Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. I suspect that it owns me but I am not complaining.
Thank you again to everyone who has been following this story. I appreciate all of you.
Chapter 25
"I do see your point Rayna," Beth acknowledged slowly. "It's not what happens to Blake that bothers me as much as how urgent it is to stop the harvesters before any more humans die. As long as they continue to operate we know that more women will end up dead."
"We are going to stop them now that we know where to find them," Rayna said confidently. "Just don't cry over Winters."
"I won't. Although I do wonder why Kendra only takes one male in each city. Does she sell his blood too? And why dispose of him differently than the women?" Beth mused.
"This woman seems like quite the piece of work. Even knowing the cops were alerted, she sent her men to another club. I would think a wise move would be to lay low for a few nights," Rayna replied.
"But Josef dangled a lot of money in front of her for more blood," Beth reminded her. "It does seem that greed drives her."
"I'm always surprised how some vamps just can't be happy with long lives, which usually gives us the opportunity to do well for ourselves. Some just have to hurt others to get what they want," Rayna said sadly.
"We never learned if they moved from city to city because the vampires in those towns drove them out. I wish Mick and Josef weren't trailing these guys alone. We have no idea if the harvesters will get violent to protect themselves."
"I'm sure Tyson will join them. Maybe even Savannah," her friend commented.
"I hope so," Beth sighed. "I wish they had let us be their backup."
Rayna grinned at her best friend.
"I think Josef is on to something," she stated.
"About what?"
"I think there may be a St. John and St. John sign on the door sometime in the future," Rayna chuckled. "You and Mick seem happiest when you can keep an eye on each other."
Beth smiled self-consciously but shook her head.
"I am happy with the magazine," she replied softly. There was no way she could imagine Mick agreeing to her taking on anything dangerous.
"Mark my words Beth, he'll outgrow that protective stage," Rayna murmured as if she could read Beth's thoughts. "He is happiest when he is working with you."
*MC*MC*
After Kendra had related what Hayden had said had occurred at the club, Oliver began to worry.
"Maybe we need to get out of this town Kendra. With vampires on the police force we don't have the advantages we did elsewhere."
"I'm not running away until I've gotten everything I want," Kendra snapped. "I like this city and this house. It's a good thing that a vampire cop is investigating what we are doing. She'll work more diligently to protect the secret."
"She'll try and shut us down."
"Vamps go soft when they work with humans. They have to be so careful. We are not hampered by that sentimentality, we are stronger," Kendra assured him. "I'm sure our wealthy client will not want us shut down. His handsome employee may be a fussy eater but he struck me as someone capable in a fight, if my judgment of men is correct. Mr. Koehler should be willing to assist us if he wants our product."
"I hope you are right. He may just go elsewhere to buy," Oliver said doubtfully.
"When have I ever let you down Ollie?" Kendra asked as she sat beside him. "Haven't I always given you everything I've promised?"
"Of course Kendra," he replied as she stroked his cheek and leaned against him.
"Then let me tell you what I have planned for the rest of this night," she whispered. "I want you to get into your workout clothes…..I am fond of the black shorts and the sleeveless T-shirt with that football emblem on it. You and I will do a little recruiting of our own. I've found this 24 hour fitness center that draws in some perfect female candidates. It's a perfect hunting ground with prime subjects and lax security once inside. I bought a membership," Kendra said smugly.
"Sounds perfect," Oliver agreed, flattered that she wanted to go out with just him to hunt instead of waiting for Hayden. Her handsome husband was always able to lure women in.
"Just use that magic tongue of yours Ollie; women cannot resist that Irish charm of yours. That was the reason I had to have you when we first met," Kendra cooed as she kissed his cheek. "I'm going to enjoy watching you work."
"Then let's get ready lassie, I could use the exercise," Oliver said as he kissed her mouth and then got to his feet. He drew her to her feet beside him. "I'll get you the purest subjects I can find."
"That's my Irish leprechaun," Kendra laughed lightly. She really did know her men she told herself. Once they were hers they were unable to deny her anything. And she did know how to use her charms to keep them loyal.
*MC*MC*
Out on the western edge of New Orleans was a modern club named Jolt. Hayden Pryce admired the tasteful interior and the lower volume to the music played in the club. Clearly this place catered to the higher income cliental and there were plenty of young, lovely women populating the place. It was with great ease that they soon had several women seated at their table. This group had a number of suitable selections.
On the opposite side of the room, Mick and Josef enjoyed their drinks while keeping an eye on the two harvesters.
"Well I guess I see how Ms Kendra manages to get blood that is not tainted by fear," Josef observed. "Those two are very smooth operators."
"The poor girls never see them coming. They are lost in the romance," Mick said with a shake of his head. "So what do you want to do? Do we let them take their victims out of here and then stop them or do we let them take them all the way to the house?"
"If we take them here that won't nail the whole group," Josef reminded him.
"I know but I am uncomfortable leaving the women in these vampire's hands," Mick said grumpily.
"Keep your eye on the objective Mick. We want the whole group when we move," Josef pointed out.
"I am aware of that Josef," Mick said in irritation. His friend had a valid point and Mick was aware that they needed to take this group as a whole. It just ate at him that there would be women traumatized no matter what they did. His only comfort was that no woman had been killed the first night they were abducted.
"Enjoy your drink Mick, our ladies have given us the means to shut this group down," Josef advised as he sipped his single malt scotch. This club did stock some of the best labels and Josef appreciated the sharp burn of good liquor. "At least this club has a better supply of scotch."
"And it's easier on the ears," Mick agreed, sipping his drink.
It was twenty minutes later that Tyson parked his Mustang outside of Jolt and checked his phone. Not seeing any message from Savannah, he decided to call her.
"Hey sugar, where are you?"
"I have just finished briefing Captain Jonas. I'll send Chaz home as soon as things are wrapped up," Savannah replied.
"Well I've just arrived at Jolt. I see Josef's car so I know that he and Mick are here. I'm going in to join them," Tyson reported.
"Maybe you should check with Beth and Rayna first," Savannah suggested. "They can tell you if they learned anything from following the other harvesters. I'm sure they have reported in to Mick and Josef but it will save you time if you know what they know."
"Good idea. Let me know when you have wrapped up things there," he told her.
"I will," Savannah promised and hung up.
Tyson placed the call to Rayna's phone and she answered quickly.
"Tyson, what's up? Beth and I were wondering if you were following Mick and Josef."
"I am big sis but I just talked to Savannah and she said I should see what you two learned."
"We found the harvester's house and we were able to eavesdrop on a phone call. This Kendra person is aware that Savannah is a cop and a vampire. The men at the club were close enough to scent her. Kendra was speaking to someone called Hayden and the guy with him was called Roland."
"Good to know. Savannah was planning to join me at Jolt. I'll have to call her and warn her not to come," Tyson responded.
"I'll call her; you go in and join the guys. We have photos of the house and surrounding area. I'll suggest she come out to Nachthafen and we'll figure out the best way in," Rayna told him.
"Good, I suppose you have briefed Mick and Josef on all this?"
"We have."
"Then I will go join the guys and we will watch the harvesters. If they take any women from this club I'll give you a call," Tyson said.
"I'll let Savannah know what is happening. Stay safe Tyson," Rayna said before breaking the connection.
Pocketing his phone, Tyson left his car and headed into the club. Once inside the door he paused and surveyed the area. It was easy to spot the group of women gathered around a table and he could see the two men seated among them. Knowing that Mick and Josef were near, he shifted his gaze to check the area opposite the harvesters and spotted his two friends. He joined them, pulling up a chair.
"Looks like our friends have had no trouble finding subjects to recruit," Tyson said.
"That is true, the women flock to them like unsuspecting flies," Mick said sourly.
End chapter.
Thanks for reading. We are getting closer to the finish.