Authors: Richard Jackson
“It’s alright.” I say but I don’t answer the question. I don’t feel like lying to someone I want to call a friend. Instead, we spend the rest of the ride in silence.
***
Almost everything is exactly like I left it. The dishes have been done and someone went to the effort of tidying things up. At a glance, nothing appears to be missing. There would be time to check on that later. I glance over at Marino as I turn on the TV set.
“Your doing?” I ask.
“We had to make sure it was safe. A little cleaning didn’t hurt.”
“Can I get you something?”
“No, that’s all right. I should be going. I have a long drive home.”
“Another reason to get some coffee into your system. I even have paper cups so you can get it to go.”
“Okay, black with two sugars.”
I nod and get to work. I’m about to ask the same question she caught me with earlier when my attention is drawn to the TV and the news report. It takes seconds for the quiet horror to sink in. Meredith stands there, smiling for the cameras, looking every bit the winner. His lawyers and entourage keep the press at bay as he reads a brief statement proclaiming his innocence. That’s just the sort of thing he would do after being caught in the act with the murder weapon in hand. The hypocrite praises the police for their restraint while I curse them. Why the hell hadn’t the police finished off that maniac? The best case scenario was the police would kill Meredith. Even if that didn’t happen, I figured they would just lock him up and throw away the key. I didn’t think any one in their right mind would turn him loose. I was wrong. It feels like I haven’t accomplished a damn thing except get people hurt or killed. The only thing I have managed to do is keep the Bloodstone out of his hands. What gets me the most is the fact I recognize one member of Meredith’s entourage. He had come with Marino to interview me in the hospital.
When I get angry, it’s a cold almost reptilian thing. Generally, I don’t shout or scream but it’s something that is easy to see and feel. You can pick up the clues in my body language. You can see it in my eyes. You can hear it in my voice.
“You people can’t be serious? He’s your expert?”
“I… I’m sorry, Count. I was told not to tell you. He knows the most about that thing and how to get rid of it.”
My tone drips with venom. “And you always do what you’re told.”
“Andrew thought you might do something rash.”
Why is everyone so worried I’m going to run out and do something stupid? In this case, it might be true but I’m really getting tired of people leaving out important details especially when I’m supposed to be working with them. “Lady, were you not listening when I told you all the stuff the other day. He’s not about to help you or anyone else unless it helps him.”
“He’s doing it to keep the death penalty off the table.”
Marino can’t believe what she is telling me. She has to be smarter than this. No, she’s repeating what she’s been told and hoping it works out for the best.
“Meredith is going to screw you guys over. He’s got some twisted plan in the works and you’re helping him.”
“You’re ranting. Andrew was afraid of that.”
“Andrew has a lot to be afraid of. We all do, especially me. Meredith is going to make another run at me.”
“It wasn’t Meredith who tried to have you killed in the hospital.”
Maybe, just maybe, she knows something I don’t. Somehow, I doubt it yet I ask the question. “How do you know?”
“He’s been incommunicado since his arrest recovering from his injuries.”
I throw up my hands in frustration. This is unbelievable. “Don’t you get it? Meredith is a sorcerer. He could have gotten word to one of his cronies and you would never know it.”
She frowns at me. Marino can’t see it. She isn’t a part of this world. To her, magic is the stuff you see on TV or in Vegas. It isn’t real to her. Hell, this is new territory for me as well. I am dealing with things on a larger scale than I am used to. I don’t think she agreed with whatever decision came down from on high. I decide to push it.
“I bet the whole kidnapping thing was Andrew’s idea. Was it also his idea to keep Scott out of the country?”
Marino is surprised by that. Not because she didn’t know about Scott but the fact that I knew about it.
“Your friend might interfere with the operation.” She says.
“Did Meredith give Andrew that piece of advice?” She opens her mouth to reply but I interrupt her. “Get out.”
“Andrew is just doing what he thinks is best.”
“You know Meredith said something similar. That doesn’t make it or him right. If he has his way, it’s all over, not just for you and me but for everyone. What happened in the Bronx was just the beginning.”
Marino leaves me to stew in my own juices. How could things have gone wrong so fast?
Chapter Eighteen
It’s not the pain or stiffness in my leg that awakens me. It is something else. For a moment, I think this is it but there is no assassin or shadowy figure ready to end my life. I am alone. It takes me a moment to focus on the source of my unease. I can sense its presence from across the room. The Bloodstone sits on my desk. It is empty, devoid of power and energy. It lacks the taint and greasy sensation I have come to associate with it. The ring looks like any other piece of jewelry but it is no less dangerous. If I did not know it so well, I would have sworn it was a fake.
I slip out of bed and claim my prize. After Marino’s news, I had given up seeing the ring again. I was sure Meredith asked for it as part of his deal with the DIA. How did the Bloodstone get here? What does this mean? The questions keep me from going back to sleep. The answers are just out of my reach. I have no one to bounce ideas off of. All of my friends I would be comfortable talking to about this are not around. The only one I have a pray of reaching is Nerva. She’s not the best sounding board but she is good at taking my mind off of my problems. Maybe that’s all I need right now. I just hope I can find her before Meredith makes his next move. I know it is going to be soon.
***
The hard part about visiting the doctor’s office is the wait. No matter how early or late you arrive, you always end up waiting. Today, the wait is longer than usual. The office is crowded and there is paperwork to fill out. I look at some of the other patients and wonder what has brought them here. When it comes time to pay for this little visit, I find myself glad Scott is picking up the tab. Being a paranormal investigator and in business for myself means I don’t have medical coverage.
The examination is short. My knee is coming along nicely. The doctor is surprised at the progress I have made since the operation. In another week or two, I won’t need the crutches. That doesn’t mean I’m in the clear. I still need some physical therapy if I want to restore full mobility to my knee. He also warns me to take it easy and not overdo things. That means using the crutches. If I follow his advice, the only thing I might have to worry about is a little arthritis. Other than that I’ll be able to go back to my usual routine in practically no time. All in all, it’s good news.
***
I decide to check up on Nerva. Scott would have mentioned if she was also dealing with this new problem. More than likely, she has been left to her own devices. I take the opportunity to go downtown to her place. Whenever I look for Nerva, I almost never start at her apartment. I always try to call her on the phone or check the places she likes to hang out in. There are two reasons for this. In part, it is because I don’t think she will be in. The other reason is I am afraid she will be at home and either entertaining guests or hungry. As usual, there is no answer on Nerva’s cell phone. This time, I leave a message on her voice mail. With nothing else to do but wait, I visit all of her usual hangouts. There are a lot of them. The crutches turn my search into an epic quest. Bars and clubs I navigated easily in the past are now complex warrens filled with traps and pitfalls. It’s close to 2 am when I take a cab to her place. I am tired and desperate.
My heart sinks when I find the door to her apartment is unlocked. The interior is dark and foreboding, a far cry from its usual appearance. I fear the worst. In the dim light, it looks like a tornado or vengeful spirit has struck the place. I’m still playing catch up. Meredith is a step ahead of me. He’s looking to remove me and my friends from the equation. Scott and Sol are already out of the fight and I’m just coming up to speed. There is nothing I can do here. I am about to leave when I hear a noise behind me. It’s Nerva. She stands in the doorway of her apartment as if she had always been there, just waiting for me to turn around. Her black leather outfit looks like it was painted onto her tiny figure. It’s not her usual look but it still takes my breath away. It brings to mind images from the comic books and movies. I am about to compliment her when she smiles at me.
Nerva has always had a way about her. She could turn any man on without ever speaking a word. This time, I find myself drawn to her. The siren’s call would be irresistible if it weren’t for my particular gift. Still, I move forward ignoring the instinct to limb away as fast as I can. This is my friend. She would never hurt me. I am close enough to smell her perfume. Its subtle scent reminds me of jasmine. Her voice is a breathy whisper.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
She continues to smile at me but it no longer holds the promise of a long night of passion. There is only murderous intent. Nerva is going to hurt me and enjoy every minute of it. Before I can react to the danger, she attacks. A bomb goes off in my midsection; her punch lifts me off of my feet and launches me back into the apartment. I lose one of my crutches as I land awkwardly and off balance. It’s a minor miracle I don’t fall to the floor. This is not good. Even if I was one hundred percent, going toe to toe with a vampire or any other magical creature is something I try to avoid.
Nerva makes it easy to forget she is a vampire. Like a cat, she’s always on the prowl, ever on the hunt for entertainment, willing to be pampered. At heart, she is still a predator. Her looks don’t make her claws any less dangerous. She almost never uses any of her supernatural powers. Like everything about her, they are impressive. Once I asked her about that little quirk. Nerva said it was too easy and took the fun out of things. She preferred to do things the old fashioned way when it came to securing her meals and any number of creature comforts. With a laugh, she admitted she liked to play with her food. Even though she doesn’t drink blood, the idea made me a little uneasy.
“I’m going to make you suffer.” she growls.
As barbaric and unchivalrous as it might seem, I have no problem hitting women especially when they are trying to kill me. I do have a problem with hitting my friends and hurting the people I care for. I pick up one of my crutches and swing it like I’m batting clean up for the Yankees. The blow catches her, buying me some time. Not much, she recovers rapidly and charges me again. I take another swing, hoping for a home run. This time she snatches the crutch out of my hands before I can hit her again. She tosses the mangled metal contemptuously over her shoulder. It gives me a moment to prepare for her next attack. When it comes, I parry aside the blow aimed at my face. I rely on my training to redirect the force of it and spin her off balance. It gives me a chance to grapple her.
“Nerva! Talk to me! What’s going on?”
I’m talking for my own benefit. She doesn’t answer me. I really didn’t expect her to. Nothing I can say or do will get through to her. Instead, Nerva demonstrates how flexible she is. Combined with her strength, it is enough to break my hold. I find myself wondering if she can move like that in bed. Her next blow powers through my block. I fall to my hands and knees, gasping for air. Effortlessly, she picks me up by the scruff of my neck. I start to say something when she backhands me across the face, once and then a second time. The third slap is enough to dim the lights until Nerva shakes me.
“I want you awake for this Meredith.”
That burns away the cobwebs threatening to suffocate me. I should have realized what was going on a lot sooner. It might have saved me some trouble. She thinks I’m Meredith. Someone must have put a spell on her. Who did it? I put that thought and my concerns about her welfare to the side. I have to turn this around now or I won’t live long enough to feel guilty about hurting her. I use my good leg to slam my knee into her side. There isn’t a lot of power behind the kick but it has the desired effect. It hurts her. Nerva hurls me away from her. I smash into a bookshelf and slump to the floor.
I’m not going anywhere. After this short battle, I can’t get up without help. It’s over. The cat is almost done playing with her mouse. She takes her time coming towards me. I use the moment and breathing room to muster my willpower. There is only gong to be one shot at this. I almost never use my gift consciously. It works fine on its own, protecting me from magic by directing it elsewhere. Kara had said with practice I could use it to affect magic on other people and items. I practiced just enough to be able to instinctively protect someone in close proximity of me but never for something like this. Nerva is almost on me when I get a handle on what I am doing. The spells and magic binding her are dispelled violently. She stiffens then drops like a puppet whose strings have been cut. As Nerva falls on top of me, there is no rush or thrill of victory. I just hurt a friend and I don’t know how badly. I just breathe a sigh of relief that it is over. Now, I have another problem. Someone must have heard the racket. They’ll call the police. We both need to be elsewhere but I can’t move. Nerva’s beating has taken its toll on me. I can only lie there wondering how I will talk my way out of this one.