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

want to know what was in Dodie's
mug, but another part of her had to know. "Is it ... you know?"
she asked.
    "Human," Dodie completed. "Yes, it is. While all the blood at
the house is animal, human blood is best for us."
    When Dodie saw Madison's face turn the color of campfire
ash, she quickly added, "Don't worry, no one died so I could
drink this. In fact, it's rare that anyone would die from a vampire
drinking their blood. It's not like we need to drain a body dry to
be satiated." She added a small chuckle, accompanied by a small
shake of her head. "The movies have really done us a great disservice over the years." Her face took on a serious flicker. "I'm not
saying a vampire has never torn a human asunder in bloodlust,
but that was more in days gone by, not the present. Today, most
of us live quite peacefully among the living, totally undetected."
    Torn asunder. The words vibrated in Madison's head like a
tuning fork. The women in the photos had been torn asunder in
bloodlust, and Mike Notchey was sure it had not been done by
a vampire. Madison watched as the seemingly sweet and warm
Dodie Dedham raised the mug to her lips and sipped, looking
like a grandmother enjoying a spot of tea after shopping. But the
mug held in Dodie's elderly hands did not contain tea. It held
human blood-the same blood that coursed through Madison's
own veins.

    Dodie looked at Madison, her wise eyes reading conflict in
the girl's facial expressions and demeanor. Catching Madison's
attention, she indicated the restaurant in which they sat. It was
a large room with a small bar at the far end and two dozen
tablecloth-covered tables with chairs, half of which were occupied. The decor was modern and sleek. It had no windows but
was well lit. One wall was painted black and covered with interesting and bright paintings. The other walls were painted a pale
silvery gray and also held artwork.
    "This place is called Scarlet," Dodie told Madison, "after its
owner. It's a vampire restaurant. A living person can only come
in here accompanied by a vampire. It's a place where the two can
come together socially for a meal, each of their own kind. It has a
limited food menu, but I'm told the food is quite good. Are you
hungry?"
    Madison shook her head and mumbled, "No, thanks." She'd
nibbled on the pot roast earlier. It was delicious, but she hadn't
had much of an appetite, eating what she did only because she
knew she needed to eat something.
    "Don't worry," Dodie said, seeing Madison stare into her coffee mug with concern. "The kitchen where the food is made is
separate from where the blood items are prepared." She laughed
lightly. "Think of it as a kosher kitchen, where the meat dishes
and the dairy dishes are never allowed to mingle."
    Madison looked around the restaurant, thinking maybe some
small talk would get her mind off of the photos. "So," she began,
swallowing hard before continuing, "are the waiters here also
vampires?"
    "Yes, though the chef for the food is not. Since vampires don't
eat, how could a vampire chef tell if something tasted good or not? Although most of us do enjoy the aroma of a well-cooked
meal."

    "Pauline told me that's why you enjoy cooking-for the
smell."
    "Yes, and I like seeing people enjoy what I make. Did you
enjoy the pot roast?"
    "I wasn't too hungry, but I had some. It was very good, but I
thought Pauline fixed that."
    "I put it on before I went to bed. It's one of my specialties, like
the chicken soup is one of Pauline's. It was also a favorite of my
first husband."
    In spite of her continued wariness, Madison found her tension begin to melt and the memory of the photos retreat from
the forefront of her thoughts. Dodie's company was as pleasant
and soothing as the coffee and chocolate beverage in the mug she
held. For the first time since she was a young girl, Madison felt a
little spoiled and pampered, even cared about. She also warned
herself not to get too used to it.