Real Vampires Have More to Love (12 page)

“You make this sound like a game.” Jerry had practically walked a trench into the hardwood floor, and he looked like he wanted to shake me again.

“I know it’s not. The stakes are too high. A billion has more zeros than I can wrap my brain around.” No kidding. I celebrated when my bank balance hit three digits after all my bills were paid.

“Everything you’ve done so far has just postponed the inevitable. Convince the Westwoods to give up this hunt, or kill them both.” Jerry sat on the bed beside me. “I think you know the only viable option.”

Sometimes I forgot just how ruthless Jerry the warrior had been back in the day. I guess he saw my lack of self-preservation at all costs as a character flaw.

“Sorry, Jer, but I just can’t kill two mortals. Besides, where would their bodyguards be while we’re ripping out Westwood throats? Twiddling their thumbs?” I grabbed his hands. “You see how this could turn into a nightmare?”

“It already has, Gloriana. Wake up and deal with it.” Jerry was itching to do just that. The old-fashioned way. And vampires didn’t take prisoners. The bodyguards would be collateral damage.

“Quit looking like you want to rip out someone’s throat, damn it.” I started my own stomping circuit of the room. “There’s got to be another way. But reasoning with them won’t work. They both want the money and surely deserve to inherit their father’s estate.”

“Maybe, maybe not. We have no idea what their relationship with their father was like.” Jerry stopped me in my tracks. “Let’s go. You have to talk to the police. Look how these people have already complicated your life. Now you’re involved in an investigation.”

“I know. I hate it. I remember when the media thought Vintage Vamp’s stood for vampires. It got worse when Flo painted that mural on the shop wall that looked like a vampire biting a woman’s neck. I had a heck of a time convincing the public that a vamp was nothing but a roaring-twenties hottie.”

“Your Goth customers are still hoping for a fang sighting.” Jerry pulled me down the stairs. “Forget all that. Tell the police that Westwood’s crazy and you’re an innocent victim.”

“That’s true! This vamp hunt is totally unfair. The police should be on my side. I pay taxes. Though pitifully little compared to a billionaire. Damn, Jerry. If it comes to a power play, I’m shit out of luck.”

Jerry frowned and jerked open the kitchen door. “Wait and see what the Westwood boy told them to explain his presence in the alley with an army at his back. That’ll help us.”

 

The detective who interviewed me was happy to share David Westwood’s story. Seems David had my name as a person of interest, someone who’d been around when his father had disappeared. He’d been watching my shop trying to find his missing dad. Cue the violins. Witnesses claimed Daddy had died in the woods near Lake Travis and I’d been seen there that night. Blood had been found in a clearing that private DNA tests had confirmed belonged to Brent Westwood. No one had reported it to the police because his body hadn’t been found. No body, no proof of a crime.

The detective shook his head. “Beats me why they didn’t even file a missing person’s report. If I disappeared like that, my kids would be all over it.”

“That is strange. Not sure I’d believe a word this guy has to say.” I wondered why David hadn’t mentioned that video I’d heard about, but I sure didn’t bring it up.

Anyway, according to the detective, David had admitted that his father had been hung up on vampires. The whole scenario had freaked out his kids, and maybe David had overreacted to Dad’s notes that claimed I was one of them. So he’d come to my alley fully armed to try to talk to me. The one time he’d come to my shop, I’d refused to meet with him. And my friends had been big dudes who seemed to run with a rough crowd. So Dave had brought his own reinforcements.

“What a fairy tale. First, this guy showed up in my shop with bodyguards built like fire plugs and the IQs to match and asked my clerk some questions about me, made my customers uncomfortable. My friend who asked him to leave was an ex-priest. Sound like a rough type to you?” I waited until the detective wrote that down.

“Second, yes, I met his father once. He was creepy, talking about vampires. Who believes in that stuff? I threw him out of my shop. I mean, do I look like a vampire to you?” I tossed my hair, batted my eyelashes and gave the detective my “Glory is an innocent victim” look.

“Nutcase, pure and simple. The whole family obviously has a screw loose. Had him pegged as soon as I saw that crossbow. Sorry to bother you, Ms. St. Clair, just had to follow up.” The detective shut his notebook and stuck it in his pocket. “The firepower those guys were carrying was way out of line, permits or not. Looked like an ambush, not a guy wanting to talk.”

“Exactly! You see why I’m so freaked out? One of my employees had a car parked back there and saw the whole thing. She said they had my picture, like I was a target or something.” Jerry, who’d stayed silent and watchful, was right beside me. “I’m afraid to go out my own back door now. Surely Westwood will face some kind of charges.”

“That’s up to the DA. I’ll turn over my notes, suggest they step up patrols in this area.” The detective laid a business card on the counter. “Call me if Westwood bothers you again. Ask for Danny Oleto.”

“Why, thank you, Detective. I feel safer already.” I walked him toward the door. “If Westwood gets released, will you let me know? I want to be aware . . .” I pulled a face. “In case he’s stupid enough to come around again. And he’s got a sister. Do you think she might bother me too?”

“I’ll talk to her. Warn her off. But it was obvious to me that Westwood realized he’d made a mistake when he got to the station. His lawyer sure reamed him out.” Danny smiled. “I think you’re okay for now.”

“Thank you so much.” I smiled and held out my hand.

“No problem, I’ll stay in touch.” Danny shook my hand, then headed out. Once outside, he walked over to a patrol car parked at the curb. He leaned in and spoke to the officer inside as I shut the shop door.

“Interesting.” Jerry spoke from behind me.

I looked around and saw that we had no customers. The patrol car pulled away, and the detective got into an unmarked car. That should help.

A lot of my regular customers were leery of law enforcement. Paranormals enjoyed my shop because they liked helping out a fellow freak. Other customers sometimes had an illegal substance stashed in their pockets while they enjoyed my reasonable prices on vintage clothes. Then there were some who avoided establishment types on general principle. Sure enough, the door jangled as a couple dressed in black with multiple piercings came in from the coffee shop next door.

Erin waved me off and went to help them, steering them to the cape section. Lacy’s shift had ended, and she’d taken off.

“Let’s go to the back room.” I led the way, Jerry silent behind me.

I turned to Jerry once the door was closed. “If the Westwoods aren’t believing in vampires now, I wonder what they think happened to their dad? That video, and the two bodyguards, made it look like I killed him. Which I did, of course.”

“You’ll certainly never admit to that. Unless you can convince them that it was self-defense.”

“It was! The video is bound to prove that. And everyone knows he was treating me like an animal, hunting me down.” I paced the small room. “I bet that estate can’t be settled until they declare Westwood legally dead. Both kids are dependent on old Brent’s money. I’m sure they’d do anything to get it settled quickly.”

Jerry watched me pace. “So what do you have in mind?”

“We need to find Westwood’s body for them. They’ll be so grateful, they’ll be more than willing to forget I ever existed. Even better, they might even spring for a reward.” I stopped in front of him. “Of course I know exactly where he died. Then you asked your daughter and her friends to clean up the site. Drac should know where they dumped the body.” Lily’s boyfriend had renamed himself Dracula this century.

“You’re right. Let’s see what they know.” Jerry pulled out his phone and hit speed dial. “Lily, where are you? Is Dracula with you?”

I could see Jerry getting frustrated but didn’t use my vamp hearing to eavesdrop. I knew he’d give me the highlights.

“We’ll meet you there in ten minutes. Don’t move.” Jerry ended the call. “Those half-wits are at Damian’s trying out a new synthetic blood that’s supposed to give you a buzz. We’ll be lucky if they’re coherent by the time we get there.”

“Let’s go now, then.” I stuck my head out to tell Erin we were leaving and came face-to-face with Vivien Westwood and her bodyguard. She gasped and grabbed Sean’s arm.

“Ms. St. Clair? C-can we talk?” Viv didn’t look as confident as usual. Maybe because Jerry was glaring at her like he was about to rip out her throat. Oh, yeah.

“Love to. Come into my back room.” I threw open the door.

Sean balked. “Out here. Witnesses.” He couldn’t take his eyes off Jerry. I figured he was getting all kinds of mental messages because sweat was popping out on his broad forehead. I had a few for him too. This was the guy who’d booted my backside.

Jerry was suddenly right in front of Viv. “Say what you’ve got to say and get out of here. But know this. You ever attack Ms. St. Clair again and—” Jerry leaned forward and whispered in her ear. Vivien paled. He stopped Sean with a hand on his chest, and the big guy froze before he could pull the gun he obviously carried in the shoulder holster under his jacket.

“Listen, Ms. Westwood. I know you’ve seen some kind of video that involved your father and a crossbow.” I waited until she nodded, her eyes wide.

“How did you—”

“People talk. Which you’d do well to remember. Forget this vampire stuff. Totally bogus. Your father obviously had a screw loose. I think he may have had an accident in the woods near one of the lakes around here. He was out there vampire hunting and ran into some totally innocent people camping and partying.”

“Oh, my God.” Viv gripped Sean’s arm.

“Exactly. You can imagine what might have gone down if someone came at you with a crossbow in the middle of the night and you’d been enjoying a substance or two. Know what I mean?”

Viv nodded vigorously this time.

“So it’s possible your dad had an accident. I’m going to ask around. See what I can find out. Would you like me to do that?”

Viv was speechless and just nodded her head again.

“Fine. Your brother spent the night in jail. I’d suggest you both lay off the harassment before you end up serving time for stalking. I
will
press charges.” I glanced at Jerry. “Or, even worse, let my boyfriend here do what he wants to with you.”

“No!” Viv looked like she was going to fall to the floor, but Sean held her up. She took a breath and rallied. “No, that won’t be necessary. We’re going to have this will my dad wrote about vampires thrown out. It was obviously nonsense.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I smiled.

“But that means until we find Dad’s, uh, remains we can’t settle the estate. So while you’re, uh, asking around?” Viv wobbled on her high-heeled boots. “Would you see if you can find his, um, body?” Her eyes actually filled with tears.

“It would be my pleasure.” I realized that sounded a little strange, but I certainly meant it. I’d hated Westwood with a passion usually reserved for the Devil incarnate.

“Now that we’ve settled that. I’m sure you won’t find it necessary to come into this shop again without an invitation.” Jerry’s voice was quiet.
I
shivered and knew he was on my side. “You want me to spell out what will happen if you do?”

“N-no.” Vivien was shaking now and leaning on Sean, who looked none too steady himself.

“Ms. St. Clair is under my protection. There will be no more attempts on her life in the alley or anywhere by you or one of your hired guns. Is that clear?” Jerry met her gaze, then Sean’s. Both of them nodded and backed toward the door.

“Vivien, you and your brother will forget this vampire stuff. No such thing. The invention of a sick mind. Got it?” I moved in on her.

“Sick mind. Daddy was sick.” Viv hit the door.

“Exactly.” Jerry threw it open. Viv and Sean scurried out.

“Whew. Guess it’s safe to head out now.” I grinned at Erin. “I swear Jerry had me shaking in my boots.”

“You both were awesome, Glory. Don’t want you mad at me, Mr. Blade.” Erin didn’t look scared, she looked more than a little excited. Werewolf. And not long till the full moon. I’d have to be sure her shift was covered then.

“We’re out of here.” I grabbed Jerry’s arm. “Call if you need me, Erin.”

“Sure thing. And we’ve got your number here too, Mr. Blade. For emergencies.” Erin looked like she really wanted to use it.

Obviously pumped after the confrontation, Jerry hustled me out to his car and drove at top speed to Damian’s castle on top of the hill near Sixth Street. When we got close, we could hear laughter and shouts of partying. Obviously the new synthetic had created more than just a little buzz. The vamps who’d tried it sounded like they were flying high and not as birds or bats.

“This is probably a waste of time, but let’s see if they can show us where they dumped Westwood’s body,” Jerry grumbled as we climbed out of his Mercedes.

“Hey, thanks for what you did back there. Warning off Vivien.” I kissed him as he helped me out of the car. “Totally hot too.”

“I thought you didn’t want me to protect you.” He pulled me close, his hand sliding down to hold me against him.

“Doesn’t mean I don’t like to see your warrior side occasionally.” I grinned when I heard him grumble about never understanding women as we walked up to Damian’s front door. It opened before we could ring the bell.

Damian was flushed and had obviously been celebrating along with his company. “Come in, friends. We’re just getting to the best part of the evening. Glory, it’s strip poker. As I remember, you’re a lousy gambler, so I’d love to have you join the game.” He waggled his eyebrows.