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Across the street near a police cruiser, Omar spotted Frank chomping away on a fat cigar. As Omar began to cross the street, Frank tossed it away over his shoulder.
“Frank,” he greeted and waited.
“You know you shouldn’t be here. I was first on the scene.”
“Well, I got to her first. After what she went through tonight, she needed a friendly face and assurance that every cop is not out to get her.”
“Everything about that woman is personal to you. You need to step back.”
“Did you know about this, Frank?”
“Of course, I didn’t know about this! You think I want that woman to die?”
“That’s the hell of it, Frank. I have no idea what to think you want anymore.”
“Well, how about I just tell you?”
“Don’t matter since we aren’t partners anymore.”
“You really need to step away from that witch, son. Stay away from that threesome.”
“It’s not like that. Velvet is a free agent.”
“Son,” Frank began, then took a quick moment. “Those vampires are crazy. They can’t help themselves because she did something.”
“Jerome told you that?”
“As a matter of fact, he did. And considering all that sick behavior, I believe it.”
“So what if she did? Am I supposed to abandon her?”
“You’re out of your league. You got lucky once with Jerome, it won’t happen again. Look at his mess!” Frank walked to the middle of the street where bodies still lay where they fell. “Humans ain’t got any business in the middle of this sort of activity!”
“It’s too late. I’m involved.”
“Omar.”
“Frank, if there’s something you know, tell me.”
Frank shoved his hands in his pants pockets and joined him back at the cruiser and asked, “Why the hell you tell Buster Zennith she was your friend?”
“Because she is, and he was insulting her left and right.”
“Jerome wants to kill you. He hasn’t so far because Buster frowns on the killing of cops. But the way Jerome is now, I don’t think he cares what Buster frowns on. And there is something else. I didn’t want to tell you about the woman’s moral character, but you should know this.”
“I don’t care to hear gossip or whispers about a woman’s past.”
“Well, I’m going to give you an earful anyway. You know that wolf man she’s always fighting, and killed one of his people?”
“You mean that wolf man Jerome was compelling?”
“Yeah, him. She fucked him! She fucked an animal!”
“He’s a man, Frank! Why are you acting so ignorant?”
“Fine, he’s a man! She bewitched him when he was vulnerable, right after his wife was murdered. And you know why she did it? Just to stick it to Jerome.”
“Damn, Frank.”
“Now, you see why things are out of hand around here? She’s a slut, Omar! She likes fucking creeps, especially the ones Jerome wants!”
“Watch that shit, Frank! I know you think I’m stupid and that you need to set me straight, but you watch what you say about her!”
“Omar, don’t risk your career or your life for a woman that won’t even go out to see a movie with you. Get in your car and don’t come back to this place.”
“You get out of here, Frank.”
“Omar, you think about what I said real hard. You don’t belong in that world. Oh damn, speak of the devil,” he grunted and hurried back to his car.
“Did I spook him?” Velvet asked, stepping up to the curb.
“Did the immortal get picked up?” He’d seen the ambulance arrive at the back of the house. Didn’t take them long to whiz him away. “Where’s the Madison Clinic? I never heard of it.”
“Here in Fairlight, on Gloster Street.”
“Who runs it?”
“Doctor Allen Madison.”
“Allen Madison? Wasn’t he banned from every hospital in the state a long time ago? Heard he was a real live Doctor Frankenstein.”
“Despite all that he still has a license to practice medicine and surgery, thanks to the continued support of the Council, the Coven, and the Brotherhood. Doctor Madison and the clinic are about the only projects we all can agree on.”
“Wow, you folks got a whole other world going on in this city.”
“You don’t like it?”
“No, Velvet, I don’t. I’ve lived here all my life, but it’s just recently that I’m waking up to a lot more than I wanted to know.”
“Then go back to sleep, Omar.”
“Can’t do that, not now.”
“Is something specific bothering you?” Omar followed her glance the distance down the street where Frank took to his car. He was sitting there watching them, having a smoke. “I suppose he had a lot to tell you.”
“Yeah, he really laid something on me.”
“The mayor giving you trouble?”
“Of course, he is, but that’s not it. He said some stuff about you. Said I should get away from you and out of this world. This world, I can do without easily enough, that is, if you weren’t in it. You know that I really like you. For a minute, I thought you were digging me too.” She quietly stared back not reacting to his speech at all. “When I was sending you flowers and begging you for a date, did you sleep with Troy Tanaka? Is he the reason you won’t give me a chance?”
“I told you we weren’t happening. What does who I might have slept with have to do with you?”
“Look, I’m putting my career on the line here for you. I think I deserve a direct answer. Are you so involved that you are going to keep seeing him and not give me the time of day?”
“I’m not seeing him anymore. But it’s not because I don’t want to. The Brotherhood made him choose between me or the pack.”
“He chose the pack.” He saw the hurt she was trying to disguise with indifference.“You really like him that much?”
“Yeah.”
“You aren’t going to fight for him?”
“He made his choice.”
“What should I do, Velvet? Should I get out of here, or can I stay by your side?”
“I think you should listen to Frank. Right, now there isn’t a reason for you to be around me.”
“I can think of a few reasons.”
“Okay, then I’ll give you three reasons not to. Jerome, Wilder and Rankin. Be smart like Troy and step away.”
“Velvet, I’m not the type to walk away because things get a bit confused or suddenly turn serious. Don’t judge me by these other guys around you.”
“I’m not judging you. I’m warning you about the risks of associating with me. Anyway, I just came out here to apologize for my attitude in the house. I know, you mean to do your job.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Also I’m sorry I lead you on. I didn’t mean to change directions like that. It just happened.”
“I’m not holding anything against you.”
“Why not? Why do you always act like everything is cool? I know you have to be angry with me.”
“What I am is disappointed. You gave me a chance and I blew it. I let you down that day you blocked the sun, I know that. I also know I’m not the only one that’s disappointed you. ” He reached out and took her hand. Encouraged at her not withdrawing from his touch, he move up on her. “And I haven’t ever hurt you, have I?”
“No, you haven’t.” She gave him a small smile. “You’ve been a good friend.”
“That’s all I want, Vee.”
“Omar, we both know that isn’t true.”
“I mean, I want to stay friends. I know I’ll get another chance and sooner than you might think.”
“You shouldn’t count on that. Whatever, Frank Mosby told you-”
“Don’t mean a thing.”
“You need to turn your back on me. You don’t belong in this world.” She pulled her hand back and stepped into the street. “Leave and don’t come back.”
“My world is wherever I want to be. Fairlight belongs to me too.”
“I’m not going to let you get hurt because of me,” she said over her shoulder. “Good bye, Omar.”
“Velvet, everything isn’t your choice.”
“In this case, it is.”
He watched her cross the street, negotiating around the dead bodies. When she reached her mailbox, the vampire appeared on the porch. His shining eyes were upon him. Velvet accepted his touch at the small of her back, and let him lead her protectively inside her own home.
“You are wrong, Velvet,” he whispered. “You need me. Why can’t you see it?” He put his head back and looked up to the moonless sky. How long was he supposed to wait? He heard a car door slam and sighed.
“You gonna leave this mess alone now?” Frank asked. He had an open flask, and took a long swig from it.
“Frank- just don’t right now.”
“You okay?”
“Do, I look okay, Frank?”
“It’ll be fine.” He offered the flask to Omar. “Time heals all wounds.”
“Yeah?” Omar turned the flask up and took a good swallow of rum, and then another.
“Yeah,” Frank said. “That’s what I heard.”