Red Tide: The Flavel House Horror / Vampires of the Morgue (The Ian McDermott, Ph.D., Paranormal Investigator Series Book 2) (17 page)

CHAPTER 18

Tell-Tale Heart

Ian stood waiting in the office of the Ebb Tide Condominiums. At first glance, it appeared to be an impressively expansive and aesthetically pleasing condominium complex. It seemed more of a motel than a condominium in the classic sense of the word, primarily due to the sign in the office that stated they offered condo suites for rent by the day, week, and month, though Ian suspected that some units likely served as permanent residences for a fortunate few.

Ian looked around the office and began admiring the Halloween decorations that were on the walls, front desk, and even hanging from the ceiling.

Zoey and Scout had remained in the Jeep, which was parked in one of the guest registration parking spots located directly in front, and in clear view of, the condominium office.

Ian waited patiently while an elderly couple that had arrived before him continued going through the process of getting checked in. They were on their sixtieth anniversary and proud to tell anyone who’d listen. Ian couldn’t help but admire the couple who genuinely seemed in love even after all those many years of marriage. But the thought also saddened him as he reflected momentarily on the loss of his wife, Janet, and his daughter, Sue Ann, just a few short years ago. One horrific instant ended for all time any further anniversaries he’d ever celebrate with his beloved wife; never would there come the day when he would walk his daughter down the aisle to proudly give her away to a new son-in-law so they too might one day be celebrating their sixtieth anniversary.

Before time allowed any further melancholy to set in on Ian, the couple completed their business and left the office. Ian knew that he was already reregistered, so checking in was little more than a formality and wouldn’t take long.

Behind the desk was a middle-aged, heavy-set blonde woman, still very attractive. One of those ladies that just a few years and pounds ago would have turned every man’s head when entering a room. She was wearing a brass-embossed name badge that bore the name Sharon.

Ian liked the name Sharon; it was his mother’s name. Sharon McDermott. She had raised Ian on her own. Ian’s father, Skip “Skeeter” McDermott, had been a career Navy pilot who died in a military training exercise due to a mechanical failure when Ian was just three years old. Ian never personally knew his father, though everyone he’d ever spoken to had said he was an exceptionally good man and one hell of a pilot. His mother never remarried. Ian couldn’t even remember his mother going on any dates, although she was a very attractive woman, especially on the rare occasions that she’d make herself up.

She’d been a chain smoker for as far back as Ian could remember, smoking nearly non-stop up to the day she died from emphysema nearly ten years ago. Ian believed that the reasons she smoked so much and drank vodka every day was that she’d never recovered from the loss of her husband. That depth of grief and what it can do to a person was something Ian understood all too well.

Suddenly Ian was snapped back to the present when the front desk lady, Sharon, smiled at him and said, “I’d bet my bottom dollar that you’re Mister McBride, am I right?” For an instant, Ian was taken by surprise and caught slightly off guard. He’d momentarily forgotten about the cover name that Clayton had suggested he use. But he quickly remembered and also surmised that Clayton had probably given her his general physical description.

“Um, yes. That’s me. How’d you guess?” Ian replied somewhat sheepishly.

Sharon smiled, apparently pleased with her power of deduction. “Clayton didn’t tell me you were such a handsome buck.” Sharon flashed Ian a flirtatious smile.

Ian didn’t know what to say. “Um, well, I don’t know how I could possibly be much to look at after being out in this storm ... and the day I’ve had. But thanks.” Ian thought,
Add to that, my ridiculous ‘Dee Dee Ramone’ punk rock hair style.

Sharon then handed Ian a card key. “We’ve got you in one of our best ocean view units up on the third floor. Here’s a map of the place.” She set a small map on the counter for Ian to view and began pointing to it as she explained how to read it.

“As you can see ... you’re ... here, and your room is in Building Three ... right there. Oh, and the hot tub and pool are in the building right next to the office. Pool towels are available here at the front desk. The pool and hot tub are open for adults only, from 9:00 to 10:00, day ‘er night. Clayton told me you had a dog, no problem there. Besides the dog, he also said you might be here by yourself or you might have someone with you.” Sharon pointedly looked out the office window at his Jeep. “I see you have a VERY YOUNG someone with you.” She grinned cheekily and winked at Ian.

“Pets are okay with a deposit.” Ian started instinctually to reach for his wallet. “Don’t sweat it sugar ... Clayton’s paid for everything. You’re all set.”

Ian smiled. “Um, say … Do I need to give you the make and year of my …”

Sharon interrupted Ian. “Nope. Clayton knew your license plate number and gave me everything about you that we need. Say, Mister McBride, how do you come to know our local famous author anyway? You a writer too?”

Ian smiled. “No. No, I’m not a writer. How do I know Clayton? Well, that’s a good question. Clayton and I, we go way back. Hundreds of years, it seems.” Ian snickered slightly.

Sharon gave Ian a funny look regarding his vague and somewhat provocative answer.

Ian continued, “Anyway, I’ll find my way from here and thanks, Sharon, for your wonderful service.” Sharon smiled large and let out a small sigh as Ian turned and left the office. But then all at once, she blurted out, “Oh my goodness, I almost forgot. For some reason Clayton booked you a rental car. Is your Jeep not running well? Anyway, here’re the keys. It’s parked right in front of where you’ll catch the elevator to go to your room. It’s a black Toyota Camry. Real nice car, those Toyotas.”

Sharon tossed the keys to Ian, who snatched them out of the air almost effortlessly. Ian grinned, “Yeah, my Jeep’s not been running very well. Uh, okay then. Thanks!”

Ian climbed into his Jeep and smiled at Zoey. Scout was just about in her lap as she continued petting and loving him up. “You two sure have hit it off.” Ian said.

Zoey glanced at Scout and then up at Ian as she grinned. “Yep, he’s one of my two new favorite men. So are we … Are you all checked in?” Ian smiled back at Zoey.

“Yep, we’re all checked in.”

Zoey smiled and giggled slightly as she replied, “Good, ‘cause while you were in the office, I called my shop. I’ve taken the next couple of days off. Todd’s gonna cover my few scheduled appointments. Besides,” Zoey giggled and took Ian’s hand, “I’ve got to start earning all that money you paid me.”

Ian half laughed as he replied, “Oh, I’m pretty sure we’re both going to earn our money tomorrow night.” Just after he said what he did, he realized that Zoey was trying to be flirtatiously funny. Ian smiled. It was music to his ears that Zoey had cleared her calendar for the next couple of days presumably to be with him.

Ian started his Jeep and began driving to Building Three to get to their room. It wasn’t until he’d driven past Buildings One and Two that he realized just how large the condo complex really was. “Zoey, we’ll go to your apartment first thing in the morning so you can pick up some clothes and whatever stuff you’ll need. Me, well obviously I’ve got to pick up some things. Clothes, toothbrush, and lots of basics. Ironically, the only clothes I’ve got left, well, besides what’s on my back, is that outfit you bought me for going to the club. For some reason, call it fate or whatever, I put those clothes in that brown bag in the back seat.”

Zoey smiled. “Well, we’ll get you some duds tomorrow, like you said. Can’t have you going all around town looking like some Goth clubber.” Zoey and Ian began laughing.

Ian replied as he shook his head, “No, we can’t have that.”

Once they’d driven over to their building, Ian spotted the rental car. “Oh, Zoey, there’s our new wheels for the next day or so.” Ian paused and pointed to the car as he continued, “That Camry right there. Clayton arranged for it. He must have surmised that those two thugs that burned down my place … they must have followed me at one time or another back to my trailer. Your uncle’s just helping us out so we’re not so easily spotted, I’m guessing. I figure my cover … our cover … is basically blown. But regardless, I’ll continue to go by Ian McBride. That car and the alias can’t hurt.”

Zoey cleared her throat. “Uh-um … it looks like a nice car.” she said while looking it over.

Ian replied, “Yeah, Toyotas are nice. But also common. They don’t stand out. It’s a smart choice. I owe your uncle big time.” Ian mused,
Maybe too big
.

After riding the elevator up three floors, Ian, Zoey, and Scout entered the condo unit. Even at first glance, the place was noticeably very nice. About what Ian had expected from the outward appearance of the place. The entire unit was nicely furnished with nautical-themed knick-knacks. There were seascapes in the form of nicely framed prints on nearly every wall. The furnishings were all fashionably quaint. As Ian began walking through the condo, he took note that there was a small but complete kitchen equipped with all the usual accoutrements. It had a serving counter that was accessible from the living room. On the living room side, there were three bar stools. Directly adjacent to the kitchen was a small dinette table positioned up against the wall with two nice chairs. In the living room area, there was a queen-sized bed located near a sliding glass door that offered access to an outside deck. Next to the living room bed and end table was a modest couch and an equally modest coffee table. The couch, even at a cursory glance, was easily recognizable as a foldout hide-a-bed.

As Ian took stock of the condo, he was happy to note that it had a nice gas fireplace positioned directly in front of the living room’s bed. The curtains were open, revealing through the sliding glass doorway a small table and chairs, and a partially tarp-covered gas barbeque out on the deck.

Ian opened the sliding glass door and stepped outside onto the deck, which offered a fabulous view of the ocean. Zoey joined Ian for a moment but then signaled for Ian to follow her. They headed past the kitchen through an open doorway that led down a short hallway. Scout had already made himself at home and was lying on the hearth in front of the gas fireplace that Zoey had switched on just moments after they’d arrived.

Zoey showed Ian that the condo had two full bathrooms and two nicely-furnished bedrooms. Ian realized that Clayton had reserved him some kind of master suite unit; the place had a lockable door just down from the first bathroom that could be closed, separating the front unit from the back two bedrooms. The condo was designed to be one large master suite, or separated ... dividing it into two separate rentable units ... one with a kitchen, and one without.

Ian and Zoey returned to the kitchen.

Ian thought,
This place, even in the off-season, must have cost Clayton at least a couple hundred a night. Boy, am I in the red with him. My debt’s rising high as the tide.

“Wow! This place is awesome!” Zoey blurted out as she walked from the kitchen into the main living room. She then walked over to Scout and stood with her back towards the fireplace. Ian remained in the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and immediately noticed that it had been stocked with champagne, two different wines (a red and a white), a six-pack of bottled beer, and assorted cheeses. Ian smiled and began shaking his head as he gazed at the contents of the refrigerator. He abruptly exhaled as he thought to himself,
That Clayton … the guy thinks of everything.

After a moment of silence, Ian replied to Zoey’s declaration of approval. “Yeah, this place is something. Your uncle’s outdone himself with all this. Would you believe he even had the refrigerator stocked with …” Before Ian could say another word, he spotted a manila envelope that was stuffed to obesity sitting on top of the microwave oven. The envelope had Ian’s name written on it.

Ian paused for a moment, remembering Clayton telling him he’d take care of everything. Ian was certain the envelope contained money. Suddenly, more than ever, Ian began feeling like a captive bird in a gilded cage.

Ian opened the envelope. He was right; it was full of money. But it also contained an Oregon driver’s license with his picture on it as well as all of the essential basic information. The license showed his last name as McBride. Ian marveled at the fake ID’s detail, which was perfect in every way. Ian quickly put it in his wallet as he mused,
This would fool any expert
.
How does he get such things? And in the speed that he does …

Also within the envelope was a note from Clayton.

Ian, I hope this money helps ease the pain of your losses. I strongly suggest that you put your Jeep into a storage facility of mine early tomorrow morning. It’s called Stoker’s Storage, and is just up the street at 101-2 Pacific Avenue. The code to enter the security gate is: 999666. No need to stop at the office to check in or anything. My manager is expecting you. Regards, Clayton.

The envelope contained much more money than Ian would have ever guessed. It was stuffed to its capacity with rubber-banded thousand dollar groupings of one-hundred dollar bills. In an instant, Ian calculated that the envelope contained twenty thousand dollars.