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Chapter 23
Simone looked at Thomas in surprise at his statement. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
"Oh no Thomas, please don't think that. I came tonight to see you. Josef was very honest with me the last time we talked, I'm not living in a dream world," Simone assured him. "I will confess to wanting to know more about Kira. I haven't met many female vampires and the last one I had any contact with was homicidal."
Thomas nodded and relaxed. From the couple of times that he had met Emma Monaghan here in the club, he had found her to be rather arrogant. He had enjoyed talking to her husband Jackson and felt bad about his fate.
"Well Emma was a bad example of a vampire, male or female," he commented. "Would you like me to introduce you to Kira?"
"No, not tonight," Simone said quickly. She reached across the table and gently grasped his hand. "I really don't want to discuss vampires right now. Tell me Thomas Wolfe…..did you hire this quartet, because if you did, you have a great ear for music," she said turning her smile on him.
"Usually my dad books the talent but I did recommend this particular group to him," Thomas said returning her smile. "Do you like blues Ms Walker."
"I do indeed Mr. Wolfe," Simone said flirtatiously. "So tell me what a man who works for a vampire and helps run a nightclub likes to do with his free time. I would like to know you better."
"I am into motorcycles, fine wine and rare steaks," Thomas said in amusement. "Does that do anything for you?"
Simone's eyes sparkled in delight as she tightened her fingers on his.
"It certainly does. How long do I have to know you before I get a ride?" she teased. It was not difficult to give her whole attention to the handsome man opposite her. There was something special about Thomas Wolfe and she liked being in his company. And she had every intention of getting to know him better.
At the bar, Kira let out a sigh and turned back to Eli.
"I don't think that Thomas will be asking for my advice in this case," she observed.
"No, neither one of us can advise him in this situation," Eli agreed. "And Kira, you aren't his mother."
"I know," Kira groused. "I can't help it that I've watched him grow up and feel protective of him like a mother."
Eli laughed, nodding and touching her lightly on the shoulder.
"You have been very good to him. And you have been a special friend to me," he said seriously and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Thank you my dear for trusting me with your secret."
"Are you moving in on my woman?" Josef's voice came from behind them. Eli flinched slightly and turned to grin at the vampire standing in the entrance to the hallway.
"Every chance I get Josef," he laughed. "I just can't get her to run away with a younger man." The three laughed at the incongruity of 58 year old Eli being younger than the youthful looking vampires present. "Would you like a drink Josef?"
"I'm good, thank you," Josef waved it off and Eli headed down the bar to serve another customer. Josef stepped over to Kira and leaned in to kiss her quickly.
"You are looking lovely tonight," he told her, appreciating the appearance she made in the black designer dress.
"Thank you Josef. Do you see that Simone is here, visiting Thomas?" she informed him and nodded towards the couple.
"I wondered if she would follow through," he mused. "Come on sweetheart; let's go to your office. Let's not eavesdrop."
"Why Josef, I'm impressed with your sensitivity," Kira smiled indulgently.
"Mick and Beth are stopping by to update me on what went down at Laslo's studio today. I don't want to discuss this out in the open club," Josef replied.
"So much for sensitivity," Kira smirked as she slid off the stool. With a playful swat at her rear, Josef followed her back to the office.
When Mick and Beth arrived at Dusk to Dawn a half hour later, Eli sent them right back to the office.
"Have you found the killer?" Josef pounced on them as soon as they entered the room.
"Hello to you too Josef," Mick said dryly. "And no….I haven't solved the case yet. No one volunteered to confess. But we will find him."
"Love your confidence boy," Josef responded, settling on the leather couch. "Are you at least finished with suspecting Laslo? He is no killer."
"How can you be sure?" Beth asked. "We learned that Tammi threatened to expose you all, he may have killed her to keep her quiet."
"I know Lenny….he would never hurt a fly," Josef said firmly.
Before either Mick or Beth could respond, Kira stepped in to hand Beth a glass of wine and Mick a glass of single malt.
"I trust Josef's judgment about his friend," she said. "Why would Laslo dump the girl where her body could be discovered? It makes no sense." She looked at Mick. "Did you get to see the girl you were searching for?"
"Yes, Christa is fine. She is fully aware of what she is doing and Masterson let her call her brother. I don't believe she had anything to do with Tammi's death," Mick answered.
"Good, two suspects down, now how many does that leave?" Josef said brightly. He looked at Mick expectantly.
Mick groaned in frustration and rolled his eyes at Josef's one track mind. Beth laughed at his response, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Josef immediately noticed the fresh marks on her arm and his eyes lit up.
"Mick my dear boy….you have been snacking fresh," he announced in delight. "Welcome back."
Beth blushed deeply as a low growl issued from Mick while he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Really Josef, it's not nice to tease our friends," Kira chided as she stepped over to Beth and Mick. Her eyes sparkled as she leaned close to Beth and whispered, "Good for you."
Beth grinned back at her and leaned against Mick.
"You aren't the only ones to notice. Masterson's girls thought I was Mick's freshie," she said ruefully.
"Oh that is priceless," Josef chortled as Kira came to sit beside him. Mick guided Beth to one of the chairs opposite them and after gently pressing her into the seat he perched on the arm of the chair. Beth had filled him in on the conversation with the two girls.
"I'm sure you set them straight," Kira chuckled at the thought of the freshie actresses accusing Beth of being one of them. "Do you think they might be involved in Tammi's killing?"
Beth glanced up at Mick and then back at the other couple.
"I don't think so. Melinda seems on the level but Darla bothers me. I think she's keeping secrets and I don't trust her," Beth told them.
"I think you have a PI in the making Mick," Josef said in approval. "So who is our number one suspect?"
"I wish I knew Josef," Mick sighed. "I have to keep digging. It's not as easy as it sounds."
"Of course it isn't," Kira interjected as Josef was about to speak. "You have good instincts Mick; does anything stand out to you?"
"I have a better idea of who isn't involved," Mick replied. "I'll be going back tomorrow to dig deeper. I am sure that whoever killed the girl is tied to the set in some way."
"What time are we going?" Beth asked eagerly, but Mick shook his head at her. "Don't tell me it's too dangerous," she sputtered.
"I won't say that," Mick quickly countered. "I need you in the DA's office Beth. I need to know if the police are close to targeting Masterson's studio. You are my eyes and ears there," he told her.
Beth nodded in understanding, backing down from the argument.
"I'll do my best," she assured him. He smiled in approval.
"You two make such a charming team," Josef quipped.
"We should be grateful they do," Kira said tapping Josef on the chest. "This mess happened because someone out there was careless. That girl's threats to expose us could have been dealt with quietly. Whoever did this wanted her body found."
"Then it wouldn't be a vampire, would it?" Beth asked. "He wouldn't risk exposure."
"Well it might be someone crazy …..or someone who thought we would discover it first and cover it up," Josef said grimly. He exchanged a concerned look with Mick. "Either way it is not good."
Mick nodded. Motivation had been the one thing that had worried him the most with this case. Why had the girl's body been left in a public place? If the killer was a vampire then why didn't he call the Cleaners? The more he looked into this, the more confused he became.
"There is more going on than we know," Mick said seriously. "If she was killed to shut her up then it would have been easy to call the Cleaners…no questions asked. If it was an attack on Laslo and his studio then putting the body in a public place only makes sense if it was expected that the tribe would find the body before the humans." He looked at Beth. "We need to know if that dumpster was supposed to be emptied on Monday or another day. Maybe her body was discovered too soon."
"I'll check first thing," Beth promised. She liked being able to contribute to this investigation. She had liked it when Josef had called them a team. She would not let him down.
End chapter.
The investigation continues. We are getting closer to solving this crime; I hope you stay with me. Thanks for reading.