the door with a sigh and went looking for a few shots of bourbon before I dropped face-first onto my bed across the hall.

* * *

Lexsi

Lee looked like he'd been through a shredder when I arrived in his office the following morning. "Am I fired?" I blurted. Judging from Hannah's dark looks the night before, it would come as no surprise.

"No. She was on the phone with the Romes this morning, telling them she was planning to let you go—they told her she couldn't fire you because you held the network together last night while she was stuck in traffic."

"I'll bet she's happy about that," I muttered, lowering my gaze and allowing my shoulders to sag in relief.

"She shut up about it," Lee said. "Look, you probably know already that I have another job to go to in a couple of weeks. This is between you and me," he lowered his voice. "If you find yourself in need of a job, you have my number. I'd hire you any day." He turned back to his computer, letting me know the unscheduled meeting was over.

"Thank you," I whispered before walking out the door.

* * *

Hannah didn't hand me a single insult all day, but she gave me nasty looks to make up for it. She also refused to follow up on the investigations on the dead seals found in the bay and the Ravens' murders.

Both those decisions came as no surprise to me—Lee was leaving and it was her call to make. Any answers that came could link both those things back to the Romes, if my hunches were correct. Instead, I did research all day long for Hannah, regarding the kidnappings and subsequent lack of clues and evidence.

One thing did stand out, however.

Not once did she ask me to contact Claudia Platt regarding the role her bar may have played in Vann's death and Mike's disappearance.

The police were still attempting to connect the dots on the young woman who'd also been taken. I was at a loss to explain that, too, but suspected that Watson knew something. Unofficial word was she'd been attacked not far from Clawdia's Bar and a Good Samaritan took her to the hospital. Watson tended bar at Clawdia's before it was destroyed, and was now employed as a bartender at the new place, which I didn't have a name for. All of this was connected in some way—it had to be.

I worried, too, at times, that Granger knew of my involvement in getting Mike and Rick out of Clawdia's before it exploded and burned. I couldn't tell when I met him at Hannah's party; he'd given nothing away during our brief encounter.

Why were the Romes protecting my job? That also concerned me a great deal. It couldn't be because I made good martinis; I got the idea that Laurel was running the show anyway, so this was likely her decision.

Too many things didn't make sense, but I did plan on one course of action; I intended to get the name of the new bar, its location and find who was registered as its owner. I'd bet my salary for a year that Claudia Platt's name was nowhere near that property deed.

I'd also bet that her fingerprints and that of a certain vampire were all over it. I didn't speculate about the Rome's involvement, although I suspected it, too.

What the hell were they doing, and why the hell were people dying or being kidnapped because of it?

* * *

"We're having dinner with Farin and Tibby on Friday," Anita announced as she walked into the kitchen. She'd gotten home seconds after I did. I sat at the kitchen island, having a glass of wine while contemplating what to cook for dinner.

"She got to you, didn't she?" I accused, wagging a finger at Anita.

"Farin's overflowing with exuberance," Anita said. "Have more of that?" she jerked her chin toward my wineglass.

"Yeah. Have a seat. I'll pour."

"It's only Monday," Anita observed as she dropped onto a barstool. I pushed a glass of the red I was having toward her. She accepted it with a grateful nod.

"Yeah," I agreed. "The Romes told Hannah she couldn't fire me, so I'm still employed. If her looks could kill, though," I shrugged and lifted the wineglass to my lips.

"The Romes are involved?"

"For now. I suspect they're involved in all kinds of shit, they're just hiding it."

"What's your plan of action?" Anita lifted her glass in a toast before drinking.

"I intend to find where Claudia Platt opened her new bar, and whose name is on the deed for said bar. My bet is that it's a shell corporation or some other, inane entity, meant to mislead us."

"But we have to find it, first, before we can check the records for the listed owner."

"Yeah."

"What's for dinner?"

"I don't have much in the fridge. I really needed to make a run to the store yesterday, but you see how those plans went astray."

"Yep. See that, all right."

"You think I can get away with hopping to the store and back, without anybody asking questions?"

"I will defend your secret to the death," Anita drank more wine.

"Cool. Be back in a few." I grabbed my purse off the island and skipped to the local grocery store.

* * *

Kordevik

"We've got to stop meeting like this," I told Watson when he climbed into the Jeep.

"Sorry, man, but I still don't have the insurance money from my car after Clawdia's blew up. All that's under investigation, so they won't pay my claim until everything is cleared up."

"At least you're working the day shift," I said as I pulled into Oakland traffic. So far, Watson had arranged for me to pick him up far away from the new bar, and he hadn't given me the new address.

I figured it was at Claudia's orders. I hoped he hadn't told her I was the one giving him rides home, and that she wasn't having him followed for any reason. I hadn't noticed anyone suspicious on our drives to San Rafael, but that didn't mean it couldn't happen.

Something about all this was making my Thifilathi's scales itch. It wasn't a comfortable feeling, either. I'd never been forced to solve mysteries, before; I'd only gone where I was sent to fight whatever I was ordered to fight.

Our current situation was definitely forcing me out of my comfort zone.

"Is Lexsi cooking?" Watson interrupted my thoughts.

"No idea." I connected to her cell phone through the hands-free, just to ask.

"I'm making seafood stew," she said. Her words were accompanied by the sounds of stirring and pots and pans being moved about.

"That doesn't sound good," Watson whined.

"We'll be there soon," I said and ended the call. "You're in for a treat," I turned to Watson. "If this seafood stew is what I'm expecting, you'll be over the moon about it."

* * *

Lexsi

Kory timed his arrival very well; the stew was just coming off the stove when he and Watson walked in. I hadn't had time to put fresh-baked bread together, so I'd bought the best I could at the store deli. The loaves were hot and ready to be buttered when we sat down to eat.

I thought Watson was going to howl with joy after his first bowl. He ended up eating three large bowls of seafood stew, with generous hunks of buttered bread. Kory laughed at him—they sat on the same side of the island, where Watson ate with the enthusiasm of a very hungry pup.

Anita didn't say anything, but she did push the plate of bread in Watson's direction. She hid a smile as she did it, too.

"Dude, are they working you that hard?" Mason wandered into the kitchen. Sunset had arrived and the vampire was awake. I found it comforting that we had a natural clock to announce that event in a polite and subtle fashion.

Mason had commented on Watson's appetite and the increasing pile of bread crumbs around his plate.

"Moving barrels out of an old winery," he lifted his bottle of beer to salute the vampire. "Heavy shit," he added. "Claudia wants the whole thing cleared out; some of that stuff has been there for ages."

"She moving?" Kory asked.

"Yeah. Said she wanted to get out of the Bay area for a while."

"No doubt," Anita said. "Otherwise, we might detect the stench of singed fur."

"She's my boss," Watson pointed his spoon at Anita.

"Yeah, I get that. My question is this—
why
is she your boss?"

"Not talking about that." Watson rose abruptly and strode to the dishwasher to place his bowl and spoon inside.

Don't upset him—we may need his help,
I sent to Anita
.

I know—I just can't figure him out,
she replied
. He seems like a good guy, yet he's working for, well, that.