Disclaimer: The Southern Vampire Mysteries are copyrighted to Ms. Charlaine Harris. All rights to characters and locations in the Sookie Stackhouse books belong to Ms. Harris. Copyrights to original characters belong to me. This work of fiction is not intended infringe upon rights held by others than myself, and I make no profit from this work.
CAETERA DESUNT (The Rest is Wanting)
Chapter 13: How Shall We Answer Terror's Cry?
"When murd'rous spite knocks down our door, and violence breaks upon our shore; O let us come and look to You to know Your will—what shall we do?"—Richard W. Adams
Northman met Chase and Sookie at Meredith's iron gate. The expression on his face reminded Brandon of a soulless executioner: cold, emotionless, stone. The barest mask of civility. Sookie immediately placed herself between the two vampires, which made Chase scowl. He needed no protection from the Viking. The silence stretched for several seconds.
"I will deal with you later, my lover." There was the faintest emphasis on "my" but otherwise Northman's tone was flat. He appeared to dismiss the girl, turning his attention then to Brandon. "It is to be hoped you have something to report. If you risked her life for nothing...." His words trailed into silence; there was no need to finish the sentence.
"We do!" This was Sookie. "We—"
"Sookie." At least Eric's voice was softer, less mechanical.
Brandon stepped forward, moving up beside the girl. "We followed the van to the mission on St. Vincent Ave., but missed them. We did, however, identify Reggie."
"Reggie?"
"Yes. I heard the killer mention a Reggie, remember? We're pretty sure we know who that is, now. One of the Sisters at the mission told us Reggie comes by and does odd jobs for them. He lives by the airport."
Northman didn't appear to care much for what Sookie said. His expression was implacable. Had he been human, it's quite likely he would've ranted and raged at the girl, but being a 1000-year old vampire means learning complete control of your every emotion.
"You should not disobey me." It was unclear to whom he spoke. "Come." A beat. "Both of you." He turned, as if expecting Chase and Sookie to follow.
Neither moved. Sookie's stubborn expression told Chase she was about to flaunt her independence again—which might be extremely dangerous considering Northman's mood. Chase mentally prepared himself for the battle he felt sure would erupt between himself and the Sheriff. Brandon had no intention of leaving until he knew Meredith was safe.
While Sookie made her stand, Chase pushed open the iron gate. Heading up the broken walk to the front steps, he heard heard heated words being exchanged behind him. He felt it unlikely the Viking would harm Sookie; the bond between them would prevent it. It wouldn't, however, stop Eric from hauling her bodily back to Fangtasia if he chose. Either way, it wasn't Brandon's concern at the moment.
Taking the steps two at a time, he was at the front door in seconds, finger pressing the doorbell. He waited to hear movement inside; the lights were still on, and he heard the muffled sound of what might have been a television.
In a few minutes, he heard shuffling footsteps coming closer to the door.
"Who is it?" Grace. Her tone was wary. "Don't expect me to open the door this time of night until I know who's come calling." There was no compromise in that tone. "Now, who are you and what do you want?"
"Chase Brandon—is Meredith here?" There was enough urgency in his voice to let the older woman know his question was serious. "I need to know if Meredith got home from the mission."
"No—and you're not coming inside to wait."
Had he wished, Chase could've broken the door down and entered of his own volition. Meredith had already invited him inside, and the invitation would last until she revoked it. He leaned against the door jamb, trying to figure his next move when Sookie arrived on the veranda. Chase gave her a glance, noting the Sheriff not far behind.
"She telling the truth." Sookie told him. "Does she know Reggie?"
Chase had no answer for that, save to ask. "Grace, this is very important. Do you know a handyman by the name of Reggie?" There was silence from the other side of the door, but he knew the black woman was still there; he could hear her breathe. "Meredith may be in serious danger. Finding Reggie is paramount."
Finally, "Ask the bums who hang out under the bridge. Now, go away before I call the police!"
"That's fine. In fact, ask for Detective Julio Menéndez. Tell him Chase Brandon told you to call. Tell him to meet me under the 79th St. underpass," he told her.
Sookie added, "Please, ma'am, it's important. Meredith's life depends on it."
There was no answer for long seconds. Then, "All right. Now get!" Footsteps retreated from the door.
Chase turned to leave the porch, only to be blocked by the Viking. With Northman on the bottom step, and Brandon one above, the two men were of a height. Both stood their ground, expressions almost clinically chiseled from stone.
"You have much for which to answer, Brandon." The words fell like icicles.
"Put it on my tab," Chase snarled. He shifted slightly, ready to bypass the Viking.
"Not only did you disobey me, you put my bonded in danger. I do not take that lightly." There was menace in the Sheriff's tone.
"We can settle this later." When Northman didn't move, Chase leaped, landing several feet beyond the Sheriff. "If you want these murders stopped, come with me. Otherwise—" Chase left the sentence open-ended. No mater Eric's choice, Brandon wasn't waiting any longer.
It took him less than ten minutes to reach the overpass. He immediately spotted the burning oil drum. Three individuals stood around it, hands thrust toward the flames. All three were completely taken by surprise when Chase seemed to simply appear from the darkness.
A sinister presence that boded ill for any who thwarted him, Chase grasped the first man he came to around the throat. Holding him aloft, Brandon could literally smell the bum's fear as his feet dangled. He struggled, gasping for air.
"Reggie—where is he?" His voice sounded like the hiss of a reptile. "Tell me before I kill you."
The other two men abandoned their companion, running away—only to come face to face with the Viking. Eric herded them back to Brandon, whose captive's feet were several inches above the ground. The man's breath was wheezing gasps. He could barely talk, words almost unintelligible.
"Put him down. He can't talk if you're choking him!"
Sookie's voice cut through Brandon's anger. She made sense, and thus Chase eased his grasp, lowering the man until his feet once more touched the ground. His grip switched to the man's tattered army jacket, as the bum sagged in relief. Still seething with rage—and, were Chase to be honest, worry over Meredith—he repeated his demand.
"Down b-by th' airport. D-don't know ... where." The words came out slowly as the man put a hand to his throat.
"Don't kill him, please." Sookie again, pleading with the vampires.
Chase looked at her, eyes hard, failing to understand her compassion for this lesser creature. He snarled when he saw tears glistening in the girl's eyes, and released his hold. The bum dropped to the ground in a whimpering pile of ragged clothes and greasy hair.
"Where does he live?" This demand was from Northman, a pale, ghostly specter in the flickering firelight. A demonic expression on his face, he was frightening in his total lack of emotion. "Tell him or—" He broke off, leaving the bums to use their imagination.
"He knows." Sookie pointed to one of the men in front of Northman.
"Twelve-fourteen Snowden Dr.—off Hollywood. By the U-Pac tracks." The man pointed to spoke up, words tripping over themselves to get out fast enough. "White house, blue trim. Vacant lot on both sides." He cowered, appearing to shrink in on himself.
"He live with anyone?—parents, wife, roommate?"
"No—people crash there now and then." Chase's former captive answered quickly. "Lately only this one guy. Monty." He paused, taking a breath. "Ever'body steers clear o'him 'cause he crazy."
Two pairs of vampire eyes narrowed. "Monty." Chase repeated the name, then glanced at Sookie. "That the truth?" The answer was a quick nod. Turning on the men, Chase concentrated. "We were never here. You saw no one tonight. Now leave. Take your things and find another place to sleep."
Three heads nodded, and three men scrambled to gather their things. The bums were in the process of getting the hell out of Dodge when a black Crown Victoria stopped under the bridge. Julio Menéndez climbed out of the driver's side, making a beeline for the small gathering. He appeared to take in the scene as he halted beside Northman. Silence lasted a few seconds before the detective spoke.
"A very upset woman just told me to meet 'that vampire Brandon' here." He looked from Northman to Chase, then to Sookie, his eyes remaining there a few moments before moving to Chase again. "All right, Brandon, I'm here. What's going on?"
Chase reluctantly took precious minutes to explain. "...so, we have to find this Reggie before there's another killing."
Menéndez hesitated, expression uncertain. He looked at both vampires once more. Never before had Brandon seen the detective so resemble Eustace Chapuys as at that precise moment. The nearly black eyes glittered in the firelight, and the dark, swarthy skin seemed to shrink on his skull. There was pure malevolence in his expression. Brandon was reminded of the treachery Chapuys perpetrated at Henry's court, the intrigue and suffering he caused in the name of Spain. A Catholic himself, even Chase found it hard to forgive the ambassador's treasonous behavior in Catherine's name.
"Why aren't you doing something?" The voice was Sookie's. She was staring at Menéndez with a quizzical expression. "Shouldn't you be calling in this info?"
"She has a point." This from Northman, who also turned to face the detective. "Why aren't you doing anything?"
"I'm just considering my options." The voice was steady, if a little nasal. "What about the three men I saw running away from here?"
"They won't remember anything about," Chase said firmly, his eyes never left the Spaniard. "We're wasting time. An innocent woman could be dying this very second, and you're more concerned about street people." The menace in Brandon's tone was unmistakable. "Why would that be, I wonder?"
Chase saw Julio take a step back, bringing him closer to Sookie. "I have to go to my car to call it in." Another step back—and then a blur of movement.
Sookie didn't even have a chance to scream. Menéndez grabbed her by the throat, dragging her up and backwards to his car. Both older vampires started forward, but were caught completely by surprise when Julio literally flew toward the street. Julio's fangs were extended, and his nails seemed like claws as they rested against Sookie's throat. The Viking poised, snarling.
"I wouldn't, Señor Northman." The warning was clear, especially since Julio held Sookie in such a way that would make snapping her neck easy. "The señorita will accompany me—unless either of you are foolish enough to try and stop me." He smiled, fangs gleaming. "I am certain His Majesty will pay handsomely for you, mi querida."
Chase saw Northman literally vibrate with anger, but the Viking held his position. Neither of them dared risk Sookie's safety. They watched Menéndez shove Sookie into the backseat of his car. The doors wouldn't open, no matter how hard she tried. Julio then pulled a pistol from the holster beneath his jacket.
"Silver bullets kill as effectively as other bullets," Menéndez warned. "Do not follow or she dies."
To emphasize his point, Julio fired three shots toward Chase and the Sheriff. Chase dove for the filthy ground and heard a grunt of pain from Northman. Hearing the powerful engine roar to life, Chase lifted his head in time to see the Crown Victoria pull away from the curb with a screech of tires. Turning immediately to look at the Viking, he saw blood seeping from Northman's side. The Sheriff writhed in pain as the poisonous silver ate its way into the vampire's body.
In the blink of an eye, Chase was at Eric's side, examining the wound. It would not be life-threatening (unlife threatening?) had it been an ordinary bullet, but silver was anathema to vampires. It's chemical make up destroyed cells and increased damage of wounds which would otherwise be easily healed. A lucky shot for Julio, it had caught Northman as he dove for the ground, impacting on his lower left side. Not enough to kill, but certainly enough to incapacitate.
The sensation of impotence didn't sit well with Chase, nor with Northman, he imagined. "I'll call Pam," Brandon told the Sheriff. "She'll bring help. Menéndez has probably chartered a plane," Brandon said. "Otherwise, he'd have to go to ground, and he knows Sookie won't sit still for eight hours without trying to escape."
Besides, she still has the switchblade I gave her.
"Yes." The word was a hiss as the silver burned its way deeper into Northman's side.
It didn't take long for Chase to reach Pam, and only slightly longer before Eric's childe showed up at the overpass.
"Pam, I can't stay. I have to find Sookie," Chase told her while she arranged to transport Northman back to Fangtasia. The blonde vampire gave him a look which plainly said she wasn't happy, but nodded. "Tell him I'll make sure she's safe, then I'm going after Meredith."
With that, Chase left in a blur of movement. Instinct told him Menéndez wouldn't head for the larger, regional airport, but to one of the smaller ones scattered throughout the area. The closest was Shreveport Downtown Airport, which catered to smaller planes. He wagered Julio already had a Lear or Cessna chartered. Timing would be close. Chase sped through the streets, virtually unseen by human eyes.
Luck was with him, and Brandon spotted the Crown Victoria as it pulled through the gate of Smith Air Charters. He didn't bother trying to stop the car, but headed straight for the only plane on the tarmac. He had no plan, just an objective—rescue Sookie Stackhouse. Brandon wasn't certain why she was suddenly of such concern, but she had proved handy on the hunt for Meredith's kidnappers. His respect for the girl from Bon Temps had grown tenfold in the past few hours.
The door of the Cessna Citation was open, awaiting its passengers. Chase dashed up the stairs, slipping silently inside. He heard voices in the rear of the plane, but his interest lay forward. Turning to the curtain separating the cockpit from the passenger compartment, Chase found only the pilot in place, apparently doing the pre-flight check.
Tapping him on the shoulder, Chase looked the startled man square in the eyes. "You cannot take off. There is a serious problem in the starboard engine. You will not allow this plane to fly." Brandon concentrated, easily implanting the order. Once the pilot was convinced, he commenced to call the tower and report engine failure. Satisfied the plane would not immediately take off, Chase retired to the rear of the craft, where he similarly convinced the rest of the crew they needed to de-plane until the engine was repaired. The co-pilot and two flight attendants simply nodded, gathered their things and left the plane.
He heard Sookie and Julio before he saw them. She was trying to convince the detective to release her. She promised to convince Northman to spare his life, but Menéndez wasn't buying it. He said he wanted to see the Sheriff brought down, and that he knew de Castro would pay handsomely for her. Menéndez held Sookie by the arm, gripping tightly. She pulled back as they reached the top of the stairs which gave Chase the perfect opportunity.
Menéndez never saw what hit him. Chase grabbed Sookie as Julio fell backwards off the small platform at the top of the stairs. The drop wasn't far, but the detective had the misfortune to land on the wheel locking mechanism. A long, thin piece of metal pierced him back to front, and he lay helpless on the tarmac. He struggled, but could not free himself. The wound wasn't fatal, but it incapacitated the vampire until Chase could make arrangements for his transportation to a secure location.
A neighboring charter service provided the perfect answer. Technicians from Anubis Airlines helped Chase secure Menéndez in a locked coffin. If anyone at the airline found Brandon's request for a coffin delivery to another airline odd, he referred them to the Sheriff of Area Five for explanation.
Only after Menéndez was safely contained did Chase turn his attention to Sookie. She sat in the Smith Air Charter's waiting room, no worse for wear. Her only question was, "Where's Eric?" When Brandon explained, her face paled. He assured her Pam would take care of Northman, that apparently eased Sookie's mind enough for her next words to completely take Brandon by surprise.
"Okay, let's take the Crown Vic and head over to this Reggie's house." Sookie was raring to go, but Chase looked confused. He'd expected her to want to get back to Northman as soon as possible, and said as much. "Oh, he'll be pissed, but I'm not needed. Meredith's the one in trouble."
Since Brandon couldn't think of an appropriate argument, he followed her out to the black car thinking there was something to be said about strong-willed, assertive, independent women willing to put their lives on the line for someone else.
AUTHOR NOTES: To answer a question that keeps cropping up: I don't mean to upset anyone, but I don't like the character enough for him to have had a large role. He is mentioned in the story, and given investigative type assignments, just "off camera," so to speak. As always, thanks for taking the time to review, and please don't hesitate to ask questions or make suggestions. I'm listening....