After
further conversation with Phillida, more facts come to light –
chiefly that several vampires have disappeared from the modeling
agency owned by Andres, for whom Carley works.
Margo
blushed slightly, looking away from Phillida and Kirk. Andres had
seduced her much the same way when he met her, as he had Drea as
well. The evil old vampire could be quite persuasive when he wanted
to be. Centuries of practice made him a masterful lover as well.
"That's
not so surprising," Kirk said quietly. "Many women have
found me charming enough to bed me the same night." He winked at
Margo.
"Don't
kid yourself," she teased. "Not all of us are easy."
He
held up his hands in defeat. "Never mind. The point is, my dear,
that is not the most damming evidence."
"Then
he started to buy her presents, flowers, chocolates. He took a ruby
necklace from the safe and gave it to her. My necklace!"
Kirk
knew that the necklace was, in fact, Andres'. One he'd made when he
was a jeweler in Sicily three centuries ago, but he said nothing. Why
draw attention to himself or interrupt her narrative?
"He
continued to see her, lying over his whereabouts. Lying about what he
was doing. He gave up the investigations into the disappearances and
began to flaunt their relationship, openly going with her to parties.
He even traveled to Milan when she was there for the spring fashion
show! Milan! He never took me to Milan."
She
had been to Milan, with or without Andres, so many times, Kirk had
lost count. She was starting to lose the thread of her narrative, so
Kirk brought her back.
"What
of the disappearances? Has anything been discovered?"
"No.
That is why I wanted to speak to you. I know that you have
investigated crimes involving our people before. You were very
successful. As Andres owns the modeling agency, he can arrange for
you to do the catering or, as might be more effective, for you to
model."
"The
girls can, not me." Kirk protested. "I've got a face for
radio."
Margo
giggled, hiding her laughter behind her hand. Kirk was devastatingly
handsome and was well aware of it. He was also shy and didn't like to
draw attention to himself.
"If
we went in as both," Margo said. "We would have access to
different areas. If Drea and I went in as models...."
"Not
Drea," Phillida said with finality. "She's Andres' spawn.
She is not loyal to me. She would betray me."
"No,
she wouldn't," Kirk protested.
Margo
squeezed his knee, shaking her head at him.
"If
you don't wish us to involve her, we won't. However, I think you can
trust her to help out. She is loyal to our people, even if you and
she don't get along. She would do it for all of us, to protect us."
"Perhaps,"
Phillida said quietly. "I'll think about it."
"I
can't help thinking the modeling agency is the key," Kirk said.
"I
will go as a model," Margo said. "I have done so before. I
think I can still handle the strut."
"Drea
can handle our regular catering gigs with—the help." He had
almost mentioned Tommy. "We have only small parties coming up.
No trouble for her."
"One
of those to disappear was Vincent," Phillida said sadly.
Kirk
and Margo knew Vincent was the first pet she turned. He had been with
her for nearly 700 years. Though they were no longer lovers, they
were the best of friends.
"He
was working a show, modeling Andres' fashions. He disappeared six
weeks ago. This is not like him! He is not one to wander off."
"Had
he met someone?"
"No.
He was involved with Rubina. She also has disappeared, shortly after
he did."
"This
is serious. How many are missing?"
"Altogether,
twelve."
"Twelve
of us?" Margo was appalled. "So many."
Coupled
with the things that were happening to them, this was disturbing
news. Kirk didn't feel he could tell Phillida about their situation
now. It was more important to talk to Heinrich than ever. Excusing
himself, he went in search of the 521 year old man. He found him in
the library sipping sherry and smoking a hand rolled cigar.
"Kirk,
delighted," he said, giving the younger man a limp wrist. "You
wanted to see me?"
"It's
about the disappearances—and something more."
He
told Heinrich about their recent experiences. As he spoke, the older
vampire's face clouded. Soon, he was so angry, he actually had color
in his cheeks.
"And
it has taken you so long to tell us? Surely these two things are
connected!"
"It's
been two days, Heinrich. We had no idea what was going on," Kirk
reminded him firmly. "We came here tonight to apprise you of our
problems. We had no clue you had some of your own. Now that we both
know, we can work to the common goal—figuring this out! I need
anyone with military or law enforcement experience."
"You
know our kind don't often tend toward upholding the law,"
Heinrich said with a smarmy smile that left Kirk irritated.
"Perhaps
not, but I'll bet some of them did before they were turned. I need to
talk to them. Can you arrange that?"
"This
is a party, Kirk."
"This
is an emergency, Heinrich. Philly's a wreck. Andres is so wound up in
his new toy, he hasn't a clue what's going on. I think it's time to
clarify. We can't protect ourselves if we don't have the facts."
©
2019 Dellani Oakes
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