Red Sunset Drive, page 16
Michael took her hand and led her to the sofa. “Here, sit next to me. Tell me how you like the new job.”
“It’s going okay. It’s hard adjusting to a new place. I really miss you and Brett.”
As if on cue, Brett walked into the room. His thick, wet hair was combed back off his face. A dark green T-shirt was molded to his chest. Brett came to a sudden stop upon spotting Lisa in the room.
Lisa jerked to her feet. “Brett!” Her voice contained a breathless quality.
Brett took a step forward before abruptly stopping. “Lisa, what are you doing here?”
“For heaven’s sake, give her a kiss,” Michael ordered.
Lisa’s face turned a deep shade of red. Brett stuttered like a schoolboy.
Dragos pitied Brett. His friend obviously didn’t need an audience for his reunion with the young woman. “Excuse me. I believe I will take my leave,” he stated. He stiffened when the doorbell rang a second time.
Michael’s eyes twinkled. “I wonder who that is?”
Dragos growled, casting Michael an irritated look. He flung open the door. Candy pressed a quick kiss on his cheek as she breezed by him.
“Hi guys. I’m ready to work. What are we doing?” Candy tossed her coat and purse onto the sofa. Hands on her hips, she whipped around and gasped.
“Lisa, are you back for good?” She grabbed Lisa and hugged her.
Lisa grinned and returned the hug. “I’m not sure. Are you still doing the PI stuff?”
“Yes, I love it. Now that I get to actually work a case with Brett, I’m really excited.”
All eyes in the room riveted on Brett.
“Uh, well, that might have changed,” Brett mumbled.
Candy turned to look at Dragos. “But I thought I was going to help you guys?”
Dragos felt his frustration melt under Candy’s confused gaze. “Brett and I were just discussing things before you arrived.”
Lisa cast a strange look at Brett. Something was going on that Dragos didn’t understand. It seemed odd that Candy wasn’t looking at or acknowledging Michael. Michael remained perched on the edge of the sofa, a gleeful grin splayed across his face.
Lisa turned to Brett. “Well, that’s kind of why I am here. I heard about the murders. I was worried about you. I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“Well, I’m fine,” grumbled Brett, avoiding eye contact with Lisa. “Don’t worry about us when you go back to Saint Louis.”
Lisa stiffened as if Brett had slapped her.
Brett’s lips tightened into a thin line. He abruptly turned on his heel and left the rest of them standing in the front room.
Lisa stormed after him. Michael zapped out of the room. Dragos glanced at Candy and shrugged.
“I don’t know about you, but I’d like to know what is going on. Shall we join them?”
30
Brett leaned over the kitchen sink with his arms braced on the counter. What was Lisa doing here? They hadn’t spoken in weeks. She hadn’t even taken the time to return his calls. She’d left him for a damn job.
Every memory of them together came rushing back. How could he forget how beautiful she was? Eyes squeezed shut, he tried to block out the image of her standing before him.
A hand touched his shoulder. His body shuddered. Lisa! He had memorized her touch—her smell. He hadn’t forgotten anything about her, although he’d tried. If he turned, he would take her in his arms and kiss her as he longed to do, never letting go again.
His throat tightened. “Why are you here, Lisa?” His voice was barely a whisper.
“I had to make sure you were okay. When I heard about the murders, I couldn’t help but think about what happened last year.”
Slowly, he turned. He fixed a hard gaze on her face. “Why didn’t you call me back? Your mother told me that you took the job in Saint Louis. You didn’t have the common courtesy to tell me or even send me a text message.”
Lisa flinched.
“You know why. I couldn’t. I had to see if I could start over … without you.” Unshed tears filled her eyes.
He willed himself to ignore his emotions. He had erected a wall around his heart when she left. He wasn’t ready to tear that wall down until he knew what she wanted.
Someone cleared his throat. Brett blinked to clear his burning eyes. Everyone stood in the doorway, staring at the two of them. No one seemed to know what to do. He gripped Lisa’s arm.
“Damn, guys, give us some privacy.”
After the room cleared, he sat down across the room. “So what did you discover? Was it easy to start over?”
Her head lowered. “No, I want …” Her voice faded away.
Silence filled the air. Brett slid from the chair to stand in front of Lisa. With a finger under her chin, he gently tilted her head upward. He studied her crestfallen face.
“What do you want, Lisa?” he whispered.
She wet her lips, watching him. “I want you. I want us back the way we were.”
Shaken, he stepped back. His hands fell to his side. “It may be too late for that. You crushed me when you chose your job over me.”
She grabbed his hand. “I thought I knew what I wanted, but I was wrong. Can’t you give us a chance?”
He slipped out of her grip and turned his back. What does she expect? He’d gotten over the pain of her leaving. Could he trust her not to leave for another job? He’d be opening up his heart again. Was he willing to do that?
He couldn’t make a decision now. It was too sudden. “I don’t know what I want, Lisa. I don’t want to go through a breakup again.”
Lisa wiped the tears from her cheeks. “What does that mean?”
He sighed. “We’ll take it a day at a time and see what happens.”
She flashed a timid smile
“When do you have to go back to Missouri?
“I don’t. I quit my job yesterday.”
His mind raced. What does that mean? Is she serious about fixing the relationship?
He nodded. “Okay then.”
With a deep breath, Brett hollered to the people in the other room. “Hey, guys. C’mon; let’s go.” He turned to Lisa. “You might as well join us.”
After everyone returned and was seated, Brett studied each of them. He hesitated when he got to Candy.
“Candy, you are one of my best friends and a great investigator, but I need to ask you to leave. You do not want to be involved in what we’re doing.”
Her blue eyes narrowed before she snapped, “Brett, you know me better than that. I’m here to help no matter what.”
Brett shook his head. “Trust me; you need to stay out of this. It will be too dangerous.”
Dragos draped an arm about her shoulder. “I can protect her.”
“Can you? She doesn’t even know who you are.” Brett stared at Dragos, hoping he’d take the hint.
“Of course I know him. I can take orders and get things done. I’m the best investigator in Des Moines, and you know it.” Candy rose with her hands on her hips.
Dragos pulled her back down in the chair and gripped her hand.
“I’m serious. I think you’d better leave. Your involvement will get you hurt—or worse, killed. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Candy’s face crumpled. Dragos leapt to his feet, looking as though he wanted to punch Brett. Michael jumped up and stood next to Brett.
“Everybody calm down. Lisa was able to help us with the case last year, so why can’t Candy help?” Michael argued.
Candy stared at Michael. “Wait! How … who are you? How did he get in the house? Brett?”
No one spoke. It was as if they were afraid to speak.
Candy’s head turned to each of them. “What’s wrong?” Her body trembled.
“You can see Michael?” Brett asked.
“Of course I can,” she snapped. “I’m not blind.”
Michael flashed him a smug look and sat down. Leave it to Michael to add fuel to the fire. Brett wanted to throttle the ghost—not that it would do any good.
“Candy, meet my great-grandfather, Michael O’Shea.”
Her laughter echoed around room but quickly faded.
“Quit teasing. Now, who is he?” An uncertain look flashed across her face.
Everyone nodded when she glanced at them.
Michael tipped his fedora and smiled. “Pleased to meet you, young lady. I’ve seen you before, but unfortunately, I couldn’t talk to you.”
Candy’s body went limp. Dragos grabbed her before she hit the floor.
Dragos fanned Candy’s pale face. “But you died years ago. Brett told me you died.”
When her eyes rolled back in her head, Dragos pulled her onto his lap. He gently smoothed the red curls from her face.
Lisa jumped up and pulled a washcloth from a drawer. She wet it with cold water and placed it on her brow. “Brett, can you get Candy something to drink?”
Glad to have something to keep his mind off killing Michael, he nodded.
Dragos held the glass to her lips. He murmured something in her ear that brought some color back to her cheeks.
Michael tapped his fingers on the table. “So are we ready to discuss business?”
Brett punched Michael’s shoulder, glad his ancestor had a corporeal body at that second.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“Shut up,” Brett snapped. “You’ve caused enough trouble tonight.”
“It’s better to air all of our dirty laundry tonight if we’re all going to work together,” Michael argued.
Brett lowered his head to his chest. Shit! Can it get any more confusing? Lisa grabbed his hand beneath the table and squeezed. She knew him too well. Tension drained from him as he squeezed back.
Candy straightened on Dragos’s lap. In a low voice, she attempted a smile. “It’s okay. He’s right. I want to understand.”
Michael rubbed his hands together. “Now we’re getting somewhere. Candy, I’m not trying to upset or scare you. We’re up against a paranormal killer. Can you handle that?”
Candy trembled. “Paranormal? Like what? Ghosts? Vampires?”
Dragos jerked, nearly tossing Candy off his lap. Michael bit back a smile.
“Not ghosts. Although I’m probably the first ghost you’ve talked to.”
Candy stared at him, as if wanting confirmation. He nodded.
“A ghost?”
Michael smiled. “Watch this.”
Michael disappeared and then reappeared behind Dragos. He leaned over and tapped Candy on the shoulder.
“Damn it! How did you do that?”
Dragos growled. “Quit scaring her, or you will deal with me.”
Michael flashed two fingers in the sign of a cross at Dragos. “I never asked why I can appear or disappear or turn into a solid mass. All I know is that it is very handy. It’s one of the mysteries of life. Now, I think Dragos has something to tell you.”
All heads swiveled to look at Dragos.
“You’re a dead man,” Dragos hissed.
“Michael! Stop causing trouble,” Brett muttered.
Lisa and Candy continued to stare at Dragos.
Brett wanted to protect Candy. He wasn’t sure if she could take another shock—especially one regarding a man she seemed to care for.
“For Candy’s sake, I need to explain what we dealt with last year. If you remember, there were several murders last year.”
Candy nodded. “People were afraid to go out at night. Everyone was petrified.”
“That’s right. Like you, I didn’t believe ghosts were real. When Michael showed up, I was freaked out. Bottom line: with Michael’s help, we were able to catch the killer.”
“I remember seeing something on the news one night, but didn’t the killer escape from jail?” Candy met Brett’s gaze.
Brett rose from his chair and walked over to lean his back against the counter. “Yeah, he escaped, but we got him. He’s never coming back.”
“Really? I never did hear what happened on that case.” Candy looked at the group
“It’s because those of us working the case decided to keep it from the public.”
Candy stiffened. “Why would you do that?”
“Because if the public knew the truth, there would be mass panic.”
Candy jerked from Dragos’s lap. Her hand clutched her throat. “What are you trying to tell me, Brett?”
“The killer was a man possessed by a demon—a demon that morphed into the scariest creature I’ve ever seen.”
Michael shook his head. “Damn ugly thing. Almost killed Brett and Anders.
“Yeah, and Michael almost killed all of us by burning down the house.”
Michael waved his hand. “Quit complaining. I saved your life, Lisa’s, and Anders’s.”
Candy threw the wet rag at Michael’s head. “Please quit interrupting Brett. So Chief Anders knows what happened?”
“He does. Very few people can see Michael. For whatever reason, you can see and talk to him now. Candy, no one wanted to believe the killer was really a demon. But when he morphed into a creature right in front of me, I had to believe it. It scared the hell out of me.”
Lisa took hold of Candy’s hand. “Brett is telling you the truth. I was there the night it almost killed all of us. Michael and his backup saved our asses.”
Candy was as pale as Michael. Her lower lip trembled. “You guys are serious, aren’t you?”
“Deadly serious,” Brett added. “That is why I don’t want you involved. Your life would be in danger.”
Candy studied each of them. “And so would yours. I won’t change my mind.”
“My darling, why don’t we talk about it later?” Dragos draped an arm around Candy.
Candy laid her palm against Dragos’s cheek. “Sweetie, you’re not going to change my mind. I’m doing it.”
Dragos leaned against her shoulder. In a muffled voice, he rasped, “I need to tell you one more thing. If you never want to see me again, I understand.”
Dragos raised a finger and gently turned Candy’s head. His dark eyes searched her face. “I’m a vampire,” he whispered.
Lisa screamed and ran to Brett’s side. Candy scrambled off Dragos’s lap, nearly falling to the floor. She straightened and gaped at him. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.
“With that settled, let’s start planning.” Michael pulled out a chair, ignoring the terrified women.
Brett pulled Lisa’s arms from around his neck. “Stop! Dragos is not going to hurt you.”
Dragos rose and placed his hand over his heart. “I did not choose to become this … this creature of the night. I am appalled that I have to drink blood to survive. I would give anything to go back to the night that changed my life.”
His eyes shimmered with moisture. He looked as if he’d lost his last friend. When Dragos turned to leave the room, Candy grabbed his hand.
“Wait. I’m sorry. But a vampire? It will take some time to soak in.”
Hope flared in Dragos’s eyes. He brought Candy’s hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to it. “You don’t hate me?”
Candy pulled his head down and kissed him deeply. “Are you kidding? But I won’t lie to you; it’s hard to believe that ghosts and now vampires exist.” She turned to face Brett.
“So Anders knows that Dragos is a vampire?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Foster too.”
Candy glanced at Dragos. “What about food? Do you need … need blood?”
“Yes.”
She met Dragos’s heated gaze. “Human blood?”
He shook his head. “Not directly from people.”
On seeing Candy’s puzzled look, Dragos added, “I have bags of blood that I took—”
“Whoa there!” Brett interrupted. “No one needs to know. It’s sufficient to know that Dragos has a supply.”
“Yes,” Dragos solemnly swore. “I would never drink blood from a human person.”
Brett placed his hands on the table. “Well, now that that’s settled, let’s get—”
Candy cleared her throat and looked at Lisa. “Sorry to bring this up, but Lisa’s a reporter. Is that going to be a problem?”
Lisa smiled. “I kept the last case out of the papers and off the TV. I can keep my mouth shut. After all, what happens in Des Moines stays in Des Moines.”
Everyone started laughing except Dragos and Michael, who looked at each other and shrugged.
Brett opened the fridge and handed out beers and sodas to everyone. “Okay, now that the drama is over, let’s finalize a plan. We start tonight.”
31
Randall spotted O’Shea leaving the station with a man he didn’t recognize. The man with O’Shea looked like ex-military. The black T-shirt clung to his abs. His long, dark hair swung as he walked. With hair like that, the guy couldn’t be law enforcement.
By the scowls on their faces, Randall could tell the two men were having a serious discussion—probably about the whores. With a body count of three, everyone was edgy. He didn’t feel sorry for the murdered women. He believed the old adage “You reap what you sow.” It wasn’t his fault that they were dying.
He got behind the wheel, staring at O’Shea’s back. O’Shea thinks he’s so damn smart. Someday someone would give him a reality check, and he wanted to be there to see it. With his uncle being the mayor, he knew Anders was in the hot seat. As far as he was concerned, he’d like to see both Anders and O’Shea get the boot.
He spit a toothpick out the open window as the two men got into a car and drove away. He was tempted to follow them, but his shift was over. Anders had him assigned to traffic, which he hated. Hauling out the damn radar equipment was a pain in the ass, and lucky him—he got to do it each day. The only good thing was that he worked days. His nights were open.
