Naming Day (Jake Underwood Book 1) (7 page)

              “I’ll take this one, Ben.” I got Bolan’s attention and made him focus on my words rather than the unease he felt around Ben.

              “No, he doesn’t drink blood. What you just asked him is the equivalent of asking the Mayor of Houston if by some chance you had seen him smoking crack while he was sleeping with his whore’s dog. Very insulting.”

              “Human blood is capable of filling a vampire with incredible and addictive ecstasy. It becomes an overpowering urge once one has become addicted to it. The craving for it only happens in the mortal world. At the Court of Twilight, vampires have no more desire for it than you do.”

              “Why? What makes it so controllable at the Court and so overwhelming here?”

              “Well, technically, The Silver Tree isn’t part of the Mortal realm any more than it is part of the Court of Twilight. But your question is a good one. Guys who study this kind of thing explain it like this: At the Court of Twilight there is a certain energy level, like life force or even a soul, associated with the darkness. Vampires absorb this just by being there. In the mortal world that energy is absent except in humans.”

              “If human blood is so addictive and such a good high, why aren’t there more vampires running around sampling human blood”

              “Fear.” said Ben “Fear of being lost in a compulsion that one can’t control. Fear of being lost in another’s life. When a Vampire drinks a mortal’s blood, they experience a powerful rush of memories and emotions of their victim. Their life is literally pouring out of the victim and into the vampire. It is quite easy to forget who and what you are.”

              “But surely..” Bolan started

              “There is also the fear of the Twilight Order. You don’t see them much but the Court of Twilight keeps a special brigade of …beings, not too dissimilar from the Black Watch, who act as the enforcers of the Compact on the residents of The Court of Twilight. They are drawn from the most fearsome inhabitants of the night realm, individually far more powerful than their Black Watch counterparts; they are far fewer in number. A certain number of them are tasked solely with preventing the intrusion of the Vampires into the mortal world. The Vampire who strays will certainly live to regret it, at least for a while.”

              “Look, Kevin knew all about Ben’s status. He kept him on because he trusted him and because of his affinity with the Court of Twilight and the night. He made a perfect bartender during the late hours when he is at his most keen and when most of his fellow Court members are most active. Likewise, during the day, he isn’t as sharp, eh?”

              “It’s a lot to take in. Even with seeing Elves, Trolls and Dwarves I always thought Vampires were just a bunch of stories made up by Victorian writers and Goth wannabes. He’s never given me any reason to doubt him and if Kevin trusted him and you trust him, there’s no reason I shouldn’t. I just wanted a good reliable bartender for the dayshift and you’re right about how good he is at night. I just never thought about why that might be so.” Bolan looked more disappointed than scared, certainly a step in the right direction.

              “Yeah, I can see that.” Ben said. “I would love to help you boss, but it just wouldn’t work. You could try Clancy. He fills in whenever we have someone call in sick or for vacations. You might be able to talk him into a more permanent shift. He’s a goblin so day or night would work for him.”

              “Right. I’ll give him a call a little later. Ben, I won’t keep you I know you need rest as badly as I do. I’ll see you tonight at 8:00, okay?” Bolan was obviously dismissing Ben, but Ben was either oblivious or simply didn’t care. He went behind the bar and disappeared into the employee area.

Bolan waited until he was completely gone before he turned to me to ask me the question that I knew he had to ask.

“Is he really okay?”

“Bolan, I would, and have trusted Ben with my life. It’s long story for another time, but Ben is something of a legend among Vampires at the Court of Twilight. He is the example of vampire rectitude among them and he would rather die the final death than drink a single drop of human blood. Maybe one day, when I know you a lot better and I’m drunk as hell, I’ll tell you all about it. Maybe Ben will tell you if ask him, nicelly. Although I wouldn’t, Ben is humble and doesn’t like talking about himself. I will tell you this, there isn’t anybody at this bar that I trust more now that Kevin’s gone.

“Fair enough. I can’t say I’m completely comfortable with it, but I can certainly work with it.”

“Good. I came by to see if there were any problems last night and I can see that the place is still standing. I’m guessing that nothing came up that you and the staff couldn’t handle.” I motioned to him to take a seat at nearby empty table. As I slid into the booth, I noticed that the Sheriff’s man was unobtrusively watching us from where he was arranging his notes.

“So how did it go?”

              “Pretty well. There were a few rough spots and it was busier than normal. You were right about the curious showing up. At least they came and spent some silver.”

              “What kind of rough spots?”

              “I couldn’t find the key to the liquor room. I think Kevin must have had it on him when he...ah…died.  His key chain is missing and that includes keys to the private meeting rooms as well. Ben showed up early and he had a key to the liquor room and scrounging keys from all the employees we were able to make up a pretty complete ring that gets into most places.”

              “I’ll ask the Sheriff’s men about it. If they have the keys, I should be able to get them eventually. Any lock you can’t get open that you need to get open, just call for a locksmith to make a key. I assume you know enough to avoid disturbing any seals that you may find?”

              “Yes, Kevin was very careful to explain the seals and why we should avoid them. There aren’t and haven’t been many sealed rooms here, but the staff knows enough to leave them alone. Kevin’s office is sealed, but by the Sheriff. I think we got anything we got we need out of there before they sealed it.”

              “Good. Anything else?”

              “Oh a few of the staff pushing to see what is happening and a few who want to test limits. Nothing we can’t handle, although I am concerned about Critter. Inside the kitchen he reigns supreme but when it comes to dealing with others outside the kitchen he is more hesitant. He needs to be a little more forceful or some of the staff will walk all over him. I suspect that when he had trouble in the past he went to Kevin. Kevin had a way of making problems go away.”

              “Until he finds his feet, I’ll expect you to deal with any problems that he comes to you with. I know that Kevin wouldn’t have put you in your position if you couldn’t do it.”

              “Thanks. I guess we’ll find out.”

              “I hate to spring this on you, but there is pretty good chance that I might be hard to reach for the next few days. Something’s come up that I will have to deal with, if it’s an emergency, leave a message with my office and I’ll try to get back to you. But don’t have an emergency if you can help it. “

              “What about payday?”

              “Pay it out of the receipts, in cash and get everyone to sign or make their mark. Anything that is left, hold on to until I get back.”

              “Okay. You will be back, won’t you?”

              “I have no reason to believe I won’t, but if something happens just use your best judgment guided by intelligence and experience.” He grunted and I turned towards the table where Corey sat and I asked Bolan if he had given him any trouble.

              “No. He’s been pretty quiet. He asked a few questions and ordered a few scotches and a pot of coffee. He’s been here most of the night and seems content with those few questions and to observe.”

              With that Bolan turned back to his attempt to find a daytime bartender and I turned back to the table where Corey was sitting. I noticed that he was keeping an eye on me and when he saw looking his way, he made a small wave and called me over to his table.

              “Jake. Have a seat.” He motioned me into his booth.

              “Corey. You need a refresher? My treat?” Corey didn’t drink much, not like some cops I know, but you can’t sit in bar for hours without some drinking.

              “Naw. I’ll be leaving to go home in an hour or so. My shift is ending and the day shift will be taking over.” He looked hesitant and then dove in.

              “Jake, I need to ask you a few questions about this case. It’s a little weird, but I’m not sure who to trust, exactly.”

              “What do you mean?”

              “I don’t have to tell you that there is a lot of heat on this case. The weird thing is, I can’t tell who is really running the investigation. First, there is that fuckwit, Crosswich. Officially, he’s in charge and seems to be giving orders and people are playing along, mostly. But then there’s Sergeant Bermuda.”

              “What about the good Sergeant?”

              “Did you know his official post is at the Master of Arms from the Court of Dawn?”

              I shook my head. I did not know that and was not comforted by the knowledge. Master of Arms is a nebulous post at the Court of Dawn. It basically carried whatever importance and clout that Lord Belsoumnde chose to give it. This could go all the way up to the 3
rd
circle of the court, maybe even the 2
nd
circle.

“He’s been detached temporarily to this investigation. That’s not all, He isn’t reporting to Crosswich and neither am I. The Sheriff told me I was to ‘Assist Sergeant Bermuda with his inquiries and to keep it quiet, or else.’ He didn’t define what ‘or else’ is but you can bet it’ll be damn unpleasant.”

              “What did he tell Crosswich? I bet he loved having Bermuda in charge.”

              “That’s the thing, Crosswich doesn’t know. He thinks I’ve been detached to serve as a special aide for this guy. He doesn’t know that Bermuda is dogging his tracks or in Crosswich’s case he’s probably breaking a trail that Crosswich will never find.”

              “That is odd. I never really thought that Crosswich stood much chance of finding out anything, but like this, he’s getting blindsided. Still, couldn’t happen to a nicer fellow.”

              “Yeah, but there’s more. Even before Unglunblasch’s decapitated body was found Sergeant Bermuda was asking questions, hard questions, about you. Why do you suppose that would be?”

              I really didn’t like the sound of that. The implications of this began to settle in. Why did it seem like I had trouble coming from all directions at once? Cory was looking at me expectantly. “I don’t know.” I said.

              “Com‘on Jake! Don’t give me that crap! Spill! What are you into that would draw police attention from the Court of Dawn Master at Arm’s office?”

              I thought about it for a few minutes and considered what to say. Corey had been upfront with me. He had shared information he really probably shouldn’t have and I felt like I owed him. I don’t like being in debts to cops, even cops I like.

              “I really don’t have a clue what the hell’s going on Cory. I can’t imagine why the Court of Dawn is suddenly so interested in me after all these years. I’ll tell you this though; I have been getting a lot of weird vibes from both the Court of Twilight and the Court of Dawn.” I told him about the Naming Day ceremony and about my contacts with Jeryn Callisandra, but not what he wanted.

              “One other thing, I’m being watched. Or rather, my office is being watched.”               “Yeah, Crosswich has a crew watching your office.” Cory sipped his coffee “I think he’s using this investigation as a chance to prove you are breaking the Compact. He really doesn’t like you.”

              “A crew?  Just one crew? The reason I ask is because I am pretty sure that there are two separate groups watching my office. Could the other crew be Bermuda’s?”

              I could tell Cory was thinking about how to reply as he stared into his cup. ”Honestly, I ‘m not sure. Sure, Bermuda could have a crew watching you, but it doesn’t make sense. If he wanted you followed, he would just pick you up when you leave your apartment, why set up on your office?”

              “Good question. It’s another question I wish I knew the answer to. Maybe I’ll ask Sergeant Bermuda when I see him.” I was only half kidding. Talking to Sergeant Bermuda about this case would be like trying to herd cats through a minefield.

              “Be careful when you talk to Bermuda. He’s a sharp operator. After he asked for me, I asked around, quiet like, about him. It was weird, most of the guys had never heard of him and the ones who had seemed skittish. When I pressed them, they clamed up. Only Karris One Eye told me anything. He said that if Bermuda wanted something from me, he’d get it and if I was smart I’d just give it up now. He also said they if I didn’t want to be known as Corey One Eye I would keep my nose out of Sergeant Bermuda’s business.”

              “That’s ominous as hell. Do you suppose he plucked the eye out himself or did have someone do it for him? He’s got the build for it.” I smiled.

              “Sure, laugh it up. Karris wasn’t smiling, but you, just yuck it up.” Cory finished his coffee and began to gather his notes. “Look, Jake. Be careful. I don’t know If Bermuda’s gunning for you or not, but you can bet that something big is going on and it looks like you’re neck deep in it. If you really don’t know what is going, you better find out quick before it bites you in the ass.”