Chapter 579
It wasn't quite dinner time when Verchiel joined them on the patio. "The Canadian hottie said you're supposed to take over for her. She wants you to start now. Apparently her friend is early."
Jorick grumbled, but kissed Katelina. "I'll see you later, little one. Be careful."
Though she wasn't sure what the specific warning was about, she nodded.
Verchiel crammed his hands in his pockets. "What do we do for fun?"
"I haven't had fun since we got here."
"That's because you have the wrong attitude. I bet we can find something interesting."
He tugged her into the house and down several corridors before they slowed their pace. As a pair of voices grew louder, he motioned her to silence.
"It's all under control," Fleur said firmly.
A second female voice sounded. No doubt it was Dardenima. "Sure it is. That's why there was another murder. A little boy from the village was found in a ditch today, his heart missing."
In the ditch? Just like Sarah's dream!
Katelina gasped and Verchiel clamped his hand over her mouth with a warning look.
Dardenima went on, "Apparently the perpetrator isn't threatened by you or the Americans."
"What do you want me to do? Declare a lock down of private premises?"
"If that's what it takes, yes. Let's get this handled quickly, without the Americans' involvement. The less they do, the better our chances when we present it to the H?her Rat."
Katelina bit Verchiel's hand, and he pulled away with a shake and a warning to stay silent.
Fleur replied angrily, "If you want us to handle it, then you should have sent me some help. The last official word I received said to let the U.S. take over and hope they make a mess of it."
Dardenima scoffed. "That's because you listened to Jacob. He doesn't know his head from a hole in the ground, especially where you're concerned. America knows what's at stake. They aren't going to screw up, unless they're stupider than I think. Though, with this laughable investigation, they might be."
"What are we supposed to do? Andrei has entertainers coming and going. A new troupe arrived this morning, as did a shipment of blood and several of the guests' costumes for the masquerade. How are we supposed to stop all the comings and goings during a party? Andrei's a powerful vampire. He's on Canada's side right now. Piss him off and he won't be."
"Surely he wants this handled as much as we do."
"I don't think so. Frankly, his attitude seems to be that it's all a bother he'd rather not deal with. And why not? He's how old? Did they even have The Laws back then?"
"Don't quote history at me, Fleur, or I'll remind you of things. How about Quebec? And the reason they split you and Jacob up."
Fleur's voice shook with anger. "I swear to God, Dardenima, if you weren't the captain-"
"But I am, and I suggest you remember it. Now show me where the bodies were."
Katelina grabbed Verchiel and dragged him into the nearest room. Footsteps sounded as the two vampiresses marched past. When they were gone, Katelina turned to the redhead. "She said another kid was found in a ditch! Sarah had a dream about that this morning. Jorick thought it was the investigation getting to us, but-you don't think she-?"
He chuckled. "No, I don't think she's the Heartless Killer. Jorick's probably right. After everything she's been through, it's not surprising."
"So you know about-everything?"
Verchiel shrugged. "Some of it. Her thoughts are loud." He turned to study a portrait. "More important than her delusions is the problem of our killer. We're in the middle of an investigation, and they still snuck out and killed someone. They obviously don't fear us."
"Maybe you should make them?" The words left her mouth before she had time to think about them.
He laughed. "How should we do that?"
"I guess remind them no one is above the law. Maybe if you arrested someone? Though they'd have to actually be guilty of something."
Verchiel drummed his fingers on an end table. "There's plenty of guilt here. The question is which one to zero in on?"
"William is up to something," she said. Jorick suggested she follow him around, so by God, why not?
"Is it something illegal?"
"I don't know. A bunch of vampires said they saw him plotting with Brandle."
"I guess we could look him up."
They left the safety of the room to wind their way through salons and parlors. Dinner was drawing near and vampires abandoned their card games and conversations to make their way to the dining room.
"There he is." Katelina pointed to the vampire as he walked next to Eagan. "And that's Jamie's master."
"Really?" Verchiel perked up.
"Sort of. His sister really turned him but that guy got credit for it."
Verchiel squinted toward William, then shook his head. "I can't get a reading."
"Your mind reading is only supposed to work when you're stressed, remember?"
He grinned. "Right, that's why I can't get a reading."
"That or because he's a billion years older than you and even Jorick couldn't get very far?"
"Maybe that too. Anyway, let's go catch dinner, then we'll find out what he's up to."
Verchiel snagged them each a glass of blood. He swallowed his in one gulp and motioned her to do the same. "We can't do reconnaissance if we're stuck in here. Come on."
They were outside the large dining room before William was finished. The guests that trickled out gave Verchiel a dirty look. William was no exception. After he passed, they waited until he was several feet away before they moved into the flow of vampires.
"Hello there."
Katelina groaned as Brandle fell into step with Verchiel. "Having any luck with your interviews?"
"We're coming along." The redhead smiled. "How are you?"
"Not too bad. I hear they have a lovely young lady getting ready to do an operatic performance."
"That sounds interesting," Verchiel said with a surprising amount of enthusiasm. "Are you going?"
"I thought I might give it a try. You're welcome to come with me. I know you're about as popular as the plague with most of us, but I don't hold it against you. You have a job to do, and not one I'd want. I actually served a-Lord, for lack of a more modern term, when I was first turned. Ah, I remember the battles, the territory disputes, the 'peace-keeping' actions. Then the Sodalitas started gobbling everyone up, my master included, and that was that. Anyway, the point of my rambling is to say I understand better than most."
Verchiel nodded. "Thanks for the invite, though I don't think your friend William will be happy to see us."
"William's never happy to see anyone, but he isn't going to the show with me. I really don't know what his plans are for the evening. He mentioned something about working on his costume. He's always one to jump on bandwagons."
The subtle wink he gave Verchiel said he knew the Executioner was fishing, and that he either had nothing for him, or had no intention of sharing what he knew.
Verchiel slapped Katelina on the back. "Speaking of costumes, we'd better work on ours. Wouldn't want to show up at a masquerade without a mask and all. Thanks again for the invite, and I hope you enjoy the show."
Brandle barely hid his amusement. "Anytime. And may you also enjoy your-costume work."
The vampire peeled off and Verchiel sped up in the direction William had disappeared. They rounded a corner in time to see the patio door swing shut. Outside, Katelina had a nanosecond view of the star strewn sky before William jumped in front of them, fists ready.
"What do you want?"
Verchiel jerked Katelina back. "Is it too much to say world peace?" William growled, and the Executioner held his hands up. "Hey, hey, calm down."
William advanced as they backed away. "Why are you following me? I've already been questioned by your little inquisition."
"We aren't following you. No offense, but you have an inflated sense of importance."
"I saw you waiting." He jabbed a finger toward them.
Katelina made her mouth work. "We were waiting for Brandle."
William's eyes narrowed to slits. "What would you want with him?"
"None of your business," Verchiel said firmly. "Now, if you'd get out of our way, we're going for a walk."
"Right. A nice romantic stroll." William sneered. "I may not be a mind reader, but I can tell when one is trying to read my mind. You won't find whatever it is you're looking for."
"I was trying to see if I should arrest you now for attempted assault of an Executioner, or wait until you take the first swing."
William's lips curled back from his fangs and his face tinted red with fury. "Are you threatening me?"
"I'm telling you what the consequences will be. Jorick and Jamie have been patient, but there's a new sheriff in town and I won't put up with this disrespect."
William's hands clenched and unclenched. He finally shoved past them and slammed the door.
Verchiel grinned. "I've always wanted to say that. Did you see how intimidated he looked?"
"Yeah. Intimidated." Katelina mopped her brow from habit rather than need. "Did you get anything?"
"Nada. You're right. He is impenetrable. I was really hoping he'd attack us. Then we could have arrested him. Oh well, maybe next time."
Katelina stopped from saying she hoped there wasn't a next time.
