Page 24 of Death is Familiar

But they weren’t missing, they were dead. Jezzy needed to know that in order for her to help us. I pulled up a photo of the victims on my phone. “Let me simplify, do you recognize them?”

“I’m afraid I can’t help you. Are they⁠—”

“Dead? Yes—bite marks on their throats. It’s all looking very vampy. So, I’ll ask again. Do. You. Know. Them?” I should have warned Todd about the character I’d need to play. Even I didn’t like the way the words were coming out of my mouth. When Jezzy didn’t respond, I continued with my charade, “Guess, we will need to speak with Lenore after all.”

“Lenore is not in at the moment.” She pursed her lips, adjusting her dress with a V so deep cut she was almost baring her navel. “There is a gathering tomorrow evening, she’ll be here then. But you’ll need to be in appropriate attire. Follow our rules. There is a dress code, we do have standards.” She looked me up and down like I wasn’t fit to breathe the same air as the vamps.

Oh, she was good.

“If that doesn’t work out for you, call this number, and I’ll schedule you an appointment.” Jezzy slipped out a nondescript business card, I took note as she pointed to one of the numbers with her nail as she placed it in the exchange portion beneath the glass.

“Why not book us in with Lenore now?”

“I’d be happy to. Her next availability is…” Jezzy looked at a screen in front of her, “September twenty-second.” Nearly three months away.

Todd chuffed again. Technically, we could have had Lenore brought in for questioning, but that would not have done us any favors. We needed Lenore to be open and honest with us, and we wouldn’t get that by having her brought to a location of the FBI’s choosing. If we asked her questions on her own turf, and somewhat on her own terms, she might be a more willing participant.

“I’m sure Lenore is going to be interested to find out her members are being killed and left on display in very public locations. I’d make this a priority.”

“Ah, careful. I never said they were our members. And I’d be delighted to put you on the cancellation list.”

“You do that.” Though I had zero intention of waiting for an opening.

“Done.” She pursed her lips, again, forming a snarky aristocratic smile. It made my blood boil. “Now, if you are attending the gathering tomorrow, know that I am only granting you access out of my good graces, and because I want to keep things exciting by adding in some new blood. When our membership gathers, they expect to be entertained.”

“What does that mean?”

I kept Todd’s words to myself.

“And that entertainment takes many forms. Read through these and bring them back tomorrow, signed.” Jezebel slid two documents, bound like scrolls beneath the glass. I could only assume they were consent forms. “But know this is not the Coliseum, we do not tolerate aggression, violence, or weapons.”

I made note of her choice of words.

“I. Tell. You after,” I signed poorly back to Todd.

Jezzy ignored our silent exchange. “You will treat access to the gathering as an honor because it is such. Ask what questions you must, meet with Lenore, but do not judge what you do not know. Bring Mr. Frighteningly Handsome with you, and it might grant you some favors. Especially in this crowd.”

“Thank you for your time, Jez.”

“Goodbye now, can’t say it was a pleasure.” Jezebel stood up before calling, “Dog!”

The wolfhound that had kept its head within petting distance, took off, nudging its way through the velvet door, disappearing into the back.

Todd took me in, trying to comprehend what just happened, but knew we couldn’t talk. Not here. I spun around and started the climb back up the stairs, ignoring the open elevator to my right. With over ten hours in a car, and nervous, frustrated energy coursing through me, I needed to move.

Todd and I didn’t speak until we were well on our way back to the motel.

“What the HELL was that?”

Finally, I let my façade slip. “Someone who was doing us a favor.”

†

“I am not doing that.”

It was well after dark and at least our fourth read-through of the consent forms for the vampire gathering. Todd crossed his arms across his chest and leaned back.

“Then don’t go upstairs.” Jack chuckled, but took on a more serious tone as he said, “And memorize the safe words. Both of you.”