“… too bad these were delayed. We could have used this information months ago,” Professor Braithwope was saying. “How could the intermediary let them all pile up like that?”
“She seized an opportunity to infiltrate flywaymen. The messages kept coming, but she was afloat, so no one was left to alert us. It wasn’t until I realized we hadn’t had a shipment that we thought to go after them ourselves.” Of all the possible teachers with the vampire, it appeared to be Sister Mattie.
“Are they all from her?”
“No. She’s our best, but even she is not that prolific.”
“But all hers say the same thing, whot?”
“Indeed they do. The question is—how many are involved?”
The vampire’s tone was resigned. “And why? They know we have to enter the results of the test into public record.”
“Are we overlooking something, Aloysius? Are we certain this is only about the technology?”
“Isn’t it always, whot?”
“I suppose we should head to bed, then. We aren’t getting anything new.”
Vieve and Sophronia dove to the back of the shed, squeezing in behind it.
The two teachers emerged, illuminated by a lantern Sister Mattie held high in one hand. She stood by while Professor Braithwope locked the door to the shed. Once finished with the task, the vampire tucked the key into his waistcoat pocket and turned to offer the lady his arm.
Then he stiffened, cocking his head to one side. “Who’s there?”
Sophronia and Vieve barely dared breathe.
“You might as well come out.”
The two girls exchanged terrified looks, and then Vieve got a very set expression. “You stay,” she mouthed at Sophronia. “I owe you.”
Vieve unclipped the obstructor about her wrist and passed it over. Then she carefully nicked one finger with the sharp edge of her shirt pin, drawing blood. She’s hiding my smell, Sophronia realized. Vampires senses could be befuddled by fresh blood. Then Vieve stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jodhpurs, pulled her cap over her eyes, and sauntered out.
“What ho, Professors,” she said jovially. Just as though she strolled about the ship at all hours turning up where least wanted—which, Sophronia supposed, was exactly what she did do.
The vampire looked none too pleased to see her.
“Oh, it’s only little Genevieve,” said Sister Mattie, relief in her voice. Really, thought Sophronia, she ought to be better at hiding her emotions. Then again, acting was Lady Linette’s speciality.
“You are a scamp, aren’t you, whot?” said the vampire, not relaxing. “How much did you hear?”
“Not much.”
Sister Mattie said wisely, “A little lovage is a dangerous thing.”
“I think you mean knowledge,” corrected Vieve.
“No, I do not.” Sister Mattie was very opinionated on the subject of herbs.
Quicker than the eye could follow, even had it been broad daylight, the vampire reached out and grabbed Vieve’s ear.
“Ouch!”
“What did you hear?” he repeated, sounding much more vampirelike than Sophronia had thought he could. His mustache even managed to quiver with malice.
“Something about a technology, and whether they were interested or not. And how many.”
“Anything else?”
Sister Mattie clucked. “Now, now, Professor, don’t damage the girl.”
Vieve began to struggle. The vampire lifted her by the ear. She struck and kicked out. “Stop it, sir! There’s nothing more, I promise.”
That’s odd behavior, thought Sophronia. Not odd for a ten-year-old girl, but Vieve rarely acted like an actual ten-year-old.
Vieve began to whimper and scrabbled more, raking at the front of the vampire’s chest. “Lemme go, that hurts!”
It’s quite a show, thought Sophronia, but it’s definitively a show. Vieve was no more an actress than Sister Mattie. What is she up to?
“You realize I will have to report this transgression to your aunt?” The vampire set Vieve down, still angry.
Vieve sullenly rubbed her abused ear. “I suppose so.”