Red Tide: The Flavel House Horror / Vampires of the Morgue (The Ian McDermott, Ph.D., Paranormal Investigator Series Book 2) (26 page)

Ian thought about what Clayton had just said as he fired another question. “But Clayton, you say you breathe so slowly it can’t be readily detected. But I’ve seen you breathe. I’ve even seen you take deep breaths and look ... I don’t know ... out of breath even. Can you explain?”

Clayton smiled. “We have learned well how to mimic such trivial human characteristics, especially when in the presence of mortals, to not draw attention to ourselves. Over time we habitually learn to do these things and more, without even conscious thought.”

Clayton suddenly stopped talking as if all at once he felt that he might have crossed some undefined line. That he’d breached his oath of secrecy vowed to his ultra-secret vampiric brotherhood. But after looking into Ian’s eyes, for some reason unknown even to himself, Clayton felt compelled to continue.

Ian interjected, “Are all who are bitten, I mean transformed, are they damned also, as it were?”

Clayton frowned slightly before he replied to that question. “Not without exception. Though it is extremely rare if one who is bitten less than three times … if their will or faith is strong enough to allow themselves to starve to death before ever tasting human blood other than their own ... and their own will not sustain them … damnation can be staved. But few can endure that kind of pain of starvation, which is beyond yours or even my comprehension. Suffice it to say I was weak in that regard.”

Clayton continued, “Make no mistake. That is, understand with crystal clarity. There are many of my kind that would kill beyond merely for food if they suspected that you know even this much. There are many that would attempt to dispatch me as well for telling you what I have. There are only two ways that can be avoided. One, you keep this knowledge that I have shared with you as absolutely privileged information between us. Or, and possibly even simpler, perhaps one day you will be able to take no more of the misery of living as you understand it, as you grow old and your body and mind begin the process of rotting even before death. Perhaps you’ll unfortunately become untimely, terminally ill. Maybe one day, when one of those inevitable scenarios arise, you will consider the gift that I could bestow on you. What I could do for you now. As a matter and consequence of your own choice, a privilege that I never had. But I tell you this again, immortality, or near immortality anyway, comes with a very high price. I realize that I have deceived and taken great advantage of you and it will be very difficult for you to ever trust me again. But please understand I have the greatest admiration for you. You are one of the most clever, most honest humans I have had the honor to know in hundreds of years.” Ian couldn’t help but be moved somewhat by the compliment.

“In fact, I believe if anyone could in the course of investigations into the supposed supernatural world come across a person or object that could be utilized in exorcising my demon … Well, Ian, I have lived too long beyond the grace of God. If it is possible for the damned to be forgiven our sins, whereby gaining regeneration or reclamation of our souls, I would do whatever was asked of me to forever dispel my slavery to eternal lust for human blood. Ian, it also grieves me to say that it is likely that Salizzar was not dispatched. And if my suspicions prove correct, I’m afraid you’ve made a mortal enemy of the worst sort. Ian, I consider you a friend as well as a partner. So I tell you this: Many ancient immortals of my kind are polymorphic – capable of taking on many different forms – and none of our kind possess that gift more prolifically than Salizzar. But I and my followers will stay in the shadows and follow you as your protectors as best we can.”

Ian paused for a second, then replied, “Clayton, I refuse to live my life in fear. When it’s my time … Well anyway, I thank you for all you have done and can do for me. Changing the subject …” The truth was Ian was way too frightened about what Salizzar, if he was still alive, might someday have in store for him to discuss it any further.

Ian continued, “Anyway, someday, perhaps you’ll let me have a sample of your blood to analyze. Who knows? And hey, I know a couple guys who have a DNA lab up in Vancouver, Canada. Tops in their field. Matt Larsen and Luke Nguyen. They can be trusted to keep things discreet, confidential. Good guys. Well … Matt, he takes a bit of getting used to, but anyway, they might be able to isolate the infection. Maybe it’s possible to invent some kind of antiviral or something …?”

Clayton glanced over at Ian for a second, then began staring out his window towards the ocean. “Perhaps, Ian. Perhaps one day.”

Clayton then changed the subject. “Regardless, Ian, would you not agree that human, vampire, or otherwise, we all have our inner demons of sorts that we must learn to deal with? Ian, should we never, due to our obvious differences, become the very best of friends, we shall I’m certain, at the very least, peacefully coexist as mutually beneficial collaborators. I shall of course market our collaborations through my publisher as works of fiction. Loosely inspired by your adventurous investigations. Think about it, Ian. With me as your benefactor, though admittedly not entirely without selfish motives, you will have the financing necessary to further your investigations of the supposed paranormal.”

Ian paused for a moment as he stared intensely into Clayton’s eyes, looking for any sign that he wasn’t being one hundred percent serious before he replied, “The truth is, Clayton, on so many levels, I don’t know how I could refuse your generous offer. I don’t want any further situations where I have to rely on funding from any police or community. It’s too complicated and carries potentially too many strings. If I must have any sort of puppet master, at least I’ll know in advance who it is.”

Clayton smiled. “Yes. Yes, I suppose you will.”

Ian then continued, “I think I’m gonna take some time off to regroup and … But after that, I’ll be heading south down to New Orleans. I’ve always wanted to investigate Haitian voodoo practiced here in America and, well, see for myself if there’s any truth to the supposed myth of zombiism. Which in essence was the subject of my doctoral dissertation titled Schizomega Syndrome, the name I gave to a theoretical mental as well as physical disorder that I perceived could, under the right circumstances, theoretically be induced in higher primates, in particular humans. My theory, which I named Schizomega Syndrome or the Schizomega Effect, was intent on eclipsing all pre-existing scientific assumptions that zombiism is no more than pure myth. I believe that it is plausible that under the correct administration of a regimen of very specific drugs and/or neurotoxins in conjunction with cellularly-manipulated virus or bacteria – all of which of course are performed by someone highly skilled in the art, perhaps enhanced by a person’s strong belief in the powers of voodoo – it could result in a mental and physical condition that closely reassembles zombiism.”

Clayton smiled. “Schizomega … Very nice! Which you must of course in part have derived from the novel by Richard Matheson,
I am Legend
. More specifically, from one of its film adaptations starring Charlton Heston, The Omega Man.” Ian nearly blushed at how fast Clayton had surmised all of that.

“By the way, Ian, I’m giving you my car. I’ve grown tired of it. Time for something a bit more sporty, in say …blood red.” Clayton tossed his keys to Ian, who reached out with his right hand and fielded them.

“Wow! Uh. I mean … your Mercedes? I’m overwhelmed. I don’t know what to say other than a profound thank you.” Ian knew better than to ask if Clayton was sure. If Ian knew one thing for certain about Clayton, it was that he was always sure.

Clayton smiled. “Also, in an envelope in the glove box, you will find a little traveling money. Not all that much. You deserve much more and will continue to receive much more as long as you simply abide by our little arrangement that you will provide me, when possible, news of your adventures that I might translate to fiction. An amicable agreement, I am certain. As an example, your adventures at Harmony Falls. I believe I’ve come up with a good title for that story as well.
The Beast of Harmony Falls.
Well, that’s a start anyway.”

Ian nervously shrugged his shoulders as he cleared his throat. “Sure, I mean fine, I’ll do what I can. I just can’t promise I’ll be that much help. I mean, who knows what I might turn up or not, investigating this and that.”

Clayton continued, “I’m certain you’ll do fine. And I may, from time to time, steer you myself towards potentially interesting topics to investigate. Anyway, Ian, you’re going to New Orleans to chase after necromancers and fire dancers. Well, I suppose that’s as good a place as any for researching that sort of thing.”

Clayton smiled and laughed as he continued, “You’ll no doubt be driving there. Make certain you see many sights along your journey and stay in nice, pet-friendly motels. It is of the utmost importance to me that you keep out of harm’s way. Oh, and once in New Orleans, I insist that you and that handsome dog of yours consider staying at the Château LaRivière, a quaint place in the French Quarter. If you mention my name, that we are friends, Madame LaRivière will undoubtedly accept your four-legged friend. She and I go way back. Ian, you keep poking around for the truth as you put it. You never know what you might dig up. Once again, for my favors, you will of course do me the honor of supplying me with a journal, or at least summary, of your various exploits so I may commit them to pen and paper. Well, these days I use a computer like everyone else. I’m certainly ancient but not THAT archaic. Anyway, Ian, I anticipate many adventures await us both. After all, as you’ve come to understand, the truth can be ... stranger than fiction.”

~Fini~

COMING SOON!

Loup-garou

The Beast of Harmony Falls

Book I of the Ian McDermott, Ph.D.,

Paranormal Investigator Series

By David Reuben

Sheriff Bud O’Brien and Sheriff’s Deputy Charlie Redtail of the tiny, normally quiet Pacific Northwest township of Harmony Falls,
located near Mt. Saint Helens, find themselves facing more than they bargained for when it comes to a string of disturbing occurrences that may or may not pertain to local superstition.

Pressure is mounting for them to solve the recent high-profile mystery of two missing hikers and identify what or who was actually responsible for the vicious attack on a local logger, who insists his assailant was none other than Big Foot!

After exhausting all conventional methods, Sheriff Bud reluctantly has hired the services of so-called rare animal expert, Dr. Ian McDermott, Ph.D., a cryptozoologist, who at one time had attained some notoriety in his unconventional field, to hopefully aid with his stalled investigations.

More questions and mysterious events will surface as tensions and pressures mount regarding what it is that must be dealt with.

Homicidal maniac? Big Foot? Or perhaps something more lycanthropically malevolent, more maniacally evil, than anyone could possibly imagine.

The hunt is on!

* * *

Critical review by Alma Carlisle, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and author of:
I AM NOT GUILTY
(based on his interviews with the serial killer Ted Bundy.)

“I read
Loup-garou, The Beast of Harmony Falls
in two days. Once I started I couldn’t put it down. David Reuben provided excellent description that allowed me to place myself in the novel. His development of his characters is solid, including speech characteristics which are consistent with the age of the characters. There are surprises in the plot which kept me interested and wanting to see how it ended. The novel was complete in and of itself, yet it was clear that there would be follow-up novels in a series.

I can recommend it as a good read. I’m looking forward to the next one.

Rating: 5 of 5 stars.” – Alma Carlisle

SCHIZOMEGA – Fresh Meat

(Anthropophagous Zombiism)

Book III of the Ian McDermott, Ph.D.,

Paranormal Investigator Series

By David Reuben

Imagine a top-security facility for the criminally insane. One that has over the years been continuously restored and reconfigured from its original self. A castle-like prison fortress built by the French to aide in the fortification of the mouth of the Mississippi. A fort which has stood for nearly three hundred years with much of its original, albeit broken-down embattlements still in place, on a hillside at the outskirts of the city, appearing as it always has save the addition of top-security fencing, guard towers, and what would amount to miles of spiraling razor wire.

Now imagine that prison houses the most dangerously depraved psychotic killers imaginable. Killers that no other prison in the United States could or even would want to try and contain.

Finally, imagine that the local New Orleans Haitian/Jamaican mob, in conjunction with an unscrupulous warden of said facility, a drug-and-gambling-addicted scientist who works for the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, and a powerful Voodoo Bokor have all collectively teamed up to develop the perfect assassins. Men who have intentionally been experimented on and afflicted with cocktails of psychotropic drugs and genetically-mutated strains of the Ebola virus, rabies, and carefully-orchestrated combinations of other biological agents derived from ancient voodoo rites, all devilishly devised to render the already criminally insane into deathlike altered states that at least mimic in every aspect Zombiism. Intended to create nearly unstoppable, untraceable killers that have no remorse, no will of their own … Perfect murderers who are programmed to carry out the bidding of their masters. Killers that are completely oblivious to pain other than the overwhelmingly excruciating pain caused from intense hunger, if left unfed. A raging hunger that can only be temporarily abated by the consumption of human flesh and blood. Untraceable killers thought to be non-contagious, zombified men that have been stripped of all identity and have very short, undead life-spans. Added to that, they have all been previously officially pronounced, and witnessed, dead and buried!

~ PANDORA’S CRYPT HAS BEEN OPENED ~

Privately-funded and investigating the dramatic spike of extremely strange, unexplained murders in New Orleans is Dr. Ian McDermott, Ph.D., former cryptozoologist recently turned paranormal investigator.

Ian will soon find out not only is he in way beyond his depth once again, but this time, it’s different! This time, the lives of the entire planet may depend on his tenuous abilities to somehow force the genie back into the bottle before the apocalypse really is now!