Rock 'n' Roll is Undead (Veronica Mason (18 page)

I snapped my lids open and looked around. Not another living, or undead for that matter, soul was around, but the feeling told me I wasn’t alone. I’d discovered the body of Janey Smith—another rockabilly band member. Lead singer for The Mudpuppies. My days were so numbered. If a lead singer was dead, then I’d be next for sure. My heart raced. I felt the blood rush out of my face and my stomach turn. Nothing seemed out of place in the yard—just the dead body. I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes.

My hands shook. I stumbled backward. Seconds passed or could have been hours for all I knew. My vision blurred and I struggled to breathe—I’d never hyperventilated without being on stage, but there’s a first for everything. Snapping out of my daze, I turned on my heel to get the heck out of there. Visions of Janey flashed through my mind. My feet couldn’t move fast enough.

In spite of the warm temperature, goose bumps covered my body. My stomach tumbled. It felt as if an electrical charge ran through my body. As if a thousand volts had shocked me to my core. I had to do something fast. Should I call the police right away?

I’d discovered another freakin’ dead body! I had to call the police.

A clatter echoed from somewhere close by. I spun around and tilted my head for a better look, but remained frozen in one spot. Nothing moved, so I turned back and stole another glance at Janey’s remains. Footsteps sounded from behind me, the familiar crunch of gravel reverberated, bouncing off the barn walls. My heart thundering in my chest, I lunged toward my car. I struggled for air. Adrenaline had set in, coursing through my veins with a fury rush. I needed to calm down and get a grasp on the situation, but how could I? My mind raced. Once I reached the Bel-Air, I clawed at the door, yanked it open, and jumped in, barely remembering to breathe. The eerie silence the surroundings now held made the evening feel cold and bleak, in spite of the heat.

I needed to get the hell out of there before the killer discovered me. He could be hiding in the wooded area for all I knew, or the barn. Then I remembered the man behind the tree in the park. The vision I’d had then was somehow related, I just knew it. As I turned the ignition and backed the car up, I had to make a decision. Backtrack slightly and travel the roads I came on, or in the direction the mysterious car had headed. I didn't know what their next move would be. I was now playing their game of cat and mouse. They probably loved every minute of it. All I knew was I had discovered another staked vampire and it wouldn’t look good to the police.

I pulled down the long driveway, thankful that the dark figure hadn’t appeared and my life was spared. It seemed my visions were as half-assed as my magic spells. Not completely accurate. It was probably not the best idea to follow the direction the hot rod had taken, so I hurried out the drive and turned left. They may have pulled over waiting for me for all I knew, then I'd be caught. I sped down the road faster than I normally drove and made it out onto the street where I'd originally been chased. My cell was on the seat where I’d tossed it and I prayed it worked this time. As I waited for the call to go through, scenes of the body I’d just discovered and Johnny flashed through my mind.

A female voice snapped me back to reality. “Nine-one-one. What’s your emergency?”

“Um, I just found a body.” I stammered. My mouth felt as if it were full of cotton. I didn’t recognize my own voice.

“What’s your location?”

“I’m driving. I was at this old farmhouse. It was another vampire.” I paused. The truth would come out sooner rather than later. I might as well tell now. “I found another vampire yesterday. My name’s Veronica Mason.”

“Are you shittin’ me?”

Nice. Very professional. Pigs had more couth. “No, I’m not ‘shittin’ you. I assure you this is not a hoax. Can you just send someone right now? I don't know what happened.”

The calm that had been in my voice began to slip away. My knees actually knocked as I drove. I gave my parents’ address; since I didn’t know the farmhouse’s street number.

“The police are on their way. You said this is Veronica Mason, right?”

“Yes, Veronica.” I nodded, although she couldn’t see me.

“Wow, she found another one,” she whispered to someone on the other end.

Did she think I couldn't hear?

“Thanks.” I hung up before I heard more than I wanted to.

Thoughts of the maniac driver returning played in my head. I needed to hightail it out of there before I didn’t have the chance to get away. All I wanted was my life back: the music, attempts at magic and…well, that was enough, right?

Ten minutes down the road and I’d be safe at my parents’ home. I didn't want to tell anyone about being followed; it would only make my parents worry more, but the police needed to know. And whether I liked it or not, my parents would soon find out. I only hoped I arrived at their house before the cops did. Talk about my mother freaking out. One of these days I was seriously going to give her a heart attack. Too bad I hadn’t gotten the license plate number.

Sunshine splashed across my face from the windshield as I moved along the road. Only one truck passed by as I traveled the otherwise empty road. Homes sat two or three acres apart. Dusk approached and most people were probably inside having dinner or in their backyard grilling a juicy burger. Typical family activities. I wished I was involved in normal family activities right about now instead of being chased by a murderer and finding a pile of ashes who used to have a name. What had I gotten myself into? Yep, no doubt about it, I’d definitely tell the police everything I knew. They needed all the clues they could get to find the killer or killers. I wanted this solved so I could get back to the strange life I called normal.

As I drove the narrow back road, I glanced around anxiously, trying to keep a watch out for the gray Cadillac or any other suspicious vehicle, for that matter. For all I knew, the crazy person could have changed cars on me. Maybe it had been fate that all of this was happening to me. At the moment fate told me I needed a drink. Maybe Maker’s Mark, straight up and make it a double. All right, I didn’t normally drink, and especially not this early, but I may need to start. Another crazy day was upon me and there was nothing I could do to make it any less crazy. I needed to be strong, so I forged ahead.

My Bel-Air barreled along the tree-lined street. I didn't want to waste any time. If the police stopped me, well that would be a good thing. I'd take my chances. I hung a right and a half-mile down turned left. Trudging up the hill, at the peak, I picked up speed, slowing at the bottom so as not to miss the turn. Trees arched thick over the road, blocking the sunlight. My parents’ subdivision came into view. All the houses looked similar, but many families had added unique details, like flowers, yard ornaments, and furniture to make their homes distinctly theirs.

I turned right onto Bluebell Road. My parents’ house sat on the left halfway down. I was never so grateful to see it. Sure, my mother nagged me about my tattoos, my career choice, when I was going to give her grandwitchbabies and my sucky witch abilities, but at this moment, I’d take it.

As I neared, I recognized Kitty’s car. I wasn’t sure why she had decided to come tonight, unless to tell my parents everything that had happened. I’d torture her if she told them about my apartment being broken into. She was my best friend, though. Surely she was there for moral support and not to tattle. Another vehicle was parked in front of my parents’ house and it made my stomach flip-flop. Buzz's bike was in the driveway.

Chapter 35

I wasn't sure how I'd get the tingly feeling for him to go away, but I needed to find the antidote right away. An anti-love spell, perhaps? Since my magic sucked, maybe if I did a regular love spell it would have the opposite outcome.

No space was left in the driveway, so I pulled into the remaining spot by the road and turned off the ignition. Did I have the fact I’d narrowly escaped death written all over my face? I slipped out my compact with the rhinestone skull and bones on the front and checked my reflection. My cheeks looked flushed, probably from the heat and my car chase—definitely not because of Buzz. I rubbed my lips together to blend my lipstick and grabbed my purse. Seriously? I’d discovered another expired vampire and I was worried about my lipstick? Issues—I had them.

My parents’ home was a white two story with a wraparound porch. My mother had flowers in every available corner, along with other little lawn doodads that my dad constantly complained about having to mow around. Our human neighbors expected a family of witches to live in a house that looked like an episode from the Munsters; instead, they saw Leave It to Beaver.

The house and its surroundings encompassed many things I held dear. Like the weeping willow tree with its drooping branches. It reminded me of the one I sat under as a child. I’d played under it for hours. It provided a safe haven when I just didn’t want to be bothered with spells and potions. I wanted to grab a blanket, spread it out, and nap under its shady umbrella. And the huge rose-bushes beside the house brought back memories of my Grandma Annie. She nurtured her flowers as if they were children, comforting them and tending to their every need. Well, she’d had a little help from magic, too, but she really did have a green thumb. The red flowers, in their first bloom for the season, reached out as I walked by, just waiting for me to catch a whiff of their divine perfume. I leaned down, closed my eyes, and inhaled the flowery scent. Now more than ever, I needed a stress reliever, even if it was just for a moment. A few seconds was better than nothing. Someday I hoped to have roses just like those. If I hadn’t inherited her magical skills, at least I’d gotten her green thumb.

Any minute the police would arrive. I needed to warn my parents before the five-o swarmed the place. I stared at the house, then let out a deep breath before laying the bomb on them.

I rubbed the cat’s head as he strutted out to greet me. “Hey, Buttons. How’ve you been? Not more fights with the neighbor’s cat, I hope.” Buttons, not the best name for a familiar, but hey, I didn’t name him. That was all mom. I wasn’t worthy of a familiar, not until I improved my skills.

“Hey there, sweetheart.” My father interrupted my one-way conversation.

When I glanced up, he was walking toward me. Buzz walked right beside him. My dad smiled at Buzz, said something I couldn’t quite make out, and they both laughed. What the hell was going on? I’d known the guy for less than twenty-four hours and now my dad was already best buds with him? He’d already come home for dinner with the parents in a sense. Well, not really, but he was at my parents’ house. This was crazy. And the feeling I got every time he glanced my way was nuts, too. This wasn’t good.

“What’s going on?” I asked as I looked from one to the other.

“Buzz here was just telling me about his time in the military. He’s a former Marine.”

Oh, dear. They’d be friends for life now. If I ever wanted to fire this guy from the band, my father would be heartbroken. Dad had been in the Marines for four years, but you’d think he was a lifer by the way he acted.

“Is that right?” I said with a raised brow.

Buzz smiled. “Your dad is a funny guy.” He patted him on the back.

“Oh yeah, he’s funny.” I gave a mirthless chuckle. “I need to talk with you.” I pointed at my dad. “Privately,” I added.

“I’ll wait around back,” Buzz said. “You look beautiful, by the way.” He gave me a long, appreciative look. His masculine voice drifted across the evening air, knocking thoughts of his mysteriousness out of my head. I felt blood rushing to my cheeks. He turned and my father beamed. Would he still think I was beautiful when he found out I’d stumbled across another vampire? My guess was no.

In spite of his compliment, my stomach hurt and my hands shook. It took all my power not to keep looking over my shoulder. Remaining calm was extremely difficult under the circumstances. I had to tell my dad the grim news.

I came right out with it. “The police are on their way here.”

“Here? As in my home, here? What for? Were you speeding? Did you cut someone off?” My dad let out a deep breath and rubbed his graying crew cut. He always did that when upset.

“No, of course not.” Well, I had been speeding, but that was beside the point. “Um.” I glanced at Buzz who hadn’t moved far enough away. He’d said he was going around back. Standing by the side of the house wasn’t my idea of around back. I lowered my voice. “I discovered a vampire.” My bottom lip quivered.

“What? Where?” Buzz yelled.

Chapter 36

I frowned. I’d expected that reaction from my father, not him. “I was at an old farmhouse on Highway Twenty-Two.” I gestured. “It sits back off the road a ways and is surrounded by a ton of trees. There’s a wooded area behind it.”

“What in the hell were you doing there?” My dad’s face was drained.

Saved by the sirens. Two cop cars pulled up before I could answer. Detective Walker’s unmarked car pulled up on the street behind them. I’d grown accustomed to seeing his car. I’d recognize it anywhere.

“This is crazy, Veronica. What is going on?” my dad asked.

Buzz remained silent. I watched him, but couldn’t read his face.

“Veronica Mason, we meet again.” Detective Walker approached with a smirk on his face. “You want to step over here to the car and talk to us.”

“Wait just a minute,” Dad said.

I held up a hand. “I’m fine, Dad, I’ll be right back.” His face let me know he didn’t want to listen, but he did. And I was thankful. I could handle the situation. At least, I hoped I could.

I stood beside the police cruiser and explained everything to the best of my ability. I even told them about the mystery car—I had to. Whether they believed me, well, I wasn’t sure.

I knew my mother stood in the background, freaking out. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched her pace while fidgeting with her hands. Everyone always said they could tell we were mother and daughter. We looked just alike. My parents liked to keep a low profile. The more they could avoid being under the witch council’s radar, the better their lives were. Soon the International Paranormal Crime Investigators—the IPCI—would have their eyes on me…if they didn’t already. The Vampire Bureau of Investigations oversaw the vampire crimes, but the IPCI oversaw all paranormal crimes. Even civil cases, as well—like the time Aunt Shirley sued her neighbor for casting a spell on her pet monkey. The moment Detective Walker took me in, the IPCI would swarm my parents’ house. They’d just now settled down after the visit involving my brother.