Page 22 of How to Stake a Vampire
A fraught hush fell over the room. Didi and Gavin looked like they’d just been told Victoria and Pearl were here for a visit. Barney curled a lip like he’d swallowed a worm. Bo scratched an ear before examining his tail with the kind of focused expression that said he was thinking about chasing it.
Yup, things could be about to spiral down the drain to Shitsville.
Samuel nodded curtly at Janet, oblivious to my glum thoughts. “Send them in.”
Janet disappeared and returned moments later with the power couple. Gregory wore a suit that made him look like he’d stepped out of a boardroom where billion-dollar deals were being discussed over afternoon tea. Constantia’s dress screamed money, while her moue indicated her growing horror at having to mingle with Amberford’s riffraff.
“Abby,” Gregory greeted me politely.
“Gregory,” I murmured.
The vampire couple tensed a little at the sight of Barney.
“Barnabas,” Constantia said steadily. “You’re looking well.”
“As are you, Constantia,” Barney said in a formal tone that hinted at some past history.
Gregory’s face tightened.
Definitely some drama there.
Samuel gestured to a couple of empty chairs. “Please, sit. I assume you’re here about the break-in at Eternal Reserves?”
“Among other things.” Gregory settled into his seat with predatory grace and proceeded to ignore Barney. “We understand you’ve begun investigating the incident.”
“That’s correct. I put Didi’s team in charge of this case.”
Gregory’s gaze flitted to the witch before finding mine. “And what conclusions have you reached so far?”
I shot a wary look at Didi and Samuel. They nodded slightly.
“It seems someone with extensive knowledge of the Amberford blood banks systematically robbed that facility,” I said carefully. “They also stole the genealogical records of some very specific bloodlines.”
Constantia’s fingers tightened on her purse.
Gregory’s expression didn’t change.
“Do you have any suspects?” the vampire asked in a voice that gave little away.
“We’re following a couple of leads,” Didi admitted. She hesitated for a fraction of a second that didn’t go unnoticed. “Your son Virgil was one of the last customers at Eternal Reserves before the break-in.”
The silence became glacial.
I started to wish I’d never bothered to get out of bed this morning.
Bo gulped audibly, all thoughts of chasing his tail evidently abandoned.
8
SUCKED DRY
Gregory’s eyesflashed crimson for a moment. “I see.”
“Virgil’s alibi checks out,” Gavin added hastily.
Constantia’s jawline was so stiff I was surprised we couldn’t hear her teeth grind.
“We also discovered a pattern of thefts at other blood banks throughout the town,” I continued. “Most of which have gone unreported.”
