She gazed at him. “You seem to know a hell of a lot about how he thinks.”
“He thinks how the cult taught him to think, and I’ve made a study of the cult.”
“When you’re not hunting them down to kill them.”
“But I had to know all that in order to hunt them down.” He smiled. “Which makes me valuable to you because I can tell you how Jelak thinks.”
“Why does he think that becoming a god is possible? Did this teacher that you told me taught Jelak claim he was a god?”
“Donari? No, he called himself master, but he was a student like Jelak. But he was much further along on the path and saw in Jelak a bright light. He wanted to mold him.”
“A cult composed of students and based on a flimsy legend. It would take a nutcase like Jelak to be drawn into it. I can’t understand how it even existed at all, much less for hundreds of years.”
“Power can be an amazing beacon. That’s what’s held the vampire legend intact since it began.”
“You said it started because two brothers with supposed magical dark powers showed up in their village?”
“Yes, the Ridondo brothers. They evidently had a lot of charisma as well as their vaunted magical powers. They convinced the entire village that they weren’t only vampire elite themselves but able to teach others how to attain that power.”
“And what happened to the Ridondos?”
“They lived the high life for a number of years. Why not? They acted like kings, and everyone was afraid to oppose them. One of them, Jaime Ridondo, was even mayor of the town for over twenty years. One of the rules they laid down for the villagers was that no one was ever to speak of their power. That allowed them a certain degree of protection and permitted them to live normal lives.”
“Normal?”
“Normal for them. They married, had children, but eventually moved away from the village.”
“So that no one could ever prove they weren’t the mythical creatures they claimed to be.”
“It would have been the clever thing to do.”
She shook her head. “And the legend lived on and made superstitious people like Jelak find their way to it.”
“Yes, it’s not surprising.”
“It’s surprising to me.” She wrapped her arms around her knees. “I can’t imagine that many ugly people rushing to embrace more ugliness.”
“That’s because you don’t have the ugly gene. Jelak was born with it and just went looking for a place to plant it and make it grow.”
She was silent a moment. “Jelak hates Joe. He won’t let him live even if he thinks he’s going to get what he wants. Isn’t that right?”
“Not if he sees any way out.”
“We can’t let anything happen to him,” she whispered. “It would kill Eve.”
“And not you?”
She nodded. “He’s been my friend for all the years I’ve been with them. It was difficult for me to get close to anyone during those first years. Eve was easier. She was like me. We’d both grown up on the streets. Joe was different. He was tough, but he’d never experienced what Eve and I had. I guess I was a little jealous of what Eve felt for Joe. I knew how hard it was for her to love anyone. Her whole focus was Bonnie. But she loved Joe and, heaven knows, Joe loved her. I’d watch him looking at her, and it made me feel lonely. I never let either one of them see it because I was grateful to have whatever Eve could share with me.” She shrugged. “But Joe and I both knew that we had to get along, or one of us might lose Eve. It was never spoken, but the thought was always there. Neither one of us could stand the thought, so we gradually began to open to each other. But Joe never pushed me. He was just there whenever I needed him.”
“That’s pretty impressive.”
“He is impressive, in every way.” Her lips tightened. “And we can’t let anything happen to him. There aren’t that many good guys in the world that we can afford to let one of the best go down the tubes.” She looked out at the dawn, which was now a bold and flaming statement. “And if Jelak doesn’t call soon, I’ll go crazy. I’m going to go in the house and see Eve trying not to show how much this is tearing her up.” She got to her feet. “And I’ll want to kill Jelak. If you can think of a way that we can arrange that, I’m ready to listen.”
He murmured. “I assure you I’m working on it . . .” She opened the screen door. “Work harder.”
EVE’S PHONE DIDN’T RING until after two that afternoon.
She saw Jane and Caleb come to attention on the couch across the room. She braced herself and punched the button.
“Have you been waiting for me?” Jelak asked. “I would have called earlier, but I had a few arrangements to make. You’re very special, and I had to prepare for the final stage of my transformation.”
“You shot Joe.”
“Of course, he had to be punished. He shed my blood. It could have been a terrible inconvenience. But I’ve faith in myself. No one could ever tell me the exact amount of true blood I’d need for my resurrection. Donari could only say my mind would tell me when I was ready. In spite of the slight loss, I still feel very strong. With you, I’ll be ready. I have no doubt of it.”
“I don’t care about your damn blood. Is Joe still alive?”
“Yes, I had no intention of killing him yet. But I would have been able to be more accurate if Nancy Jo’s father hadn’t shown up and gotten in the way. That was completely unexpected. I had to hurry because I was afraid some of his aides might be hovering around him.”
“How badly is Joe hurt?”
“A crease in his temple. Not nearly enough blood spilt to satisfy me after what he took from me. Though pain is nearly as good.”
“I want to talk to him.”
“Presently. We have negotiating to do. A gift for a gift.”
“You’re not going to release Joe no matter what I do.”
“How can you be sure? I’ve had my revenge. He’s not important to me. I’m sure Caleb has told you that he’d be no good to me even to feed. On the other hand, he could give me what I want most in the world.”
“You’re a monster. I can’t trust a monster.”
“But you have no choice.” His voice lowered to persuasive silkiness. “And in the end, wouldn’t the possibility give you an excuse to take what you want?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’ve studied you for years. Your phrasing when you answer questions. Your expressions to given situations. That’s how I knew that you were perfect for the final resurrection.”
“So?”
“You want this. You’re tired of searching for your Bonnie. You want it over. You want your life over. That’s why you’re so perfect for me. There will be joy when you come to me.”
“You’re mad.”
“No, my mind is keen and sharp because I’m so close to the resurrection. In your heart of hearts you know that it’s true. I only have to give you a reason to do it.”
“Give me a reason. I want to talk to Joe.”
He sighed. “Unfortunately, I can’t do that yet. He’s being very stubborn. He won’t talk to you. I’ve hurt him exceedingly, but he said he won’t let himself be used.”
“He’s already dead.”
“You see? I knew you’d think that I was lying. That’s why I’m irritated with Quinn. I didn’t want this delay. I suppose I could send a photo to your phone, but you’d assume it was doctored. No, I have to find a way to convince him he has to talk to you.”
“Yes, you do. I have to hear his voice, and he has to mention something to me that no one but the two of us would know.”
“That should be no trouble. There are so many secrets that exist between a couple with your history. All he’d have to do is mention one episode.” His voice was annoyed. “I did think that pain was the answer. He has amazing endurance. I’ll just have to work out some other way. I have a few ideas.”
“Let him go. You know the entire police force will be hunting for you. Cops look out for their own.”
“It will be too late for Quinn. No, you’re his only hope. Make up your mind to it.” He paused. “Is Caleb there with you?”
“Yes.”
“I thought as much. Tell him I’m not afraid of him any longer. Soon I’ll be able to meet him face-to-face.” He added, “I’m going to hang up now. I have to get busy finding a way to convince Quinn to do as I wish. I think I’ve found the key to him.”
“Don’t hurt him. I won’t do anything you want me to do if I find out you’ve hurt him again.”
“I told you, I’m going down another road. Good-bye, Eve. You’ll hear from me soon.” He hung up.
“He sounded so smug,” Eve said as she pressed the disconnect. “And confident. He’s so damn sure of himself.” She turned to Jane and Caleb. “But I think Joe must be alive. Jelak wouldn’t be going to these lengths if he had nothing with which to bargain. He didn’t even try to bluff.”
Caleb nodded. “He has Quinn. But we have a little time to find him and try to set up a trap before Jelak goes for the jugular.” He grimaced. “That was purely unintentional. I would never be so insensitive.”
“You’d have to be as much a monster as Jelak to be that callous,” Eve said. “And I’d like to know how you think you’re going to use that time Jelak has given us.”
Caleb was heading for the door. “As I told Jane, I’m working on it. I’ll let you know when I do.”
“I’VE TOLD YOU ALL I KNOW, Senator.” Gary Schindler’s lips thinned as he gazed at Norris lying in the hospital bed. “It’s not as if we’re not looking for Joe. He’s a veteran of the department. Hell, I’ve worked with him myself for years. The whole department is using every means we have to locate him.”
“Like you’ve used every means to find Jelak before this,” Norris said curtly. “He’s still out there killing young girls like Nancy Jo. He shot me. He shot Joe Quinn. If there’s a chance that Quinn is still alive, then you go out and find him.”
“Get off my back,” Schindler suddenly said harshly. “I’m doing what I can, and nothing you can say will get me to do anything differently. We’ve all volunteered to work extra shifts to try to get a lead, any lead.” He turned on his heel. “If you want a whipping boy, go call one of those pretty-boy aides in the hall.”
“Detective.”
Schindler looked over his shoulder. “I mean it, Senator.”
Norris nodded. “I know you do.” He leaned wearily back against the pillows. “I’m feeling very ineffectual at the moment, and I’m taking it out on you. I believe in payback, and there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do. Quinn saved my life.”
“Do you think you’re special?” Schindler said. “He saved my neck two years ago when we were taking down a drug dealer. My daughter, Cindy, would have been an orphan and grown up alone in this shitty world.”
Norris didn’t speak for a moment. “That would have been a terrible thing. It is a shitty world that can kill young girls. If I could go back in time, I’d surround Nancy Jo with an army every time she set foot out the door.” He lifted his hand to his eyes. “I’m sorry. If you need extra labor, I’m putting everyone on my staff at your disposal. All you need to do is call.”
“Thanks. I may take you up on it.”
Norris closed his eyes as Schindler left the room.
A shitty world, he thought. He’d thought he was cynical before Nancy Jo’s death, but now he realized there had always been that streak of idealism present. He’d had dreams of changing the world. Or, at least, the corruption that was stagnating Washington.
Dreams.
They hadn’t stopped Quinn from being attacked and probably killed.
They hadn’t kept that ravening beast from murdering Nancy Jo.
Screw dreams.
He could feel the moisture sting his eyes. Dammit, it was here again; the pain, the disbelief, the loneliness.
Nancy Jo . . .
Oh, God, the loneliness.
No, not loneliness, he realized suddenly.
Comfort. Warmth. Laughter.
Nancy Jo telling him that horrible pun she’d heard at summer camp.
Nancy Jo lolling with him on the beach last summer, not talking, just sitting in silent companionship as the sun went down.
Nancy Jo standing beside him when he’d been sworn in as senator, her eyes glowing with pride.
Those memories should have been agonizing. Why weren’t they?
Comfort. Warmth. Laughter.
Remember, Daddy?
What the hell was happening? Imagination?
It didn’t matter. For the moment the pain was gone. That was all that was important. He closed his eyes and let the memories flow over him in a golden tide.
Memories?
No.
Nancy Jo . . .
“I’VE JUST TALKED TO YOUR Eve,” Jelak told Joe. “I was very upset that I couldn’t conclude my business with her immediately, Quinn. She reacted just as I thought she would when you wouldn’t speak to her.”
“So you came back to try to persuade me again,” Joe said. “Screw you.”
“There are persuasions and persuasions.” He checked the ropes binding Joe’s wrists and ankles. “I thoroughly enjoyed playing with you, but I’m too impatient to deal with your stubbornness. I’ve been waiting for Eve too long.” He smiled. “So we’re going to go to step two. I probably should have known that you’d respond to the mental, not the physical.”
“I won’t respond to you at all. You’re not worth it, Jelak.”
“You’ll change your mind,” he said softly. “I’m going to leave you for a while. Do you know where I’m going?”
“To hell, I hope.”
“If I did, I’d rule there.” Jelak smiled. “No, I was impressed by how concerned you were with my kills. Particularly Nancy Jo and Nicole. They appeared to touch you.”
Joe stiffened. “I’m a detective. Your kills aren’t any different from those of any other slimeballs I jerk off the streets.”
“I think they are. I’m willing to put it to the test.”
“What kind of a test?”
“I’m going to go and find a young girl, perhaps fifteen, or sixteen. It doesn’t matter that she’s not old enough to be interesting. I’m doing it for you, not me.”
“For me?”
“Yes, I’ll let you watch the ritual. You can decide if a young girl’s life is worth not speaking a few words on the telephone.”
“And those few words could mean that I’d be helping you get Eve here.”
“Yes, what a problem you’ll be facing. I’ll be interested to see how you handle it.” He turned toward the door. “What a responsibility. I must choose a very, very special girl for you, Quinn.”
The door closed behind him.
________