Page 37 of Deadly Lineage
Without another word, Lucroy ended the call. Tossing my phone onto the couch, I leaned back, bare toes gripping the coffee table a couple of feet away. I was still wiped out. My body was sluggish, and if it weren’t for Pops’s pain charms, my head would be a constant, painful ache. My stomach was a bottomless pit as it valiantly attempted to refill my empty tank.
Leaning my head back, my eyelids slipped closed. The hum of the refrigerator kicking on and off along with the intermittent air-conditioning lulled my mind closer and closer to blissful sleep nirvana. The ring of my doorbell popped that illusory bubble.
I rolled my head, tempted to ignore it. The doorbell chimed again, and I forced my sluggish body off the couch. Scrubbing the sleep from my eyes, I headed toward the door. It had to be a friend. Pops’s charms wouldn’t allow anyone who meant me harm to step foot on the porch, let alone close enough to ring the doorbell.
Going up on my tiptoes, I flipped on the porch light and checked the peephole, just in case. My heart fluttered when I saw Franklin O’Hare’s eyes staring back at me.
Unlocking the door, I swung it open, staring up at Franklin through the haze of my screen door. Leaning against the frame, I crossed my arms casually and gave Franklin a lazy smile. “Hey there, fancy meeting you on my porch.”
Franklin’s neck flushed. “Sorry to drop by unannounced,” Franklin said, tone all business.
My belly itched, and I casually satisfied that itch by pulling up my t-shirt and scratching it. Franklin’s gaze followed the movement and his lips parted. A zing of hope sped through my heart, making it do double time. Was Franklin interested? He knew what I was. The only hookups I’d had over the years werewith those that didn’t know I was a necromancer. I’d never been with anyone who recognized my species.
Time drew out, holding still. The dense humidity flooding the area seemed to lock the moment down even tighter.
Tinkling music filtered down the road, growing louder as an ice-cream truck trundled by. The sound of kids running and the truck slowing broke the moment.
Clearing his throat, Franklin ran a hand over his face, reddening it further before he finally said, “Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
“I’ve got more than a few. Can’t guarantee I’ll stay awake for all of them though. Come on in and get out of the heat.” Using my bare toes, I kicked the screen door open and invited Franklin into my abode. Thankfully, I’d learned my lesson from Momma and kept a tidy house. I didn’t dust on the regular, but it was picked up and looked halfway respectable.
“Would you like something to drink?” I asked, already heading to the kitchen.
“Some more of that tea if you’ve got it.”
I chuckled. “I’m the child of a true Southern woman. I’ve always got sweet tea on tap.” Pulling the pitcher out of the fridge, I got two glasses out, filled them with ice, and poured. Carrying the full glasses into the living room, I set Franklin’s in front of him on the same coffee table I’d had my toes propped on a few minutes ago.
I gave the man a minute to unbutton his suit jacket and drink a good two-thirds of his tea. Franklin had chosen the recliner while I plopped back down on the couch, pulling my legs up and tucking my feet under my ass.
After giving him some time to relax, I asked, “Has there been a break in Rebecca and Phineas’s cases?”
Franklin scrubbed his face and neck with his hand again. I’d learned it was a nervous gesture. “Sadly, no. Autopsy reporton Noland came back the same as Mosley—heart failure.” Franklin’s disgusted grunt let me know exactly what he thought of that.
I took a sip of tea before I said, “I don’t have much to add either. I called my contacts in Virginia a few minutes before you rang the doorbell. I might have more late tonight or sometime tomorrow.” I shrugged. “I’m not certain. I suppose it depends on what they know or, more likely, what they don’t know. FYI, I spoke with Lucroy Moony and—”
“The Southeastern vampire king?”
“The one and only. If something vampiric happens with this case, he wants to know. It wasn’t really a request.”
Franklin sighed. “Vamps aren’t my favorite.”
“They’re not mine either, but Lucroy’s different. At least from what I know of him. Also, he claimed a nature pixie as his beloved. I think that gives him a few bonus points.”
“Bonus points?” Franklin’s right eyebrow rose heavenward.
“Not sure what else to call it. I think you’d have to see him and Peaches together to get it. Anyway, my point is, if anything should happen, I think it’s better having him in the loop than out of it. Lucroy seems genuinely concerned about those in his nest. I think he’d help if given the opportunity or option.” I didn’t think the same could be said for all vampire kings and queens.
Franklin twirled his nearly empty glass of tea. “Noted. And thank you for that information.”
By way of answer, I shrugged before I said, “If you’re not here because of Rebecca and Phineas, then whyareyou here?” Was it too much to hope Franklin simply stopped by to see me? Not because he needed me for anything, just simply because he wanted to spend time with me?
“It’s about Bartholomew Livingston.”
Evidently, itwastoo much to ask. I swallowed down my disappointment and asked, “What about good ol’ Bart?”
“I don’t think there’s muchgoodabout Bart Livingston,” Franklin corrected, setting down his glass on the coffee table. Scooting forward, Franklin rested his elbows on his knees and leaned toward me. I didn’t think I’d ever seen him appear so serious. “Listen, Boone. This Livingston fellow is bad news with a capital B. I had one of my colleagues do a little digging and what she found isn’t promising.” Franklin cringed.
“How bad is it?”
