A Friend in Need
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Nor do I make a profit from this.
Spoilers: Yes there are some. Could contain spoilers from any one of the books, or episodes, not too sure yet.
Warnings: Will contain lemons or half lemons in the future, also this story contains elements form The Black Jewel Trilogy, but is not a crossover (I think). This will also be a Henry/Vicky story. Probably a Mike/Kate story also, sorry to any Mike/Vicky fans.
If anyone would like to be my beta I would graciously accept. Any help is appreciated, but please be constructive in your criticism. This will be my first story so please go easy on me.
Thank You,
Dreaming24'7
Italics are inner thoughts.
Victoria Nelson was standing by her window watching a lone figure on the sidewalk below, who had been staring at her business sign for over fifteen minutes. She silently wondered why this person seemed so hesitant to walk through her door and instead remained out in the cold winter air. Abandoning her post at the window, Vicky sat down at her desk to finish billing her latest client whose cheating husband ran off with the housekeeper.
At the sound of a knock on her door, Vicky looked up expecting to see Coreen back with her much needed coffee. Instead she was greeted with the sight of the mystery person from outside. Seeing as she had a better view of this mystery person, Vicky gave her a once-over. The mystery person turned out to be a woman about her height with dark blonde hair that went past her shoulders. The women kept her tinted glasses on obscuring Vicky's observation of her eyes, and sported some wicked looking nails.
"Can I help you Ms…?" Vicky inquired all the while wishing Coreen would hurry the hell up with her coffee, sensing she would need it in the upcoming conversation.
"Sadi, Devlin Sadi. I hope I'm not bothering you in any way?" Responded Devlin while she shifted nervously from foot to foot and twisted her hands, presenting a picture of uneasy apprehension.
Shaking her head no Vicky answered, "No, not at all. What can I help you with?"
"I seem to have picked up bit of a stalker problem and I was hoping you could help me." Devlin whispered with a slightly fearful voice with a healthy dose of annoyance added.
"This seems to me like a police matter. Not something that is presented to a Privet I." Stated Vicky all the while searching her potential client's face for any hint of this being more that what she was being told.
"The police are too slow and there are some special circumstances regarding this particular person whom is stalking me." Devlin expressed with great heat in her voice.
Vicky paused, and looking at her potential client wearily while thinking, Not another one, hesitantly asked, "What kind of special circumstances?"
Devlin also paused and searched Vicky's face looking for some kind of sign that she could be trusted with this information. Apparently finding what she was looking for Devlin stated quite clearly, "My stalker thinks I am a Vampiric Witch and he, I'm assuming it's a male, wants to "save" my soul."
When Vicky continued to stare blankly ahead at her completely silent Devlin rushed on, "I know is sounds crazy and farfetched, but it's true. I..I have notes, letters, and even tape recordings of phone calls."
Finally shaking herself from her self-induced stupor, Vicky was quick to assure Devlin, "Miss Sadi don't worry I believe you. It just wasn't something everyone says and it caught me by surprise." Vicky affirmed with a small smile remembering some of her past cases.
At that moment Coreen comes in the office door baring coffee and a smile.
"Here is your coffee Vicky." Coreen said with her usual bounce while handing Vicky her coffee.
"Thank you Coreen. Coreen this is Miss Sadi who has come to us with a stalker problem." Vicky said absently while blowing on her coffee.
Coreen looked at Devlin for a second before a look a resignation crossed her face. "Sadi, Devlin Sadi?" asked Coreen with excitement coloring her voice and shinning from her face.
"Yes, do I know you? You seem familiar but I can't seem to place you?" inquired Devlin.
Coreen nods her head rapidly, "Yes, you were in my Science and English class in Middle school. You were my partner in English. You were the reason we aced that horror story project about Dracula."
"Now I remember," exclaimed Devlin, "you did the research and I did the art part of the project. You had the hard part; I just did what I did for fun. It's so good to see you again. Do you work here now?"
"Yeah, I started working here after my boyfriend Ian died." Coreen trailed off sadly think again about Ian's death.
Devlin, seeing her friend's pain, walked over and pulled Coreen into her embrace giving what comfort she could. They broke apart upon the sound of someone clearing there throat.
"Oh, I sorry Ms. Nelson," Devlin said as she and Coreen stepped back, "as I told you before I have evidence of my stalking but they are at my home. I wasn't so sure you would help me. You will help me won't you?"
As Vicky opens her mouth to speak Coreen jumps in and exclaims, "Of course was will help. We can come over to your place around 6:30 or so after our other investigator arrives."
Then Coreen turns to Vicky with a hopeful and imploring look upon her face. After a short staring contest Vicky consents to Coreen's proposal.
"We will do our best, but my price is $500 a day plus expenses." States an exasperated Vicky, while she slowly shakes her head as Coreen bounces excitedly around the office.
Devlin, with a relived smile on her face said, "Money won't be a problem Ms. Nelson. Here is my address. I look forward to seeing you there this evening. Thank you again for your help."
Both Vicky and Coreen silently watch as Devlin leaves the office before Vicky rounds on Coreen.
"Why did you accept a case for me? Without my permission no less; please, tell me." Vicky asked in an elevated voice.
"Because she really needs our help, and besides it's just a simple stalking." Coreen wheedles.
Vicky simply stares at Coreen for a second before she sighed, then said, "Look up what you can on her and call Henry to let him know to come here and that he is driving."
(Scene Change)
In the car with Vicky, Henry, and Coreen.
"So why am I here again? All you are doing is reading letters and listening to tapes?" Henry inquired as he drove to Devlin's address.
"Because you wanted to learn how to work cases and this is a part of it. Also she said that her stalker thinks she is a Vampiric Witch." Vicky explained.
"The plot thickens, so what do you want me to do?" Henry asked.
"I would like you to see if any of his claims are justified on the witch part, seeing as I saw her in the day time we can rule out vampire. Also see if she reacts to anything we say oddly." Vicky said.
"Then what? How do we hunt down someone we have no clue to who they are?" Henry asked with a slight sarcastic air.
Coreen leaned forward in her seat and offered a solution, "We could go with her to her work. Apparently, that is where most of the written threats came from."
"Sounds like a plan." Vicky exclaimed.
Henry slowly came to a stop in front of an old gothic style church. They exited the car marveling at the enormous building with all its turrets, battlements, and gargoyle guardians.
"Is this the correct address?" Vicky questioned Coreen in awe.
"This is the address that she gave us." Coreen answer back.
As one they slowly walked up to the great wooden doors all thinking that they had to have the wrong address or that it was a hoax of some kind.
Reaching the doors, Coreen stepped forward to knock on the door when the knob slowly turned setting everyone on edge.
As the door slowly opened they gradually relaxed upon seeing a housekeeper smiling at them.
"Welcome, the Mistress has been expecting you. Come in please." The housekeeper said as she bowed her head and moved to admit the trio.
"My name is Lanie and I am the head housekeeper in the manor. May I take your coats?" Lanie asked as she slowly extended her arms to accept their coats.
"No thank you, we're fine. Do you know where we can find Devlin Sadi?" Vicky asked Lanie.
"If you would follow me Ms. Nelson, I will show you. Feel free to ask me any questions you might have. I will try my best to be helpful." Lanie offered as she turned to lead them deeper into the manor/church.
"How did your Mistress come in possession of this church? It looks to be in good shape all-round so it couldn't have been abandoned long or if at all." Henry inquired as he took stock of the interior décor.
"This church was built at the beginning of the colonization. It was the main focal point of the town. It was also meant as a last stand if need be, hence the battlements. Time went on and as the Revolution picked up this community became predominantly of the Wig party, which as you know supported the King at the time. On Easter Vigil, I believe it was, members of a neighboring town, whom hated the King and his political reach here, came and slaughtered everyone within the church. At the time of the slaughter the church contained just about the entire town." As Lanie told this story the look of shock and disgust took residence upon the faces of the trio.
"Good Lord!" whispered Coreen in horror.
"What happened after that?" questioned Vicky.
"They tried several times to refurbish the place but something always kept them from ever starting. Workers just beginning their work would run off site at random intervals for seemingly no reason, never to return. This kept up until Miss Sadi finally purchased the place. It seemed to her that they, the spirits, didn't want what happened to them to happen again. For you see they were convinced it had to with their worship and not their political position. Once she explained it was to become a home and not a church again they seemed to settle down. Then some of the spirits became worried that they would have to leave, but she reassured them that they could stay if they wished. After that they allowed what needed to be done, some even offered suggestions." Lanie finished while smiling slightly.
As she finished saying this Henry studied her intently for a minute then asked, "Have you ever seen any of these so called ghosts?"
Lanie stopped in front of a closed door and turned around to face her Mistresses guests. Smiling mysteriously before saying, "Oh yes Sir. I have seen many of them."
At the end of her confession she turned around again and walked straight through the closed door, leaving the trio in stunned silence.