AN: Thank you so much for everyone who has jumped on board for this one too. I was overwhelmed with just how many people are reading this one. FangbagerLayla inadvertently won the bonus points for finding the tiny reference to HP & OOP. As a prize, I am pimping out Layla's story Amuse Bouche. Once you have read this chapter, go check it out. That is, of course, if you are not reading it already. I am enjoying how Eric and Sookie are portrayed, and the mature content is rather good too.

Edited 2020

Chapter 2 Mysterious Men and Missing Money

Sookie Point of View

I am beyond tired when I got home from class to find several messages on my answering machine. I really need to reevaluate why I thought commuting was a good idea. The first was from Jason asking me if I could fix a shirt of his for this weekend. The next was from Sid Matt wanting to set up a time to go over Gran's will. Gran had passed away in her sleep a few weeks ago, and I had been putting it off. I am still having a hard time trying to deal with this big empty house. Every time I come home, I expect her to be sitting at the table reading one of her books waiting on me. The third was from Eric's day man asking me to call Eric at first dark. I looked out the window and noticed I had a little time. The fourth was Sam asking if I could work a shift on Saturday. I had cut back my hours at Merlotte's Bar and Grill at the beginning of the semester to focus on school. The last message was from someone I did not know, a Fintan Brigant asking me to call back. The name was only vaguely familiar. The sun had well and truly set as I was listening to the last message. I picked up my phone and dialed the number I had for Eric. It rang three times before being answered.

"Yes?" He questions in his usual lack of manors.

"I am returning your call. What did you need?" I asked, sitting down at the table.

"I require your assistance this evening." He replied.

"With what?" I countered.

"Someone has stolen 60 thousand dollars from me. I would like you to help me find out whom." He said in a severe tone.

"Does it have to be tonight? I have had a very long day." I was exhausted and not looking forward to filtering through the minds to find the guilty party. Before he could reply, there was a knock at my door. "Hold on a second, Eric. Someone is at my door." I made my way to the front door and peered out. "Is there a reason Bill is at my door?"

"Yes, he is to be your ride here. I would have sent someone else, but he was the closest to you." Eric replied.

"Fine, but I don't want to deal with him on the way home." I resigned myself to a ride from the creepy worm.

"I will see you soon, Lover." He said before hanging up. Eric had been calling me that since he met me. He had convinced himself that I would someday give into my desires and become his. He is an extremely handsome vampire from the Viking era. I had asked him about himself the first time I met him. Lafayette had wanted to go to the vampire bar over in Shreveport for a while. I only went with him out of curiosity.

"Bill, I need to get cleaned up before you take me to meet Eric. I will only be a bit." I said, closing the door in his face. I did not like or trust Bill in the least, and I would never invite him into my home. He had been trying for about a month to talk to me. Every time he showed up at my door, I ignored him or told him to leave. His fake charm got him nowhere with me in a hurry. He was a short man with dark features. He would have been somewhat handsome if he had cut his awful hair. It looked like a mop of unkempt hay on top of his head with long horrid sideburns. I went back to my room and dug out a lovely white dress that Gran had gotten me. It was supposed to be a date dress but seeing as how I do not date. I have not had the chance to wear it. I placed it on the bed, along with a pair of red heels. My hair was still curly from this morning, so I swept it up and took a quick shower. I dried off and got dressed, adding a few pieces of silver jewelry to my outfit. I knew it was rude to wear it to the club, but I would not be giving Bill the chance to touch me in any way. I grabbed my purse and went to the door.

"Come on, Billyboy, I want to get this over with," I said, walking past him to his car. He sped to the passenger side to open the door for me. It seemed that the meaner I was to him, the more he wanted my attention.

"You look radiant, Sookie." He simpered, closing the door. I ignored him for the entire ride looking out my window. The only thing that I liked about Bill was that his mind was silent, even if his mouth wasn't. Granted, every vampire I have met has been blissfully quiet. He attempted several times to engage me in conversation. He only gave up when we pulled into the parking lot. He held my door again, offing me his hand. I got out of the car and walked on my own to the front entrance. Pam was at the door smirking at my actions. She was all dolled up in what I like to call disgruntled Pam attire. I found it extremely amusing that Eric made her wear slutty black pleather as a uniform. She was more of a pastel kind of girl. We have talked a few times about just how much she likes the color pink.

"Evening Pam. Eric is expecting me." I greeted her with a nod. Bill followed like an annoying stray you that keeps begging for attention.

"You look delicious as always. Eric is in his office, waiting for you." She said, leading us back through the club. Bill made sure that he was in front of me as we entered the office. Eric was sitting at his desk, talking to a vampire that I had not met before.

"Compton, Sookie, you know Pam, this is Godric." Eric greets us and motions to the unknown vampire. "Please sit down. As I said over the phone, Sookie, I need you to find out who is responsible for this discrepancy of funds. You will be looking for who stole it and who is helping them. How would you like to do this?"

"Please to meet you," I say, acknowledging Godric. "It would be easiest if it was one at a time and fewer in the office. I will be better able to focus." I answer, taking a seat at the table.

"Very well, Compton and Pam leave and send in Bruce," Eric said in agreement.

"I can't leave you in here alone with him. She is mine." Bill interjected.

"Yes, you can, I will be just fine, Bill. You are nothing to me but a neighbor. I am not yours, nor will I ever be. Thanks for the ride, but I don't need you any longer. I am sure Eric will be able to give me a ride home." I say, waving him off. I removed my necklace and bangles, putting them in my purse.

"You heard her Compton leave. I will see to it that she arrives home safely." Eric said with a smirk as Pam led a dejected Bill from the room. A minute later, a portly man entered the room. I could tell by just looking at him that he was nervous. He was shaking like a leaf when Eric introduced us. I took his hand. His mind was almost screaming at me with worry. I didn't take the money, but I wish I knew who did. What am I going to do? They are going to kill me. I just know it. I should have figured it out before so much was gone. Maybe if I had found out who took it, I would not be in so much trouble.

I interrupted his inner monologue. "Bruce, did you take the money?"

"No," Bruce breathed as a drip of sweat fell from his brow.

"When did you first notice money was missing?" I asked, still searching through his mind. Why would she ask that? I am going to be in so much trouble.

"Last week, but I wanted to make sure that I did not miss something or miscalculate." He started to wheeze.

"Do you know who took the money?" I asked, hoping to lead his thinking.

"I wish I did." He answered truthfully. I let go of his clammy hand and turned to Eric. I shook my head, no. He dismissed Bruce. A waitress named Ginger was the next to be integrated. I could tell almost instantly that she knew something.

"Ginger, this is Sookie. She is a friend of mine." Eric introduces her to me.

"Hey, Sug." She smiles, taking a seat.

"Hi, Ginger. Oh my, those are just the loveliest nails I have ever seen. Do you mind if I take a closer look?" I ask as I take her hand. Her thoughts invade my mind instantly. She is just so sweet. I hope Master Eric brings her around more often. Well, as long as she stays away from Longshadow, he is my favorite. Our two month anniversary is coming up. I should do something nice for him. I have to remember to take him the receipts before I leave. Her mind then goes blank like a large part of it is missing. I let go of her hand as she tells me where she gets them done. I fane interest and act as though I am writing it down.

Eric, I know who did it, but I would feel safer disclosing that information away from the building. I pass Eric the note as Ginger leaves.

"I am sorry I could not be of more help, Eric. If that is all that you needed, could I get a ride home, please." I say loud enough to be heard from the other room.

"I will take you. Do you mind if Godric comes along for the ride?" He inquires.

"Not at all," I reply. Eric leads us all out to the parking lot and ushers us over to a large black SUV. I wait until we start moving to tell him what I found. "Longshadow is the one who stole the money. He has been glamoring Ginger into bringing him the cash totals for the night. I think he has been at this for two months. Ginger is not aware that she is doing something wrong."

"Thank you for your assistance Sookie. I will deal with it directly. It was clever of you to pretend you did not find anything. I feel that had Longshadow known you suspected him, he would have harmed you." Eric said kindly.

"Eric, can I ask you a question?" I worry my lip.

"You may, I might not answer." He replies with a smirk.

"What are you going to do with Longshadow and Ginger?" I ask softly.

"Nothing will be happening to Ginger. Her mind is so weak as it is. Longshadow will be dealt with." He replied. I nod my head. I turn my attention to Godric. He seems so lovely I had almost forgotten that he was in the car with us. His eyes are intense as an expression passes over his face that I can't place. He smiles at me, and I can't help but return it.

"I'm Sookie. We did not have much of an introduction earlier." I reintroduced myself. "If you don't mind me asking how long have you known Eric?"

"Not at all, little one, I have known Eric for a little over one thousand years." He answers. It takes me only a minute to connect the dots. Eric is over a thousand years old, so Godric must be his maker.

"Oh!" I say, sounding stunned. I have no idea what to say after that I feel like it was rude of me to ask. A yawn escapes as I am thinking. I cover my mouth with my hand. "I am sorry I had an early class this morning, so I am a bit tired. I have been up since five."

"It is not a problem, Sookie. How are your classes going?" Eric probed.

"They are great. I just love my lit professor. We have been reading A Street Car Named Desire. It is an exciting play. We have been focusing on American literature so far this semester. I can't wait for the next, though, because we will be reading British authors." I gush enthusiastically. I rarely get to talk about my classes outside of school.

"Reminded me again what your major is?" Eric queried. I was sure that I had told him, but maybe I just thought I did.

"It's a double English and Lit. Did I tell you that I am also taking a women's study class on sex and gender? The professor for that is not as interesting, but the subject matter is rather thought-provoking." I blush.

"I am sure it is." Eric's smirk grew. "I could help you study for that class if you think it would help."

"You probably could but not in the way you are thinking." I return his smirk. Eric has such a dirty mind. He is always talking about inappropriate things, not that I would know.

"I was not implying that I just thought you might like a different perspective on some of the issues." He countered quickly. "Unfortunately for me, it will have to wait until next time. I will have my day man deliver payment tomorrow unless you would like some company." Eric suggested as we pulled up to my house.

"No matter how tempting that maybe Eric, I need to get some sleep. Thanks for the ride home." I joke as I exit the car. They stayed put till I was in the house. It was not as bad as I thought it might be when I agreed to come. I go to my room and find a nightshirt to change into. I am so glad that I can sleep in tomorrow. It was my one day off from school that I could get things done during the week. When I crawled into bed, I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.