What We Do In The Shadows: "Jen..."
Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar…
Part LXIV…
"So, Fred, you see…I don't want to show my hand in this. But I need to know what Devious is up to, particularly with this move on Staten Island real estate…" Ginny on desk phone pauses. "…And I knew you'd want to know if he's planning to break into the club scene there."
"That rat bastard…" angry male voice from speaker. "We agreed when I let him take the place on 34th that he'd leave Staten to indies. Yeah, you bet I wanna know what he's up to…" slight pause. "But he does play rough…You sure these guys are good?"
"Frankie Uberwood? The best. He's the former State Prison Commissioner, you know."
"Yeah, caught with his hand in the till, I heard. But he knows the ins and outs. All right, I'll hire them and we'll split on costs but I don't want anything coming back on me. If they spill me, I'll give him your name, girl."
"That's only fair…It's a deal, thanks Fred. We need to keep a watch on this one."
"I knew I couldn't trust him. But after Joey V disappeared and they said 'ask Devious', I figured he must have Mob connections, good ones. Look, Ginny…I know you've dealt with the sob before but be careful. He's a crazy m-fer."
"I know, I will. Thanks again, Fred. Send me the report and the bill."
"Ok, thanks for letting me know. Bye, honey." She pressed button. "Martha? Hold my calls for five, then let 'em through."
Ginny settling back in chair, a slightly weary-looking Jen in seat across desk eyeing her.
"So, we have our surveillance…Though Fred will give you away if Simon catches anyone?"
"Only if they talk…And Fred's smart enough to be sure to have the hiring anonymous. He was really saying, if Simon guesses it might be him…But I think Simon would suspect me first, anyway."
"Well…" Jen grimaced. "Lets hope they're as good as they seem."
"Yeah…Well, we still gotta business to run, partner." Ginny grins. "We don't want anyone thinking we're slacking off too much."
"I'm off to check Stafford St. at ten. I think it's a great property."
"That's my girl…Say, is there any word on the Boss and Sue? I tried calling last night and at 8 this morning but I guess they're occupied." Sly smile.
"Ginny…You know Gui's not that type. He'd never."
"He wouldn't…But Sue…" wider smile, Jen mock-pouting a bit, then smiling…Yeah, Sue might.
"Poor kid, he's gotta get over being embarrassed about us." Ginny shakes head. "It's not his fault and I'm sure I'd never blame him." She eyes Jen a moment… "You think?"
Shrug from Jen… "Gin, how can we say, now? We're not the people we were a couple of weeks ago. We might feel differently if we ever…You know…Came out of it?" sheepish look.
"I can't imagine. Honestly, Jen…I can't imagine going back, losing my connection to them, to Lady Nadja." Ginny, a bit bleakly. "I think I'd die. I'd want to."
"Well…I haven't heard from Gui or Sue, but the aunt was very ill." Jen notes. "I'm sure they're ok."
"It bothers me that guy who came to the Residence is hanging around them…And what's Mrs. Afanas doing there?" Ginny frowns.
"Well, she's friends with the aunt, Sue said. And wife to the…Or Barren. And she did help save our fellas before."
"Yeah." Ginny ponders. "I wish though we could speak with her. Or at least had heard from Guillermo. This worries me…" shake of head. "I'm sure our Overlady and Lords would say if they'd planned something but what if Gui's down there for more than his aunt, just Sue backing him up, in something he cooked up? Maybe with Mrs. Afanas if she really is on our side. Did you find out anything more this morning on that Dr. Acura?"
"He is what he claims…" Jen shrugs. "He's a doctor in good standing, licensed in New York State, an internist. Hospital privileges all over NYC. Professorships at Yeshiva and New York University…And a lot of patients who seem to adore him. House in Poughkeepsie."
"Poughkeepsie? Not NYC?"
"Doctor, not a businessman, I guess." Jen shrugs. "Though that market's overpriced…Oh, and he has an adopted daughter, seventeen, attends the Chapin School in Manhattan."
Hmmn…Ginny considers.
"Sounds like a solid cit. But I wonder if it might be good to check out the daughter?"
"We could…I have two former clients with kids there and they might give referrals to active ones, a way in that should look normal." Jen pauses. "But if he hears about it…?"
"He's in Mexico…The daughter's here, right?"
"So far as I know."
"Sue did say he didn't seem to be vamp for sure but there was something…"
"You're thinking…She might be…Like us?" Jen asks.
"She's likely not his cow if she's here. But…" Ginny ponders. "Could be a minion, he could be polishing her up at the Chapin. Adopted, you said?"
"Yep. His bio says he was married, she died young, back in Romania where he originally came from but no children living exceptin' her. Gin, if she is like us…"
"We won't go up to her and demand answers, Jen. Just have her checked out. Frankie's boys could do it but…" eyes Jen.
"If she's thralled we could sense it." Jen nods. "Ok, I'm on it. I'll make some calls." Grin… "Back to going the distance, go-getter Jen…Within the new limits, boss...Don't worry."
"Good enough…But don't get too close, just see what you can find out. She might sense you, too." Ginny notes. "And maybe a dedicated agent should have a look at that Poughkeepsie property. We might want to increase our suburban stock and maybe Dr. Acura would like to upgrade to nearer the City for a reasonable price, him being a friend of the family and all." shrewd look, shrug. "Easier commute for his daughter, at least." Carefully eyeing Jen.
"Erika's busy the new few with finalizing the Residence with Simon's beard, Ms. Reynolds…" Jen, considering. "I can try to squeeze it in, if I put off my work at the Residence a day or so…"
"What about Phyl? She's still home with the kid?" Ginny asks.
"I guess. It would seem strange if she left her sick kid."
"Well, maybe she can make a little time for the office…And her Mistress." Picks up phone.
"Jen? You ok?" she eyes a slightly wobbly Jen.
"Oh, yeah…The doctor Master Laszlo uses just took two pints this morning. I just need to drink a little more water."
"You sure?" Ginny eyes her carefully. "Jen, you know I would never question your master but maybe we ought to have found another doc. He didn't seem quite the crème dela crème in my humble when I went in last week, you know. I get it's good he's in it for the money, not thralled, but…"
"It's ok. I'm fine. I should have drunk more afterward."
"Ok, well, make sure you do. I know Master Laszlo'd be crushed if you had any troubles. He's so fond of you." Beam. "And of course Suzette needs you. And Mistress Nadja would really be…" sigh. "I should have been donor today, she couldn't bear to have Susie without her mom in tiptop shape."
"No, I'm fine, really. Thanks…" Jen nods. "I'll take care."
"Well…I'll be blood donor tomorrow." Ginny notes. "Jackie'll be back to normal more or less in a few days and then she can be the regular cow with us as supplement. I know they love to hunt on their own and get out and meet people but they really can't take chances now."
"No way…We can them supplied." Jen agrees. "And they can take some of the others if we get a little drained."
"I was thinkin' Anne or Billie, actually. They're in good health and Gwen is still kinda down from Colin's draining."
"I got that you didn't say 'Angie'." Jen smiles wanly.
"I know she's had fibroids removed last month. I'm tryin' Jen." Ginny smiles back.
"Nadja would be pleased."
"Thanks…" innocently happy beam. "I want to be a better person for her, really."
"You've done great, Gin. You've really served them these last few." Jen insists. "Nadja couldn't be more pleased with you."
"I hope she'll like my girls. I can't wait to introduce them. I know she doesn't want to take them now, but they should get to know her." Eager tone.
"You poor thing…Don't despair. It'll be all right, miss." Jen murmurs.
"What?" Ginny eyes her.
"What?" Jen stares back.
…
"We're up early…" Laszlo notes to camera as he and Nadja are seen on plush sofa and Nandor in chair in the Cravensworth crypt. A deferential Jacqueline, now in proper maid's uniform, carefully dusting about room…A bit more peppy now. A cart with vials of Jen's donation, she'd just brought in, from chilled flask, set by the sofa.
"…to plan our negotiation strategy as we will be opening a dialogue with Simon shortly, by telephone."
"Try not to give everything away, Nandor." Nadja insists. "Jacqueline? Don't overdo today, get some rest in the middle of day, you're still a bit weak."
"Yes, ma'am." Jacqueline nodding. "May I serve you, Master Nandor?" she turns to Nandor. "The blood should be at room temperature now."
"Oh, no, my dear. I can get it when I'm ready. You just finish your work." Nandor waves a hand, she bowing.
Ginny was right, Nadja thinks...She was born to this. But happens with strong personalities in thrall sometimes. Perhaps some like to take a vacation from responsibility that way. Or she just gone crazy in an elegant way...
"Now, now…Nandor will have us with him here." Laszlo, sagely. "We'll be getting everything out of Devious not vice-versa. Remember, we want to know all the details of his contacts with Van Helsing."
"Certainly Laszlo Cravensworth." Nandor nods. "And how he acquired that young lady, Van Helsing's descendant, without thrall."
"She wants to live forever…Only natural." Nadja shrugs. "But she hopes to avoid the Darkness part of the bargain. I've seen her type many times. Have cake, eat sunlight too. Here, dear." offers Jacqueline an empty vial poured into her wine glass, Jacqueline hastily scurrying to take it and return it to cart.
"Yes, typical voluntary minion fodder…" Laszlo agrees. "But she could be playing a double game…Simon only thinks he's the Prince of Devious."
"I can't see no point to that. Kill him and be done with it, if she's still a Van Helsing." Nadja shakes head. "She's with him, I'm sure of it."
"I wonder that Dr. Van Helsing would leave his relative like that…If he has other assistants living." Nandor began, pondering. "Surely he could not bear to see a beautiful child like that even the willing tool, or even, mate, of Devious, however foolish she may be putting herself at such risk." Wistful stare.
"She made her bed, she must lie." Nadja shrugs. "He is ghost, can only do so much… 'Avant, Devious, flee grandniece times 10' see.", dryly. "Not likely to drive Devious off nor stop woman seeking Immortal Life and beauty at cost of her soul even if she isn't turned. And if his people are the practical type rumored, they won't worry about storming vampire citadel to save a traitor, in their eyes."
"Poor thing…" Nandor shakes head. "If she only knew her folly…I cannot believe her ancestor would abandon her to this. If I…" he pauses, shaking head sadly.
Laszlo and Nadja eyeing him…
"What? I simply think it is a terrible thing..." he notes. "Devious as an in-law..." he grimaces.
"Yes...Rather eehew." Laszlo agrees, but eyes Nadja.
…
