Red Tide: The Flavel House Horror / Vampires of the Morgue (The Ian McDermott, Ph.D., Paranormal Investigator Series Book 2) (10 page)

Ian interjected, “Clayton, you said earlier something about them limiting their numbers. How is that possible if by being bitten, a person transforms into …” Clayton held up his right hand, signaling to Ian that he needn’t go further down that path.

“Humans are food to them. As such, if bitten by a vampire, one does not just change into one of them. If that were the case, humans over a few centuries would have all become vampires, causing the extinction of both the human race as well as vampires. No, you have to be chosen by a vampire and specifically turned. No surprise. It takes being bitten and not sucked dry three times. Again, the power of three. This must occur over a span not to exceed three consecutive, or maybe I should have said ‘con-suck-utive’,
days.” Clayton grinned impishly as he delivered that last line. Ian chuckled as he slowly shook his head.

“Ian, this is important to remember. Vampires do typically sleep during the day, but they can go about their business, so to speak, during the day if they so choose. They tend to only feed at night though they can be equally deadly day or night. Again, they can sleep in any dark place. Though some, like Salizzar, I would expect do sleep in coffins mainly out of theatrics.”

“Oh yeah … right.” Ian said, feeling almost silly.

“Ian, based on my research, this is my theory about humans being turned into vampires or being put under their control. The first and second bites affect certain mental and physical changes to the victim or volunteer. The degree of the stages of change differ somewhat with each individual infected. And the initial depth of effects from the infection can vary depending upon how ancient the vampire was that initiated the biting. Typically, a person’s will remains mainly their own post-first bite. But after being bitten a second time, the lust for blood begins to become more uncontrollable. There can even become a psychic connection or link that develops between vampire and their familiar. Ian, I’m confident in your field you’ve heard of the term ‘familiar’ as used in the context that I just did?” Ian nodded.

Clayton continued, “Besides being somewhat hypnotized at the time of the attacks, it still is an incredibly painful process each time one is bitten. What occurs after being bitten thrice as best I can describe to my understanding, is like an amalgamation of the perfect infection with aspects of demonic possession. At face value, it can be very seductive. It seems more blessing than curse with the offering of perfect health and near immortality. But besides turning you into a charming (when desired), overtly attractive, homicidal monster, one that has an insatiable lust for human blood, it also unfortunately carries the terrible price of losing one’s soul. Of that much, I’m certain.”

Ian started thinking about Clayton’s wine earlier, how it appeared to him to be too viscous, as he mused over a little theory he was beginning to develop of his own, Ian mused.
Gives new meaning to, “Once bitten, twice shy,”
and “Three’s a charm.”
Ian’s concentration was suddenly interrupted by the doorbell.

Clayton got up from his chair and picked up his cane. He walked to the front door. It was the young pizza delivery man. He was nearly out of breath and blurted out, “I’m real sorry about being late with your delivery, Mister Collins. I had a flat tire on the way and had to change it to the little doughnut spare.” The young man pointed to his car in the driveway.

Clayton smiled and replied, “No harm, no foul, Tim. Nothing that a microwave can’t reheat if need be. Glad you weren’t injured.” Clayton thanked him for getting there as soon as he could given the circumstances. Clayton paid for the two pizzas plus a tip sizeable enough to generate a smile on the young man’s face.

Tim replied, “Sweet. Thanks, Mister Collins. See ya next time.”

Clayton turned and went back into the house, pizzas in hand, and set them down on the dining room table. “Ian, if you don’t mind, let us wait a few more minutes. I’m sure that niece of mine will be along shortly. She’s typically a bit more than fashionably late.”

Ian smiled. “Certainly. No problem!”

Clayton went back over to his favorite chair and sat down. “Say, Ian, there’s one thing you haven’t yet asked me about type fours that surprises me.”

“Yeah? What’s that?” Ian said with a puzzled look on his face. He thought they’d pretty much covered everything.

“You never asked me about fangs!” Clayton said very matter-of-factly.

Ian lifted his eyebrows as he slowly nodded.

Clayton continued, “When they feed, one of the seven seals, the seven faces of Samael – Satan – is unveiled. Demonic, with fangs and all.”

Ian couldn’t hold back his sixty-four-dollar question any further. “Clayton, it seems pretty clear that you’ve got more than just cursory research knowledge about all of this. You’ve been bitten by Salizzar, haven’t you?”

Suddenly, the doorbell began ringing once again. Clayton flashed a sly grin as he replied, “Bitten by Salizzar? Ridiculous. Ah, saved by the bell!” Clayton got up from his chair, walked over, and opened his front door.

“Hiya, Unc. Sorry I’m late. I had to stay a little longer at the shop than expected. Problems with a lady’s perm. Where’s your Mercedes? Did you pick yourself up an older Jeep station wagon for four-wheeling out on the beach?”

Clayton smiled at his niece. “No. The Jeep’s not mine. My car’s in the garage.”

Zoey walked right past Clayton into the house. She immediately spotted Ian seated on the couch as she blurted out, “Oh, I didn’t know you had company.”

Ian spoke up, “The old Jeep’s mine.”

Just steps behind his niece, Clayton too entered the living room. “Not to worry, Zoey. Ian over there, he’s why I invited you over this evening. Well, he’s not the only reason.” Clayton chuckled. Zoey crossed the living room over to the couch. She immediately sat herself on the opposite end from Ian.

Clayton made his way back to his chair and plopped down into it as he spoke. “Well, now, introductions are in order.”

Ian twisted slightly to his left so he could better see who he was about to be introduced to.

“Ian, this is my niece, Zoey. Zoey, dear, this is Ian. Ian McBride. I met him yesterday at the book signing. Ian’s a private investigator whose services have been contracted by a family of one of the victims regarding that ugly business that’s been going on in Astoria.”

Zoey, who was already looking directly at Ian, smiled a bright smile as she stood up and approached him to within an arm’s length. Ian then also stood up. Zoey was the first to extend her right hand and speak. “Very nice to meet you, Ian.”

Ian reciprocated in kind as he extended his right hand. “As it is to meet you, Zoey.” The two shared a very cordial handshake.

Zoey then turned and reseated herself back onto the opposite end of the couch. She then spoke up. “Okay, Ian. It’s easy enough to figure out why you’d want to speak to my uncle about that club and its owner. What I can’t figure out is what do I … Why am I here?”

Clayton stood up and walked over to the dining room table. It was sparsely set with just the three plates that he’d previously set out to the now-adjacent pizza boxes. “How about we save the questions until we’ve enjoyed some pizza before it gets any colder? I’ll get the wine. Nothing goes better with pizza than a glass of red wine.”

Ian wasn’t certain about this declaration. He always felt beer was the companion libation of choice with pizza, but as a guest, he kept that to himself.

Zoey and Ian both slowly stood up and walked over to the dining room table. Clayton went into the kitchen and returned with a newly-opened bottle of wine and two glasses. He then left them once again for just a moment, then returned with a glass of his own ... already filled.

The three seated themselves at the table, and Clayton raised his glass. “Here’s to the best things the Italians ever gave to the world: pizza and Chianti. Well, if you don’t count art and the Renaissance, that is.” They all laughed.

“Zoey, I told Ian that you have a hair salon downtown. He’s going to attempt his hand at undercover work to somewhat infiltrate the world of that nightclub The Morgue.
But as I’m sure you’d agree, he’s going to need to significantly change his appearance in order to have any chance of success.”

Zoey nearly choked on her pizza as she looked at Ian, clearly trying to imagine him in a place like that. “Yes, well, Unc … I’m not a magician.” she blurted out. She then followed her previous statement with the standard disclaimer. “No offense intended.”

Ian smiled as he looked at Zoey over his glass of wine as he replied, “None taken.”

Zoey began looking Ian over, “Well, he’s already pasty-white like the rest of us this time of year. So he’s got that going for him. I suppose if we got him the right clothes. And definitely dyed his hair jet-black. Chopped it a bit to give it sort of an edgy look. And maybe … I don’t know … pierced one of his ears, and gave him a dangly earring. Something like an upside down cross. That and add some dark eyeliner. Who knows? Maybe. Understand, I’ve only been there once. But most of the people that go there, they’re pretty over-the-top even by my standards.” Zoey laughed.

Ian looked directly into Zoey’s eyes. “Could you … Would you be willing to help me with all that? I’d certainly pay you for your time and effort.”

Clayton remained silent. He had a smile on his face that indicated he was to some degree enjoying this.

Zoey kept looking Ian up and down as if she was sizing him up in more ways than one. “Yeah … Yeah, I could pull this off. That is, if, like you said, you’re willing to pay me for my time. And you’re willing to buy all the clothes needed. You know, like biker square-toe boots, black pants, maybe leather. And a black shirt of some kind and …”

Ian smiled as he interrupted her and answered, “Absolutely!” But what he was really thinking was,
Good God. I’m gonna look like Billy Idol meets Johnny Cash.

Zoey, still looking directly at Ian, took a deep breath. “Just one more thing.”

“What’s that?” Ian asked without hesitation.

Zoey continued, “To not draw too much attention to yourself, I mean to have any chance at pulling this off, you’re gonna need someone with you. You know, arm candy. A person to play the role of a willing donor. I know, sick, right? But that place doesn’t just attract Goth types. There’s usually a bunch of vampire role players lurking around. Some of them get pretty into it. You know, they take it pretty far with the cutting and sucking on each other and all that shit.”

Ian tried hard to conceal behind a grin his obvious virginity regarding the subject as he replied, “Donor? Oh yeah, of course. Donor. That’s not a bad idea for appearance’s sake. But who would I …? I mean … I’m not from around here and don’t know any …”

Zoey blurted out, “Well me of course. This all sounds so mysterious and kind of fun!”

Clayton suddenly frowned at the thought of his niece willfully putting herself in harm’s way. He interjected, “Fun or not, it’s potentially very dangerous. Zoey, do you understand me?”

Zoey glaringly flashed her eyes at her uncle. “I can handle myself.”

Ian looked from Zoey over at Clayton. Clayton gave Ian a reluctant but slow, approving nod.

Ian looked back at Zoey and replied, “Okay, that sounds really good. When do we get started?”

Zoey fired back instantly, “How about right away? How about tonight? You can follow me back to my shop. I can color your hair. We can discuss where to go shopping tomorrow. To get you the clothes you’re gonna need. And maybe some for me too, right?”

Ian smiled and nodded.

Zoey continued, “I’ll take the day off tomorrow. You can add a day’s pay to what you’re gonna owe me. Besides, now I have a date for Halloween, assuming that’s at least one of the nights you plan on checking the place out. Seems like it would be a natural. That place’s gonna be crawling with creatures of the night on that night, I promise you.” All three laughed slightly at that. Though Ian was getting more than a tiny bit concerned regarding what this was all going to cost him in terms of money and anything else.

Ian interjected, “Yeah. I’ll … I mean we’ll definitely want to be there on that night for sure.”

They all finished their dinner, and then Zoey told Ian they should get to her shop before it got much later. He agreed. Zoey and Ian said their goodbyes to Clayton and began heading to the front door.

Clayton spoke up. “Ian, hold on for just a … Zoey, go ahead to your car. Ian will be right out. I just want to speak with him for a moment. I won’t keep him but a few minutes.” Zoey did as Clayton asked.

Clayton took hold of Ian’s shoulders. “You take care of that little girl. She means a lot to me.”

Ian smiled as he answered, “I will, Clayton. You have my word.”

Clayton cleared his throat, “Yes. In answer to the question you asked of me earlier, to which I lied. The one you suspect you already know the answer to.” Clayton pulled down the collar of the black turtle-neck shirt, which revealed two small puncture wounds on the side of his neck. The area surrounding the punctures appeared to be very red with dozens of white and blue wavy, streaked veins emanating from the wounds in all directions. It wouldn’t have taken a medical professional to see that what Ian was looking at was most likely a progressively spreading infection.

Clayton spoke, “As you can see, I have a lot at stake in this. As do you. I’ve been bitten only the once but by an ancient: Salizzar. I know he’s an ancient because of the rapid progression of the effects that I am fighting even as we speak.”