Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from "Blood Ties." They are all Tanya's Huff creations.
Characters thoughts are in italics
Thanks to my beta, Lena!
Chapter 7
Alexandra invoked the words to summon Astaroth.
The lights in the room dimmed and flickered as the demonic figure appeared.
"I did what you asked. Henry Fitzroy is out of commission. I want my reward. My youth restored," she demanded.
"Until I am able to fully enter this plane I can't grant your wish. In order to do that I need Vicki Nelson to be sacrificed.
"I'll see to it."
"See that you do." Astaroth wrapped his robe around himself and disappeared.
Vicki waited until dawn before she left Henry's apartment. It had been a long night. She shuddered thinking about what she had done to Henry...correction Adrian. Desperate times called for desperate measures. Her eyelids felt weighted. I definitely have to get some sleep. She wouldn't be able to continue at this pace much longer. Like it or not she would need more than a couple hours of sleep today.
When the taxi pulled in front of her apartment building, she was relieved to see the familiar awning. She paid the driver and slowly walked up the stairs to enter the building. The PI fumbled with her keys. Finally finding the right one, she inserted it into the lock and opened the door. Not bothering to flick on the lights, she leaned against the door to close it. Making her way to the bedroom, she collapsed onto the bed and drifted off to sleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.
Vicki awoke from her slumber at the ring of her cell. She laid there a minute before reaching into her jacket to retrieve her phone.
"Vicki Nelson."
"Vicki, is everything alright? I've been trying to reach you for hours."
"I'm fine, Coreen. I came home to catch an hour or two of sleep." She yawned. "Why? What time is it?"
"It's noon."
She sat up on her bed. "I didn't realize I had slept that long."
"You've been really pushing yourself trying to help Henry. Let's face it, you definitely needed some sleep."
"Yeah, enough about me. What did you find on Adrian Carnegie and Babette Barnaby?"
"Adrian was murdered in Pittsburgh in the 1950s by Babette Barnaby. She was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. The police couldn't figure out how she killed him since his body had no marks or wounds. Objects associated with the occult were found in her apartment."
Vicki's face wore a quizzical look. "What happened to Babette? Is she still alive?"
"The article really doesn't say. It does mention that she was released after serving 30 years in prison due to lack of evidence. The Innocence Project, a group of non-profit legal clinics that investigate wrongful convictions, reviewed her case and found that the evidence used to convict her was planted. After that she went off the radar."
"Good work, Coreen." She looked at her watch. "I'll be in about 1:00 p. m."
"Make sure you eat something before then."
"Thanks Mom I will," Vicki said jokingly to Coreen. "Bye."
Vicki could almost picture the Goth smiling.
"Bye."
When Vicki arrived at her office, the aroma of hazelnut coffee assaulted her sense of smell. Coreen must have made a fresh pot of coffee.
"Hi, Vicki." She handed her a white mug.
"Thanks," Vicki replied after taking a sip.
"I figured you could probably use some coffee."
"Yeah, you definitely got that right." She headed to her office and Coreen followed. The girl settled into a chair in front of Vicki's desk.
"So how was last night with Henry?"
Vicki looked at her with a 'you really don't want to know' look.
"It was like dealing with someone with multiple personalities. For most of the night I was talking to Henry and then Adrian took over."
The Goth shook her head. "That sounds like one rough night." She arched her eyebrows. "Is Henry aware of everything that is happening?"
"He said that he could see what Adrian was doing but most of the time couldn't stop him."
"That had to be horrible for Henry. Watching himself attack you and being powerless to stop it."
Vicki nodded in agreement. "I couldn't imagine feeling so helpless."
Coreen handed Vicki a picture. "I thought you might want to see a picture of Babette Barnaby. I couldn't find a picture of Adrian but I'll keep working on that."
Vicki's eyes displayed recognition.
"What is it?"
"This is Alexandra Parker. She's older now but this is definitely her. I knew she was hiding something."
She rose form her chair and grabbed her jacket and asp.
"Where are you going? Coreen questioned.
"To have a chat with Alexandra."
"Wait I'm going with you."
"It could be dangerous."
"Danger is my middle name. Besides you could use some backup."
"Ex-cop, remember."
"Supernatural specialist, remember," Coreen countered.
"There's no arguing with you is there?"
"No not really."
Coreen seemed to back off. "Well if you don't want to take me as backup, why don't you call Mike?"
"Mike really isn't an option. Crowley's been riding him pretty hard lately."
"Well that's settles that then."
"Come on, Lacey."
They left.
Coreen's black Volkswagen sped down the road.
"Coreen, there's something I have to tell you." Vicki spoke on a sudden impulse.
The Goth cut her off. "Let me guess. You're ready to choose who you want to be with."
She shot Coreen an annoyed glance. "Actually I have something else to tell you." She took a deep breath before blurting out. "I never got rid of the Illuminacion del Sol and I had to use it on Henry."
Coreen was speechless.
The PI broke the silence. "Say something, anything."
The Goth's blue eyes briefly left the road as she glanced at Vicki. "I get why you kept it. Who knows when Christina might show up again but what I don't get is why you didn't tell anyone you had it."
"It's not something I could have brought up in a normal conversation. Guess what, I still have the Illuminacion del Sol, pass the chopsticks."
"How did Henry react to finding out that you still had it?"
"We're here. I guess we'll have to continue this conversation later." Vicki exited the car a bit more quickly than was necessary.
"It doesn't look like anyone is here," Coreen said while closing the driver's side door.
"Looks can be deceiving."
Vicki retrieved the locksmith's kit from her jacket but it was unnecessary. The door was ajar. She took out her asp and they cautiously entered the residence. They made their way upstairs. The place was empty except for a small envelope in the middle of where the living room had once stood. Vicki picked up the envelope and opened it. Coreen peered over her shoulder as she read the letter inside.
Dear Miss Nelson,
I was wondering how long it would take for you to figure out my true identity. Your visit was most enjoyable. I know you were hoping to catch me at home but I have to insist that all are meetings are on my terms. I look forward to seeing you some time in the near future.
Sincerely,
Alexandra Parker
"Now what are we going to do?"
"I wish I knew, Coreen. I wish I knew."
