Netherworld: Drop Dead Sexy(13)

Dan added, “We have only one vampire around that age among Tristan’s trusted group.”

“The Judge,” I whispered and shuddered.

Tristan had two attendants accompany him at public functions. One was his sister Patricia. Rumor had it he’d made her a vampire himself. The other aide was Pembroke Keimer, better known as The Judge. He’d been around Fulton Falls a couple years now, quickly becoming Tristan’s right hand vamp. The man had the most severe attitude I’d ever seen, looking for all the world like the Puritan judge he was reputed to have been before a vamp turned him. The Judge looked terrifying even on TV.

To the men I said, “He’s scary all right. Was he really in on the Salem Witch Trials?”

Tristan shook his head, his chuckle telling me he was used to the rampant rumors that swirled around his assistant. “No, though I think he attended them as a bystander.”

Dan wasn’t as amused. “I think Brandilynn should steer clear of him if possible. He’s not a fan of women of, uh, questionable virtue.”

Tristan pondered the suggestion. “His insight is invaluable. But since she has no memory of the attack as of yet, we’ll give her a chance to acclimate to her new afterlife before exposing her to him.”

I switched the subject, not enjoying the current one too much. “How do you two know each other? I mean, you don’t make a habit out of sharing girls, right?”

Dan answered that one with a shake of his head. “No, this was a new experience for me.”

“So, what’s your connection?”

“Death is incredibly boring. Even filling the time with sex can get old.” He grinned at Tristan. “Vampires always have some drama unfolding. They’re a manipulative bunch, forever trying to outmaneuver each other as well as humans.”

Tristan laughed. “We do love power plays, don’t we? Politics came naturally to me once I became undead.”

Dan smirked his agreement. “Tristan is one of the more ambitious of his kind, as well as a fair dealer. So when death got a little too mundane, I offered my background in business to help him in his many ventures.”

I nodded. “You have a lot of businesses. Property development and management, construction, and that trucking company.”

“Plus I’m the silent partner in several other fields.” Tristan preened. “Dan’s help has been invaluable. Unlike my subordinate vampires and shifters who are looking to promote their own agendas, I can trust him with everything.”

“I’m just looking to be kept busy and entertained.”





Dan suddenly went on alert, standing up straight as he looked towards the library’s double doors. “Someone’s here.”

I stood up, not sure why I felt alarm. “Another ghost?”

“No, the living.”

Taylor and Lana, the two women who’d helped Sheriff Grayson locate my body, walked in through the library’s main doors. Once they were inside, Lana halted and closed her eyes. “I feel Dan and the woman and—” her brow creased as she concentrated. Tristan rose from the couch and stepped to her side. He gently touched her shoulder, and she stiffened. “Vampire. Is that you Tristan?”

He squeezed her shoulder, and she relaxed. “It’s him.”

Taylor cast her gaze around the room. “Is it safe to report?”

Tristan patted Lana’s shoulder this time. “It’s safe. Go ahead.”

Taylor’s delivery came out crisp and very matter-of-fact. “It does look as if Ms. Payson is the latest victim of the Ripper. No one’s saying much until the autopsy, but my source says it was a particularly nasty death. The mutilations are definitely getting worse. Like the previous victims, she wasn’t killed in those woods. The Ripper dumped her there afterwards. We’re just lucky the wild pigs or dogs didn’t find her first. She’s the freshest kill they’ve gotten since the Ripper started.”

I swallowed hard and my knees knocked together. Freshest kill. Not a description of myself I enjoyed hearing. “If I wasn’t dead I’d throw up.”

Dan joined me and wrapped his big, strong arms around me. “Why don’t I take you somewhere else while she reports?”

Before I could answer, Taylor said, “The autopsy is day after tomorrow. That’s about it for now. Oh, except no one wants the body.” She grimaced sympathetically. “I guess she wasn’t on good terms with her family.”

Lana had her hankie out again and dabbed her eyes. “Poor soul. That’s too bad.”

As the women turned to leave, I pushed Dan away and dropped back down on the sofa. “No surprises there.”