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Damian was leaning against the bar drinking coffee as the detectives walked into the club. “I told Miss Bellerose the police should be by anytime,” he said, setting his coffee down.
“I didn’t see you at the crime scene,” observed Maria.
Nate looked over at Damian and tried not to smile. “I’m guessing he got word from someone at the department,” he said, looking back at Maria.
Damian picked up his coffee and walked over to the detectives. “I heard the killer left a new calling card besides the rose. And Miss Bellerose is the only Selina I know connected to the case.”
“Miss Bellerose,” Maria said, turning towards Selina, “do you have any idea why someone would leave your name in blood next to our murder victim?”
“No,” Selina replied, shaking her head. “And I don’t know why anyone would want to kill these young women. Do you have any idea who is behind this?” she asked, turning from Maria to Nate.
“As I was just explaining to Miss Bellerose,” Damian said, taking a sip of coffee, “we were looking into the idea that her club was a convenient place to dump the first body. The killer might be trying to throw suspicion away from himself and onto her club...and now her.”
Selina walked over to the bar. “I’m sorry, would either of you like some coffee?” she asked, looking from Maria to Nate.
“I’d like some,” Nate said. Glancing over and seeing Maria’s look, he added, “I mean, I appreciate the offer, but we have to get back to the crime scene.”
“Miss Bellerose,” Maria said, taking a few steps towards Selina, “for whatever reason, the killer seems to be fixated on you and your club. I would encourage you to consider asking for police protection until we apprehend him or her.” She looked over at Damian. “We’re following every lead and it will only be a matter of time until we catch this killer.”
Selina walked over to Maria. “Detective, I appreciate your concern, but I am going home to Port Townsend today. The club will remain closed and my staff with continue to stay in Portland until this murderer is stopped.” She looked at Nate. “I know you’re all doing everything you can.”
“Are you going to Port Townsend by yourself?” Maria glanced at Damian. “I could notify the local police and request they send someone out to check on you.”
“Thank you, Detective, but I will only be there tonight,” Selina replied. “Tomorrow, I’ve agreed to go with Mr. Salvadori. He wants to see if I can shed any light on the cases he’s been working on in Europe.”
“You plan to leave the country?” Maria asked, surprised. “I don’t know if we can allow that.”
“I’ve got my superior talking to yours as we speak,” Damian said. “She thinks Miss Bellerose would be helpful, and she wants her on a plane tomorrow. The paperwork should be ready in a few hours.”
Maria nodded. “Then, there’s not much more to say.” She looked over at Selina. “We’ll let you know if we have any further questions for you.” Maria tried to hide her irritation and turned to Nate. “We should get back and check on forensics.”
Nate looked from Damian to Selina. “Hope you find something that will help,” he said as he turned and followed Maria over to the stairs.
Selina walked up with them to unlock the door, then locked it again. When she came back down, she asked, “Are you ready?”
“We might as well get this over with,” Damian replied, setting down his coffee. He walked up and put his arms around her. “We don’t have to do this,” he added, hugging her to him.
After a moment, she let go and looked up at him. “I don’t think we have a choice.”
“You know I don’t like this, Carina,” he said, kissing her cheek. “But I will support you, no matter what you decide.” He reached down and took her hand, kissing her wrist.
“Thank you,” Selina said, holding his hand as they walked over to the front stairway and up to the main doors. He watched her as she unlocked the doors and swung them open...right into the middle of a media circus.
The press had been arriving over the last half hour, but they’d been told by the patrol officers not to go into the alley. It was still considered a crime scene. Or rather two crime scenes. Madison MacDowell looked over at the competition wondering if her sources were correct. They had sworn to her that the owner of Luna’s, Miss Selina Bellerose, was still inside. They’d been watching the place for the past hour, posing as street people and they’d seen the detectives enter and leave through the back entrance.
As she stood there, talking to her cameraman about the best angle for the shot, the front doors suddenly opened. A beautiful woman with long brown hair stepped out of the club. She was wearing a long, lacy black dress and she was followed by a tall man, who Madison figured was a cop of some sort.
“Miss Bellerose,” Madison said, running up, “do you have any comment on the victim found this morning? We understand your name was written in blood next to the body.”
The man stepped forward, getting between Selina and the press. “My name is Damian Salvadori, Interpol,” he said, glaring at the cameraman, who took a step back. “Miss Bellerose would like to make a statement.”
Damian took a step to the side, allowing the cameras to film Selina. “I want to make it clear,” she began, “that I have no idea why two bodies have been left behind my club. I also want to say that until this killer is caught, the club will remain closed, and I am returning to my home in Port Townsend.” She took a breath and looked at the reporters. “I have no idea why anyone would write the name Selina next to the latest victim.”
As she paused, the reporters started yelling questions. “Quiet down,” Damian warned, stepping forward. “Interpol has asked Miss Bellerose to come to Europe to help us with our investigation into some similar murders over the past year.” He looked into the camera, adding, “We appreciate her assistance in this matter. She will not be granting any further interviews at this time and will be leaving in the morning.”
As the crowd started yelling, Selina turned and went back into the club. Damian held the door for her, then followed her in. When she locked the doors, he took her hand. “We have set the trap,” he said. “Now, we’ll see if the killer follows us to Port Townsend.”
They took their suitcases out to the Maserati and got in, driving past the media and heading for the ferry. They hoped anyone watching would believe they were leaving for Europe the next day.
“It’s nice to be on the road,” Selina said, looking out the window at the clouds as they drove towards Port Townsend.
Damian took her hand. “If this doesn’t work, we really could go to Europe,” he offered. “And send for your girls to join us,” he added, anticipating her concern.
“Is that why you called your supervisor and asked her to send the paperwork?” Selina asked. “I thought you were just being thorough in case the detectives checked on your story.”
“Both,” Damian admitted, pulling over to the side of the road. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. Say the word, and we’ll turn around right now and go to the airport.”
“Oh, Cheri,” Selina said, putting her hand on his cheek. “I must admit a part of me would love to go with you. Leave all this behind and fly to Paris for a week” she smiled, “or any city with a nice hotel and room service.” She paused. “But at the end of that week, I would have to come home. And who knows what the killer would do while we were gone?”
Damian wanted to take her with him. Go to a city, lose themselves in each other and forget everything else. But he knew she was right. “You are so brave as well as beautiful, Cara Mia,” he said, taking her hand. “We will stop this monster, and then we will revisit the idea of spending a week in bed.” He smiled as he pulled back onto the road to Port Townsend.
The killer turned up the volume on the television, seeing Selina and that werewolf, who posed as an Interpol agent. How could she be so stupid? She was wasting herself on that half human when it was obvious that she should be with him. But that wasn’t what he wanted...not anymore. He wanted to make her pay. He was going to need a car, he thought as he stood up and turned off the television.
Damian and Selina pulled up to her large Victorian home and took their suitcases out of the car. Damian glanced around, not seeing any of Diana’s associates as he stepped up to the porch and followed Selina into the house.
“I don’t think Diana and her friends are here yet,” Damian observed, walking into the parlor.
“I’m going to call the girls,” Selina said, heading for the kitchen. “Do you want some coffee?”
“Good idea,” Damian replied, walking back to the window.
A few minutes later, Selina came into the parlor with two cups of coffee. “The girls are fine.”
“Still no sign of Diana,” Damian said, taking one of the cups. “Maybe we should go over the plan again.”
“Very well,” Selina replied. “We decided Diana would be inside with us while her associates watch the house.” She walked over to the window, taking a sip of coffee. “They’ll wait outside until the vampire shows up. We stay near the windows, so he can see us and once he makes his move, they will deal with him.” She still wasn’t entirely comfortable with this part, but she knew Diana would never allow him to be taken to the authorities. It was too risky for all of them.
Damian, seeming to read her mind, set his coffee down and walked over, taking her hand. “Diana is right,” he reminded her. “I would take care of him myself, but she was adamant that they deal with the rogue vampire in their own way.”
Selina nodded. “I know.”
Damian kissed her hand. “Carina, if we take him to the police, it could expose all of you.” He paused. “Even your girls.”
“I know,” Selina repeated. She squeezed his hand, adding, “You’re right. We have no choice.”
Damian looked at his watch, then glanced outside. “It’s going to be dusk soon. Diana should be here by now.”
Diana was pacing back and forth, waiting for the repair truck. She couldn’t believe their limousine had broken down thirty miles from Port Townsend. She tried her cell phone again, but there was still no reception.
“What is taking so long?” she demanded, walking up to their driver.
“I don’t know,” he replied, glancing over at the other passengers, who were starting to give him the creeps. “Look lady, I don’t have any control over the car. If you’re in that much of a hurry, you could hitch a ride into town.”
“Hitch a ride?” Diana repeated, raising her eyebrows. “That’s the excellence in service your company advertises?” She turned and walked over to Charlotte, saying, “Stop the next car you see.”
Charlotte smiled and walked over to the side of the road. She waited until the next vehicle, a pickup truck, came into view. Taking her time, she slowly pulled her skirt above her knee and started rolling down her stocking. The man driving the pickup slammed on his brakes and came to a stop.
“Miss, is there anything I can do for you?” he asked, getting out of the truck. As he walked around, Charlotte replied, “Yes, you can give me your keys.” She smiled, adding, “Or you can give them to him.”
Giovanni walked up and gave the man an unpleasant look. “I have a hundred dollars, and I need to borrow your truck.” As he came closer, the man took a step back. “I suggest you take the money,” Giovanni said, grabbing the keys and stuffing the bills into the man’s hand.
“Don’t worry,” Charlotte said, walking past the man and running a finger along his arm. “Our driver will give you a ride into town when our limo is fixed. Sorry, I can’t stay and chat. I’m sure we’d have a lot of fun, but I’m working today.”
The man smiled at her, then at Diana, who walked over and got into the cab. “You ladies can take the truck,” he said. “You’re the finest looking women I’ve seen in a long time.” The rest of the group jumped into the back of the pickup, then Giovanni hit the gas and they took off.
The driver walked over to the limo and smiled at the driver. “Looks like we might be here for a while. Got any beer?”
The limo driver shook his head and got back in the car.
He’d found a vehicle easily enough and had gotten across on the ferry with no problem. As he drove up the road to Port Townsend, he thought about what he would do to her. How could she not realize that he’d gone through all this for her? He needed to show her that she was just as responsible for these deaths as he was.
As he drove by a limousine that was parked on the side of the road, he shook his head. No guarantees in life, he thought to himself. He’d learned that lesson the hard way. He kept driving and eventually got to the town. Well, he was here, but how to find her house? Then, he had an idea.
It was almost dusk when he pulled up to the convenience store. There were two customers inside, so he waited until they left, then got out of the car and walked into the store. He smiled when he saw the young woman behind the counter.
“Excuse me,” he said, walking up to her. “Do you know where Selina Bellerose lives?” He looked her up and down, then added, “She probably has a big house somewhere secluded.”
The young woman stared at him for a moment, then asked, “Why do you want to know?”
“I’m with Interpol,” he replied, “and I’m supposed to meet her at her home, but I seem to have lost the address.”
The young woman shook her head. “No way,” she said, “you’re not with Interpol...try again.”
His eyes seemed to turn almost golden. “You will tell me,” he said, walking around the counter. “They always do.”
“I...I...don’t,” she said looking into his eyes, then stopped talking.
He walked up and touched her cheek. “Where does she live?” he asked again.
“Follow this road for about a mile until you see a turnoff on the right,” she said quietly. “Her house is the big Victorian with all the gardens. You’ll see the roof from the road.”
“Very good,” he said, running a finger along her neck. “I’m going to enjoy this. I wish I could say you will, too...but I hate to lie.”
He leaned over, his mouth just a few inches from her neck. He could feel the pull of her pulse just below the skin. Suddenly, the bell over the front door rang as someone walked in. He turned his head and saw three men moving towards the coolers. He hissed and spun around, walking to the door. The last thing he heard was one of the men saying, “Hey, Zoe, are you okay?”
He got into the car and pulled out of the parking lot, taking a right and following the road. He’d be at her house in a few minutes, and then he would finish this once and for all.
Selina was starting to pace. “What if something happened?” she asked, looking over at Damian. The third cup of coffee had done nothing to help her nerves. The light was fading. It would soon be dark, but still no sign of Diana.
“I’m sure she’ll be here,” Damian replied. “This was her plan, and she seems determined to catch the killer.”
“I don’t think she’d leave us here alone,” Selina said. “At least, not on purpose.”
She started to say something else when they saw a pickup speed down the drive and stop at the bottom of the steps. Diana got out and said something, then the truck pulled off and swung behind the carriage house.
“Finally,” Selina said, sighing with relief. She opened the door and Diana stopped at the threshold. “Won’t you come in?” Selina asked with a small smile.
“So, this is your home,” Diana said, walking in. She smiled. “It suits you, Cherie. You and the girls.” She glanced over at Damian. “Sorry we’re late, we had limousine trouble.”
“I’m just glad you’re here,” Damian replied. “I was about to suggest that we leave and come up with another plan.”
“Would you like something to drink?” Selina asked, looking at Diana.
“I’d like a large glass of merlot,” she replied, “but coffee is probably a better choice.”
Selina nodded. “Let’s go into the kitchen, and I’ll get you some.”
Damian looked out the window, watching the vampires position themselves around the house. Now, it was just a matter of waiting and hoping that this rogue vampire showed up. He turned and went into the kitchen, deciding another cup of coffee might be a good idea. It could be a long night, and he planned to stay close to Selina until this vampire was caught.
He’d left the car behind some shrubs just past the turnoff and was now walking back along the edge of the road. He kept to the shadows as he moved towards the large Victorian house. This must be the one, he thought, working his way down the lane. As he approached what looked like a carriage house, he saw several men gathered around a truck. An attractive brunette was saying something he couldn’t hear, and then the men fanned out around the house. He recognized two of them from his fight in the Underground City.
So, this was a trap, he thought to himself. At least, he knew what to expect. He considered going back to the car, maybe driving to Seattle...but would she still be here tomorrow? He decided to finish the job tonight. He’d waited long enough to tell her. He didn’t want to wait any longer.