La Vida Vampire

“Mick. The tour guide Mick?” I asked.

“He worked in a vampire bar in Daytona Beach.”

“Sure, as a bouncer a long time ago. He told Janie and me about it.”

“Did he tell you,” Saber said slowly, “that a vampire kidnapped his girlfriend?”

I pictured how gentle Mick was with Janie and must’ve gasped. “Oh, no.”

“What happened?” Maggie prompted.

“Mick tried defending the girl, but he was beaten and left for dead. The girl was turned.” Saber paused, and I bit my lip. “A week after Mick left the hospital, the vampire and the girlfriend were killed in a house explosion.”

“Was Mick charged?” I asked softly.

“No, but the cops may have looked the other way.”

“Still, Mick didn’t have any more reason to kill Yolette than I did.”

“Who else is on your suspect list?” Neil asked.

“You were, briefly. So was Maggie, because there was a chance one of you would kill to protect Cesca.”

I blew out an exasperated breath. “I don’t need protection from Maggie or Neil. I’m a vampire, for heaven’s sake.”

“Not a normal one.”

“I’m perfectly normal,” I snapped.

“Your powers are pathetic.”

“He’s right, Fresca,” Neil said.

I looked to Maggie for help, but she shrugged. Guess Neil and Maggie had noticed I don ’t use my powers after all. I almost admitted I don’t choose to use them, but I refocused.

“Who else is on your stupid list?” I asked.

“Millie.”

I stared. “Shalimar Millie? That sweet lady? Have you lost your mind?”

“She didn’t like the victim.”

“Well, no, but…”

I stopped talking and started remembering. Yolette said her first husband’s aunt wore Shalimar, and that he’d been allergic. Or was it Yolette who had the allergy? I’d assumed the dead husband had been a Frenchman, but— Saber’s phone beeped, distracting me. He checked it, shoved it back in his jeans pocket, and rose.

“The tow truck’s a few blocks away. You thought of something, didn’t you?”

“It’s probably not important.”

“Write it down anyway,” Saber ordered as he buttoned his sport coat and headed for the door. “Write a narrative for me about the tours on those two nights, even if you’ve been over it with us. Conversations, actions, movements, observations. Bring it tomorrow, and I’ll take a look while you’re with the artist. Which reminds me,” he added, his hand on the doorknob. “You need a ride in the morning?”

“I’ll bring her,” Maggie said firmly.

“Fine. Thanks for the tea.”

Saber left, and the three of us exchanged glances.

“We still haven’t settled the trip issue,” Neil said.

“Oh, yes, we have.” I got up, snatched my mug and Saber’s, and took them to the sink. “Maggie, go with Neil. If you don’t, if you’re out doing business and I’m holed up, you’ll be the target for sure, and I can’t have that.”

“Why the hell not?”

I spoke over the rush of water from the faucet. “Think about it. If something happens to you, who’s gonna be my sponsor?

Neil? No. He rags on my hair, so sooner or later, I’d have to kill him, and then where would I be?”

“Hey,” Neil objected.

“Neil, you know I’m right, and Maggie, you do, too. Go to Tallahassee.”

She bit her lip. “You’ll call Janie to stay with you?”

“Yes, and if she can’t or won’t, I’m good. I have Magnum DVDs coming in the mail tomorrow, a James Garner movie marathon, a Night Court marathon, homework, books to read—” I waved a hand. “I’ll even clean the penthouse.”

Finally she laughed. “You are desperate.”

“Let’s call it persuasive.”

“I’ll phone in, you know. At random times.”

“I’ll answer.”

She hesitated a minute more. “Okay, I’ll go.”

“We need to leave by nine, honey,” Neil put in.

“That’s cool,” I said before Maggie could object. “I’ll catch a ride back from the sheriff’s with Saber. Make him stop for donuts and really freak him out.”

Neil laughed, and Maggie shook her head. “Be careful of him, Cesca. He seems to be on your side now, but I wouldn’t push him too far.”



Cosmil hovered under one of the dozens of ancient oaks in the plaza watching Pandora in her panther size as she descended from branch to branch. She landed with a soft plop on the ground before him, but a disguise spell insured that anyone passing saw only a large house cat and an old man.

“Did you get close enough to overhear them?” Cosmil asked.

The vampire princess will be alone for two days.

“And the man called Saber? Will she be safe from him?”

He will not kill her.