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Chapter 9
Tyson drove the Lexus out to Celeste Winter's home. The Cleaner's van was parked out front and a woman in black leather was waiting in the entry. Her dark hair was pulled back severely. It appeared that Cleaner fashion was universal. Her crew was waiting behind her.
"Everything is as we found it. Celeste's secretary had returned to get some correspondence she forgot and discovered the body. She called me. Who would attack a vamp as old as Celeste?"
"I am not sure. We have an idea but it's too soon to say," Tyson told her. "I'm sure it has to be a vampire but nothing is obvious out here." He inhaled.
"No human could have gotten the jump on Celeste," the Cleaner answered. "Come and take a look."
There had been a faint scent of blood and death in the entryway. The stench was stronger in the den off to the right. Celeste's body lay sprawled next to her desk. Her head lay beside it, obviously placed so her eyes looked at them in surprise.
"Nasty," Josef said quietly.
"This was left on the desk," the Cleaner said handing Tyson a folded piece of paper. "And by the way, who are your friends?"
"Mick St. John and Josef Kostan from LA. They came following a stolen art piece. The freshie thief ended up dead. It may be connected to this," Tyson said. "Gentlemen, Teresa is our leader in the cleaning field."
They all nodded to each other.
"Well then, I think that explains the missing Georgia O'Keefe that Ms Burrows said was hanging on that wall. Gentlemen I think you do have a connection," Teresa said.
"It's beginning to look more and more like Rafael Maurico," Tyson said.
Teresa gave them all a look of concern.
"How did he mask his scent? I've met Maurico, I didn't smell him," she asked.
"I wish I had the answer," Tyson said grimly.
"We don't need a vamp on a killing spree. Especially when he's targeting his own kind," she said angrily.
Tyson had read the note. He nodded to Mick and Josef to follow him.
"Tyson," the Cleaner called after him. He stopped. "If you need me, you know where to find me," she said warmly. The invitation was clear.
"Sure thing sugar," he answered and the three men went out to the foyer. He handed the note to Mick. Josef grinned at Tyson.
"You know, Mick has the same effect on our Cleaners," Josef smirked.
"Josef," Mick said seriously and handed over the paper.
It read: "Celeste is but the beginning. I will have my vengeance on those who conspired against me. Come, the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge."
"The last line is from Shakespeare's Hamlet," Josef observed. "So it's definite, Maurico has more on his mind than art collecting."
"I'd say that is true," Mick agreed.
"And Granny is on his list," Tyson said with a tightness in his gut.
Josef recognized the grim look on Tyson's face. "Hey Tyson, we'll take care of Moriah. And don't forget she didn't get to her age without knowing how to take care of herself."
"Yea, I just find it unsettling how bold he is," Tyson said angrily.
"Arrogance can be used against him,"' Mick pointed out.
"Let's get back to the ladies. I don't want Rayna thinking she needs to go to Moriah," Josef said.
They headed home.
Rayna had controlled the urge to go to Granny. When she phoned, Granny made it clear that she should not worry Josef by disappearing. Granny told Rayna that Robert would stay with her and she was safe. In spite of Granny's assurances, Rayna paced Tyson's apartment.
When the guys arrived, Rayna swiftly crossed the room and landed in Josef's arms.
"So when do we take him out?" she growled angrily.
"Down girl," Josef said softly. He held her close. "We don't do anything until we know more."
"What are we waiting for?" she said struggling in his embrace.
"We do not take on an enemy like Maurico without a plan," Tyson told her. "He made this move to provoke us into a stupid move. Rayna, we don't want to oblige him."
"He can't hurt Granny," she vowed.
Josef pulled her tightly against him.
"We won't," he promised. "We know what he wants and we will not let him succeed."
Beth looked between the others in concern. She had tried to calm Rayna while they had waited. Rayna had worked herself up after talking to Granny and Beth was unable to settle her down. Rayna had finally relaxed just before the men returned.
Mick saw Beth's discomfort and went to sit beside her. He slid his arm around her shoulders.
"Do you know it's Maurico?" she asked Mick.
"Not for sure. Whoever it was found a way to hide his scent. But he left a note about revenge. The note points to Rafael."
"We need to get some rest. We can't move on him tonight. Without more information we are chasing our tails," Tyson said.
Josef nodded. He looked down at the woman in his arms. He shook her gently. "Rayna, let's go to our apartment. We need some freezer time. Tomorrow we will make plans. Moriah is safe tonight."
She nodded and Josef guided her out of Tyson's place.
"What do we need to know to move against him?" Beth asked after they had left. She felt Rayna's pain as if it were her own.
"We need to know his security and his routines. It would help to know his employees and how many of them there are. He has stepped up his aggression but I think he's not in a hurry to reach his final acts. I think he intends to make us worry and keep us off balance," Tyson speculated.
"Well he's succeeding," Beth said dryly. "What types of punishments are open to us?"
"Mostly the elders and Cleaners in each city deal with the rule breakers," Tyson explained. "It will not be lost on the others that he has targeted our four oldest for revenge."
"I may have to take him up on his offer," Mick said bringing out Maurico's business card.
"Then you will need me for a distraction," Beth said confidently.
"Beth."
"Mick, we need every edge we can get," Beth argued.
Tyson chuckled.
"Granny pegged that right," he said. "You two are quite the team."
Beth smiled.
"She was hard to hold back as a human," Mick said with a touch of pride in his voice. He narrowed his eyes looking at her. "I think we have a discussion on control to finish." He stood and pulled Beth up beside him. "See you at twilight Tyson."
"I envy you Mick," Tyson grinned. "And by the way, my money is on you Beth."
"Thanks," she laughed as they left the apartment.
When twilight arrived, Tyson followed his usual routine on rising. After a brief workout, he showered and dressed and consumed some blood. He headed downstairs to check the summary that he knew Charity had left for him. He had a couple jobs for security systems that could wait. Granny had called to say that everything was fine and Robert was remaining another night. And at the bottom were three highlighted notes that Det. Savannah Lowe had called.
Tyson reached for the phone but then drew back. He wasn't sure what he would tell her. How would he explain that he was pretty sure who killed the girls but there was no way her police department would bring him to justice? Just how would he tell her the killer was a vampire?
There came a loud rapping from the back entrance to his building. Going out into the hallway, he could scent the irate female on the other side of the door. He wasn't going to be able to ignore Savannah Lowe any longer. Tyson opened the door just as she was about to knock again.
"Detective Lowe. What a pleasant surprise," he said mildly. "Come in."
She came in and stood in the hallway with eyes snapping.
"You are a hard man to pin down, Mr. Leggett. I think your assistant gave me every excuse in the book when I called. I decided to try after hours," she complained.
"Well, you've got me now," Tyson grinned and directed her toward his office. He went to his desk while she hovered just inside the doorway. He picked up Charity's summary and pointed to the highlighted lines.
"She did leave me word," he said tapping the paper and setting it back down. "I've been busy; company came in from out west."
"Yes I know," Savannah said with her arms crossed over her chest. "Josef Kostan arrived yesterday from Los Angeles by private jet. He was accompanied by another man and two women."
"Very good sugar," Tyson nodded. "Your grapevine is well informed. My friend Mick St. John and their ladies came with him."
"One dead girl brings a billionaire and a PI all the way to New Orleans?" she asked skeptically. She came a few more feet into the room.
"It appears that Josef takes murdered employees very seriously. I would think that would be a trait to be admired," Tyson answered. "Do you find his interest to be suspicious behavior?" He stepped around the desk and eyed her coolly.
"Not suspicious, but highly unusual. Mr. Leggett, do you expect me to believe someone of Mr. Kostan's position would take a personal interest in one employee?" Savannah tried to go on the offensive. She found his gaze to be very disconcerting.
"Josef is an unusual businessman. I can arrange for you to speak to him. Would that satisfy you?" he asked as he moved closer to her. Savannah flinched unwillingly as he closed the gap between them. She could swear that he sniffed her. Satisfy her? Oh boy, coming here alone, after hours was a big mistake.
End chapter.
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