Immortal Revenge (2 page)

“No, God no. I have nothing to hide.” She picked up her cup and took another sip.

“I’ll be right back,” Charles said before he left.

“Do you know of dealings Kyle had?” Ben asked.

“Dealings? What does that mean?”

“Did he meet with people for business or…other reasons?”

A touch of heat rose within her. Was he implying Kyle was a drug dealer? She’d heard people talk about drugs at the bar, but she had no idea who the dealer or dealers were. If Ben thought for a second Kyle was involved, he was greatly mistaken. Vampires didn’t like drugs. Chemicals tainted blood. Therefore, vampires stayed away from people who used them.

“Do you think he was pushing drugs?” Katie asked.

“We don’t know Kyle–”

“No, you don’t,” she snapped. “He never bothered anyone. He stayed to himself, paid his taxes, gave generously to the community and made me very happy every day I was with him. I can tell you with all certainty he was not a drug dealer.”

He lifted his palms. “Okay, okay. Calm down.”

Katie huffed and shook her head, irritated by such a crazy idea. Could the night get any worse? First, someone destroyed Kyle. Now the locals thought he was involved with illegal substances. What next?

“If there is something in your car, we’ll find it. If not, he’s clear…for now.”

“Unfucking believable,” she said as tears built in her eyes. “He’s not that kind of person, Ben. He never was. I’d know it.”

“Okay, well… Do you know of any enemies he had?”

Katie wiped her face clear of moisture. “No. He didn’t have any.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes!” She tensed, not liking the sound of her loud voice. But how else could she get through to him? “The only trouble he had was with the satellite company and I really don’t think they’d send someone out to chop off his head and burn him on a cross.”

A light throb in her head indicated the numbness had worn off. Perhaps she should’ve waited to answer his questions. It seemed as if they were all bullshit anyway. Glancing down, she saw her purse in her lap and dug inside for aspirin.

“You’re upset. It’s understandable.”

“You’re damn straight I’m upset. He was a good man. You’re asking me about drugs, if he’s a dealer and that’s off the subject.” She popped two pills in her mouth and grabbed the cup.

“We have to consider all options, Katie. We need a motive. You mentioned picking up packages. If he was in the drug business, it’s possible he pissed off someone and they came after him.”

Katie leaned back in her chair while she swallowed a gulp of water. Although she severely disliked the direction he was taking for an explanation, she understood his logic. He merely wanted to find a criminal. She took a deep breath to calm her rising frustration.

“I’m sorry, Katie, but I have to ask difficult questions sometimes. It’s part of my job.”

She turned to face the open door as she reflected on his words. Ben had touched on an important subject. He mentioned having a motive. Kyle had hid his existence for half a century. No one had ever come looking him. What changed? Who found him? Why did someone feel the need to end his existence now?

The throbbing in her head intensified, as did the ache in her heart. She quickly wished she were numb again so she wouldn’t have to feel such intense misery.

Charles walked into the room. He returned to his seat and set her keys on the table. “The car checked out clean. We found two packages in the trunk.”

“And Whisky sniffed them?” Ben asked.

“Sure did, and the dog didn’t do a thing.”

The dog’s name was Whisky? A shot of the drink sure sounded good.

“If we’re done, I’d really like to clean up in your restroom and then leave.” The thought of strong liquor appealed to her taste buds. Without a doubt, it would ease the pain.

“May I ask you a few quick questions?” Ben asked.

She sighed and gave a nod.

“Did you notice Kyle acting strange recently?”

“No. He was his normal self.”

“Do you know of any strange calls or visitors?” Charles asked.

“No. I live with him, so I’d know of any.” She caught the mistake in her response and pressed her lips together. She should’ve said
lived
.

“Is there any reason someone would want him dead?” Ben asked.

She met his strong gaze. He wanted answers and to find the person who did this. But what he longed for he wouldn’t understand.

“I don’t know.” She thanked the almighty lord she wasn’t taking a lie detector test, because she would’ve failed.

“Is there anyone at all you can think of he argued with or–”

“Again, no.” Clutching her purse, she rose and grabbed her keys. She couldn’t sit with them any longer and answer the same questions phrased differently. “If I think of anything, I’ll call you.”

Ben and Charles stood at the same time. “Do you have somewhere to stay?” Ben asked.

Keeping her head down, she nodded. “Yes.”
Liar, liar.

Angst bubbled within her as she walked to the door. She had no home and a small cash reserve. The money in her bank account Kyle had helped fund would last only a few months. Although she had a job, the twelve hours per week she worked would not bring enough income to pay rent somewhere. She’d have to figure out a way earn more money.

“If you need anything…” Ben said, and she paused. “Please, call me.”

Without another word, she walked down the hall to the bathroom. She stepped in the black and white tiled room and checked the three stalls. Finding herself alone, she set her bag in a sink, covered her face in her hands and balled. She cried because he’d left her alone. Cried for not letting him change her into a vampire. Cried for not being home to help him fight. Cried because she would never, ever, see, touch, or kiss him again. And that hurt the worst.

When she’d released enough tears, she wiped her face with a paper towel and gazed in the mirror. Her eyeliner had smeared under her blue eyes. Her brownish-red wavy locks weren’t too out of place, but they smelled of smoke. With a deep breath, she realized her entire body smelled of smoke. A good, hot bath with scented gel would remove the stench. If only she had a home to go to.

Grief drifted and anger returned. Someone destroyed the person she loved. Why, after all these years? The police couldn’t help her find the answer. If she said anything, they would label her as crazy. To find out who and why, she was on her own. One human. And her opponent was most likely a vampire. The chances of her surviving were low if she hunted down the one responsible for Kyle’s demise. Was this evil person worth pursuing knowing her life would be at risk? Was Kyle worth it?

Nine years with a wonderful man had evaporated in one night. Nine fucking years and all of them were wonderful. Life was so unfair, and she hated it. Kyle gave her love, peace and a great deal of knowledge and skills most humans couldn’t imagine. He’d taught her how to fight vamps and use weapons. He’d shared with her their strengths, weaknesses and so much more.

With her spirit lifted and confidence rebuilt, she considered what to do. She’d acquired great abilities from Kyle. Why not use them? Could she sit on her ass, mourn and do nothing while the prick who ended her man’s eternal existence roamed freely? Hell no. She wasn’t that type of person. Her parents died in a car accident when she was fifteen and she took control of her life. She got up everyday, went to school and found a job to pay bills. Through high school and college, she struggled to survive, but she did it. She had strong determination. Kyle had known it well. He’d challenged her in every way possible and she met each one head on. Now, the mother of all tests lay before her. Could she handle it?

Puffy eyes stared back at her through the mirror. Rage boiled deep within her soul as she continued to think about the rogue vampire who destroyed Kyle. He didn’t deserve to walk the earth. Someone needed to send the fucker to hell.

After a deep breath, she thought about what Kyle would want. He’d probably tell her to walk away instead of avenging his death. He’d want her to enjoy life. Time would heal.

Screw time. It was no longer her friend since she couldn’t be with Kyle.

Katie grabbed her purse and slid the strap over her arm. Having made her decision, her mood brightened. She’d take advantage of everything Kyle had shared with her to ensure the fucker who destroyed him would perish. Retribution was worth every breath and drop of blood in her body. Let the battle begin.

2

Katie turned into the lot for the Tasmanian Devil and parked in a spot on the side of the building. The bar she worked at two nights a week appeared busy, as usual, judging from the abundance of idle cars. Her mood was far from sociable, but she needed a drink to help settle her nerves. After she’d stormed out of the police station, her emotions raced along roller coaster tracks. When her mood descended, she cried more. When she rose from her depression, she shouted profanity. She feared if she didn’t slow down on the ride soon, she would crash and burn. And she didn’t have time for that.

Purse in hand, she shoved open her door and stepped out of her car. A slight breeze brushed over her and carried the scent of steak from the Texan style restaurant down the street. Her stomach churned, still sensitive and ready to revolt again if she didn’t stay in control. Thankfully, she was at the moment. Laughter of male and female voices drifted from somewhere in the front while Katie strolled along the sidewalk on the side of the building. A group of six and another couple with their hands joined walked across the lot. After Katie turned the corner, she spotted several men and women heading toward a black van with its side door open. Maybe the hour was later than she’d thought and people were heading home.

Home. A place that didn’t exist for her, thanks to some rogue vampire.

Anger ascending, Katie swung open the door and stepped into the dimly lit tavern. She curved around empty tables and headed straight for the bar in the back. To her surprise, the Devil wasn’t as crowded as she’d first thought. A few patrons occupied some the booths. In the game rooms off to the side, men gathered around the pool tables. Standing behind the counter and handing a drink to a customer, Katie found Julie Mannis, her best friend and co-worker. Also known as Jules, she had her long hair tied up with a few strands of curls dangling on the sides and wore a form fitting short-sleeved shirt with disco writing on the front. The woman loved the 1970s and roller-skating. She was actually very good at the sport too.

Jules lifted her head. “Please tell me he didn’t call you to work too.”

Katie stopped at a stool several seats down from the male patron. She set her purse down and plopped her rear on the stool as Jules strolled toward her.

“Holy shit! What happened to you?”

Katie released a big sigh. “Love you too, best friend.” Her dry humor matched how she felt.

Jules snatched a shot glass, then set it on the counter with a clank. She twisted, grabbed a liquor bottle, then returned and poured brown fluid into the glass.

Katie dug inside her purse and grabbed a twenty-dollar bill. She slid it over the counter toward Jules. “Here.”

“Oh, hell no,” Jules said. “Drinks are on me.”

“Then use it as a tip.”

Katie tossed the liquid into her mouth and swallowed. The burning sensation warmed her body instantly. Before Jules set the bottle down, Katie shoved the empty glass in front of her friend and held it.

Jules acknowledged her wordless request and gave her a refill. “That bad, huh?”

“Yeah, that bad.” Katie downed the liquor fast. The toxic fluid set her on fire. At least the minor discomfort quieted the pain in her heart.

She set her empty glass on the counter and waited for another refill. Following a two second hesitation, Jules did. After seven years of friendship, she knew Katie seldom drank liquor. The quality made her a perfect waitress in a bar and was one reason why Jules had recommended she should learn how to mix drinks. Not long after Katie had moved in with Kyle, she needed a job to keep her busy and put a little money into her bank account. Since she stayed up all hours of the night anyway to spend time with Kyle, the hours of a cocktail waitress fit into her schedule. Within a month of finishing Bartending School, Andy hired her. From then on, Katie never drank unless something in her life gave her stress, which was rare. Today her entire world had fell in the crapper. The strain on her heart and mind registered off the charts. Thus, drinking was appropriate.