Read Online Murder in Vein (2010) by Sue Ann Jaffarian - Free Book Online Page A

the photos. She swallowed
and said, "I can tell you right now, most of these folks have never
been in Auntie Em's-at least not looking like that or when I've
been around. We don't get goth types in the diner."
    Mike vibrated with frustration. "Why didn't you say that
earlier?"
    Ignoring him, Madison pulled out the only three photos of
people not dressed in the goth style-two men and a woman.
"These people don't look like they're into vampires. They look
normal."
    "See, that's the thing, Madison," Mike explained, his voice
straining in its attempt to be civil. "Not all goth types are into
vampires. And you don't have to be part of the goth culture to be
involved in vampirism. With the near-hysterical interest in vampires now-with all the movies, books, and TV shows-those
who worship the undead easily go unnoticed. There are nightclubs, social groups, even religious orders now centered around
vampires. Some of it is very well organized."
    Mike took a seat at the table, trying on patience as if it were
a too-small shirt. "Practicing vampirism, in our day, can involve
anything from mind control to absorbing other people's energy
to the drinking of human blood. It has nothing to do with real
vampires like Doug and Dodie, who are actually immortal. And
very few real vampires want anything to do with these wannabes."
    Madison was horrified all over again. "People like you and me
drink human blood? Isn't that dangerous, with diseases like AIDS
and HIV and hepatitis?"
    "Extremely dangerous, Madison."
    "But what about Doug and Dodie? Aren't they worried about
disease?"

    "They're immortal," he repeated. "Blood-borne diseases won't
harm them" Mike offered a small smile at Madison's concern
for the Dedhams. "The people in these photos are all leaders of
various vampire cults here in Southern California. We think it's
someone from one of these cults who is kidnapping and killing
these women." He tapped the envelope, now resting on the table,
for emphasis. Madison leaned back as if the photos might reach
out and touch her, leaving behind prints of blood.
    "Someone," Mike continued, "who probably practices mind
control over his or her followers. As I told you last night, we're
pretty sure Piper and the creep in custody didn't do this on their
own. They weren't smart enough. Someone else is calling the
shots, and it might be one of these characters." He indicated the
photos spread between them.
    A mind-numbing chill went through Madison as she looked
down at the photographs again. Suddenly, being in the house of
real vampires didn't seem that scary.

     

EIGHT

    adison watched Dodie sip a beverage from a tall, colorful
mug. Something didn't seem right. Madison took a drink
from her own mug. It was a heavenly mix of coffee, chocolate, and spices.
    "I thought you guys couldn't eat regular food," Madison
observed.
    Dodie delicately touched a burgandy-colored napkin to her
lips. "We can't. This isn't the same thing you're having."
    The girly stuff Dodie had planned for the two of them had
been a visit to a salon that was open very late. Dodie had her
hair cut and colored, along with a manicure and pedicure. She'd
treated Madison to the same, minus the color. At first Madison
demurred, but she finally caved. She'd been cutting her own hair
with kitchen shears and couldn't remember the last time she'd
had her nails professionally done. She'd nearly cooed herself
into a pampered puddle during the pedicure and almost, but
not quite, forgotten about the horrific photos Mike Notchey had
shown her. Whenever the visions of those mangled bodies reared their ugly and evil heads in Madison's mind, she worked hard
to push them aside. If not, she feared she would go mad. After,
Dodie had taken her to a restaurant a few doors down from the
salon. The restaurant didn't have a sign, nor was it accessible
from the street. They'd entered through a bright red door that
faced an alley.

    A part of Madison didn't