“He thinks that the blood of a fresh kill makes him stronger, jump-starts his energy quotient.” He shrugged. “This kill probably had little effect on him. It was more for show, and he’ll be hungry for something more substantial.”
Jane grimaced. “You make him sound like a cannibal.”
“There are similarities. Cannibals also devour their victims to absorb their strengths.”
Eve stiffened. “Is that what he’s doing? He thinks that the blood he takes will transfer the strength of those poor victims to him?”
He nodded. “That’s why he tries to be selective. Every kill is a step that moves him a little closer to the end of the game. But if the victim is particularly strong or intelligent, then it’s a giant step.”
“Game?” Eve repeated. “This is a game to him?”
“Of course. The quintessential game. The one that started in Fiero all those years ago and won’t be over until he reaches what he considers his zenith.” His lips tightened. “Or I kill the son of a bitch.”
“You evidently haven’t managed to do that in the last ten years,” Jane said dryly. “I want to know more about —”
“I’m out of here.” Joe was shrugging into his jacket as he came out of the bedroom. “I’ll call you when I know something, Eve.” He glanced at Seth Caleb. “Don’t disappear, Caleb. Before I see you again, I’m going to know everything there is to know about your background. I’m not through with you.”
“No, you’re not,” Caleb said. “You have no idea how far you are from being through with me. I’ll give my cell- phone number to Eve.” He headed for the door. “In the meantime, I’ll make a few calls myself and try to pin down where Jelak might be likely to show up next.” He smiled. “And I’ll be more generous than you about sharing information.”
“I’ll share when you prove that you can give me more than a bunch of vampire crap,” Joe said as he headed for the door. “Jelak is a murderer, nuts maybe, but not anything more.” He opened the door. “If you can give me any details about how we can use that particular craziness to catch him, then we’ll talk again.”
“My, my, you weren’t listening. I never said he was a vampire,” Caleb said. “Just a wannabe.”
“Whatever.” The next moment, Joe was going down the porch steps.
Caleb reached in his jacket and handed Eve a card. “My cell number. Call me if you need me.”
“I won’t need you.”
“You can never tell. Or if you want to talk or ask me more questions. I’m entirely open to you.”
She stared at him for a long moment before shaking her head. There was no telling what was behind that bland expression that seemed to hide a thousand secrets. “There’s nothing open about you, Caleb.”
He smiled. “You’re right, of course. But I’d make the effort for you.” He turned. “Good day, ladies. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”
EVE TURNED TO JANE AS CALEB left the cottage. “What do you think?”
“About Caleb?” Jane was silent a moment. “He’s a powerhouse. He tries to keep it under wraps, but every now and then we get a glimpse.”
“Joe doesn’t think he’s keeping it under wraps.” Eve paused. “Joe might have been more receptive if Megan hadn’t been involved. He’s been very tolerant about a lot of things, but pulling this vampire hunter into the mix is a little tough on him.”
“Van Helsing Caleb isn’t,” Jane said. “And he keeps insisting that Jelak isn’t a vampire.” She shivered. “But this blood stuff gives me the creeps. That poor woman in Piedmont Park. She probably didn’t know what—” She broke off, her eyes widening. “Piedmont Park. Oh, my God.”
Eve’s gaze flew to her face. “What?”
“Patty’s house is across the street from Piedmont Park.”
Eve went rigid. Dear God, please no. “It’s a big area, Jane.”
“She’s dark-haired and in her twenties. Isn’t that the description of the victim?” She moistened her lips. “I had dinner with Patty last night. I went to her house. What if I led him to her?”
She didn’t know what to answer. It could have happened. “Call her.”
“I’m doing it.” Jane was already dialing her cell. “Answer,” she murmured. “Answer me, Patty.” She hung up. “Dammit, it went to voice mail.” She jumped to her feet. “I’m going over there.”
Eve nodded. “I’ll go with you. What about the home phone?”
Jane was dialing as she walked out the door. “Disconnected.”
Not good, Eve thought. She’d had the faintest hope until then. But Patty’s grandfather was an invalid. Why would the main phone be disconnected? “Let’s go.”
THEY SAW THE FIRST SIGNS of police activity four blocks from Patty’s house. Squad cars and a forensic van were parked near the trees several hundred yards from the entrance. Small crowds of curiosity seekers were hovering, edging closer.
“Joe should be there by now,” Eve said. “Maybe I should call him. Maybe it’s not Patty.”
“He would have just gotten there. He might not know yet. And we’re almost at her house,” Jane said. “She didn’t answer the phone. I want to see for myself.”
Patty’s house was a small cottage with cheerful geraniums in pots hanging on the wraparound porch. The garage door was open, and Eve could glimpse a disassembled car just inside.
“That’s the car Patty is working on,” Jane said as she parked. “She’s teaching herself how to install new brakes.
