Author's Note: The Kindred: The Embraced characters are owned by others. All other characters are my creations. Please do not use them without my permission.
The Investigation – Part 2
By Diane Maher
As Alan drove to the Haven after the incident with the Brujah was resolved, Cash pulled up next to him. With a quick glance over at the Gangrel, Alan changed his features back to his normal appearance.
"Wish I could change into something besides a wolf," Cash commented as he watched Alan's features distort. "I don't suppose you would show me how you do that?"
Alan said nothing and they rode on in silence. "I'm going to have to follow Cyrus to Los Angeles. But first, I need to feed."
Cash nodded once in acknowledgement and said, "Let's make sure Cyrus goes to the airport; they followed him most of the way. Then, they drove to the Haven. On arriving, they parked theirbikes and went inside. Cash went upstairs and Alan found himself a table.
Alan ordered a drink and sat and watched the various people who came and went. He saw Julian sitting at a table with a classy looking blonde. Frowning, Alan thought, Typical Ventrue!
There was a commotion on the far side of the room. Alan watched as a dark haired woman threw her drink into Mario's face and then stormed away from his table. Mario snapped his fingers and several youths headed after the woman. Alan stood and started after them.
Sonny was on his way in when the woman ran out, followed by a couple of guys. Not knowing their intent, Sonny turned and followed them.
Alan ran past Sonny. By this time, the youths were kneeling over someone on the ground in an alley.
"Let me go!" a woman's voice demanded.
"We'll let you go, after we've taken you back to Mario!" one of them said.
Alan exclaimed, "Leave her alone!"
"Make us!" one of them shouted.
"What part of the phrase 'leave her alone' didn't you goons understand?" Alan asked menacingly.
"You can't stop us by yourself!" one of the youths jeered.
Sonny came up behind Alan and said, "He's not by himself!"
The youths saw the black Ventrue come up behind the first intruder and decided that this matter would be best settled later. They stood and ran down the alley.
Alan walked over to where the woman sat on the ground. Her shirt was ripped in half and she was trying to hold it together. He took off his black leather jacket and held it out to her.
"Here, put on this jacket and zip it up," Alan said softly.
The woman took his jacket and Alan turned away while she put it on. When she turned around again, Alan took in the rest of her slim figure.
"Thank you, mister," she said quietly as she stood.
Alan replied, "You're welcome. I'm Alan Ash."
"I'm Sharon St. James," Sharon said.
Behind him, Sonny asked, "Are you all right, ma'am? I'm Detective Sonny Toussaint, SFPD."
"Yes. Thanks to you and mister Ash," Sharon replied. She looked around, saw her purse and picked it up.
"Can we escort you back to the Haven?" Sonny asked.
The woman nodded and as they started back, she stayed close to Alan. They returned to the Haven without further incident.
Sonny went downstairs first and when he returned, said, "Mario's still here."
The woman shrugged and took Alan's hand in hers. "I hope you don't mind, Alan. I'll show that bastard Mario that I don't think much of him!" Sharon said.
With a grin, Alan replied, "I don't mind. Are you certain that you want to return here?"
"I hadn't thought about that because I was so mad at Mario. Maybe you're right; perhaps I should just go home for the night," Sharon replied. "Do you mind if I take your address and return your jacket to you tomorrow?"
"No. Here's my address," Alan replied. He handed a business card to her and added, "The best time for you to come is after sunset."
Sharon said, "Thank you." She was turning to leave and then suddenly she hugged Alan.
Surprised, Alan responded in kind. He noticed the Ventrue gaping at him. When she let go, he mentally shook himself back to reality. "Good night, Sharon," Alan said cordially.
"Good night, Alan," Sharon said. She turned and walked down the street, away from the Haven.
"What the hell was that?" Sonny asked when Sharon was out of earshot.
"I acted normally," Alan replied. "She doesn't suspect that I'm anything other than a normal human man."
"Today's men aren't known for being overly polite," Sonny said.
"I was raised better than today's men," Alan replied with a grin.
Sonny said, "We need to tell Julian what happened out there tonight."
"Why?" Alan asked. "It's a minor incident."
Sonny frowned and leaned closer. "In case you didn't notice, those were some of Mario's Brujah cronies out there tonight. With the current power struggle going on in the Brujah clan in this city right now, even a minor incident could lead to something major. Got it?"
Alan's lips were pursed in a straight line as he leaned toward Sonny and muttered, "Don't patronize me, Ventrue."
Mario and his Brujah left and witnessed the end of this incident. "Who is that talking to that Ventrue scum?" Mario asked.
"I don't know," the man next to him replied. "Hey boss, what about your girl?"
"I'll deal with her next," Mario muttered. "No one throws a drink in my face in public and gets away with it."
Alan heard this and whispered to Sonny, "You go talk to Julian if that's what you want. I'm going to follow Mario and his goons. I think he will go after Sharon."
"Keep the masquerade in mind when you're around Sharon," Sonny said.
With a quick nod, Alan left. He went outside, climbed on his Harley, started the motor and followed the car that Mario was in at a distance.
When the car stopped at an apartment building, Alan parked and stealthily followed the Brujah inside. He made his way up to the third floor. Keeping to the shadows, Alan listened and heard the sounds of a struggle.
"No! Stop it! Mario, you're hurting me!" a woman shouted.
Alan recognized the voice as Sharon's. He headed to apartment number six where her shouting seemed to be coming from. His features distorted into those of Jason once more. He entered the apartment through the slightly open door. Mario and the two Brujah that had threatened Sharon outside the Haven earlier were there.
"Stop it, Mario!" Alan shouted.
Mario turned away from his victim, recognized his fellow Brujah and demanded, "Jason! What the hell are you doing here?"
Behind Mario, Sharon was naked in a chair, her eyes closed, her face streaked with tears and her hands were secured behind her and her ankles were cuffed to the legs of the chair. When Mario raised his head, a disguised Alan saw blood trickling down from a wound on her breast from where Mario had sunk his fangs into her. There was also blood in her crotch from where she'd apparently been raped.
Alan was furious. Mario added, "Well, Jason? I'm waiting."
"I figured that it was time for me to get rid of the competition in this city," Alan said.
Mario laughed evilly. "What are you going to do, strangle me with your bare hands?"
"No," Alan said.
Mario nodded and the two youths started toward Alan. Having seen that Sharon's eyes were closed, Alan whipped his Kukri knife from its sheath inside his jacket and with a swift movement, beheaded one of his two attackers. The second youth was startled and his eyes widened with fear as he stared at the wicked looking blade. Alan watched as the youth backed towards the window and then made his escape by ducking out onto the fire escape.
Despite the death of one of his fellow Brujah, Mario seemed nonplussed. He reached into his pocket as the second youth ducked out the window.
"Look out!" Sharon shouted.
Alan turned back just as Mario came at him brandishing a knife. Alan's reflexes allowed him to deflect the blow headed for his neck and the knife plunged into his right shoulder at the joint. He howled in pain and his Kukri knife fell from his hand. Mario's expression was one of triumphant glee when he twisted the knife in his shoulder.
"What were you saying about getting rid of the competition?" Mario demanded as he twisted the knife some more.
A growl came from Alan's throat as his other hand balled into a fist and slammed into the side of Mario's head.
Disoriented, Mario released the knife, stumbled back, snatched up the Kukri knife from the floor, and inexpertly swung it at him. Alan ducked and knocked the knife from Mario's hand. Mario kicked Alan in the groin and then after he fell to the floor in pain, slammed his foot into Alan's face. Mario picked up Alan's limp body and then threw him across the room. Alan's body slammed into the wall and then fell in an unmoving heap next to the door. His dark mane of hair fell over his face. This was fortunate as Alan felt his features return to normal just before he lost consciousness.
Sharon's eyes were wide with fear after seeing Mario throw the man across the room and into the wall. She watched as Mario then picked up the knife once more and came to stand in front of her. Mario brandished the fearsome knife in front of her and she squirmed in the chair.
"Now, Sharon my love, you shall be with me forever," Mario said sibilantly.
"NO!" Sharon shouted. "I'd rather die!"
"That can be arranged," Mario whispered as he slid the knife's blade across her thighs, stomach and then across her breasts.
"Ow!" Sharon screamed. "You bastard!"
Mario dropped the knife, leaned down, pressed down on the edges of the wounds, so more blood would ooze out and licked the blood from first her thighs and then from her crotch. Sharon was disgusted as Mario licked his way up her body, leaving a trail of smeared blood on her skin. He leaned close to her face and muttered, "You're all mine now, Sharon."
"No, I'm NOT!" Sharon shouted angrily. She writhed in the chair, trying desperately to free herself. Mario grasped her breasts, squeezed them and then licked the blood that oozed from the cuts he'd made. Sharon closed her eyes as more tears rolled down her cheeks and she cried out, "I'll have nothing more to do with a crazy, screwed up bastard like you anymore!"
Elsewhere, there were sirens approaching and cries of "FIRE!" as people panicked and ran down the hall and the fire escape. Sharon heard the sounds of glass breaking and fire crackling as it consumed the old timber of the building.
Mario was about to unlock the cuffs binding her hands but after her shouted insults, he threw the keys out the window with a deft flick of his wrist. "As you wish; you can die here with that fool." He indicated where the man he fought lay unconscious on the floor. "You were good - one of the best women I've ever had. Too bad you're going to die; you would have been a great Brujah bitch."
Sharon spat as Mario left through the window. As Mario's footsteps clattered down the fire escape, Sharon heard a moan come from the other side of the room. The man lifted his head, brushed his hair back with a swift gesture.
"Alan! What are you...when did you get here?" Sharon asked, stunned. "I thought someone else fought Mario!"
A bottle broke the window and it shattered on a wooden chair next to the window. It was a Molotov cocktail. The fire spread quickly and lapped at the other furniture and curtains.
"I can't explain right now. If we don't get out of here, we'll both die," Alan replied.
"I'm stark naked and handcuffed to this chair!" Sharon cried out. She was rapidly becoming panic stricken and her blood-covered breasts heaved with each breath. "Mario threw the keys to these handcuffs out the window!"
Alan pulled himself upright and started toward her. "I'll free you," Alan said as he picked up his Kukri knife with his left hand.
Smoke was filling the apartment from below and under the door from the hallway. "Leave me and save yourself!" Sharon cried out.
Despite the fact that the fire could destroy him, Alan didn't want to leave this woman behind. Her refusal to surrender to Mario despite what he had done to her stirred something within him. Besides, Mario had blatantly broken the masquerade by telling her that she would have made a good Brujah. He tucked that information away for future use.
Alan went around behind Sharon and out of her sight, used what remained of his vampiric strength to break the links of the cuffs on her hands. He was too weak now to do any more than a normal human could.
"Can you stand?" Alan asked. She nodded. "I'll lift up the chair legs far enough for you to get the cuffs off the legs. Get dressed, grab what you can carry and let's get out of here!"
Alan used his weight to tip the chair backwards; Sharon stood and pulled her feet free of the chair. The sight and smell of Sharon's blood was intoxicating to him. Looking around, he saw the fire rapidly spreading. She quickly went into the next room. The door closed behind her.
He opened the door so that he could make sure she wasn't in danger and watched as she opened her closet and pulled out some clothes and a duffel bag. He turned away as she dressed. A minute later, the window in that room shattered and another Molotov exploded when it hit the floor.
Quickly, she threw some other clothes, a few pictures, her camera equipment and a spare pair of shoes into the bag. She grabbed her purse and his jacket. By now, there was a thick layer of smoke at eye level in the apartment.
She fell to her knees and started coughing. He got down on the floor with her and they crawled through the smoke filled living room. Alan noticed the Brujah's corpse burning to his left and didn't stop to watch. Sharon crawled next to him on his right and didn't seem to notice the gruesome sight though the smoke and flames.
After feeling the door to make sure there were no flames on the other side, Sharon opened the door. They were greeted with a wall of thick, black smoke. She pointed left in the direction of the rear stairwell.
Alan nodded and followed her. He would be glad to get out of the building as he heard the roof start collapsing behind them on the far side of the building. As they made their way down the steps, fire burst through the wall and the steps in front of them. Alan looked at the flames and then glanced above them. The entire roof would soon fall on their heads. He wasn't about to die the final death. He glimpsed a door through the smoke and pointed.
Sharon looked, saw it and shouted, "We're going to have to go through the flames!"
Alan nodded, took his leather jacket from her and put his left arm in the sleeve. He covered his face as best he could with his leather clad arm. Sharon leapt over the flames and he followed. He felt the fire licking at his clothes and the exposed skin of his right hand and arm. Sharon leaned on the fire door and opened it, activating the fire alarm.
Against his better judgment, Sonny followed Alan shortly after the Assamite left. When he arrived at the building where Alan's Harley was parked, the building was on fire and Sonny made his way to the rear of the building in case any of the people came out in the alley in back and needed help.
When Sharon came stumbling out, she was coughing from the smoke and Alan stumbled out behind her and fell to his knees. Alan's clothes were smoking and his right arm was blistered from the fire.
"Please help us!" Sharon cried out as she recognized him.
Sonny nodded and guided her away from Alan. "Come on. I have a car over here."
Sharon was glad when they reached Sonny's car. "Get inside, I'll tend to him." Sonny then opened his trunk, pulled out some blankets and smothered the smoking areas of Alan's clothes. Sharon watched as Sonny examined the knife protruding from Alan's shoulder. Sonny then dragged Alan and maneuvered him into the back seat of the car.
"Thank you for helping us," Sharon whispered as she gently brushed Alan's mane of black hair back from his pale face. She turned away and coughed several times.
Sonny noticed the cuffs on her wrists and ankles as he helped her into the car. He gave Sharon the keys to the pair of handcuffs he carried. "See if these will get those cuffs off you. As for helping you, you're welcome."
Sharon removed the cuffs, handed them and the keys back to him and said, "I'm glad to be free. The last thing I wanted to do was die chained up like that." When he situated Alan in the car, she looked at him and asked, "Don't you think we should get Alan to a doctor?"
"Let me look at him," Sonny replied. He leaned over Alan and saw how pale the Assamite looked. Alan didn't appear to have any serious injuries other than the knife in his shoulder. By Alan's condition, Sonny knew the assassin needed blood. Glancing over his shoulder, Sonny saw some people at the end of the alley who were now heading towards them. "Shit!"
"What's going on?" Sharon asked as Sonny closed the door, jumped across the car's hood, climbed into the car, started it, and put it into gear.
"We have company. I suspect they are the ones who started all this," Sonny replied. He slammed the accelerator to the floor and the car jumped forward.
"What are we going to do?" Sharon asked.
Sonny glimpsed Sharon's fearful expression. "I'm going to take you back to the precinct with me. You'll be safe from them there."
"What about Alan?" Sharon asked.
"I'll take care of him after I drop you off there. My partner will see to it that you get home," Sonny said.
"In case you forgot, I don't have a home anymore," Sharon said.
"You can...stay at my place," Alan whispered. He pulled the keys to his apartment from his jacket pocket and pressed them into Sharon's hand.
"Alan, you need help!" Sharon exclaimed, concerned.
"Shhh. I'll be fine. I just...need to...rest...for a while." To Sonny, Alan asked, "Will you see to it that Sharon is taken back to my place? She has the address."
"I'll have my partner Frank take care of her," Sonny said.
They arrived at the precinct then and Frank Kohanek waited just outside the building. He came over when Sonny stopped the car.
"What's going on here?" Frank asked.
"Frank, will you take this lady to the address she gives you?" Sonny asked.
With a quick glance at Alan, Frank replied, "Sure. Are you going to tend to him?"
Sonny nodded. "I'll meet you back here at the precinct later."
Frank took Sharon to his car. After they both climbed in, they put on their seat belts and Frank started the motor.
"Will Alan be all right with your partner?" Sharon asked as she gave him the business card with Alan's address.
"Yes. I'm sure that Alan will return to his apartment later," Frank said. "How well do you know Alan?"
"I just met him," Sharon replied. "After I broke up with Mario at the Haven earlier tonight, Alan must have found out that it was Mario's intention to come after me. Alan saved my life by getting me out of that burning building," Sharon said.
"Are you sure about staying with Alan?" Frank asked.
"Yes," Sharon replied. With a shrug, she added, "For the moment, I have nowhere to go. Alan was kind enough to allow me to stay at his apartment. I appreciate that. At least I'm not out on the street. I have no family here."
Frank pulled up to the address where Alan's apartment was located and waited until Sharon entered the building before pulling away and heading back to the precinct.
As he drove, he wondered about this Alan. Sharon said that she dumped her boyfriend named Mario at the Haven. He made a mental note to check out this Mario guy. Maybe he was Kindred.
"What the hell happened?" Sonny asked.
"Are you going to kill me, Ventrue?" Alan asked as the car pulled away from the 12th Precinct.
"No. For the moment, you have not broken Kindred law or human law. When you do, then it will be different," Sonny said.
"Where are we going?" Alan asked.
"We have an appointment with the prince," Sonny replied.
Alan sensed the fear beneath Sonny's facade. He pulled out the knife from his shoulder. The flow of blood from the wound stopped almost instantly.
"That woman is worried about you, Alan," Sonny said.
"What if she is? It shouldn't matter to you," Alan replied.
"Julian might not agree with your attitude," Sonny observed.
Alan eyes narrowed and he thought, If that's the case, then Julian had better stop seeing his human girlfriend.
As they drove further away from the city lights, Sonny repeated, "What the hell happened?"
"Mario went to Sharon's apartment and forced his way in with a couple of his Brujah thugs. I believe they gang raped her," Alan said quietly.
"And you decided to save her and possibly expose the Masquerade?" demanded Sonny.
"I decided to save her, yes. I had no intention of exposing the Masquerade." After a brief pause, Alan continued, "I think it was Mario's intent to forcibly embrace Sharon. I heard Mario say something about how she would have made a good Brujah bitch. The next thing I recall was the Molotov cocktails coming in the windows and setting the place on fire. I managed to break the chains of the handcuffs on her hands. I used my weight to push the back of the chair towards the floor and she freed her feet from the chair legs. Apparently, the Brujah that ran away before I fought Mario brought back some of his friends and they set the whole building on fire."
Sonny said, "Sharon now has no home to return to, Alan."
"I said that she could stay with me and I meant it," Alan said.
"You can't expect me to believe that you won't take advantage of her," Sonny said.
"I won't," Alan said.
"Aside from you taking a meal here and there, right?" Sonny asked, dubious.
Alan said, "It is our nature to feed from humans."
"Some Kindred don't see it that way," Sonny commented as he drove up a hill. "Stay in the car for a minute."
Alan nodded as they arrived at the Luna mansion then and Sonny said nothing more. A moment later, he parked the car, got out, and headed for the mansion. As he entered, Sonny saw Cash.
"Cash, Alan is out in the back seat of my car. Bring him inside to the study," Sonny ordered.
"Okay," Cash replied. He signaled for several other Gangrel to come help him with the Assamite.
"Julian, we have a problem," Sonny said.
"What kind of problem?" Julian inquired.
Sonny replied, "Some of the Brujah decided to set fire to an apartment building. Alan followed them there and came out of the burning building accompanying a human woman."
"Where is Alan?" Julian asked.
"He's with Cash down the hall in the study," Sonny replied. "Earlier tonight, Alan and I stopped some Brujah from attacking this same woman. I wanted to tell you immediately, but Alan insisted on following Mario when the Brujah left the Haven."
"So you followed Alan," Julian said, exasperated. Sonny nodded. "What about the woman?"
"I took her to the precinct and Frank is taking her to Alan's place," Sonny replied. Before Julian could protest, he added, "She has nowhere to stay now because of the fire. Alan insisted, gave her the keys to his apartment and I thought it better not to argue the point in front of her."
"I want you to keep an eye on her," Julian said. "Have Cash bring Alan to me here. You should return to the precinct."
Sonny nodded and left. As Sonny headed to the stairs, he paused at the room where Cash and Alan waited. He nodded to Cash who nodded once in acknowledgement.
Cash and Alan left the study, went down the hall and entered Julian's conference room. Alan tried unsuccessfully to assess Julian's mood. "Well?" Alan asked casually.
"Sonny has told me what he knows of the events of earlier tonight," Julian said.
"And you want to know the rest from me?" Alan asked.
"Who was the human with you?" Julian asked.
"Her name is Sharon St. James," Alan replied.
Julian frowned. "I have met her."
Alan looked at him, curious. He wondered how the prince had met her.
Julian said, "Alan, why did you follow Mario?"
Alan replied, "Sharon threw her drink into Mario's face at the Haven. She was subsequently harassed in a nearby alley. After Sonny and I intervened on her behalf, those who harassed her ran away from us. I gave her my jacket to cover herself as they had ripped her shirt."
"I see," Julian commented.
Alan continued, "Sharon left to return home a short while later, and as I spoke to Sonny outside the Haven, Mario and his Brujah walked past us. I heard Mario say he was going to take care of his girl next. Because of the incident with the drink earlier, I assumed that Sharon was the girl he was referring to and she was going to be harmed."
Julian nodded his agreement with Alan's reasoning. "What else happened?"
Alan recounted the rest of the events of the night. When he was finished, Julian said, "So we have one less Brujah in the city. Sonny didn't tell me that."
"That's because I didn't tell him that," Alan said. "I wanted to see how you took the news. You don't seem overly concerned."
"As the corpse was destroyed in the fire, I am not overly concerned. As for the woman, I expect her to remain unharmed," Julian said.
"It's a little late for that, Mario already harmed her," Alan commented.
"I meant unharmed from you," Julian responded coolly.
Alan's brow furrowed and he frowned. "If that's all, I think it's time I left."
Cash said, "Where do you want to go?"
Alan replied, "I'd like to collect my bike, but it's back near Sharon's old apartment building."
Shaking his head, Cash said, "I think the police may have impounded it as it was in the way of official vehicles. I can take you back to your place for tonight. You can contact Sonny to determine the fate of your bike."
Alan nodded in agreement. "Then let's go. I'm sure you want to get out of the sun as well."
The Harley accelerated through the streets and soon Cash stopped in front of the building where Alan's apartment was. He parked his bike and Alan slid off the back. Alan didn't look back before heading inside the building. He walked inside and pressed the button for the elevator. The bell sounded as one arrived a moment later. With a quick glance outside, he saw Cash watching him. Alan walked in, pressed the button for the seventh floor, the doors closed and the elevator moved upward.
When the elevator stopped and the doors opened on the seventh floor, Alan walked out and turned left to go to his apartment. He pulled his spare key ring from inside his pocket and opened the door.
As Alan closed the door behind him, he could hear Sharon's heartbeat. His hunger gnawed at him. Alan could sense that the sun was nearly up as he entered his room where Sharon slept. As it was so late, he stripped off his clothes and crawled between the sheets and lay next to her. He could tell by her breathing that she was deeply asleep. Before closing his eyes, he bit her neck and fed from her. When he was finished, he licked the wound closed, lay back and fell asleep, satisfied.
When Sharon woke later that afternoon, she saw Alan asleep next to her and carefully slid from the bed. She took her bag to the bathroom, showered, dressed and then looked for something to eat in Alan's kitchen. After making a sandwich, and popping open a can of soda, she headed into the living room.
Sharon sat in a plush chair and put up her feet on the footstool. The television remote was on the table next to the chair; she picked it up, and pressed the power button.
The local news was on. Sharon listened as the reporter described the fire that had engulfed her apartment building. The reporter interviewed a policeman named Detective Frank Kohanek who was at the scene assisting in the investigation. He was the one who had brought her here last night. He finished the interview by asking anyone having any additional information about suspicious activities around the building to contact him at the 12th Precinct. She decided to go to the police after she finished her food.
By the time Sharon was ready to leave, it was early evening. She decided that she would call the 12th Precinct and speak to this Detective Kohanek before going there. She picked up the phone book, opened it and soon had the number she sought. She then picked up the phone and dialed. At the other end of the line, the phone rang several times before a man answered it.
"Kohanek," the man said.
"Detective Kohanek? This is Sharon St. James. I lived in the apartment building that burned down last night. I'd like to talk to you," Sharon said.
"Can you come to the precinct and I can help you file a report?" Kohanek asked.
"I suppose I could take a taxi…" Sharon began nervously.
"Are you okay?" Kohanek asked.
Sharon nodded and then realized she was still on the phone and that he couldn't see her expression. "I'm sorry; I'm still shaken up from last night. Perhaps when Alan wakes up, we'll come down to your precinct together," she replied.
"Would it be better if my partner and I came to see you there?" Kohanek asked.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt," Sharon replied. "Do you remember where you dropped me off last night?"
"Yes," Frank replied.
"It's apartment 713. When will you be here?" Sharon asked.
"We can come just after sunset, if that's okay with you," Frank replied.
"Fine," Sharon said. They hung up.
Several hours later, a knock on the door startled Sharon from her nap. She put down the book she was reading, stood and went to answer the door. There was a peephole and she used it. She opened the door, but left the chain latched. Before unlocking the chain, she asked, "Can I see your identification?"
One man handed two wallets through the door. Sharon took them and opened them. The black man was Sonny, the man who had helped them get away from the building and she recognized him. The white man was Kohanek. Satisfied, Sharon unlatched the chain and opened the door. The two detectives entered and she closed the door behind them.
"Please sit down, gentlemen," Sharon began.
"So you would like to make a statement with regards to the events of last night?" Frank asked.
"I was inside the apartment building. My…um, my ex-boyfriend and some of his friends…" Sharon began hesitantly as she sat on the couch. "Mario, that's his name, forced his way into my apartment, knocked me out and when I came to, I was handcuffed to a chair, and completely naked. They sexually assaulted me."
Frank glanced at Sonny out of the corner of his eye. "Please continue."
"Sharon?" a male voice interrupted from the hallway.
"I'm in here," she replied.
Alan came down the hall and into the living room. "Who – oh, never mind."
"Who is this?" Frank asked.
"This is the man who rescued me from my apartment. His name is Alan Ash," Sharon replied. "We escaped from the burning building via the back stairs and ran into your partner in the alley behind the building."
Frank stood and extended his hand towards Alan. "I'm Detective Frank Kohanek. This is my partner, Detective Sonny Toussaint."
Alan replied cordially, "Yes, I remember you from last night, Detective Toussaint." He held out his left hand to greet Kohanek. "Sorry, but my right shoulder is still sore from last night."
"My partner and I are here at Ms. St. James' request. She wished to make a statement after last night's events," Frank said. "Do you wish to make a statement?"
Alan looked at Sharon. Her eyes were sad and tired, despite sleeping. He didn't have a problem with her being concerned, but he didn't like the fact that Sonny now knew where his haven was. Well, one of them, anyway. "I came in after whatever Mario and his friends did and tried to free her. Mario can usually be found at the nightclub known as The Haven."
Frank turned and looked intently at Sonny for a moment before turning back to Alan. "And nothing happened to you when you interrupted Mario?"
Before Alan could answer, Sharon interrupted, "Mario stabbed him in the shoulder and then threw him against the wall."
"I'll be all right. I think that what he did to Sharon is far worse," Alan said.
Turning towards Sharon, Frank asked, "What else did Mario do to you?"
Sharon replied, "He took this huge knife and he slid the knife's blade over my thighs, stomach and then…over my breasts."
"Go on," pressed Frank.
"He…I mean, Mario made sure that more blood came from these cuts by squeezing the skin around them before he licked them clean. He made sure that the blood covered other parts of my body and…" Sharon's voice tailed off and she wrapped her arms around herself as she remembered the incident.
Frank stole a glance at Sonny, who asked, "Are you all right now?"
Sharon nodded and then continued quietly, "I was terrified at what Mario might do and disgusted at what he and his cronies had already done to me. I refused to be involved with him anymore and he threw the handcuff keys out the window before he went out the window and down the fire escape. The next thing I knew was that Alan was there trying to free me. That was when the glass started breaking and the Molotov cocktails started fires in my apartment." Alan sat next to her as Sharon put her face into her hands and then combed her fingers through her hair.
Sonny watched as Alan sat next to Sharon. He still felt wary in the Assamite's presence. He felt that Julian was taking a tremendous risk in allowing Alan to remain in the city. This development with the woman made him feel even more on edge. Sonny wondered, Does she fit into Alan's plans?
Frank said, "If you want to wait a while before finishing your statement, we can come back again."
Sharon put her hands in her lap and shook her head. "Actually, you have my statement. There is nothing more to tell you."
Frank turned to Alan. "Is there anything you wish to add?"
"No," Alan replied.
"Thank you for making a statement. We'll continue our investigation," Frank said. "If either of you think of something we need to know, please phone either me or Sonny at the 12th Precinct," Kohanek said.
"We will," Sharon said.
Frank turned and headed towards the door and Sonny followed him. Sonny felt as though he was being watched and when he glanced backward over his shoulder, found Alan standing there. Sonny continued to the door and left with Frank. Alan closed the door after them.
The two detectives walked in silence as they went down the steps and left the apartment building. "Is there something else I should know, Sonny?" asked Frank.
As they climbed in the car, Sonny replied, "No, Frank."
Frank noticed his partner's evasive look just as he started the car. He wondered if Alan Ash was also a Kindred.
Alan closed the door after the two detectives left. Sharon still sat on the couch. He noticed her trembling as he sat next to her. He had planned on hunting tonight, but her presence in his apartment precluded that until she went to sleep. Instead, he decided to see about settling her and plan his trip to Los Angeles to continue his investigation. Perhaps she could assist him.
"Are you okay?" Alan asked.
Sharon nodded and had stopped trembling now. "I'm better, now that the police know about what that bastard did to me. However, I've lost everything I owned."
Alan said, "I'll gladly help you replace anything you need."
"Thanks," Sharon said. "I think I need to start with replacing my clothes. I've got my camera and a couple of lenses; I can get some film and work with the ones I have."
"Are you a photographer?" Alan asked.
"Yes. I've been doing some freelance work for the Times. It's paid the bills well enough," Sharon replied.
"I am a private investigator. I could use your services in my surveillance work," Alan said. When she looked dubiously at him, he added, "I'm willing to pay you well. I would need you to do the photography, development and printing of all pictures."
Sharon looked at Alan. "I'll think about it."
Alan replied, "Good. I have a trip to Los Angeles, if you would like to come with me and see how you like working with me. You won't have to pay for anything, and I'll make all your arrangements."
Nodding, Sharon asked. "When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow night," Alan replied. "I've made travel arrangements for the two of us."
"You assumed that I'd accept your offer?" Sharon asked.
Alan shrugged. "I was presumptuous, but I hope that you don't mind."
Sharon shook her head, "I'll go get some film and prepare my equipment."
"Here's some money for some clothes and film," Alan offered as he extended his hand with some cash.
Sharon accepted the cash and said, "Thanks Alan."
Outside, Sonny waited in his car. Frank was swamped with paperwork and so Sonny decided to return to Alan's apartment. He watched as Sharon came out of the building and hailed a taxi. He decided to follow her and see where she went.
After several clothing stores, and a photography store, Sharon climbed in another taxi. This one returned her to Alan's apartment building. At that moment, Sonny's cell phone rang.
Sonny opened the phone and pressed the button to talk. "Hello?" He listened as the person on the other end spoke. "Okay. I'll make arrangements to follow them once they arrive."
After hanging up, Sonny headed for the airport to make arrangements to get to Los Angeles before Alan and Sharon did. He was to follow Alan there and observe the Assamite's movements, yet not interfere with his actions.
While Sharon was out, Alan began packing. He wasn't sure what to do with Sharon now. He wanted to keep her around for the occasional snack, but was also determined to keep his word to Julian in regards to the Masquerade. Normally, those of his blood didn't worry about such things, they did their job and left. His situation was different. He was to remain here for an extended period and try to gain the Prince's trust.
Alan made a few phone calls to L.A. while Sharon was gone. He made arrangements to meet with the clan's contract lawyer there. There was a knock on the door when he finished and when he answered it, found Sharon outside the door. She went into her room and resumed packing. As Alan finished packing what he would need, he felt a sudden sharp pain in his mind for an instant before it was gone. He put the suitcase on the floor next to the door, sat on the bed and prepared to focus his mind to determine what caused the pain. His eyes were closed only for a moment before there was a soft knock on his bedroom door.
"Come," Alan said.
Sharon entered the room. "Thank you for your help, Alan. I have all that I need clothes wise and photography wise for the trip to L.A."
"You're welcome. Is there anything else you need?" Alan asked as he stood.
"No," Sharon replied.
That night, Alan and Sharon drove to the airport and boarded a small Lear jet to fly to Los Angeles.
"Is this your jet?" Sharon asked.
"No, it belongs to a friend of mine who has given me permission to use it while he is out of the country," Alan replied.
As they climbed into the plane, Sharon commented, "You have some very wealthy friends."
The door was shortly closed behind them and they sat in the plush chairs in the center of the plane.
A short while later, the plane took off and headed for Los Angeles.
"Alan, tell me why we're going to L.A. again?" Sharon asked.
"I have been hired by a man to find out who hired an assassin to kill him," Alan replied.
"Why do you need me?" Sharon asked.
"If I should find the person responsible, it would be helpful to have some pictures of them. This trip is necessary because a man who might know needs some persuasion," Alan said.
"I see," Sharon said. "I'll load my camera so I'm ready."
"Good," Alan replied.
What Alan didn't say was that his so-called employer didn't trust him to do what he promised. The pictures were to prove that he kept his promises. The plane arrived in Los Angeles an hour later. Alan and Sharon went to a building across the street from a lawyer's office.
They set up the surveillance equipment and the camera. Alan looked at his watch and then turned off the lights in the room. Sharon took her place behind the camera.
"It's almost time for our meeting. I'll go across the street and talk to him as soon as he arrives," Alan said. Sharon nodded.
A few minutes later, Alan left the room. Sharon watched as a man approached the building after Alan entered.
She turned her attention back to the window and took pictures of the man Alan was speaking to.
What is going on in there? Sharon wondered. Her attention was drawn to a slight movement in the alley. She turned her camera towards the alley and took several shots as the person paused just inside the light cast by a street lamp. She thought that she recognized the man as the black detective from San Francisco who had helped them escape from her burning apartment building.
Sharon looked back at the office again and saw that Alan was still talking to the man. She picked up her cell phone and dialed Alan's number.
Alan entered the building where the contract lawyer's office was. He evaluated the security of the building out of habit and found it to be typical for an office building. He walked down the hall to the lawyer's office, opened the door and entered. Inside, a man sat at his desk reading some papers.
Alan crossed the room, and asked, "Who hired her?"
"I'm sorry, sir. This office is closed," the man said.
Alan frowned. "It's open, and you're going to be open too unless you tell me what I want to know."
The man cringed away from Alan. His eyes were wide with fear. Alan pulled out the business card which he had found in Eddie's wallet and asked, "Is this your card?"
The man looked at the card and nodded. "I still can't tell you anything. Client confidentiality..."
"Bullshit!" Alan spat. His cell phone rang; he answered it, listened briefly, said good-bye and then pressed the button to hang up the phone. He turned to leave the office. "Consider my words, Mister Folkstone," Alan said in a menacing tone.
After the door closed, Folkstone exhaled loudly and asked, "Did you hear that man? I've never had anyone speak to me like that!" Folkstone exclaimed.
A sophisticated looking woman came into the office. "No. He was quite rude. Who was he?"
"I don't know. Perhaps he's looking into a matter which is best left alone," Folkstone replied.
"I see," she said. She opened the folder which contained information about Julian Luna. "Does it have anything to do with Julian Luna?"
"Holly my love, I can't tell you that," Folkstone replied.
"Oh? Why not?" Holly asked.
"Like I said to that man earlier, client confidentiality," Folkstone replied. "I can't say anything about my clients. I imagine that some of them would kill me if I revealed such information about them."
She slit open her wrist with an elegant fingernail. She allowed Folkstone to taste her blood. He had been blood bound to her for some time. He made her feel good in bed and had a useful daytime job.
"Mmmm! You are wonderful!" Folkstone whispered. "Do you want to meet at my place?"
The office door opened again and this time, a black man stood there. The woman looked up, saw the man standing there and whispered, "Of course, my darling. See you soon."
Folkstone left the office. Sonny turned to the woman. "I see your taste is in lawyers, Holly."
"Yes. What are you doing here in L.A.? I thought that Julian kept you on a short leash, Sonny," Holly said.
"You've done well since you left San Francisco as a neonate," Sonny commented.
"Becoming primogen of the Ventrue in L.A. was no picnic. I'm doing well and our clan is gradually increasing in size. That's more than Julian can say, isn't it?" Holly asked.
Sonny went over to the window and looked out. With a shrug, he replied, "I suppose so. Julian has his hands full trying to keep the peace."
"He shouldn't rely on the other clans the way that he does," Holly said.
Sonny turned away from the window and asked, "What is the lawyer's specialty?"
"Mister Folkstone is a contract lawyer. Why do you ask?" Holly asked, mystified.
"Shit! Now I see why he came here!" Sonny exclaimed.
"Who are you talking about, that man?" Holly asked.
"Yes." He caught a glance of a man and a woman as a taxi stopped to pick them up across the street.
"What's the big deal?" Holly asked.
"I've got to go!" Sonny exclaimed as he ran out of the office.
Sonny quickly climbed into his car and headed after the taxi with Alan and Sharon in it. Why is she hanging out with Alan? Sonny wondered.
He considered what he would do if he lost them. He didn't know anyone except Holly in the L. A. Ventrue. He missed a stop light. It was a particularly long one and Sonny slammed his fists on the steering wheel in frustration as he saw the taxi turn and disappear from sight. He returned to the lawyer's office.
"Well, I see you're back awful quick," Holly observed as she opened the door.
"I got stuck at a long light and lost them," Sonny replied.
"Who was that man threatening Mister Folkstone?" Holly asked.
"That was an Assamite," Sonny replied.
Holly inhaled sharply. "An Assamite! I've never seen one before. He didn't look like a Middle Eastern person. I've understood that Assamites are from that part of the world."
"This one is an exception to that rule. He's an American by birth," Sonny said.
"You seem to know a lot about him," Holly said. "What happened, did he come after Julian?"
"No," Sonny replied. "Another Assamite was killed trying to kill Julian. This one claims to be investigating the circumstances of her death."
"The assassin who tried to kill Julian was a woman?" Holly asked, amazed.
"They can adopt any shape they wish. I don't know if the man who was here is what he really looks like or if he's really a he. However, I've never seen him look different than he did when he was here," Sonny replied.
"Why are you following him?" Holly asked.
"I can't say," Sonny replied.
Holly's eyes narrowed. "Hmm. I see. If you don't mind, I have other business to attend to. Here's my number, if you need anything." She handed Sonny a business card.
He took it and said, "Thanks."
As the taxi started away from the curve, Alan asked, "Did you get pictures?"
Sharon replied, "Yes. I will develop them as soon as possible."
"Good, I have some calls to make," Alan said.
They arrived at their hotel a few minutes later. Sharon went up to the room to develop the pictures and Alan went to a public phone to make his calls.
Sharon closed the door to the room behind her, pulled out her changing tent, put her film and development tank inside, and zipped the tent closed. She then put the film onto spools and into a daylight development tank. Once the lid was on the tank, she pulled her arms out of the tent and then unzipped it to remove the fully loaded tank.
The development chemicals had been prepared earlier in the evening and were ready to be used. Half an hour later, the film was developed and hanging in the shower to dry.
Alan hadn't returned from making his phone calls yet, so Sharon curled up on the bed to sleep.
When Alan returned, he found Sharon asleep and the negatives hanging to dry in the bathroom. It was nearly dawn and he was tired from the events of the day.
His investigation thus far was leading nowhere. He wasn't surprised. One of his sources told him that Folkstone was the pawn of the Ventrue primogen. Alan had made arrangements to meet with a Nosferatu that he was acquainted with. This man had much experience in hacking into various computers and promised to get him the information regarding Folkstone by tonight.
Sharon's sleep was deep and so he fed from her before closing his eyes and falling asleep next to her.
Sharon woke the next morning and saw that Alan had returned. She dressed, and prepared for the day. She had made arrangements to rent a darkroom nearby and she went into the bathroom, took down the negatives, cut and sleeved them. After that, she put her chemicals and paper into a canvas bag, wrote a note to Alan so he knew where to find her, and then she left.
She arrived at the darkroom's location without incident. While she was there, she made a contact print and numerous enlargements of several of the shots.
When Sharon was finished, and the prints were dry, she examined the pictures. She realized that she did recognize the black man in the light that seemed to be observing Alan. It was the detective from San Francisco, Sonny Toussaint. The lawyer she didn't know. Sharon left to return to the hotel. When she arrived, she found Alan watching television.
"Hi Alan," Sharon greeted him.
"Sharon," Alan acknowledged. "Did you get the pictures printed?"
"Yes. Have a look," she replied and handed him the folder.
Alan took the folder, opened it and examined the pictures one by one. He stared intently at one of them, frowning.
"You must be looking at the picture of Sonny Toussaint," Sharon commented.
"Yes," Alan replied.
"Why is he following you? Or should I say following us?" Sharon asked.
"The person for whom I'm doing this investigation doesn't trust me to keep my word," Alan replied. "Or perhaps he fears for your well-being."
"Is there a reason I should be afraid of you?" Sharon asked as she sat next to him on the bed.
Alan turned his gaze upon her. She seemed so frail and vulnerable. "No, you have nothing to fear from me. This is a dangerous assignment."
"I see," Sharon whispered as she edged closer to Alan, intent on kissing him. The phone rang a moment later. She paused and looked intently at Alan. He shrugged and reached behind him to answer the phone.
Sharon hoped that she hadn't gone too far by trying to get close to him. He didn't seem to mind, but she would try to wait and see how he felt about her.
Alan said, "Good. Where shall I meet you?" He listened, nodded, hung up and turned back to Sharon. "Sorry about that, I have to meet up with someone. You should stay here."
"Why?" Sharon asked.
"The meeting is in a very rough part of town and I don't want you to be harmed," Alan replied.
Sharon nodded. "If that's what you want, then I'll stay here."
"Good. I shouldn't be long. After this, we should be free to return to San Francisco," Alan said.
"I have to clean up the bathroom after using it as a darkroom. I will be ready to leave by the time you return," Sharon said.
Alan stood and headed for the door, pausing to pick up his wallet from the dresser. He then left the room. Walking down the hall towards the elevator, he reflected upon how Sharon felt about him. She had been about to kiss him. He tried not to think about her as he left the hotel and headed towards the deserted area where he was to meet the Nosferatu.
Alan went inside a deserted building as he was aware that someone was following him. He walked around a corner and paused. The person following him rounded the corner a minute later. Alan grabbed the man and slammed him against the wall.
"Who the hell are you?" Alan asked.
"Hold it! I'm Sonny," the man replied.
"Why did Julian send you to follow me?" Alan asked.
"He doesn't trust you, assassin. I would have thought that was obvious," Sonny replied.
Alan said, "The obvious answer isn't always the correct one. Now, if you don't mind, I'm on my way to meet with someone."
"I don't mind, but why don't I tag along?" Sonny asked.
"You might scare away my contact," Alan replied.
"Ha! I'm not likely to scare a Nosferatu," Sonny said.
Alan's eyes narrowed at Sonny's assumption regarding his contact. "Let's just say that my contact is wary of most Kindred. It's why this person is still alive."
"I'm surprised they are alive, considering you're an Assamite," Sonny said.
"If you wish to be useful, Ventrue, why don't you keep an eye on Sharon St. James?" Alan asked.
"Does she need protection other than from you?" Sonny asked.
Alan frowned and his eyes narrowed. "Do me a favor, Sonny. Just drop your prejudice of my clan affiliation for the moment and work with me. It is not my intent to endanger Sharon. However, things could get nasty from here on out and Julian isn't here to protect her or you."
Sonny frowned, but nodded in agreement. "I'll protect Sharon this time, Alan. Where is she?"
Alan gave Sonny the name of the hotel and the number of the room he shared with Sharon and turned to leave. "Is there something else you wish to say to me?" Alan asked.
Sonny was about to say something, but reconsidered, shrugged and replied, "No." He headed in the direction of the hotel Alan indicated.
Alan continued on to the place where he was to meet the Nosferatu. It was damp in the tunnel.
"I see you came alone," a grating voice said.
"I did. I know how you value your privacy, so let's get down to business," Alan said.
The Nosferatu chuckled, his voice sounded like he was gargling and speaking at the same time. "You don't want to be around me anymore than you have to Assamite. As to your query regarding who hired your clanmate, there is nothing concrete that can tie this person directly to the assassin."
"There rarely is," Alan muttered.
"However, all we know is that the assassin was seen entering and leaving the building where a certain man has his office."
"WHO?" Alan demanded.
"Our Brujah prince, Cyrus," the Nosferatu replied.
Alan stroked his chin thoughtfully. "That's who I suspected hired her. What I still need to find out is whether the information supplied to her by Cyrus was accurate or it was phony enough to draw her into a trap from which she had no hope of escaping."
"I know how thorough you assassins need to be, so the rest of what you require is here, you might be surprised," the Nosferatu added as he handed Alan a CD case.
"Good. I have transferred the agreed upon amount to your account and the rest will be paid upon my examination of this data," Alan said.
The Nosferatu nodded and left, blending into the shadows. Alan turned and left. As he walked down the street, his cell phone rang. He pressed the button to answer.
Sonny whispered, "I don't know who you've been talking to, but it seems like a lot of people want you dead."
"What happened?" Alan asked.
"Shortly after I arrived at the room, some people tried to break down the door. I don't know who they are or what their intent is," Sonny replied.
"Are they Kindred?" Alan asked.
"Yes. They may even be some distant cousins of Mario's here in L.A.," Sonny replied.
"Where are you?" Alan asked, frowning. He understood that their attackers were Brujah and that Sharon could hear Sonny.
"I don't want to say, in case someone's listening," Sonny replied. "Sharon is with me and safe."
"Sharon knows how we arrived here and where it's located. She can take you there. We'll leave as soon as I can get there," Alan said.
"Okay, I'll talk to her," Sonny replied and then hung up.
Alan returned to the building across the street from the lawyer's office. He powered up the laptop that he had stashed there previously. Alan quickly glanced out the window as the computer booted up and he saw Folkstone leaving with some fancily dressed woman. Alan loaded the CD into the drive, pulled out some binoculars and saw her face clearly, but didn't know who she was aside from the fact that she was Kindred. She was toying with the lawyer and he was groping and fondling her.
The computer was in the process of scanning the CD for viruses. A few minutes later, he heard a quiet chime which indicated that the computer was finished with its task.
"Whore," Alan muttered as he put down the binoculars and turned his attention to the computer. A few moments later, there were pictures and text including one shot showing Shahin with the Brujah prince of Los Angeles. "I am surprised, Nosferatu. Especially when you said there was nothing concrete to tie Cyrus with Shahin."
That and the included scanned documents settled that Cyrus had hired her. From what Alan knew of Julian Luna, the accompanying information seemed to be accurate. It also indicated that Shahin had not been betrayed in any way by her employer. Had Luna managed to subdue her himself or was he lucky enough that one of his subordinates managed it? Alan wondered as he removed the CD and replaced it to its case.