Read Online Finally Dead (Eve Benson: Vampire Book 1) by P. S. Power - Free Book Online

know that you won’t mess the books up too badly. On the bad, well,
she’s powerful enough that she could pretty easily grab control from you, once
you have things set up. No one else will though, so if you can get on her good
side you’ll kind of be protected that way.”
    It was
interesting, since no one else moved at all, except Bey, who nodded, his face a
bit more dour than she’d seen him be prior to that.
    “It is,
I fear, a simple truth. I do not think she would seek to thwart me by taking
advantage of you as Barbara has mentioned, but I cannot promise that she would
not, at the same time. You must consider this carefully. There is no great
hurry, perhaps? You have time now, if you are careful and manage things well
enough.”
    She
nodded at that, wondering how the heck she was supposed to figure out what to
really do. Interview the woman? Taking a forced breath, she nodded a little.
    “I think
I see? Well, I have some contacts.” She did too, though they might be a little
dangerous to use just yet.
    Thinking
about it, she was tempted to call Darla, but that would be poor form. Zack was
in the same general zone. Oh, he’d help her out, and not charge her for
anything, but she didn’t really want that to be known. Not just yet. Keeley,
well, they were close, but she had her own concerns, and wasn’t that close to
the Vampire Council really.
    So she
asked to borrow the phone, and called Richard Swerlin. House of Representatives
member, for the great state of Maine. Also one of the very few openly Vampire
people in the country.
    It
wasn’t like she actually knew him or anything, but they had friends in
common. Keeley, mainly, but also Rebekah. The man didn’t answer his phone
himself, his assistant, Jonas, being in charge of that kind of thing. He was a
New Vamp, and could pass for human, even if he was pretty young to it. Also
Rebekah’s boyfriend.
    “Hey
Jonas, this is Eve Benson? I’m a buddy of your girlfriend? From Arizona? Not
that I’ve lived there for a while. I was wondering if I could pick your brain
for some information? Maybe talk to your boss, if he has the time for a
non-voter like me?”
    “Eve?
Oh, hi. Um, possibly? If it isn’t going to take too long. Mr. Swerlin is in a
meeting right now, but that should be over in a few minutes. It’s nearly time
for us to get out of here. Not that I’m complaining about the hours, but they
can be long. The election is coming soon though, so we have to do what we can.
So, shoot? The worst I’ll tell you is to get lost.” His voice held good humor,
so she didn’t let herself feel too offended. His job wasn’t to kowtow to her,
after all. Not yet.
    “Marissa
Constantine, of the ruling council. What do you know about her? It’s suggested
that I go into business with her, and I kind of want to make certain she
doesn’t just take it all over right off the bat. If she wants in, this
is the part where I research her, you know?”
    “Due
diligence. Good planning on your part. Let’s see… So far I haven’t heard
anything all that bad, honestly. Most hate her, but that isn’t because she’s
bad, just the one that comes and checks the books, which, well no one loves
that, do they? No complaints about her taking bribes or sucking up all the
credit for herself. Though really, I don’t know if anyone would send that kind
of thing past me, in particular. Bekah might know more that way. Here, hold on
for a bit?” It was pretty clear that his hand was over the mouthpiece, but she
could hear everything he said clearly. Everyone in the room could.
    “Eve
Benson? Calling to ask about Marissa from the Council. Someone told her that
she might make a good business partner. Any thoughts?”
    “Um… Not
really, what kind of business?”
    Eve
spoke then, answering him directly.
    “Animal
blood. Packaged like the Human kind, and flavored the same way. I have a new
recipe that will keep it fresh and tasting faintly of vanilla. Or, really, it’s
Keeley’s