Page 23 of Taste of Blood
“Of course. What can I help you with?”
“What do you know about the White Guild in San Francisco?”
He’s quiet for several minutes, like he’s giving the request serious consideration. Carlyle was always very deliberate. “Where are you going with this?”
I know there’s no way I’m going to get any information out of him without telling him why. I just don’t know how much I’m willing to reveal. “The vetting process for recruits is pretty stringent, isn’t it?”
“You know it is.”
“So what are the odds that someone with questionable proclivities would pass muster?”
I hear the sound of rustling, then a door closing and silence on the other end. “What are you talking about, specifically?” he asks, his voice hushed.
“If someone had a criminal record in the past, say, animal abuse, would that be cause to disqualify them?”
“Of course. Why?”
Go for broke. “We’ve got a situation here. A serial killer. He’s moved ahead of a series of brutal murders three times.”
“Are you sure he’s Clan?”
“Yes. The last two murders have involved teeth.” That’s a detail Elaine got from the initial police reports.
“I see. Tell me, did this happen to come from your friend Cord?”
Figures he would connect the dots. “He’s looking into it, but I did some digging on my own and discovered the background information.”
He sighs. “I don’t like you getting involved in this kind of thing.”
“It’s bad for all of us,” I snap.
“Yes, yes, of course you’re right.” He pauses. “Look, I know Jerold Franklin of the White Guild there. I can give him a call, see what I can find out. What’s the guy’s name?”
“Eduard Pascal. He was transitioned around 2004 or 2005.”
“Okay. Let me see what I can dig up. If it’s true that one of his is committing murders, Jerold would want to know.”
“Can you find out who his mentor was?”
“Possibly, but what good would that do you?”
He’s right; there’s nothing I can do about it. “Not much, I guess. I’d just like to make sure this person isn’t sending more of these guys out into the world.”
“Trust me, we all would. As you said, this is bad for all of us.”
I thank him and say my goodbyes, promising not to wait so long to call next time.
By the time I hang up with him I notice an email from Elaine. Guess her contact came through. There’s an address of the property Smyth bought out in Staten Island. If I had to wager, I’d say that’s where Smyth is hiding out.
Now my problem is how do I get this information to Cord? Despite the mixed signals I got from him this morning, I doubthe’s going to let me into his apartment again. Maybe I’ll just send him a text.
I have some information on your serial killer.
It takes a couple of minutes to get a reply.
What are you talking about?
Eduard Smyth. Previously Eduard Pascal.
