Keeper of the Dawn

“The soul, the belief in right and wrong that allows us to make moral choices rather than being driven by selfishness and greed.”

She laughed. “But, Detective, this is Hollywood. Everyone out here is soulless, don’t you know?”

The music ended. Applause filled the room.

“Thank you for the dance,” Charlaine said.

“No, thank you,” Mark replied.

He noted Greg Swayze was still with Alessande. They were standing and chatting by the table. Alessande seemed to be introducing him to the rest of the group.

“Intrigued by the screenwriter?” Charlaine asked archly. “Or intrigued by his interest in your friend?”

Mark looked down at her. “I think he’s exceptionally talented.”

She laughed softly. “Come, take me over to meet the rest of your friends.”

“You must know Barrie Gryffald—she’s the Keeper of the Laurel Canyon shapeshifters.”

“I know of Barrie Gryffald,” she said.

“She’s also a reporter, and she’s looking to give the movie a boost,” Mark said. “No doubt she can send some publicity your cousin’s way, as well.”

“Please, Detective! Investigate us all you like, but don’t mistake me for a fool. Her interest is purely in the Hildegard connection to Death in the Bowery.”

“Ah, but if it’s okay that we investigate you all we like, why not help Barrie and let your cousin and the family business benefit, as well?” he asked.

She tipped her head to the side as she mulled over the question. “You’re right, the publicity will be quite beneficial.” She offered him a seductive smile and moved closer to him. “So let your friend play cat and mouse with Greg and the crew. I don’t mind at all if you ‘investigate’ me. Some of my favorite friends and...investigators through the years have been vampires.”

“I’m pleased to hear it,” he said.

“Now introduce me around,” she said, her mischievous smile intact.

He led her to the table, where the men rose as he made the introductions. Barrie acknowledged Charlaine with a smile and said she was pleased to meet her at last, and Charlaine admitted that she seldom attended council meetings, preferring to live quietly, out of the mainstream of the Otherworld.

Throughout the conversation, Swayze remained silent, a besotted smile on his face as he watched Alessande. Eventually Charlaine took his arm and led him back to their table.

“Anything?” Mark asked as he sat back down.

“I’d say Swayze has a crush the size of Texas on our Alessande,” Brodie said.

Mark leaned forward and said, “They’re having coffee tomorrow. He wants to talk to her about the lead role in the upcoming movie.”

“Go figure,” Sailor said, but she was smiling as she shrugged.

“Sailor, I have no interest in that role or any other,” Alessande said.

“Don’t be silly—better one of us gets the part,” Sailor said.

Alessande smiled. “But this opportunity could be really important for you. I just want to find Regina and stop what’s happening before anyone else dies.”

“We’re going to find Regina,” Sailor assured her. “And we will stop this, but I confess I wouldn’t mind landing a role, too,” Sailor said, grinning. “That would mean a real paycheck—one that could mean I won’t have to wait on so many tables.”

They all smiled at that. Alessande turned to Mark. “Speaking of crushes...”

“She’s right,” Mick said, looking at Mark with a teasing light in his eyes. “Our shape-shifting beauty Ms. Charlaine Hildegard seems to be eating you alive with her eyes.”

“We don’t have a date for coffee,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s coffee she wants,” Barrie commented dryly.

“Keep an eye on the Hildegard crew,” Mark told the table. “Alessande, want to take a walk?”

“Sure,” she said, but there was a question in her eyes.

“We’re going back to see Digger,” he told her.

“Ah,” she said.

“You’ll follow him tonight?” Brodie asked.

Mark nodded.

“Just give me a buzz if you need me,” Brodie said.

“I think Barrie and I should hit the research trail,” Mick said. “We can take Sailor home with us. Declan owns the place, so he has to stay, and it makes sense for you to stay, too, Brodie, since you’re engaged to Rhiannon.”

“It’s a good plan,” Brodie said. “I think I’ll circulate downstairs and see if I can pick up any good gossip. You never know what might turn out to be relevant.”

“Works for me,” Mark said.

“Not for me,” Sailor protested. “I’m staying here. I can hang out up here and see if the Hildegards and their film friends get up to anything suspicious.”

“That makes sense,” Alessande said. “Especially because it would be natural for Sailor to slide into conversations with any of the film crew, since she’s a working actress.”

“An almost-working actress,” Sailor said.

“A wonderful actress,” Brodie assured her.

At that, Mick, Barrie, Alessande and Mark made a show of saying goodbye, leaving Brodie and Sailor still at the table and pausing on the way out to make a show of thanking Declan. Outside, they split up, Barrie and Mick retrieving Mick’s car from the valet, while Mark and Alessande headed down the street.

As they walked, retracing their steps from the previous night, Mark said, “So, did you work any Elven magic on our boy Swayze?” He sounded jealous, he realized.

She looked up at him, smiling. “No, actually, I didn’t. Believe it or not, he’s genuinely attracted to me.”

“Oh, I believe it.”

“What about you? Use any vampire glamour on the lovely Charlaine?”

He shook his head. “Of course, I’m not having coffee with Charlaine Hildegard.”

“Coffee seems quite tame, really, doesn’t it? It was pretty evident what she wants from you.”

He grinned. “Jealous?” he teased her.

“Not at all,” she said. “What’s important here is solving this case and finding Regina.”

“Of course.”

“Are you jealous?” she asked.

“You bet,” he told her.

She smiled at that. “Okay, so I’m a little bit jealous. More than that, actually. I’d like to smack her in her smug, overly made-up face.”

He laughed and pulled her close. “You know...she doesn’t compare to you,” he said softly.

He wasn’t sure what she would have answered, because she suddenly tensed and said, “There’s Digger!”

He was leaning against a building, smoking. They approached him, and he instantly straightened, looking worried. “Hey, I have a prescription,” he said. “It’s for medicinal use!”

“Sure, whatever,” Mark said. “We were looking to, um, see what you have tonight.”

Digger squinted and looked at the two of them. “Oh, yeah.” He frowned. “Cool to see you again.”

“You sound surprised to see us,” Alessande told him.

“No, uh, no. But—” He stopped and looked around, as if afraid someone might overhear him, but after a moment he seemed satisfied that no one else was around. “That was some pretty powerful stuff I gave you. I don’t usually get repeat customers so quickly.”

“We want another dose,” Mark said.

“I, um, don’t have any more right now,” Digger said. “I mean, I can get them. I can get them for you by tomorrow night.”

“If that’s really the best you can do...” Alessande said regretfully.