SPOV

*Tuesday night*

I was still wondering about my decision to be so honest with Adrian earlier today. I felt guilty but not over having caused his head injury. I'd been raised to think Moroi were evil and uncaring, only slightly more tamed than the Strigoi. I'd realized a while ago that not all of what I'd been taught was true- at least not all Moroi were like that. I liked Adrian- he was kind, caring, passionate, witty, generous, and remarkably thoughtful. Of course, he hid all of it under a thick mask of sarcasm and indifference. He also had a cynical side but that wasn't surprising considering how deeply he'd been hurt by his breakup with Rose and what he considered his 'exile' to Palm Springs (according to what he told Eddie at one of Jill's feeding).

The thing that had me feeling guilty was that he'd been very genuine with me- the only lies he'd told me were those needed as a part of his cover for Jill's safety. He considered me a friend and I'd been thinking of him as a necessity to accomplish a mission. My father had never encouraged friendships since he considered them a waste of time. His sole criterion for associating with anyone was the degree of his or her usefulness to him. It was something I had seen a lot among the alchemists, along with backstabbing and calculation. I had seen it in Sebastian too- it had been a part of what ended things between us.

I had never wanted to be one of those people, and yet I had become one inadvertently in order to protect Zoe. I had to believe the ends justified the means or I'd have a hard time facing the fact that I was using so many people. It was even more difficult when I was lying constantly to people I liked- including a certain blood-sucking irreverent royal playboy. One day I would fix it but for now, I had to focus on Zoe and on getting her away from Keith. I pushed away all my guilt and self-loathing aside to concentrate on the problem at hand.

Analysis of the compounds from Nevermore proved my hunch correct. they were using alchemist formulas. Everything had taken longer to do because I'd been distracted by Adrian and I'd nearly lost track of time talking to him again. Still I had managed it all with enough time to prepare for my waitress gig.

I had tested the blood when Adrian had gone to get dressed. I had been correct again it was Moroi blood. I hadn't been able to figure out what one vial contained- it was a silvery translucent liquid. However, seeing the video from Clarence's study had cleared that mystery too- vampire saliva which was apparently the high inducing compound in the celestials.

After the call from Nevermore, Keith had gone to Clarence's and had talked him into giving him blood and saliva. I felt bad for the old Moroi- he thought he was giving it to heal people and in return for this, Keith promised to continue looking into the vampire hunters and his niece's death. Keith, I knew, was despicable but this was extreme- to play on an old man's emotions like that! I was also shocked at how casually he was breaking alchemist taboos for profit- he always seemed zealous about his profession in front of our superiors. But then with the training we received, one could never truly know another alchemist?

Adrian hadn't been far off- in a sense we were like super secret spies- trained to lie, manipulate and obfuscate. Alchemists were united against the vampires, yet among ourselves we were all ambitious and self-serving- within the confines of group loyalty and a strict hierarchy of control. Or at least that is what I had come to conclude.

When Adrian told me that he was practically unconscious during the drives to and from LA so much had suddenly made sense. Nevermore had been making special tattoos since last year. Adrian moving into Clarence's must have messed with Keith's blood collection. No wonder, he disliked Adrian.

At some point Keith had decided to use Adrian's presence and boredom to his advantage by drugging him for his blood. This must be why Adrian always came back so tired from LA. It also explained why Keith constantly wrote negative reports exaggerating Adrian's partying- so that he had a scapegoat if the blood business was ever discovered. Who better to take the fall than the disowned party boy selling his blood for money? The alchemist would buy it hook line and sinker- they were always eager to believe the worst of the 'unnatural creatures of the night'.

Keith was getting blood and saliva from two different vampires. Was he only selling it to Nevermore? I didn't know but what I had found out was enough to get him removed from Palm Springs- perhaps even get him sent to a re-education center. Unsurprisingly, Keith had made a call for a meeting at the Gentlemen's club for 9 pm. It was a smart move since there were no cameras inside and the club didn't allow people to take pictures either.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the type of camera I needed to get proof at my shift tonight. Would just pictures be enough though? In a picture, they could be exchanging anything- I would need physical evidence to corroborate it too. One thing at a time though. First, I needed to establish that the exchanges occurred at the Player's Lounge. Then I'd meet with Agent Wallace again to get the correct type of camera. Then I'd make sure Keith was caught with enough contraband to be sent far away from Zoe. And also make sure Adrian didn't end up blamed for it all.

*Tuesday night at the Player's Lounge*

I was nervous and uncomfortable. As 9 pm came closer, I began to panic- what if Keith recognized me? Or what if nothing was exchanged and Keith was just came here for the show like everyone else. I would just have dressed like a hooker and served drinks to sleazy men ogling naked gyrating women for no useful purpose.

Seeing those near perfect women wasn't doing anything for my confidence either. However, my stereotypes about the dancers had been thrown out in less than an hour of knowing them last night. Tonight a few of the more experienced servers had taken me under their wings and had been giving me pointers on how to get more tips. What I had considered to be a good sum last night was paltry in their experience. Their suggestions left me red faced and mumbling- something they found hilarious. As uncomfortable as I was with this job, the friendly co-workers were fantastic, if only the Alchemists were as nice to work with!

As nice as my co-workers were, the clients left a lot to be desired. They were sexist and obnoxious with distasteful sexual jokes and attempts to feel me up- I managed to avoid the later most of the time but there was no escaping the first. I was actually starting to miss Adrian and his innuendos- he was at least charming and funny even if it was in an arrogant, egoistic, and frustrating manner.

Keith arrived just after 9 pm and made his way into one of the VIP lounges located on the upper floor. That area was more secluded but offered a better view of the stage. I wasn't serving that section but I could see Keith clearly from certain areas of the lower floor. If Keith used the same lounge every time getting pictures would be easier.

Sometime later one of the bikers from the tattoo shop came in. They talked for a bit, the biker didn't look happy but they soon reached an agreement. I saw the biker hand a manila envelope to Keith, who then took some large vials from his summer coat and passed it to the biker. The biker left after talking a bit more. Keith, however, was in high spirits and stayed for another hour or so. He even got a few lap dances. The women seemed to like him just fine despite him flouting the no-touching rule multiple times. I couldn't stand the guy- but then I knew what he really was. At least he hadn't recognized me- or rather, I hadn't been close enough to be recognized.

My next shift was on Friday… but if Keith went to LA with Adrian tomorrow, he would probably come back here on Thursday. I chatted with some of the workers during my break. They told me Keith was a regular and that he was very popular. Apparently he tipped very well, was good looking, polite and decent (despite all the touching and grabbing… made me wonder what a guy had to do in a place like this to be considered indecent). He could have fooled me with that polite act- oh wait he had, my whole family and me, I thought sarcastically.

I learned that he didn't always get the same table... so I would have to meet with Agent Wallace in Vegas again. I'd have to be at work here when Keith came for another exchange and somehow switch serving areas with the ones who worked in the VIP section. The shift ended at 4 am and I realized dismally that I would have to do this again until I had photographic evidence of his activities. I took off my wig and colored contacts in the car and drove back home. I was dead tired but I couldn't stop thinking.

To prove Keith's involvement definitively, I had to let him manipulate Clarence or drug Adrian a few more times before I could report him. As an alchemist, my concern should have been about the humans but I felt just as indignant for the two Moroi victims. They didn't deserve this!

Keith would have to get blood once more and exchange it so I could photograph him. He'd have to get blood again so he could be caught red handed with it on him. This didn't feel good at all- once was bad enough but to have someone- even Moroi- get used like that twice left a bad taste in my mouth. As sick as it made me, I'd have to make sure Adrian went to LA tomorrow.

I finally made it home, barely functioning from the tiredness I felt. However, I still had things to take care of- like arranging to meet Agent Wallace again, placing the last of my cameras in Keith's car, and convincing Adrian to take another trip with Keith. I crashed on the couch- maybe I could arrange all this after a short nap. I hadn't had much sleep the last few days.

*Wednesday morning*

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing next to my stomach. Stupid vibrate setting, it tickled!

"Hello?" I tried to shake the sleep from my voice but I couldn't. I was peering around my living room trying to determine what time it was. From the amount of sunlight streaming in- I'd say late morning.

"Little Kat, did you just wake up? I'm getting old if I wake up before you do!"

"Ugh yeah, you are old Adrian." God, that was lame! I had to work on my comebacks!

"So how'd your 'meeting' go last night?" He tried to sound casual but I heard worry and amusement in his voice. It was odd to think he was concerned about me since I was the one in a moral dilemma about his welfare.

"It was alright," I looked at my clock only to realize it was close to 10! My small nap had turned into hours of sleep!

"Just alright, really that's all the details I get as your best friend?" He sounded scandalized. I had grudgingly accepted that I liked him- he was all right for a blood-sucking creature. But friends- best friends was certainly pushing it.

"Best friends, really Adrian. Doesn't that interfere with your lifestyle of being awesome?"

"Aww Little Kat, you finally admitted I'm awesome. I couldn't be happier!" He sounded gleeful as if I'd really said such a preposterous thing.

"I did not say that!" I whined before sighing... there was no point debating semantics with him. "Where are you right now?"

"And she misses me too. First thing in the morning at that! I'm home. Are you coming over again- my cousin is visiting but he won't mind. I'll even whip up some breakfast for you." He really was incorrigible but who was this cousin? I'd have to check on that later. Keith was more important right now.

"No, lots to do today, so are you spending the day with your cousin then?"

"I might- I'm trying to decide between going to LA and visiting Jill. Any chance you want to visit her with me- she wants to thank you for Laurel."

"Has the bullying stopped then?" I asked absently as I looked up an obscure book and bookstores in LA on the internet. I was counting on that 'best friend' bit to tip his decision.

"Pretty much, Laurel is more concerned about hiding under scarves and hats to pick on Jill." I could hear the grin in his voice. I smiled too. At least one of my plans had been successful. It would finally put an end to the vampire rumors, and make life easier for Jill.

"Adrian, I was counting on you to go to LA, there's a book store that I hoped you'd visit for me." I said trying to sound reluctant and pleading.

"A book store, that's boring Little Kat. Can't you get a kindle version?" He whined.

"It's an old book, quite rare and someone might get to it before the weekend. I thought I was your best friend. Please, Adrian?"

He grumbled under his breath for a while, "Fine! Only because you pulled the 'best friend' card." He grumbled some more, "I have to let Keith know I'll be joining him after all. You owe me, Little Kat, you owe me big."

"I know- I'll text you the details. Bye Adrian." Ok, Adrian would head to LA. Now to set the rest of my trap for Keith.

The tracker in Keith's car placed him at home, and he usually slept till- 10 or 11 but Adrian's call would woke him up soon. How much longer would he stay at home? What if he decided to get an early start today? Maybe I could distract him somehow- I had an idea for where to place the camera in his car so it wouldn't take long.

I quickly washed off last night's make up, brushed my teeth, changed and covered up my tattoo before driving to Keith's apartment. I placed a 911 call from a prepaid phone when I had to stop at a red light and reported extremely suspicious activity on the first floor of Keith's building. The drive took longer than usual due to the weekday traffic. When I arrived, two cops were going to the apartments on the first floor to investigate.

The tracker still placed the car at Keith's apartment but it wouldn't tell me where Keith was. I located Keith's car in the enclosed parking area behind the building. The camera feed showed that he was talking with a cop in his living room. I jimmied the lock on the car door, placed a camera on the car roof above the rear view mirror- I checked to make sure it wasn't overtly visible, and quickly exited. It had taken me less than a few minutes- the police had probably not even been necessary but it was better than to risk being caught tampering with Keith's car. I'd be the one in trouble then, not Keith.

I stayed in my car and contacted Agent Wallace. He agreed to meet me with the type of cameras I'd need in Vegas later tonight around 8 pm. I went back home, took a long shower, a quick swim to relax and ate some breakfast. I would have to cancel my classes for the next two days. I caught up on the rest of my assignments, work for Ms. T and emailed my professors that I'd be missing class due to a family emergency.

At 2 pm, I drove off to Vegas with a sense of excitement and dread. I was finally close to getting rid of Keith for good but many things could still go wrong. I would have to make sure Agent Wallace didn't know I was suspended and fudge his memory so he wouldn't remember me again. I had double-checked to make sure my last interaction with the Agent hadn't been noticed by the alchemists- I'd been lucky. Now I just had to stay lucky for a few more days.

*Thursday night to Friday morning*

As expected, Keith set up a meeting at the Player's Lounge for 9 pm again. I had asked to switch shifts with another server- she had been happy since Fridays brought in more tips. I still wasn't waiting on the tables in the VIP section but I had slipped some cramp-inducing compound into the water of some workers before the shift started. Within 20 minutes they'd start to feel the effects, it wouldn't incapacitate them. They'd be able to work but slower. It would give me the chance to be 'helpful' to the waitress in the VIP section when Keith arrived for meeting.

I was wearing a short black sequined cocktail dress with a rhinestone bodice. Three of the rhinestones were cameras- placed so that they captured a 360-degree angle round me without being blocked by my hands. It took over five hours to get the placement and sewing correct. My fingers had a mass of needle wounds- sewing was not my forte.

I'd been extra careful with my makeup. I had even carefully arranged my red wig into an emo style that hid half my face and wore green contacts again. Besides getting plastic surgery, I had done everything conceivable to disguise myself. I wouldn't have to serve Keith's table, it would be enough to walk past him since the cameras were set to take a picture every 10 seconds.

When Keith finally left around 11 pm, I heaved a sigh of relief. He hadn't recognized me. He had noticed me but had been too busy staring at my cleavage and legs to pay attention to my face. I thought I would be creeped out being watched like that by Keith but I felt relieved instead.

I checked the pictures I'd taken at the Lounge before collapsing into bed. I was just as pleased with the result when I woke up in the morning. I felt better than I had in a long time. I just had to wait for Keith to make another blood collection and he would hand himself to the alchemists on a platter. The only thing that concerned me was that the person meeting Keith hadn't been one of the men from the tattoo parlor. This wasn't someone I'd seen with Keith before- was Keith supplying to other tattoo parlors as well? However, those were worries for another day. I would just call in a tip to the Alchemists about suspicious activity at Nevermore and they would handle the rest.