Playing With Vampires - An Izzy Cooper Novel (8 page)

Still reeling from Zane Dupree’s high strangeness, I went in search of Tim. I found him out back, watching some construction workers dig a hole for the new pool.

“Did you get any info?” I asked.

Tim shook his head. “Not really. “Olsen claims to have been on the mainland until this morning. He does have a ticket stub for the ferry. That doesn’t necessarily prove anything, but it gives us something to check out. He should be on video surveillance.”

“Dupree says he was with Missy Rogers all night.” I frowned. “We’ll have to check out his alibi.”

Tim started walking toward the front of the property where I’d parked Lady Luck. “Even if these two have alibis, where there is one vampire, there are probably others,” he pointed out.

“So you think there are more vampires here?”

“It is a possibility. In my experience, you either have one vampire, or you have a nest. We know there are at least two vampires here.”

Once we were in my car, I asked, “How do you know so much about vampires? I know why Ayden does, but I didn’t think you knew that much.”

Tim smiled. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me. When I first joined the ACMU, I was involved with a taskforce that did nothing but round up wayward vampires.”

“Wow! How exactly do they punish vampires who break the law?” I inquired, suddenly realizing that I really didn’t have a clue how some of these supernatural lawbreakers were
punished after being prosecuted. “Do they like have a special prison for vampires or something?”

He nodded. “Actually there is a facility for special convicts. It’s designed to contain all kinds of supernatural beings.”

“Dupree admitted to being a vampire,” I told him.

Tim’s expression was one of shock. “Really?”

“Well he didn’t actually admit it, but he didn’t deny it when I told him I knew what he was. Also … he said something very strange.”

As I drove, I told Tim about what Dupree had said, and how he’d seemed to vanish into thin air.

Judging by the frown on Tim’s face, he was as disturbed by the incident as I was.

“Maybe it’s time we do some digging into Dupree’s background,” I suggested.

“I agree. Vampires can do a lot of things, but as far as I know, they can’t disappear, nor can they withstand sunlight for long.”

Just as I slowed Lady Luck to maneuver the dirt road through the cemetery, I saw a blue Ford truck coming our way. It looked just like my sister’s old truck.

“Hey! I think that’s Annabelle’s truck. What’s she doing here?” I asked, though I knew Tim had no more idea than I did.

As expected, he shrugged.

Hugging the right side of the road, I rolled down my window when Annabelle stopped.

“What’s up sis?” she asked.

“Just doing my job. What are you doing here?”

“Didn’t you hear? Dupree wants me to open another pub on the resort. He’s converted one of the ballrooms, and is letting me open up a branch of the Sandbar. We’re going to call it The Sandcastle.”

“No one ever tells me anything. You’d think you could pick up the phone and call your sister once in a while,” I scolded.

“The phone works both ways,” she reminded me.

It was true. I was just as guilty as Annabelle at not keeping in touch. It saddened me because we used to be so close. “So what are you doing here today?”

“I’m expecting a furniture delivery, plus I have an appointment to meet with the interior decorator this afternoon.”

“Well just be careful,” I cautioned her.

After a little hesitation, I leaned out the window and whispered, “Dupree is a vampire, and so is that Olsen character.”

My sister gave me one of her, no shit, smiles. “I know Sherlock. I can’t believe it has taken so long for people to start figuring it out.”

I was shocked. “What the hell do you mean … you know? Why are you doing business with vampires? You know the killer we’re looking for is a vampire, right?”

“Maybe,” she shrugged. “But I really think you’re barking up the wrong tree with these guys. They actually seem kind of normal.”

“Are you kidding? That Dupree guy just disappeared on me. I think they are far from normal … even for bloodsuckers,” I added.

“I’ll be okay. Besides, you should be happy for me. This is a great opportunity to expand my business.”

She was right. I was letting my naturally suspicious nature rain on her parade.

“I am happy for you … just watch your back until we catch this killer.”

“Well, I have to get going,” Annabelle said, putting the truck in gear. “Call me this weekend. Maybe we can go hang out on the mainland. We’ll party, and maybe even find us a couple of cute guys.”

“We’ll see,” I said with a roll of my eyes.

Tim waved at Annabelle from the passenger seat.

“My sister drives me crazy,” I groaned.

“I think she’s cute and funny,” Tim said, a dumb smile still on his face.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to become another one of Annabelle’s groupies.”

“I just said she was cute and funny.’

“Sure you did.” I scowled. “Take it from me. She’ll eat you up and spit you back out. Annabelle doesn’t take relationships seriously. Her view of men is that they were put on earth for her amusement. My sister is actually quite a wicked witch.” I informed him. It was my hope that I could talk some sense into him, before he became another of Annabelle’s victims.

My concern was lost on him. Tim was actually laughing at me.

“You know Izzy, just because I admire a woman, doesn’t mean I have any intention of chasing after her.”

“Whatever.”

When I stepped on the gas, Lady Luck shot forward with a little more force than I anticipated. Tim nearly collided with the dashboard.

Easing on the brakes, I shot him a scathing look. “For being such a good cop, you sure do have a problem abiding by the law. Why aren’t you wearing your seatbelt?”

“Sorry,” he apologized with a sheepish grin. “But Izzy … I don’t think I’m in much danger of being hurt in an accident.”

“Why’s that?” I asked, drawing my brows together as I waited to hear the logic behind such a silly assumption.

“I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”

“Knew what?” I was getting irritated, and when I got irritated, the demon side of me tended to take control of my mouth.

“I’m an angel. We can’t really be killed.”

I was completely speechless, for about thirty seconds anyway. “Does the boss man know about this?”

“Of course.” He nodded. “I’ve been working with Ayden for a long time. Actually, I’ve been fighting evil on earth for the last thousand years.”

“Well if that don’t beat all. Isn’t this the craziest damn thing you ever heard of … a demon and an angel, partnering up? Well I guess I’m not a full-fledged demon, but still.”

“Well we might get more accomplished if we actually got back to the office,” he reminded me of where we’d been going.

“True.” I hit the gas. “You should still wear your seatbelt. Sheriff Bourne will write you a ticket. He won’t care about you being an angel. I should know. He’s ticketed me three times for no seatbelt, and at least half a dozen times for speeding. In fact, I really think I should report him for police harassment. You need to be careful of the sheriff,” I warned.

“Duly noted.”

* * *

Back at the office, I took a moment to look around for Muriel, but she was still absent. I was beginning to worry about her, though I wasn’t sure why. As far as I knew, there wasn’t much that could happen to a ghost. She was either off somewhere pouting, or she’d gone into the light.

There wasn’t much I could do in either scenario, so I put my mind on other things, such as my job.

While Tim and Ayden worked out more details of the perps profile, I started looking into Zane Dupree’s background.

It wasn’t long before I discovered that he didn’t have much of a background to look into. The Dupree Empire seemed to have sprung up overnight.

Although I couldn’t find a lot of information on Dupree, I did manage to verify his alibi with Missy Rogers. Not that I trusted her any more than I did him, but she did verify what he’d told me. Until I had a good reason to dismiss their story, I’d have to go with it.

Finally it was five and I could turn off the computer and leave, without feeling too guilty. Just as I was logging off, my phone rang.

For once it wasn’t Tim or Ayden, which I found a little refreshing.

“Hello Aunt Mandy.”

“What have you been up to? I haven’t heard from you for a couple weeks.”

“Sorry,” I apologized, and I truly was sorry. I missed my lunches with Aunt Mandy. “I’ve just been so busy with this case.”

“I know. It’s all over the news. I hope you catch this crazy lunatic soon. Everyone’s afraid to go out at night.”

I wanted to tell her that she was probably safe, since only one of the murders had occurred on the mainland, but there was no way I could know that for sure. “We’re doing everything we can,”

“That’s good to hear,” she said, though I could tell my aunt wasn’t all that convinced.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, wondering how her muncher problem was coming along. Munchers were dark energies that liked to hang around depressed people and feed off the negativity they produced. Mandy had been having problems with depression and munchers since my uncle died.

“Things are getting better here. I haven’t had a door slam on me in weeks.”

“That’s good. I was beginning to think we might have to bring over a priest and have an exorcism done,” I confessed.

“No. I believe it was your uncle coming back to look after me.”

I already knew my aunt liked to believe it was her late husband, and I had never pushed too hard to correct her.

“Actually, I called to invite you to Tina’s twenty first birthday party. We are holding it at the Silver Palace tomorrow night. It would mean a lot to her if you could make it.”

It had been at least a year since I’d seen my cousin, Tina.  Soon after graduating high school, Tina left to go to school in New York, and only rarely made trips back home.

“I’d love to come, but I can’t promise anything. It all depends on what happens between now and then,” I told her.

“I know. But try, okay.”

“Will do,” I promised. “If I can’t make it, I’ll let you know.”

As soon as I ended the call, I stood up and looked toward Ayden and Tim. “I’m going home. Call me if something comes up.”

“Are you coming in tomorrow?” Ayden asked.

I shook my head. “Unless another body pops up, I intend to enjoy my weekend.”

As soon as I said it, I knew I’d made a mistake. With my luck, Mister Grim would make special arrangements to pick up the next victim this weekend … just to remind me of exactly why I was still breathing.

A good night’s sleep and the fresh sea air were doing wonders for my disposition. For the first time in a week, I actually didn’t feel like thumping anyone. So far, my weekend was going fantastic.

I stood on the docks and watched as the boats started coming in for the day. Mostly they were fishing boats, but there were one or two vessels that would take tourists out for a day of fishing or crabbing.

Instead of spending my Friday night in front of the TV with a frozen dinner, I went to Granny’s place and we decided to grill some salmon and chat about Annabelle’s new business venture. Granny wasn’t any happier about it than I was, but she more or less shrugged it off.

“Your sister will do what she wants. She’s always been that way,” Granny reminded me.

It was true enough. Annabelle was the type that would do something, just because someone told her not to. It was enough to make me crazy.

But my sister’s crazy business plan was something I would deal with later. Today was too perfect to let it get me down.

After a breakfast of pancakes at the Bayside Grill, I spent the day cleaning and reading. Now it was time to head to the mainland and visit my family there, which I didn’t do near enough.

Pulling my phone from the back pocket of my pants, I checked the time. The ferry wasn’t due to arrive for another half hour and my stomach was grumbling. I’d gotten so busy that I’d completely forgotten to eat lunch.

I glanced over at the Pies & Stuff café and thought about getting me a quick bite. Mandy had a dinner planned, but I figured a doughnut and a cup of coffee wouldn’t ruin my appetite.

With the café being only a few steps away, I would be able to see when the ferry docked. Sliding my phone back in my pocket, I started for Pies & Stuff.

For a Saturday, the place wasn’t crowded at all. I figured that probably had to do with autumn coming on and fewer tourists making trips to the island.

Since I only planned to be a few minutes, I sat at the bar instead of getting a table. Charlie was there in no time to take my order.

“What can I get you?” he asked.

“I think I’ll have one of your raspberry filled doughnuts and a cup of coffee. Two creams.”

“Got it,” he said, giving me a bright smile.

When Charlie left to go find my raspberry filled doughnut, I started surveying the patrons and was shocked to see Mister Olsen sitting a few seats away. I hadn’t noticed him when I sat down.

Taking this as an omen, I changed seats so that I was sitting next to him. Today he was out of his business suit and dressed casually in jeans and a blue plaid shirt.

“Hello Mister Olsen.”

When he glanced over at me, there was a blank look in his eyes, but a few seconds later recognition set in. “Hello Agent Cooper.”

“It’s a bit early for you to be out and about, isn’t it?”

He shrugged. “Had to get away for awhile. The chaos at Haven gets to me sometimes,”

It seemed like a pretty hollow answer to me, although it wasn’t really my business what he was doing until we had some evidence to connect him or his employer to the homicides.

“It’s just strange to me that your kind would be out and about this time of the day,” I said, purposely trying to bait him into giving me some info.

The corners of his mouth lifted in a cold smile. “What do you mean by
my kind
?”

At that moment, Charley set my coffee and doughnut in front of me.

‘Thanks,” I said, handing him some money. “Keep the change.”

“Let me know if you need a refill,” Charley said, pointing to my coffee.

I nodded.

Charley returned to cleaning one of his fryers, which is what he’d been doing when I came in. I turned my attention back to Olsen.

“I mean the already dead kind of person,” I said, figuring since Dupree was already aware that I knew about them, there was no sense in playing coy.

Olsen outright laughed at me. “I get it. You are wondering why the sun isn’t disintegrating me. Just like for people, modern medicine can do wonders these days.”

“Really? Like how?” I wanted to know.

“It’s complicated … and I have some place I have to be soon.”

That was definitely not an adequate answer.

I decided it was time to give him one of my, yeah right, looks. “Hmm … well I guess it’s better to be out during the day anyway, with a killer running our streets and all. The good news is … we are very near to closing in on him.”

It was a total bluff, but I wanted to get his reaction.

“That’s good. It will be good for Haven’s business without all these killings to put people off.”

That wasn’t exactly the reaction I’d been looking for, but I didn’t have a lot of time to sit around and try to push his buttons. I could hear the horn announcing the ferry’s arrival.

“Hey Charlie … do you think you could give me a go cup for my coffee. I have to catch the ferry,” I told him.

“Sure thing,” he said, grabbing a Styrofoam cup from beneath the counter.

I dumped the rest of my coffee in the cup and waved to Olsen and Charlie. “I’ll see you later,” I said, purposely fixing my eyes on Olsen.

Olsen gave me brusque nod.

“See you Miss Cooper,” Charley said, returning my wave. “Hope you do catch this guy soon. The situation is really killing business.”

“We’ll do our best,” I called over my shoulder.

As I ran down the docks to board the ferry, I noticed the fog was already coming in. I’d been tempted to bring my car with me to the mainland so I could also do some shopping, but Aunt Mandy had insisted on picking me up at the landing in Charleston Harbor.

Maybe it was a good thing. If the fog was as thick on the mainland as it was on the island, driving could be treacherous.

I handed my prepaid ticket to the attendant and found a nice place at the rails to watch as the ferry made its way east. The entire trip would take about forty-five minutes, and I intended to make the most of it and get some relaxation in.

About twenty minutes into the trip, the fog was completely gone. The sky was clear, and it was at least twenty degrees warmer.

I remembered what Aaron had said about the fog, and how it seemed to be concentrated around Mystique Island.

It was strange, but then again, the sea was strange and unpredictable.

At four thirty on the dot, the ferry pulled into Charleston Harbor. Mandy was waiting for me, just like she’d promised.

I could see her standing at the landing as we docked.

Aunt Mandy was easy to spot. She was wearing white Capri pants and a red and white striped shirt. Although her kids were grown and she was now a widow, Mandy still
dressed like a soccer mom. I really needed to have a talk with her about that. If she were ever going to find another guy, she had to stop looking like she was on her way to a church picnic.

With Mandy being my father’s only sibling, she and my cousins were all the family I had left on the paternal side. I wasn’t close to my cousins, but I really loved my auntie. While growing up, Annabelle and I had often stayed with her during the summer.

You’re looking good,” I said, giving Mandy a hug.

“But you look tired,” she pointed out.

“I am. It was a long week.”

“Well you’ll get to cut loose tonight. We rented the banquet room at the Silver Palace. They’re catering dinner, plus we hired a band for dancing.”

“Sounds fun. I hope you’re not wearing your soccer mom clothes tonight,” I said, narrowing my eyes.

“Of course not. I bought me a new dress. It’s blue silk …you’ll love it.”

“Good. I can’t wait to see it.”

“I invited Annabelle, but I guess your sister is busy. She sent a gift with a note saying she wouldn’t be able to make it.” Mandy informed me, obviously feeling a little dejected.

“I know. I’m sure Annabelle would have loved to be here, but she has been really busy. She’s expanding her business and opening a bar at the new resort,” I explained, a little resentful that I was always defending Annabelle. My sister could be so selfish sometimes.

“I’ll have to make a trip to the island and visit her soon. Now let’s get going. We have a party to get ready for.”

* * *

Parties were really more Annabelle’s scene, than mine, but I did it for Aunt Mandy and Tina.

The party was fantastic. I figured it must have cost a small fortune. There were at least a hundred people in attendance, and the Palace served up a delicious lobster dinner.

After a few glasses of champagne, my bladder was screaming at me. I managed to make it long enough to sing Happy Birthday and watch Tina blow out the candles on her cake, before I had to excuse myself and find a restroom.

The Silver Palace was a high-end club, and it was huge. I’d only been there once or twice and had no idea where the restrooms were. It was a major relief when I finally found them.

Feeling much better, I took a minute to fix my hair and freshen my makeup a little. Like usual, I was wearing a black dress, which was my absolute favorite color. There were some silver sequences on the dress that matched the silver chain I had around my neck.

Satisfied that I was still looking presentable, I left the restroom. I’d gotten no more than tens steps when someone grabbed my hand.

Startled, I automatically went into one of my, kick ass stances, but relaxed a little when I saw it was Jasper. Once my heart was no longer in danger of bursting out of my chest, the anger set in.

“You could at least give some kind of warning before you grab someone,” I snarled, glaring at Jasper through narrowed eyes.

Like usual, he looked very suave in his white velvet jacket and black shirt. There was no denying that my ex fiancé still looked great, but I couldn’t help but wonder if he had his crybaby bib tucked away in one of his back pockets.

“Sorry babe,” he apologized. “I just thought you saw me, and were going to walk by like we didn’t know each other.”

Truthfully, that’s exactly what I would have done, if I had seen him.

“Well if you’ll excuse me, I am here for a party and I have to get back,” I told him before turning away.

But of course he wasn’t going to let me get away so easily.

Grabbing my arm, he spun me around to face him. “Why don’t you finish the night out at my place. We can have our own little party.”

“Well that’s nice of you to offer,” I purred, “but I’d prefer to drink gasoline and piss on a campfire.”

Leaning into him, I whispered, “Besides Jasper, the only reason you are not dead is because killing you goes against the rules of my job.”

Just as I yanked my arm away, someone grabbed Jasper and threw him against a nearby wall.

“Is this guy bothering you Izzy?” It was Marty Morrison to the rescue.

“Thanks Marty, but I think he’s got the hint now.” I figured I’d better save Jasper, since he wasn’t worth Marty getting into trouble.

Jasper pulled out of Marty’s grasp.

“I’ll talk with you later,” he said to me, while throwing Marty a scathing look.

When Jasper was gone, I turned to Marty. “Thanks.”

“So you know that guy?” he asked.

I nodded. “I was going to marry him, but he decided he liked playing around with other women too much. But really, I look at it more as a narrow escape.”

“I heard you say you were at a party. Do you want me to walk you back?”

It suddenly occurred to me that the odds of running into both Jasper and Marty at the same time, were almost astronomical. It wasn’t as if the Silver Palace was a local hangout. The place was expensive - too expensive for the average Joe.

I could see running into Jasper at the Silver Palace, since it was his kind of place, but not so much Marty.

What were the chances that Marty would have been on hand at the exact moment Jasper pulled his stunt, unless he were following me?

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Following you.”

I was shocked that he admitted it so readily, and I don’t shock easily.

My brows came together. “Why on earth would you be doing that?”

“Look at this,” he said, pulling a video recorder from the fanny pack he had belted around his waist. “I just got to the island today and was filming the docks when I saw you leave that café. I wasn’t filming you on purpose or anything, but you walked in front of the camera and I noticed this.”

He handed me the camera so I could look at the video. I saw myself running from Pies & Stuff toward the ferry landing. There was a dark mass of something following me.

My mouth fell open. “What’s that?”

“I don’t know. That’s why I followed you and kept filming. Whatever that is, I didn’t want it to know I was filming it. That’s why I didn’t approach you. It has been following you all night.”