Nothing, she whispered. That was all.
But that was enough, Slade thought grimly. In fact, too damned much.
Erin Ramsey had seen silver eyes glowing in the dark.
* * *
Erins hands trembled as she crossed the room to answer the door. She didnt like to admit that Detective Slade had left her so shaken, so uncertain of her own emotions. Shed never met a man quite like him before.
But, of course, shed just found her sisterher only familydead in the backyard. Erin suspected she was still in shock. No doubt that was why Detective Slade had affected her so strangely.
Trying to summon the last vestiges of her courage, she drew open the front door. A woman she had never seen before stood on the other side.
You must be Erin, the woman said. I came just as soon as I heard. She was tall, towering over Erin by several inches, and she had the most extraordinary red hair Erin had ever seen. It flowed down her back, almost to her waist, and even in the dim hallway light, the thick ringlets blazed with fire. She was dressed all in blacktight leggings, a loose knit sweater and high leather boots. She hovered on the threshold as if waiting for Erin to invite her inside.
Erin said, Im sorry, but Im afraid I dont know who you are.
My name is Racine DiMeneci, the redhead said. I live downstairs. I saw Dr. Traymore in the hallway. He told me what happened. Tears filled the womans green eyes. I talked to Megan just a few hours ago and nowI cant believeshes gone.
Wont you come in? Erin said, opening the door wider so the woman could enter.
I wont stay long, Racine promised, unobtrusively blotting the corners of her eyes with a lace hankie as she stepped inside. I just had to tell you how sorry I am. If theres anything at all I can do She broke off when she saw Detective Slade.
He was standing near the fireplace, watching them with the same shuttered scrutiny that had unsettled Erin earlier. He was holding one of the pictures Megan had kept displayed on the mantel, but as Racine and Erin entered the room, he turned and set it down with hardly more than a glance.
Racine looked back at Erin. I dont mean to intrude. I probably should have called first, but I hated to think of you being up here all alone. It must have been such a horrible shock. I still cant believe it myself. Her words trailed away again as she glanced back at Detective Slade.
Erin wondered what his reaction would be to such an overtly beautiful woman, but she could tell nothing by his expression. Slowly he walked toward them, and even Racine seemed intimidated by his formidable appearance.
Im Detective Slade, he said.
Racines gaze flickered with uncertainty as if she didnt quite believe him. DoI know you from somewhere? she asked almost reluctantly, almost fearfully.
Not likely, he said tonelessly. How well did you know Megan Ramsey?
We were friends. Racines green eyes filled with tears again. She dropped down onto the couch, her legs crumpling. Erin sat beside her, and Racine reached for her hand, clutching it in her own. The intimacy of the action startled Erin. She wanted to draw her hand back. She wasnt used to closeness, to this easy familiarity. She wasnt used to friendships of any kind, but Racine seemed oblivious to Erins discomfort.
Detective Slade remained standing, gazing down at them from behind those mysterious glasses. When was the last time you saw her alive?
Last night. Megan had the lead role in a play at the Alucard Theater, and the director, Roman Gerard, had been spending a lot of extra time, you know, coaching her. But there wasnt a rehearsal last night so she came home early, around nine, I think. We spoke for a few minutes, then she said she was going to change her clothes and go back out to meet a friend.
Do you know who?
Racine shrugged. She didnt say, but I assumed it was someone from the play. Theres this nightclub down by the river where a lot of actresses and actors hang out. I dont recall the name of it, but the outside is painted black and the windows are all boarded up, you know, as if its deserted or something.
I know the one you mean, Slade said. Did you ever go there with her?
A couple of times. Racine hesitated. A strange darkness passed across her features, a mere flicker, but it left Erin with a vague feeling of unease, a nagging little worry that there were more things in this room left unspoken than were being revealed.
Racines gaze met Erins, then she glanced away. She took a deep, shuddering breath and said, Lately, Megan seemed to go there quite a lot. At first she said it helped her to understand the character she was portraying in the play. Then later, I thinkI think she became obsessed with that club and with things that were, you knownot quite normal.
What do you mean? Erin asked quickly.
The supernatural, Racine said, avoiding Erins gaze. People go to that club pretending to bevampires.
An eerie chill stole up Erins spine. Are you saying that Megan went there because she believed in vampires? A memory of the last conversation shed had with her sister flashed through Erins mind. Megan had seemed fascinated by Demon Lover, Erins latest novel. Shed asked Erin countless questions about her research for the book, but at the time Erin had given it little thought. It wasnt until later, when shed begun to suspect her sister was in trouble, that Erin had thought back on their conversation. She could hear Megans voice now, as clearly as if she stood in the room with her.
Do you believe in vampires, Erin?
Erins own response had been automatic. Of course not. Demon Lover came from my imagination, Megan. He doesnt exist.
But what if he does? Megan had insisted.
As the dialogue floated through her mind, Erins gaze moved upward, almost against her will, to Detective Slade. Even though she couldnt see his eyes, she knew his gaze was on her, as well, and she felt an almost physical jolt.
His mouth had tightened into a grim line, giving his face an even harsher, more formidable appearance. Abruptly he reached past her and picked up his coat. His hand skimmed her arm, and a dangerous shiver sliced through Erin.
Someone will be talking to you again later today, he said. Well need statements, but I wont trouble you anymore tonight. In the meantime, I advise you both to exercise caution. Dont go out alone after dark. Dont open your door to strangers and dont invite anyone inside. Were dealing with a murderer here. A vicious monster who is still out there somewhere. Until hes caught, no one is safe. And I mean no one.
Hed addressed the warning to both of them, but Erin sensed that he was staring at her. How disconcerting, how very frustrating not be able to see his eyes. What was he thinking? Was this just another routine case to him? Would he walk out that door and forget all about Megan? Would he forget Erin? Somehow the notion left her feeling bereft. His presence dominated the room, and now that he was making preparations to leave, the apartment seemed empty already. Lonely. Forbidding. Frightening.
The nightmares were closing in again.
Erin followed him to the door as he shrugged into his coat. The collar was turned up, shading the lower part of his face. The dark glasses hid the rest. She might have been looking at a mask.
She reached for the knob just as he did. Briefly his fingers closed over hers. His hands were huge and strong-lookingnot cool and smooth like Racines, but warm, vital, competent hands. Even the scarsthose horrible scarsseemed to give him an air of permanence, of immortality. He had been burned, she thought. Badly. But he had managed to survive.
And now Erin had a sudden, chilling premonition that her life had been placed in those battered hands. The feeling was oddly comforting. And frightening.
As if reading her thoughts, he said in his dark, liquid voice, Ill be in touch.
And somehow Erin knew he would be.
* * *
Detective Slade? May I have a word with you?
Slade slowed his steps as the old man appeared out of the shadows in the backyard. Dr. Traymore, isnt it?
At your service, he said with a slight inclination of his head. There was something old-worldly about the way the man dressed, the way he talked. Slade had a strange feeling of foreboding as he stared at him. I take it youve questioned Miss Ramsey?
Slade nodded absently. Yes, hed questioned her. Hed lingered far longer than he should have. The moment hed set eyes on Erin Ramsey, Slade had known she was going to be trouble. She would want answers, and Slade suspected she wouldnt rest until she had them. And what would she do when she found out hed known her sister? Where would she take the information?
Hed been through an investigation once, years ago. He didnt care to repeat the process. One way or another Erin Ramsey would have to be satisfied, before her suspicions could be aroused.
With an effort, Slade shrugged off his growing dread of the days to come, letting his gaze roam the backyard, automatically focusing on the crime scene. The CSU team had finished their preliminary work, and the body was en route to the morgue. The only thing to indicate the violence that had taken place earlier was the yellow ribbon that still cordoned off the area. By morning, it would most likely be gone, as well. He returned his gaze to Dr. Traymore. I presume Detective Abrams has spoken with you already?
Oh, yes. He questioned me thoroughly. Im to come down to your station later today to make an official statement. Ill tell you everything, Detective Slade, no need to be concerned about that. But Id like to ask you a question now, if I may.
What is it?
Who did this? Traymore made a vague gesture with his hand toward the yard. Or should I say what?
If I knew that, I wouldnt be standing here talking to you, now would I?
I think you have clues, the old man insisted. He took a pipe from his overcoat pocket and busied himself filling the bowl. I think you know exactly what you are dealing with here. This is not the work of a psychopath, a Looney Tunes as your colleague so eloquently put it. Something far more dangerous is at work here. An animal who hunts the night. A predator who is voraciously hungry. A creature who is diabolically evil. You and I both know there will be more killings before this is over, Detective Slade.
A gust of wind swept through the trees overhead and blew down Slades collar. A chill crawled through him as he stared at the old mans careworn face. The hazel eyes returned his regard without wavering. Dr. Traymore seemed to be looking through the dark lenses of Slades glasses, straight through his eyes into his soul. Slade suppressed a shudder. Who are you? he asked coldly. What do you want?
Im many things, the old man evaded. A scholar. An archaeologist. A man who has traveled the world searching for answers. I think you can give me those answers, Detective Slade.
Im just a cop, Slade said, and if anyones going to be asking questions around here, its me.
Youre more than a cop, as we both know.
And youre wasting my time. Ive got an investigation to conduct, so if youll excuse me Slade brushed past Dr. Traymore and started across the yard.
Does the word nosferatu mean anything to you, Detective Slade?
Slade stopped. The whole world seemed to stop. He could feel his heart pounding inside his chest as he turned slowly to face Dr. Traymore. Fog curled around the old mans head like a misty blue halo.
He smiled. I thought that would get your attention. He walked through the light drizzle toward Slade. You see, Ive known of the existence of these creatures for a long time.
Youve been reading too many Stephen King novels, Slade said. Or Erin Ramsey novels, he added with irony.
The old man chuckled as he shoved one hand into the pocket of his heavy overcoat. I assure you, the books Ive been reading are not modern-day fiction. They are hundreds of years old, written in German and Russian, as well as Latin and ancient Greek. Ive even seen hieroglyphs in the Valley of the Kings that depict the rising of the undead to feast on human blood. For years Ive studied the mysteries of the un-dead. Ive learned their habits. I know what they must have in order to survive. I know their needs and their strengths and their weaknesses. I even know what it takes to kill them.
Go home, Slade ordered, frustrated that yet a new problem had presented itself to him. It was another worry that would have to be taken care of. Obviously you need your rest.
Traymore shook his head. You dont fool me, Detective. I know youre worried. We both are, because if Im right and certain precautions arent taken, Megan Ramsey could come back. And if that happens, her sister will be in a great deal of danger.
Almost reluctantly, Slades gaze lifted to the window of Megan Ramseys apartment. Framed by the light, Erin stood there, her eyesthose deep, blue eyesreflecting, not shock any longer, but fear, as if she somehow knew. As if she was standing there, watching and waiting for what was to come.
A finger of dread slid down Slades spine. When would it all end? he thought. How many more people would have to die before the evil could be stopped?
* * *
Erin stood looking out the window, gazing down at the exact spot where Megans body had lain. She saw Detective Slade talking to the old gentleman who had called the police for her earlier, and as she stood looking down at them, Slades head lifted and he seemed to be gazing directly at her.
Erin gripped the cross hanging from her neck, automatically seeking protection as she felt fear stirring within her. For the first time since shed found Megans body, it hit her just how alone she was now. Deeply alone. Terrifyingly alone. There was no one she could turn to for help.
Dr. Traymore walked away, and for what seemed like an eternity, Erin stood staring down at Detective Slade, their gazes locked in a silent communication that seemed fostered by the darkness. Then suddenly, almost angrily, he turned and melted into the darkness.
Shaken, Erin turned from the window and began to pace the apartment. She should have felt better, knowing Detective Slade was out there in the darkness, but somehow she didnt. Somehow his presence disturbed her more than she cared to admit. What was it about him that drew her, in spite of her grief? What was it about him that intrigued her, in spite of her distrust?
What was it about him that made her want what she had always feared the most?
Erin clung to her cross as her pacing accelerated. It was late, nearly dawn, and she knew she should try to get some sleep as the coming days and nights would be trying enough. But in spite of her exhausted state, sleep was the last thing she wanted.