Chapter Two

Chapter Two

"She was attacked by a dead man." Nick leaned back and nodded. "Sounds like something up your alley, all right."

"Well, our alley, anyway. It wasn't a vampire, but I can't think of any scientific reason for a dead man to go around attacking young women. I guess it could be some guy in a flesh body suit , but that idea even creeps me out. I was hoping you'd have something a little less…"

"Macabre? Sorry. Popular fiction aside, there just aren't that many different things that go bump in the night out there. I think the most likely answer is that the attacker has some kind of fetish. Maybe he's carrying around a piece of his dead grandmother." Nick's gaze had strayed back to the computer. "I wish I could be more help, but at this point I think it's something for the police to handle." He grinned a little absently. "The other police, I mean. This isn't even a homicide."

"Nick, did you see the wounds? This wasn't just some sort of rape gone wrong. And he didn't just bite her. He ate her. She lost at least a pound of flesh from her neck and shoulder. An inch or two higher and he'd have ripped out her jugular and this would be one of your cases!" Natalie pushed her hair out of her eyes and scowled at him. She loved him dearly (like a brother, oh, of course), but sometimes Nick was such a…well, a brick. Completely focused on one thing to the exclusion of everything else. And right now that one thing wasn't her, or even poor Candida Mitchell. It was The Community, and whatever his friend Jack was e-mailing him. She felt an utterly unreasonable twinge of jealousy.

"Look, I know that you're on vacation, and that this isn't one of your cases. I just thought you might have some idea of what's doing this." Natalie took back the report and stuffed it back into the manila envelope. "Whoever—whatever did this, he could strike again. And this time his victim might not be so 'lucky'."

Nick blinked, and came back from wherever his thoughts had taken him. Warm compassion rose up in his eyes again and he reached out to gently stroke her hair. "I'm sorry. That sounded a little harsh, didn't it? But I honestly can't think of a connection. Vampires don't decompose. We're either alive, or we're dust. And the only zombies I've ever heard of were made that way through drugs, not death."

"Well, it was worth a shot." Her frustration at Nick and her anger at what was done to the victim slowly drained away, leaving Natalie tired and discouraged. "Maybe you're right. There's probably a rational explanation for this. Sick, but rational."

"Vampires aren't the only monsters out there," Nick said quietly. "Sometimes humans do things that far surpass anything that we are capable of."

"More bad memories?" Pain had flitted across Nick's face again. Now it was gone and he smiled tiredly.

"Some days more than others." He didn't elaborate, and after a moment Nat nodded and reached for her purse.

"Look, why don't I get out of here and let you get back to your computer? It's getting late—I mean early—and I need to get some things done before I hit the sack."

"It shows that much, does it? All right. Why don't you go get some rest, and I'll talk to you tomorrow. Maybe we can go catch a movie. A comedy." He tapped her nose playfully. "I think we could both use a few laughs."

"That sounds nice." And it did. Nick, when she could get (and keep) his attention, was a wonderful companion. Thoughtful, charming, handsome. But talk about dating a guy with issues… "Why don't you give me a call? I have a feeling that getting through to you might be just a little tough until the phone guy shows up."

"Deal." He helped her with her coat and walked her to the door. As Natalie fumbled for her keys just outside the door she could swear she heard the high-pitched whine of a modem connecting.

###

"Natalie, you are an angel." Martin DuBois, day shift medical examiner and moonlighting actor, bowed low over her hand before giving it a courtly kiss. "You have saved my life. No, more important, you have saved my audition. I thank you, William Shakespeare thanks you, and the countless fans who would otherwise have been deprived of my glorious 'Claudius' thank you most of all."

"I take it the audition went well," Natalie replied, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"The show, in this case a most deft performance of Hamlet, will indeed go forth with myself as the dread King Claudius." He dropped his theatrical poise and continued in a more normal tone of voice. "Unless, of course, Conoco changes their mind about funding our little play. I've been hearing rumors for more than a month that they're on the verge of layoffs." He shrugged, hanging up his suit jacket and donning his white lab coat. "The precarious life of an actor. Thank you again for covering for me. And on your day off, no less. Anything exciting?"

"No, it's been pretty quiet around here." An old joke—because all of their patients were notoriously closed mouthed—but also the truth. Most of the 'action' the coroner's office saw would start on Friday night, two nights from now. "But now that you're here, I'm taking off. It just so happens that I have a date tonight." Color rose in her cheeks as Martin beamed.

"And about time. You spend far too much time here. In the words of my granddaughter, you need to 'get a life'."

"I'm trying to, believe me." But nice men didn't grow on trees, did they? It had been a long time since her last date, long enough that she was calling her little 'dinner for one, movie for two' with Nick a date. They were more than just patient and doctor, but…well, if ever a relationship deserved to be called "complicated," theirs did. Nat wasn't even sure that they were having a date. Maybe it was just hanging out with a good friend. Or maybe it was some strange Nick apology for his behavior last night. Or…oh, just stop it, Natalie. You're having dinner and a nice movie with a good looking guy. Stop analyzing it and just have a good time. Okay?

"Then I'll leave you to it. Oh, and Grace said to give you this." He handed her a phone message slip and went to examine the status board. Natalie opened the folded note.

Nat—

Something's come up, and I'm going to be a little late. How about take-out Chinese and a video? I'll leave a key in the usual place. Meet me there after you get off and I'll bring the noodles.

Nick

So much for her "hot date." Natalie slowly stripped off her lab coat and went to freshen her makeup and check her hair. It wouldn't do to show up at Nick's smelling of formaldehyde and looking as pasty as one of her patients, even if the guy in question deserved exactly that. Martin's granddaughter was right. I really, really need to get a life.

###

Natalie let herself in, flicking on the overhead lights and then tossing the spare key onto the small table near the door before closing Nick's front door behind her. A little cool water on her face and the brisk night air on the drive over had relieved her spirits. The bouquet of flowers that was delivered a few minutes later did even more to improve her mood, as did the place settings for two on the kitchen table. Nick did try, and sometimes even managed moments of romanticism that took her breath away. Tonight looked like it had potential to be one of those moments, after all.

A few minutes of idle wandering through his empty loft and her gaze fell on the computer. It was on and humming quietly to itself. The screen saver was active, giving no indication of what he might have been working on. The boxes, at least, had disappeared. Temptation warred with respect for Nick's privacy, and won by a photo finish. Nick was inherently a private sort of guy, and reading someone else's mail was a nasty invasion of privacy. Though the idea of finding out exactly what vampires talked about when no one else was around was awfully tempting…

She shook her head and headed instead for the kitchen. Nick's refrigerator was, of course, nearly empty. A half dozen unlabeled bottles of what could be mistaken for red wine sat on one shelf. She'd been on him to go "cold turkey," but so far without much success. At least it was cow's blood, she consoled herself. Sitting on the other side of the shelf like soldiers from an opposing army was a small selection of sodas and a bottle of actual wine. Nice one, too. Helping herself to a cold Coke, Natalie popped the top and wandered back out onto the living room.

Nick's answering machine wasn't blinking. Hopefully that meant that he was on his way, and not delayed any further. Natalie settled down on the couch and picked up a computer manual. Several of them were stacked on the coffee table, each with notes in Nick's elegant handwriting on the front cover. At least she'd have something to do while she waited.

Five minutes later her eyelids were drooping. Computer manuals, she'd discovered, were duller than college textbooks and a really great way to put yourself to sleep. She was saved from being found asleep on Nick's couch by the rough hissing sound of a modem connecting. Curious, she tossed aside the manual and walked back to the computer desk.

Setting down her can of soda on the desk apparently disturbed the mouse. The swimming fish disappeared, to be replaced by Nick's mail program. The hard drive muttered to itself as several messages appeared on the screen, then grew silent. The last message was displayed on the screen. Curiosity overriding any remaining reluctance, Nat read the message.

Nick:

Rotherham was found dead tonight in New York. Five elders now, and the Big Es have been asking around for me—I'm sure you can figure out why. They'll probably come sniffing your way, too, so watch out, and watch out for N. Give me a call as soon as you get in.

Jack

Watch out for N. Natalie. And "Big E" had to be the Enforcers, the SS Squad and PC Police combined of the vampire world. Terrific. Well, you keep saying you want to be a part of Nick's world. As grandma would say, watch out what you ask for.

"Reading my mail?" Nick's voice, warm and teasing, came from directly behind her. Natalie jumped and spun to face him, fear, embarrassment, and anger warring on her face and in her veins.

"God, I wish you'd stop that!" As she had the night before Natalie swung at him, but this time the blow had a little force behind it. Nick caught her hand in mid air, gracing her with his best "I'll never understand women" look.

"Nat, what's wrong? I'm sorry I startled you." He released her hand and took a step back, watching her with amusement and some concern.

"I'm fine." She took a deep breath and took a step to the side, away from the computer and away from him. "But you've really got to work on your entrances, buster. And I think you'd better read your mail. It came in just before you did."

Still smiling faintly, Nick patted her arm and glanced at the computer screen. A second later he was sitting at the computer desk, phone in hand. "Damn it. I was afraid of this."

"Nick, what's this mean? Who's Rotherham?"

"An elder vampire. On of the oldest of our kind. Or at least he was." He punched in a local number. "Once a vampire reaches a certain age, it's almost unheard of for one to be killed by a Hunter. They're just too tough. For five to die within a few weeks is…very bad." His attention turned toward the phone.

"Jack? It's Nick. Pick up if you're there. Yes, I just got in. No, Nat's here with me. The Enforcers haven't been here." He raised his eyebrows at her and she shook her head in confirmation. "But I'm not exactly hard to find. Uh-huh." He frowned doubtfully and then hit the speaker button. An unfamiliar voice, presumably Jack's, filled the sudden silence.

"Like I was saying, I can't prove any of it. Merlin can confirm that none of the old guys had availed themselves of his service--or mine--but try telling the Council that they died because they didn't stay current. Much easier to blame in on the new technology."

"And the ones promoting it," Nick added.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure my name's on somebody's hit list about now. But I can take care of myself, Nick. What's I'm worried about is what's going to happen if the Council rules against us. Besides putting geeks like me out of a job, it'll mean cutting the Community off from the most dynamic form of communication the world has ever seen. We'll be outside the loop, and then we'll all be dead."

"You really think it will be that bad?" Nick asked quietly.

"It's already begun. The Internet gives mortals a new way to communicate. It's faster than a letter or even a newspaper, and it's flexible in a way that television and radio can't be. Even if you ignore how useful it would be for us to be able to communicate among ourselves on the 'net, think of what would happen if a mortal got proof of our existence. We cover the major newspapers and television stations, but how to you police the Internet? We'll never figure it out how--or even run damage control--if we stick our heads in the sand the way the Council wants us to."

"Okay, you've sold me. Not that I needed a lot of convincing."

"Yeah, you're one of our more 'out there' guys, Knight. I still can't believe you're really a cop." He sounded amused at the idea. "But it's because you're a cop that I'm going to ask you for a favor." He seemed oddly reluctant to continue.

Nick finished it for him. "You want me to investigate the murders."

"You got it. You've got some of the best investigative skills out there right now, and, better yet, you've got mortal connections. If a Hunter did kill those guys, I can't believe he didn't leave some kind of evidence behind. If anyone can find it, you can."

"But won't that put Nick right in the path of this Hunter?" Natalie had been content to sit and listen—she'd probably gained more knowledge about vampires in the last few minutes than she had in the last few months combined—but she didn't like the sudden turn in the conversation. Not one bit.

"Yeah. If I could think of any other way, Nick, I wouldn't even ask."

"Don't worry about it. I can take care of myself, too. And this is too important to ignore." He put a hand on Natalie's arm and squeezed gently. "I've run into a Hunter or two in my time and lived to tell the tale."

"Well, just don't get all cocky on me. Remember, whoever he is, he's taken out five elders. You may be big time in Toronto, Knight, but those boys made us all look like school kids. And this guy tore them apart."

"I'll be careful," Nick promised.

"Nick, I really don't like this. Jack's right. It's very dangerous. And I thought you were trying to cut ties to the Community." In the ensuing silence Nat realized she might have said too much.

"I am trying to become mortal, Nat. But that doesn't mean I can ignore what I am now. What I have been for eight hundred years. I have to do this." His tone made it clear that Nick had already made up his mind.

"And I hate to say it, but Nick's not going to be the only one in danger." Jack added. "Me, I can go to ground. Wouldn't be the first time. Nick, you're a hell of a lot more visible, and so is Natalie. Not to mention your partner, and anybody else who's had the bad taste to befriend you lately. You take this on, and even if the Hunter doesn't get you, the Enforcers might."

"You're too kind. But your point is taken. Schanke's on vacation in New Hampshire, so he should be safe enough for the next week or so. But Nat…"

"But they don't know about me, do they? I mean, I thought we'd been pretty careful about that." Natalie sat down on the edge of the computer desk and addressed her question to the telephone.

"They don't know about your attempts to find a cure, but if they ask around they'll find out that you're a friend of Nick's. And if the Council sends Enforcers out to take care of Nick, they'll eliminate any mortals he's befriended on the off chance they might know about him. Enforcers subscribe to the 'Burn 'em all and let the devil sort it out' school of philosophy." He sighed. "Messy, but effective."

"I'm still playing catch-up here. Why would this Council be after Nick?" Natalie asked.

"Nick already pushes what Council allows by interacting so heavily with mortals. I mean, he's a cop, for God's sake. Now he's consorting with one of the guys--that would be me--who the Council thinks off'd five of their most influential members. If Nick shows up at the site of the last kill, the Council's going to draw its own conclusions and add his name to the Enforcer hit list."

"Jack, I don't think that Nat needs to hear all of this," Nick interrupted.

"Why not? She already knows enough to get her killed. And if she's as smart as you say she is, maybe she'll see something that we've missed."

"Nick, I think he's got a point." There was nothing like being talked about like she wasn't there—or, worse yet, like she was an unruly child of three—to really get Natalie's back up. "My life is on the line, too, you know." She let out a short, humorless laugh. "And I don't think they can kill me any more dead for knowing why they're going to try to kill me."

"Maybe you're right. But I don't like it, Nat. You shouldn't have to be involved in any of this."

Natalie tousled his dark blond hair affectionately. "I knew you'd be trouble from the moment I laid eyes on you. Haven't regretted it so far." She let her hand drop. "So. What's the plan?"

###

Natalie tapped impatiently on the telephone receiver, willing it to ring. Nick had persuaded her to stay at his place until dawn, while he took advantage of what was left of the night to fly to New York, where the last of the murders had occurred. Nick's place was undoubtedly more secure than her apartment, but it lacked all of the things that might have provided a welcome distraction from her worrying. And for once those worries weren't just for Nick. She was in danger, too. As a doctor Natalie was used to having a great deal of control over her surroundings. Now she had none. There wasn't even the mindless babble of a television to keep her mind from restlessly dredging up useless 'what ifs'.

But there was a computer. Shoving herself up off of the couch, she walked back to Nick's computer. She could check the chat rooms without tying up her cell phone, and that was the number Nick would try first as soon as he had news. A few mouse clicks, and the now-familiar lines of chat began to scroll across the screen.

2FerTues So I try it on, and omg, the things it did for my backside. Looked like you could have landed a DC-10 there.

MamaBear I know exactly what you mean, Drinks.

Dark076 Yeah too much and you burp copper all day long. Yuck.

MessyDrinker At least I know I'm not anemic. ;-)

Dark076 brb somebody at the door. pizza delivery?

Jack Nick? What's the word?

Natalie smiled and typed in a reply.

KNick It's Nat. I was hoping you could tell me, Jack. You haven't heard from him?

MamaBear That's what you get for buying off the rack, 2Fer darling

Jack Not a thing. :-( Probably too soon anyway.

/ Dark076 CHANGE NICK = HUNTER

HUNTER And one less monster roams the night.

MamaBear Dark, sweetie, that is NOT funny. *slaps Dark076 with a dead trout*

HUNTER Dark has gone to pieces. Who will be next?

MessyDrinker Dark never could hold his booze.

HUNTER Too bad the brave detective is on a snipe hunt. But there's always his pet Renfield, isn't there?

Jack /BOOT HUNTER

2FerTues who's a cop?

Jack OK, everybody OUT! If he got Dark, then he's got Dark's access. You know the drill. Go now.

KNick Jack what's happening?

Jack Nat get out of there! He knows about Nick--about you. Run!

HUNTER TOO LATE

HUNTER TOO LATE

HUNTER TOO LATE

HUNTER TOO LATE

HUNTER TOO LATE

HUNTER TOO LA*

Without warning the lights went out, plunging the room into darkness. Natalie's heart leapt into her throat as the screen slowly faded, leaving a ghostly image on her retinas. The only sound in the inky darkness was her own ragged breathing, and she forced herself to remain still until her eyes adjusted to the pale illumination coming in through the skylight. After what seemed like hours she could make out the dim shapes of Nick's furniture. Okay, think. He called me Renfield. That means he thinks I'm one of the bad guys. Talking him down is probably not going to work. That means I need help.

"No kidding," Natalie whispered to herself, spinning around in the office chair to see the rest of the room. But who could she call? Nick was in New York, and that was it as far as supernatural reinforcements went. Call the cops? They wouldn't believe her, and if they did she'd be dead as soon as the Enforcers showed up, anyway. Guess it's up to me, then. Come one, come all. Watch as Natalie Lambert saves the day!

Right. Well, she had to try, anyway. Finding the kitchen in the dim light was easy enough. No convenient blow torches or shotguns, but there was a nice, sharp knife on the counter. It was a far cry from the scalpel she usually wielded, but a lot more satisfying right now. Holding it in her right hand, Natalie padded softly toward the door. Her car was right outside. With any luck, she could get there before he finished casing the place, or whatever it was Hunters did before a kill.

But how could he be in two places at once? The question gnawed at her, but there was no time to worry about it right now. Maybe he didn't work alone. They hadn't thought about that. Flinching at every small creak in the floorboards, Natalie padded quietly toward the door, knife held ready.

"Come on, come on!" Her whisper sounded very loud in her ears. Nothing had jumped out at her when she opened the door. Now she stood outside, the door a solid and comforting presence at her back, rooting through her purse with her off hand. She fumbled for her car keys, her heart racing. They always knew when you were in a hurry, finding new places to hide at the bottom of your purse. Then car keys were at last in her hand. She breathed a sigh of relief and sprinted for her car. Where to go? Some place with lots of people. The police station? Too hard to explain what's going on. Her office. There were enough people—most of them police officers—going in and out all night that it would make an (hopefully) unappealing target, and no one would comment on her being there on her night off. A shuffling sound made her whirl around before she could get the key in the door.

A man was standing there, his head tilted quizzically to one side. Whatever she'd been expecting in a Hunter, he wasn't it. No long trench coat, no cross or crossbow, no broad shoulders and powerful build. Could she have made a mistake?

"Such a pretty Renfield. Master didn't tell me you were pretty." He shuffled forward and she bit back a scream. He was Caucasian and in his mid-thirties, with thinning brown hair and green eyes that peered at her from behind thick glasses. His skin was pasty gray, with dark patches rising along his cheeks and neck. Patches of rot. "They gave it to me because the guy that did this is dead. Had been for three or four days when he attacked her, as a matter of fact." She hadn't believed it then, not really. But now…

"Oh my God."

Her hand tightened around the knife, but he moved with a blur of speed that was all too familiar. There was a flash of bright agony, and Natalie felt herself slammed against her car, his body pressing hard against her. She took a deep breath, meaning to scream loud enough to wake the dead, and a clammy hand clamped brutally over her mouth.

"Not just yet, lovely Renfield. You'll have plenty of time to scream later, I promise." His free hand snatched at her blouse, tearing it. "Oh, how you'll scream." The hand on her mouth forced her head backward, making her back arch painfully. Natalie dragged in air through her nose, filling her lungs with the stench of rotting meat. His head dipped toward her neck.

You first. And Natalie shoved the knife, which she somehow miraculously hadn't dropped, deep into his gut. The exultation that came with her successful attack amazed her. She held onto the knife as he pulled away. If he tried again, she'd be ready.

The man—if you could call him that—staggered back and looked down at the hole in his abdomen with wonder. One dull gray finger prodded the wound. The tip of the finger came back out dark. He drew it to his mouth and licked delicately.

"Mmmm. Tasty. But not as sweet as yours, I think." He lunged forward, impaling himself on her knife. The whiplash crack of forward momentum slammed her head against the car roof, and she was only dimly aware that he was nuzzling at her exposed neck. Warm liquid trickled down her shoulder and across her chest. There was a loud buzzing in her ears like the sound of florescent lights.

And then the sound of a snarl, frightening but somehow familiar. There was a brief pain as the mouth buried in her shoulder was torn away, and then there was only darkness.

End of Chapter Two