“You’re just full of the joy of life, aren’t you?”
“Just a hunch.”
“A morbid hunch.”
***
Elsie steered her car down the road on her way to the Balmoral. She knew the detectives wouldn’t be far behind but it didn’t concern her anymore. The irritants just didn’t have time to put together a case to detain Drake. The space probe was scheduled to leave in 3 days and Elsie’s father was busy making the final preparations. The detectives would need a court order to obtain a DNA sample from Drake, and if they requested identification, Drake had 48 hours to produce it. Then they would need to find him again. There just wasn’t enough time for them to go through all the red tape that protected all Vampire’s rights. Elsie smiled to herself. It may take some time, but one day, maybe hundreds of years from now, they would be together again.
Lang and Genn had managed to track where Drake was staying. It was puzzling to the detectives just how easy it was to follow Elsie to the Hotel. Elsie even allowed Drake to use the same credit card that they had access to the records.
“He’s even at the Balmoral again. It’s like she’s waving him in front of our noses and taunting us. Why would she do that, Genn?”
“Beats me, the entire scenario makes no sense.”
Lang sighed heavily, “And why are we even bothering. Who cares if we catch Ulah now, he’s already done his damage and catching him isn’t going to change the inevitable.”
Genn frowned. “I do wish you would stop talking like that. You don’t know for sure that the revolution will be successful. Maybe it’ll fall flat on its face. Give our side some credit.”
Lang smiled. “They outnumber us 10-1, Genn. As long as they can get enough numbers together to take control of the transfer stations, we’re done. Wow, we are so weak and we still don’t even realize it. It’s like talking to a brick wall trying to get anyone to believe me. The evidence is at the Balmoral and we can’t even produce it.”
“Well, we still have a job to do. Right?”
“You’re right Genn-and I’d like to meet the man who wiped out an entire race.”
Lang read Genn’s look. “Okay…I’ll shut up.”
Sitting in the hotel lobby reminded Detective Lang of the last time she had done the same. She looked over to where Drake had sat and read his paper and remembered his face.
***
Drake readied himself for his walk with Elsie. He fully expected the detectives to detain him, briefly. He was actually looking forward to meeting them, especially Lang. It amused Drake that Lang had gotten under Elsie’s skin so effectively. He exited the lift and looked over to the couches where the detectives had been sitting weeks before.
Lang’s eyes patrolled the lobby, always going back to the lift doors when they opened. Her eyes locked with Drake’s as he exited the elevator and she felt a jolt that made her heart race. Drake smiled and turned towards the front doors. Genn saw him, too, and looked to Lang. They both jumped to their feet, excited to finally see the advisory who had eluded them for months.
Elsie had parked and was waiting in the green space across the street. She saw Drake exit the hotel and as he approached, Lang and Genn emerged, their eyes darting this way and that.
“I think we may have company,” Drake said without looking back.
Elsie smiled mischievously. “Remember, they can’t do anything but ask for your identification. Just give a false name and story. Let’s just wait and get this over with.”
Drake nodded but still kept his back to the approaching detectives. Elsie felt superior and in control. She loved the looks on their faces; especially Lang.
“Good morning, Miss Fleck. Out for an early morning walk?” Lang said loudly as the detectives approached.
“Good morning, detectives. I’ve told you before Detective Lang, that my activities are of no concern of yours.”
“Just trying to be polite. Good morning sir…I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Detective Lang and this is my partner Detective Genn.”
Drake turned around and greeted them pleasantly.
Genn stood grim faced, the hate he felt for this killer obvious.
Lang felt a mixture of emotions, and they all contributed to the same rush of excitement that struck deep inside her.
Genn looked over to Lang who, for once, didn’t take the lead.
“May we ask your name, sir?” Genn asked.
“John Drake.”
Genn flashed an annoyed look over to Lang. Genn hated to be toyed with by the scum of the dome.
With well practiced patience, Genn asked for Drake’s I.D. “I’m sure you’ve been following the string of recent murders. We’ve been assigned to bring that killer to justice. May I please see some government issued picture identification?”
Elsie watched Lang out of the corner of her eye. Lang’s usual see all expertise was now being challenged by the presence of Drake so she didn’t notice Elsie’s smug smirk.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t bring it with me. I didn’t expect to need it this morning,” Drake answered Genn, but his gaze and smile was directed towards Lang. “Elsie and I are just going for a walk but another beautiful woman is always welcome.”
Lang’s face flushed pink.
Lang looked over at Genn’s stern face and regained her composure. She looked over at Elsie and smiled. “Yes, that would be lovely-I think we may tag along for a bit.”
Elsie glanced sternly at Drake. She had wanted to flaunt Drake in front of the detectives, but she didn’t want to share any of her precious time with him.
“There have been 44 gruesome murders of innocent Vampire women. Most of the murders have been perpetrated up in the dome, but the last few have taken place at the base. I’m guessing that they’ll start up again up here fairly soon,” Lang explained, her gaze riveted to Drake’s face, looking for his reaction and just unable to look away.
“You sound very confident in that assumption. On what is it based?” Drake asked.
“Oh, just a hunch.”
Drake’s gaze wandered down to Lang’s neck, and she noticed. A strange feeling came over her; one of lust, mixed with trepidation. It was unlike any other feeling she had ever experienced. Lang’s body shuddered and she looked away for the first time.
The exchange was not overlooked by Elsie and she fumed with jealousy.
Genn immediately recognized danger and came to his helpless partner’s rescue. “When is the soonest you could produce your identification? We just need to eliminate you as a suspect.”
“Oh, I’m a suspect, am I? On what grounds do you consider me that?”
Lang again exposed herself to Drake’s gaze. Her reactions were more like that of a giddy school-girl than an experienced detective with over 300 years under her belt.
Genn answered loudly, “We’re just trying to eliminate as many people as possible. I’m afraid your association with certain people and your odd movements and lifestyle have put you on our radar. Once we have checked you off the list we won’t bother you again.”
Drake finally broke his gaze with Lang and looked over to Genn. “Why do I get the feeling like I’m the only one on the list.”
Genn smiled. “It is a short list.” He looked intently at Drake…into his twisted, murderous soul and longed to beat the blood out of him. “Come on Lang, it’s time we left these two alone.”
Lang knew what Genn was doing, and as difficult as it was to do, she realized she needed to get away from Drake. “Yes, we’ve taken up enough of your time. You have 48 hours to produce your identification Mr. Drake, and failing to meet that deadline would give us sufficient grounds to arrest you and obtain a DNA sample. Do you understand?” Lang looked again into the brown eyes that absolutely mesmerized her.
Drake held her gaze for what seemed like an eternity to Lang. She actually felt an urge to surrender to him right there in the park in broad daylight. Lang felt a vice like grip envelop her upper arm and a firm but gentle tug away from the
object of her fascination. With eye contact broken, Lang realized Genn was pulling her away and she understood why this man was such a prolific serial killer.
Drake smiled smugly over to Elsie.
“You enjoyed that, didn’t you?” Elsie said through her annoyance.
Drake smiled broadly. “And you enjoyed it less than you thought you would.”
Elsie rolled her eyes rapidly and shook her head. “I thought I would revel in the situation, but the hate and jealousy in me just took over. And the way you looked at her.”
“I look at these women as food, that’s all. Surely you don’t want me to look at you like that.”
Elsie dropped her gaze. “As ridiculous as it sounds…yes I do.”
Once in their car, the detectives stared blankly forward. Genn finally broke the silence. “That’s a dangerous man. And what the bloodless hell was going on between you and this freak show!”
Lang looked over, still shaken by the episode. “Wow, Genn, I can now see why this guy has managed to kill so easily. He has a hypnotic effect on me that I can’t seem to fight. We all have it to some degree but we get lazy and resort to drugging our victims. He has honed his into a dangerous weapon. Holy crap, Genn, I would be putty in his hands if I was alone with him.”
“Then you can’t ever be alone with him.” Genn immediately shook his head at the ridiculousness of the statement, and Lang looked over and smiled.
“Thanks for havin’ my back, Genn.”
Chapter 20
Race to the Top
Elsie was so focused on her own scheme, she hardly noticed news of a rebellion at the base. Armies were dispatched to quickly quell the humans, but they were having difficulty getting to the problem areas which appeared to be centered at the transfer stations. The government tried to downplay the seriousness of the matter, but soon the details began to emerge.
Elsie’s father was at her home making final arrangements. “The rebellion that Drake began is now in full swing, and I’m getting a bad feeling about the severity of the whole matter. All of the transfer stations have been disabled. The humans don’t even have to confront our assembled army because we can’t get down there to deal with it. It’s a dire situation, Elsie.”
“We’ll figure it out, I’m sure. Is everything going as planned at the space center?”
Fleck looked annoyed. “You know, Elsie…there are other people in the dome other than you. And every one of those Vampires is in jeopardy right now-including you. Your obsessions may have led to the demise of our race. Don’t you get that?”
“My blood, dad-you’re as bad as everyone else; over dramatizing. You know as well as I do, there is no way this rebellion can be successful, we’re just too superior. We’re the master race and you know it. You didn’t answer my question.”
Fleck shook his head. “I can’t see this not working. I wouldn’t do it, otherwise. You know that, right?”
Elsie glanced over and appeazingly smiled. “Yes, I know dad.” Elsie’s steady stare managed to change the subject back to the business at hand.
“The security measures are pretty slack. There has never been a need to be on guard for anything. This is a sample collection trip so the pod will be empty on the way, except for Drake. The passenger area is comfortable and secure. I don’t even want to know about Drake’s final feed.”
“Don’t worry about that, you have enough responsibility already. I’ll meet you in your office at 2, right?”
“Yes, 2 sharp. Remember the express lift takes an hour and 20 minutes to reach the top of the dome. Don’t stress me out any more than I already am by being late.”
Elsie smiled. “Okay, thanks dad-I really appreciate this.” Elsie gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Fleck fought back a tear, exited quickly and realized he would do anything for his little girl. As he walked to his car his thoughts went to his part in what may possibly be the demise of their great race and how unfair it was, the only Vampire to survive may be the one who started the entire thing.
***
Elsie walked into the hotel and nodded to the ever present Genn and Lang. Genn’s frame engulfed the chair he chose to doze in.
Lang nodded in return. “What’s she up to, Genn? She knows that we can arrest Ulah in another 36 hours, yet she openly flaunts him in front of us now. What has changed? She’s got something up her sleeve.” Lang looked over at Genn. “Hey, come on! You’re the one who was so gung ho to complete the job. Wake up.”
Genn groaned, stretched, straightened up and with greatest effort, cracked open his eyelids. “I agree but what?”
“It’s got to have something to do with the plan Fleck told us about. You know, the one that would put an end to Ulah’s rampage. Whatever it is, it’s got to happen in the next 36 hours. And whatever it is, Ulah must have just recently agreed to it.”
“Well, all I know is, in another 36 hours, I get to arrest that sack of shit for 44 murders, and I can’t wait.” Genn rubbed his big hands together.
Lang’s mouth tightened. “Let’s just hope he’s around to arrest by then.”
“Where’s he going to go? If he’s still active, he’s easy to track. We’ve got him.” Genn leaned back and closed his eyes again.
“No, Elsie’s up to something,” Lang said emphatically.
***
Elsie smiled to herself on her way up to Drake’s room. She felt good about being back in control of the situation again, when for so long it all felt out of control. She sat down with Drake in his room to discuss plans for the day.
“Now what about your final feed before the trip?”
“I was just going to go out and do what I usually do.” Drake said as he relaxed comfortably in a chair.
“Let me arrange your last feed for you,” Elsie said.
Drake noticed the serious look and perked up in his seat. “What have you got up your sleeve, Elsie?”
Elsie smiled mischievously. “Just let me take care of it-you’ll get your meal, don’t worry.”
Drake settled back into his chair. “Okay, you’re the caterer.”
“Oh, she’ll satisfy your hunger…and mine, too.”
Drake crinkled his brow. “She can’t be human…and it has to be a female.” His look turned to distaste, the foul taste of Grimshaw seared into his memory.
“I know that.”
“Okay. I’m very curious,” Drake said, putting his feet on the table.
Elsie picked up the room phone and threw her hair back. “Could you please send a messenger up to room 223-right away please.”
“Very curious,” Drake said, studying the grave look on Elsie’s face.
Elsie changed the subject away from her scheming. “My father says the journey won’t be too long for you; about two days. So you’ll need to find blood as soon as you arrive. The shuttle is always landed in a not too populated area so as not to raise too much attention, but close enough to be able to pick up a specimen. All you need to do is exit the craft as soon as you arrive and the door opens. Whatever you do, don’t go back into the space craft, or the doors will slam shut and you’ll be on your way back home.”
“So, the indigenous, intelligent species of this planet is still dumb enough to walk into the ship and get trapped?”
“They’re a very inquisitive race. And quite prolific. And an excellent source of the nutrients required by a Vampire. They are very much like our blood source here…but don’t let that stop you from feeding-they are an alien species, and a perfect natural substitute for you, who won’t feed from a human. But that will change as time goes on, I’m sure of it.”
A knock at the door interrupted Drake’s annoyed gaze, and Elsie sprang to her feet.
Elsie spoke in a hushed tone, but the male messenger’s voice was loud and clear.
“Sure no problem, Maam. One extra large and one small, just like the people,” he chuckled at his small joke. “How do they take them?”
Drake strained to hear but Elsie’s voice was too soft.
“No problem Maam. And thank you very much!”
The young Vampire walked away beaming as he carefully tucked a one-hundred dollar bill into his pocket.
***
Lang looked at her watch and peeked over to where Genn slouched like a lump. His eyelids flickered as he fought to keep them open.
Lang shook her head. A young man dressed in a hotel uniform walked their way with a bag in hand, looking right into Lang’s eyes, his face bright.
Soon he was upon her and in a loud clear voice. “Good morning. Management has sent over two complimentary coffees and a small snack. I hope you enjoy them.”
Genn perked right up.
“Thank you. And thank the management,” Lang said.
The messenger walked away as Genn rifled through the bag.
“That was nice of them, and very timely; I’m having trouble staying awake, too,” Lang admitted.
“Here, this one must be for you,” Genn said as he handed Lang the small coffee.
Genn hoisted out what appeared to be a small bucket of coffee. Just the smell of it perked him up.
Lang’s eyes opened wide. “Bloodless hell. That thing should keep you awake. There must be 10 of these in one of those. Is there cream and sugar in there? And yes, you can have my snack.”
That completed the full pull for Genn and he sat back to enjoy.
Lang hugged her cup, savoring its warmth and sipped occasionally while Genn scarfed and slurped. About 15 minutes later Elsie emerged from the lift and made her way to the customer service counter.
“What’s she up to?” Lang said softly and Genn washed down his sweet snack with a few gulps of warm coffee.
Elsie’s eyes wandered over to the detectives constantly, even as she talked to the hotel employee.
Genn finished his massive coffee and settled back in his chair once again. After a few minutes he began to fidget and get restless. Lang was too intent on keeping an eye on Elsie to pay much notice to her partner’s ever increasing discomfort.
“I have to hit the washroom, quickly,” Genn announced.
Lang felt a stab of anxiety and looked annoyed. “Hurry up.”
Elsie abruptly walked away from the service desk and disappeared behind an ornamental tree. She pulled out her phone and quickly dialed.
Lang stood up. Moments later she saw Drake emerge from the stairwell and rendezvous with Elsie. “Bloodless hell!” She looked over to the washroom area-no sign of Genn. Drake and Elsie were out the front door.