Forever Knight
Nicholas B. Knight looked in disbelief and shock at the two men standing before him in his loft. There was no denying who they were. The expressionless faces. The uniformly severe all black suits. The extremely pallid features. There was only one thing they could possibly be. < Enforcers. > Even thinking the word sent chills through the vampire detective's body.
< But why are they here? > Nick wracked his brain. As far as he could determine, he had not done anything that would warrant a visit from the Enforcers. At least not in this decade.
< NATALIE? >
Were they after Dr. Natalie Lambert, the beautiful female Coroner? And by association, him? After all, it was because of him that she knew of the existence of vampires in the first place. If he hadn't 'resurrected' on her examining table after the incident with the pipe bomb ... If he hadn't continued to see her ... If they hadn't been working to find a 'cure' ... If he hadn't fallen in love with her ... If If If She wouldn't be so vulnerable. He knew in his heart that nothing could ever come of their relationship, though. At least not while he was still a vampire. He knew that if he even attempted to consummate his love for her, he would undoubtedly kill her. Anything more than an innocent peck on the cheek risked bringing out the vampire. So they remained friends ... just friends. Except that his supposedly dead heart broke every time he even thought of her ... and he thought of her constantly.
Also, Natalie had voluntarily performed many exceptional services for the Community. Although she knew their secret, she had never showed any signs that she would reveal what she knew. And she had more than enough opportunities to 'blow the whistle' so to speak. In fact, she had done exactly the opposite on many occasions. She had covered for a number of sloppy kills in her autopsies. She also had 'invented ' medical explanations to account for his aversion to food and sunlight.
She had also worked tirelessly to find a cure for the fatal virus that had spread through the Community several years ago, and with LaCroix's help, had found it and produced enough vaccine to inoculate everyone. While many had died from the fever, she had managed to save the majority of them.
Although vampires were immune to most diseases and most accidents, they occasionally needed the assistance of the 'Doctor To The Undead' to remove pesky bullets and stakes, treat burns from being caught in the sun, or to flush garlic or holy water from their systems. No, they couldn't be after her.
< SCHANKE? >
His partner was in the clear. He was positive of that. Even if Donald Schanke knew Nick's secret, he had never said the first word to anyone, including his partner. Nick felt certain he knew, though. After a shooting incident where he accidentally saw Nick flying, Nick had tried to hypnotize him into forgetting what he had seen, but it didn't work too well. Janette had tried also, and with the same results. Apparently his partner was somewhat of a resistor. Don had spent the day researching everything he knew about his partner in minute detail. Eventually he had reached the inescapable conclusion. Nick Knight, his partner, was a vampire.
Thankfully, Schanke had gone to LaCroix for corroboration of his findings. The master vampire had managed to convince the detective that his suspicions were the result of sleep deprivation, coupled with too much caffeine, an overabundance of adrenaline, and an overactive imagination.
Still, Schanke had treated him differently after that. He refrained from eating his favorite food ... garlic laced souvlaki ... in front of him. He had stopped teasing him about his 'sun allergy', his 'weirdo habits', and his 'macrobiotic liquid diet'. He no longer complained about his partner's arriving late and leaving early during the summer months.
He had even volunteered to take his place to extradite a prisoner to Vancouver because the plane would arrive in the daytime. Because of a multiple car accident on the freeway to the airport, he missed the plane and their Captain, Amanda Cohen, took his place. To everyone's shock and dismay, a deranged bomber blew up the plane and Captain Cohen was killed. Both Nick and Schanke felt her loss exceedingly.
< TRACY? >
When Joe Reese took over as Captain of the 96th precinct, he had tried an experimental program. Three man teams. Nick and Schanke were the first test subjects (or was that victims?) His newest partner was Tracy Vetter, the Commissioner's daughter. She knew about vampires. There was no question about that. She had seen Javier Vachon at the airplane crash site when the Spanish vampire 'returned to life' in front of her. Through him, she had met Amaru the Inca, who was Vachon's vampire twin, and Screed, a Cockney Carouche who was a buddy of Vachon's. She was even in a sort of a 'relationship' with the sixteenth century Conquistador. Nick knew they cared for each other in a more-than-friends manner, but he was almost positive it had not gone any further than that. If Vachon ever tried anything, Nick would kill the Hispanic musician himself, staking him with his own guitar, and Vachon knew that.
She knew about Nick, too. Several months ago, she had been wounded when an escaped felon barricaded himself in the precinct locker room. Nick almost had him talked into surrendering when the escapee spotted the blonde detective positioned as his backup by the doorway and opened fire. Nick vamped out at the sound of the shots, and Tracy saw him. Her last words before she lost consciousness were "You could have trusted me."
She and Nick had quite a few very long private conversations about his 'secret' while she was recovering, and she agreed to keep the knowledge to herself. After all, as she told him, she already knew about Vachon and the others, and one more vampire in her life should not make that much of a difference. And it apparently hadn't. She treated him much the same as she had always done. Still, he did not know how much more of her 'perky' attitude he could take before he was driven to the point of draining her. It had been a lot easier to put up with her when she did not know about him. Or maybe he had been too caught up in keeping his secret to notice her ultra sunny disposition.
She too could have revealed what she knew on many occasions, but like Natalie, she had kept the secret.
< STONETREE? >
His former Captain at the 27th precinct, Joe Stonetree, was the only other mortal that might have suspected the existence of vampires. He certainly knew that there was something about Detective Nicholas B. Knight that was definitely out of the ordinary. But it had been over five years since Nick had been in daily contact with the Native American policeman. If the Enforcers were going to do anything about him, they would have done it long ago.
< Then why were they here? >
"Nicholas de Brabant." One of them said in a flat monotone. "Come with us."
< It must be very serious. > Enforcers never spoke unless it was.
**********
They took flight as soon as they left the loft. Their course was so twisting and so fast that Nick had a hard time keeping up with them, let alone attempting to memorize their route, even with his near perfect vampire memory. The fact that it was a heavily clouded night had made reckoning by the stars impossible. All he knew for sure was that they had flown for several hours, and had doubled back and changed course numerous times.
They were no longer in the Toronto area, of that he was positive. But whether they were north, east, south or west of the sprawling city, he couldn't readily tell. He wasn't even completely positive they were still in the Province of Ontario, or even in Canada for that matter. For all he knew, they weren't even in North America.
**********
At last they touched down. To call the structure before him a mansion was like calling the Grand Canyon a ditch. The Palace at Versailles was not this magnificent. The house was five stories high, not counting the attic towers. And as far as Nick could tell, it was roughly H shaped, with the wings on either side of the palatial structure. It was constructed of granite and Italian marble and must have covered almost two acres by itself. The two led him across an imposing veranda to a massive door, which was opened as they approached. Apparently, they were expected.
The door opened into a grandiose hallway, at least two stories high, paneled with what could only be real walnut. "In there." One of them said, pointing to an ornate carved mahogany door. "And don't leave."
Nicholas did as he was told. He stepped inside the room. It appeared to be an anteroom of some sort. It was large, easily 20' by 20', with light beige apparently genuine linen wall covering above dark oak wainscoting. The pattern on the wall covering was in an intricate scrollwork in gold. It was sparsely furnished, with only about a dozen upholstered chairs that matched the walls, and a small oak table. The table held several bottles of what Nick could sense was an excellent vintage, and numerous glasses. On the side opposite him was another ornate door, the twin of the one he had just come through.
There were already a number of vampires in the room. Some of them he recognized. There was Ben Harstein from the Columbus Community and Emil Montcorde of Montreal. Vittorio and Vincente Montini, who were twins both as mortals and as vampires, from New York were present as well. As were Thomas Paterzak from Pittsburgh and Lenny Herbert, the Elder of the Chicago region. The others, he did not know by sight, but it was almost a given that they, too were Community Elders. Before he could even get his bearings, a pair of hands wrapped around his throat and he was lifted into the air and slammed against a wall.
"What have you done this time, Nicholas?" The vampire snarled. There was only one person that the voice could belong to ... Lucien LaCroix. "How could you manage to enrage the High Council so badly that they have to bring in the Elders from every Community in Eastern Canada and Northeastern United States to hear the case?"
"I strongly suggest you put him down." A man said from the far doorway. It was uncertain whether he was an Enforcer or merely a messenger. "He is innocent of any wrongdoing. This is not a disciplinary conclave."
"Then why were we brought here?" LaCroix demanded. He lowered the Crusader back to the floor and released him.
Nicholas massaged his neck. If he were mortal, the bruises he had received from LaCroix's manhandling would have lasted for several weeks. As it was, he could barely swallow, and talking, at least for the time being, was out of the question.
"All in due time, Lucius Pletano." The man said.
"At least tell us how much longer we're going to have to wait." Ben Harstein asked. "Some of us have been here since before dawn this morning. And I've got midterms at OSU to study for. And a paper due the day after tomorrow that I haven't even started."
"What are you studying this time?" One of the other vampires, Dan Chalmers of Boston, asked the young man. "And how many degrees will this make?"
Although he looked to be about twenty years old, in truth Ben Harstein, born Avrum Ben Harsen, had been in the throng at the Sermon on the Mount only a few months before he was brought across. He still considered himself a devout Jew.
"Comparative Middle Eastern Philosophies." Harstein replied. "And I lost count of my doctorates after the first hundred and fifty or so." He added with a self satisfied smirk.
"To answer your question, Avrum Ben Harsen, there are a few more people that have to be here before this can begin." The vampire at the door said. He was distracted as someone behind the door whispered something in his ear. "Apparently they have decided not to wait." He opened the door wide. "Follow me."
The room was huge, especially when compared with the room they had just left. It was more the size of a banquet hall or a ballroom. Its walls were papered in an exquisite red and gold flocked velvet paper and the wainscoting was of highly polished cherry wood. The floor was wide tongue-in-groove oak, covered with several obviously expensive and undoubtedly antique Persian rugs. It reminded Nick of a richly furnished meeting room in an exclusive country club. At one end of the room was an ornately carved mahogany table with five large, equally ornate carved chairs along one side of it. They were upholstered in a red and gold velvet fabric that also matched the wallpaper. A cloth of the same design was on the table and draped over the sides. In front of the table, set back approximately three feet from it, were three rows of only slightly smaller versions of the chairs at the table.
The messenger directed the vampires to take their places in these chairs. Naturally, Lucien LaCroix commandeered the front row center seat and motioned Nicholas to sit beside him.
After what seemed like hours, but in truth was not more than ten minutes later, a door behind the table, expertly camouflaged to blend in with the wall, opened and five extraordinarily powerful vampires, three men and two women, entered the room. They solemnly took their places at the table.
Nicholas recognized them immediately. These were the fabled members of the High Council. They were the ones who administered the Code and directed the Enforcers in their execution of it. They were also responsible in one way or another in almost every phase of vampire existence. Although he had never met any of them until now, he had heard stories about these eminent beings for centuries.
Lady Zera, the Presider of the Council. She was probably a First One. Although she looked to be in her middle fifties, she was older than even she could calculate. According to her, alphabets and numbers hadn't even been invented at the time of her birth.
Amahl T'Mutu, a swarthy African vampire, an Ancient. He readily admitted that as a young vampire, he had been in the service of the Pharaoh Menes II in about 3150 BCE. He claimed, with no disagreement, that his sire had been one of the grandsons of Cain.
Etrian. Also an Ancient. At least 5,000 years old. According to legend, he was the vampire brother of Qa'Rah, and their sire was also a First One. It was widely believed that at one point, he had traveled with Moses in the Sinai for several years.
Chek Kai Chang was born in the second year of the emperor Xia, roughly about 1876 BCE, when China was still in its formative stage. The country consisted of only a handful of small villages, and Peking, recently renamed Beijing, had more chickens than people. He was acknowledged as the 'father' of the Chinese vampire Communities. Most Oriental vampires claimed to be descended from him. Who his sire was, even he did not remember.
Adrienne Walking-With-Moon identified herself as an Arapaho Sioux Indian in this existence. Her true tribal nationality, if indeed she ever had one, was lost in legend. She was the youngest member of the group. She claimed to be only a little over 2800 years old.
Everyone's attention was suddenly focused on the anteroom, where the sounds of screaming and screeching echoed through the chamber. The door opened and two burly Enforcers came in practically dragging another vampire between them. They stopped in front of the Council and pulled the miscreant to his feet.
"I didn't do nuffin'! I swears it! Honest I didn't!" Screed bellowed as he tried vainly to pull himself from the steel grip of the Enforcers. "I'm innercent, I tells ya'! Tell these two gorrillys to lets me go! You tell 'em Derfective Knight! Tell 'em I'm innercent as a newborn babe, I am. It was a territorial dispute, it was. 'Ow was I to know that it was 'er Ladyship's kittypuss?"
"Territorial dispute?" Lady Zera asked. "What sort of a dispute? And just where is Memakata?"
"You means that little alter-i-cation I 'ad wif' the feline kittycat ain't why I was rousted out of me comfy diggin's by these two 'ooligans, an' was bodily dragged in 'ere?"
"It wasn't initially." She nodded imperceptibly toward the two Enforcers, who released the unwilling Carouche, "However, since you are here, what happened? And ...Where ... IS ... My ... Cat?" Lady Zera's eyes turned a deep red as she glared at the Carouche.
"She ain't 'urt none. I swears. 'Cept'n maybes she's scared clean out of 'er fur. The last I saw of 'er she was 'eadin' up north on Yonge towards Aurora. She was makin' tracks like there wasn't no tomorrow, too. I'll give you she won't be botherin' tryin' to 'unt in them sewers no more neither."
"Memakata does NOT hunt in the sewers." Lady Zera said indignantly.
"Not no more she don't." Screed said with a small self satisfied smile.
"Thaddeus, what did you do to her?"
"I didn't do nuthin' to 'er, Yer Ladyship. I swears! 'Cept maybe to show 'er who's gots the biggest fangs in these 'ere parts."
"Thaddeus ?" Ben Harstein said. "Is that your real name?"
"J. Thaddeus Screed. At yer service." Screed made a sweeping bow to the assembled vampires. " 'Course I ain't used that moniker since I was in knickers. Somehows, that name didn't 'xactly fit wif' the imagine of a upstandin' seagoin' bloke like meself. It was me mum's idear, it was. St. Jude Thaddeus is the saint of 'opeless causes and despeyraite sitcheations. I guess she thought I was about as 'opeless and despeyraite as they comes, so she named me Jude Thaddeus." He gave the group a threatening look that didn't quite come off. "But if'n any of youse blokes in 'ere even thinks about callin' me by that, I swears I'll stakes ya where ya stands." He turned to Lady Zera and took her hand. He brought it to his lips and bowed low. "You, 'owever, me Ladyship, can calls me anythin' you wants ter."
"Then why is that ... Carouche ... here in the first place if it isn't to discipline him?" A vampire, who identified himself as Logan Peterson of Detroit, asked angrily as he stood up.
"What is to be discussed affects all vampires, Carouches included." Amahl replied. "And since Screed is the Elder of the Carouche Community, he is here to represent them."
"Me? An Elder?" Screed beamed. "I'm an Elder! 'Ow about that! Screed The Elder! Sounds right nice, it does!" He hooked his hands around his greasy jacket lapels and waggled his bald head.
"You may be the oldest Carouche around, but you're still a Carouche. And don't you ever forget that." Logan snarled at the Cockney. "Pah! Vermin drinkers. Disgusting!" He spat. "They all should be staked."
That drew a withering look from Chek Kai Chang. Logan lowered his head in a symbolic position of submission and resumed his seat.
"Now, if you will take your seat, Thaddeus, we shall start." Lady Zera said.
Screed positioned himself in the back row, at least three empty seats from the nearest vampire.
"Now that we are all here." Lady Zera continued. "I will outline briefly what has prompted this meeting.
As all of you know, it has become increasingly difficult to keep the existence of the Community a secret from the mortal world. What with Cellular networking, Telecommunications, the Internet, DNA testing and global tracking, information can be shared worldwide in a matter of nanoseconds. It has become almost impossible for us to move freely among the mortal population without detection.
Just last month, there were fifteen separate occasions where one or more vampires narrowly avoided being exposed by the mortal population. It was only through intense intervention from within the Community that their presence was not made public. The month before that, there were ten. Before that, eleven. The month before that ... " She sighed heavily and clasped the bridge of her nose. "I could go on, but I think you get the picture.
Although it doesn't seem like a lot, given the population of the Communities, it would only take one incident with empirical evidence and we would be in the proverbial global hot seat. If that happens ... and it will happen sooner or later ... the reaction from the mortal population could be extremely negative."
"We've heard all these things before." Logan Peterson interrupted. "The printing press. Newspapers. Photography. Fingerprints. Telegraph. Telephone. TV. They were all supposed to spell our doom. We're still here, aren't we?"
"Yes we are." Adrienne Walking-With-Moon answered. "But as Lady Zera said, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep our existence a secret."
"Then why ... "
"Be quiet and let Lady Zera continue." Chek Kai Chang admonished. The Detroit vampire sat down.
"Thank you, Chek." Lady Zera nodded to the Oriental. "As I started to say, we may be able to turn this around to our benefit."
"How ... " Another glare, this time from both Etrian and Walking-With-Moon stopped any further questions from Peterson.
"I am getting to that. The Council has given this matter considerable thought. We are proposing this to all the Elders from every region. Nothing will be decided at this time. It is merely for your enlightenment. When you have been given time to consider what we have said, we will come back for your decision." She paused for a few seconds. "What we are proposing is that vampires reveal themselves to the mortal world."
"GO PUBLIC? ARE YOU INSANE?" Peterson shouted, again on his feet. "In the past, when mortals found out about us, they hunted us down like rabid animals, and now you're telling us to paint bullseyes on our backs!"
"LOGAN GRAINER!" Lady Zera said forcefully. "Will you PLEASE be quiet and let me finish. If there is one more outburst from you, I will have you restrained. By force if necessary." She nodded toward two huge Enforcers who moved to a position behind Peterson's chair.
This outbreak also brought a very annoyed glare from Lucien LaCroix as well. Although he was not on the Council, the Toronto vampire was in a position to command respect and even fear from the other vampires. After all, he had been a General under Nero in his mortal life, and had served under numerous Emperors, Kings, and Dictators as a vampire. He still had that imposing air that military top brass in every place and every time always carried. "Yes, Mr. Peterson." He said, his calmness belying the not-so-subtle waves of anger emanating from him. "Do sit down. There are some of us who would like to hear what Lady Zera has to say before making any judgments." He smiled at the Michigander. Peterson got the distinct impression of a crocodile sizing up its dinner.
"Lucius is correct. At least hear me out before you reach a conclusion." Lady Zera said flatly. While she appreciated the Roman's efforts, she could not acknowledge them publicly. That would only undermine the position of the Council. Privately, however, was a completely different matter. "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, The Council proposes that we go public. Of course, this will be handled in the most positive way possible. Amahl will explain further." She sat down.
"This is where you and the Elders of the other Communities come in." The African continued. "We will be meeting with representatives of the various Communities to work out a plan of action so that when we do reveal ourselves, the mortal public will be in a position to receive us favorably. As equals ... "
"Equals? But we are ... " Peterson felt LaCroix's glare even though he could not see the master vampire. He let the protest die in his throat.
"Yes, equals." Etrian countered. "It has been done with other groups, and there is no reason why it cannot be done with our group as well."
Chek Kai Chang took up the narrative. "Two hundred years ago, Orientals were looked upon by many westerners as little more than a lesser subspecies. Now we are respected and even admired as their equal counterparts. Rarely is there any overt discrimination or prejudice. The same is essentially true of Blacks. As late as the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, they were subjugated as slaves to the white man." T'Mutu nodded sadly, remembering countless unpleasant incidents. "Even Native Americans were seen as uncivilized savages." He looked at Walking-With-Moon, who nodded agreement. "In the course of history, nearly every ethnic group has been subject to prejudice at one time or another.
In addition, Gays and Lesbians are starting to be accepted into the mortal community. There is no reason why we cannot be received as well. If we plan it carefully and prepare the mortals to accept the existence of vampires, then we should be able to .... I believe that the current expression, is ... come out of the closet ... is it not?"
"And just how would we prepare the mortal community to accept us?" Lenny Herbert asked. "I mean we can't just go waltzing in and say 'Ta Da. Here I am. I'm a vampire.' now can we?"
"As yet we have no concrete plan of action. That would be what we will be discussing at later meetings." Adrienne Walking-With-Moon smiled. < He hears but he does not listen. >
"We have several more regions to talk to before we do anything." Chek said. "When we are done, we will be contacting you and arranging another meeting to hear your input." He appeared to be staring directly at Peterson.
"I understand why the Elders were brought here." Nick said, somewhat timidly. "But why was I included in this meeting?"
Lady Zera smiled softly. When she was like this, she looked more like someone's doting grandmother and not the immortal leader of the world's vampires. "You, Nicholas are the key to all of this. You have lived among the mortals and have been intimately involved with them longer and more frequently than anyone else ..." There was a twinkle in her eyes at the last part of that statement. " ... You can provide us with ever so much insight."
< Does she know about my feelings for Natalie? > He wondered.
* Yes, Nicholas, I do know. * Her voice sounded in his head.
"I will do what I can." He replied, bowing before her and the others.
"Excellent, de Brabant. We look forward to your help. We will be in touch with all of you in the near future. Until then, you are free to go." Lady Zera said. With that, the council members stood and exited through the same hidden doorway that they had entered.
**********
"I don't like this one bit." Logan protested as the group waited in the anteroom for the Enforcers who brought them here to come and return them to their respective Communities.
They had all been brought to the meeting in much the same roundabout way that Nick had been. While it galled them to realize that they had to be guided back to their homes, privately all of them admitted that they would not be able to find their way back without some kind of help.
"I know you don't." Emil Montcorde replied. "You made that quite clear in the meeting."
"Yes, Logan." Thomas Paterzak added. "Couldn't you at least have waited until you heard what the Council was proposing?"
"Well, I've heard what they want, and I'm still against it." Logan answered. "So what is the difference?"
"Either you're incredibly stupid, or you have a deep seated death wish." Vincente Montini said. "Confronting her like that."
"The difference is you could have ended up as some Enforcer's between meal snack." Vittorio Montini added to his brother's statement. "Or maybe even Lady Zera's."
"I don't believe this! Look at you!" Logan said. "You're supposed to be the leaders of the Communities in this area. But when Zera and her flunkies snap their fingers, you all follow along like bleating sheep."
Logan Peterson suddenly found himself dangling off the ground. And with a certain Roman General's hand roughly clutching his throat. "That's LADY Zera to you, whelp. And never forget that." Lucien LaCroix hissed. "And as far as following their directives like sheep, those five beings have accumulated more experience and more knowledge separately and collectively than all the rest of the Vampire Communities combined. You don't think they have lived as long as they have without learning a few things, do you?"
Logan could only nod numbly. "But I don't agree with ... " He wheezed, his voice at least half an octave higher than it should have been.
"No one said you had to agree with them." LaCroix continued. "But out of respect for them ... and their office, you WILL keep your opinions to yourself. There will be plenty of opportunities to express your concerns, but in that room was not one of those opportunities. I suggest you use a little more restraint in the future. That is, if you intend to see your next Conversion Day. Is that clear?"
Again, Logan nodded.
"Good." LaCroix set him down, not too gently. "I see your 'escorts' are here. Have a pleasant trip back to Detroit." Lucien LaCroix patted the headstrong vampire several times on the cheek, a gesture reminiscent of something from 'The Godfather'.
**********
"I don't think the Council understands what they are getting into." Nicholas said to his master after the Enforcers had dropped them ... literally ... at the Raven. "I'm afraid I have to agree with Logan on that point. This plan would be like mass suicide."
"Nicholas!" LaCroix said, just a hint of surprise in his voice. "I thought you, of all people would be rushing to embrace Lady Zera's offer. After all, aren't you the one who wants to be mortal again? Foolish as that quest may be."
"LaCroix. I cannot continue being a vampire any longer. That does not mean that I am foolish. Before you even say it. Yes, there is a cure. And I am going to find it. Despite anything you can say or do."
"But you said you would help the Council in their quest. How can you justify that?"
"The question is not whether I will help or not. The question is whether it is right for the Community to reveal themselves to the mortal world at this time or not. Personally, I don't think so."
"Yet, you have come within a hairs breadth of revealing yourself on a number of occasions. The Doctor. Your partner. To name a few."
"But they are only two individuals out of billions. And they both have sworn to keep the secret as well. It just isn't the right time to reveal ourselves to the world in general."
"And do you think there is such a thing as a right time?" LaCroix said, placing two glasses on the bar. He took two bottles and filled a glass from each of them. "Don't worry, Nicholas. It's cow." He said as he sat one of them before his son. "I wouldn't dream of giving you anything else." His words dripped sarcasm. "Although I don't know how ... "
"You don't have to say it. ... You don't know how I can drink this ... swill." He put the glass to his lips and swallowed. "Excellent vintage." He forced a smile as he drank the bland, lifeless liquid. He was not about to let the master vampire know just how awful it actually tasted. "Peaceful and serene." < Just like I wish my life could be. >
"Now comes the difficult part." LaCroix said. "Telling the rest of the Community what the Council proposes. And getting them to cooperate."
"I know that won't be easy. But I also know you. You'll find a way."
"Thank you so much for your vote of confidence." LaCroix held his glass as in a toast. It was difficult for Nick to determine whether his master was being sarcastic or not.
**********
"So." Don Schanke said as the blond detective slipped into his desk. "Where were you yesterday? Reese is having kittens with wire tails. "What with whatever virus is going around, and Tracy still on light duty, we were five people short and the Dogs and the Turfmasters chose last night to pull a testosterone demonstrating contest. Ended up with four of them dead, six more shot up bad enough to be hospitalized, and two innocent bystanders killed as well. That's over and above the usual mayhem we see every night. Right now, the holding cells are filled to overflowing."
Just then the office door opened and Joe Reese's ample frame filled it. "KNIGHT!" He bellowed loud enough to rattle the windows. "IN HERE! NOW!"
"Sorry, Captain." Nick said as he took the chair that Reese pointed to. "I know I should have called in, but there was this family matter ... " <How else can I explain the High Council? After all, they are my 'family' ... sort of ... > "It couldn't wait." < Not with the Enforcers 'accompanying' me. >
"Damn straight you should have called in!" Reese said, just below a yell. "You left me in an industrial strength lurch. I heard Schanke telling you about the gang shootout, but on top of that, the Provincial Inspection Team paid a surprise visit. To see the two of you! Something about a Royal Commendation for you and Schanke for your part in cracking that international theft ring last year. To be presented by His Highness himself, no less. I had to resort to some pretty creative perjury to try to explain why my prized detective was AWOL."
"I'm sorry, Cap. I won't let it happen again."
"You got that right you won't! As of now, you are on indefinite probation. One more harebrained stunt like that, and I guarantee you'll be busted down to meter patrol. You got that straight, DETECTIVE Knight!"
"Yes sir." Nick said sheepishly.
"Good. Now get out of here before I change my mind and go ahead and bust you down anyway."
"Yes sir."
**********
Logan Peterson sat in the overstuffed easy chair at his mansion on the outskirts of the Motor City. As the Elder, he maintained a virtual stranglehold on the Community. No one even thought about defying him. At least not if they knew what was good for them. He wasn't the oldest vampire there, but he was unquestionably the most powerful. He had worked his way to the top the old fashioned way. Lies, deceit, terror tactics, and the occasional elimination of those in his way. Al Capone, one of his idols, would have been proud of him.
Although Detroit itself had cleaned up its act considerably in the last half century, Old Detroit, his 'territory', was still much the same as it was in the days of Prohibition. It had one of the highest crime rates of any neighborhood in the Great Lakes region. That didn't exactly bother him. In fact, it made his life that much easier. The locale was the residence, such as it was, of many of the city's homeless. In addition, drug dealers, petty criminals, pimps and other low lifes also made this area their headquarters. Of course, he saw to it that he received a generous cut from their take to cover his expenses and to keep the authorities from getting too close. Most of the vampires congregated here as well. It was the perfect sanctuary. There was little chance of discovery, and there was a ready supply of food available. It was still relatively easy to hide kills in plain sight, too. If done carefully, with the right 'persuasions', either with money or hypnosis, the victims would quickly be relegated to the unsolved files with little or no problems.
He also had a sort of reciprocal back scratching agreement with the local crime family. He supplied them with 'muscle' and 'expertise' on occasion, and they agreed not to move in on his territory.
The problem was from within. From what the Council had said earlier, there was a good chance the 'easy life' was about to come to an end.
He was engrossed in his thoughts and he didn't feel the presence until he was almost next to him. He looked up. "Who ... " The question died on his lips. He realized that he wouldn't have known the vampire was there even if he had been staring directly at him. This was one of the Enforcers that had been at the meeting last night.
"You know who I am, Logan Grainer." The Enforcer said.
Logan hadn't used his birth name since he had been brought across over two hundred fifty years ago. It brought back too many painful memories.
**********
" ... Put your worthless back into it, you lazy good for nothing excuse for a human being." Henry Grainer shouted at his son and apprentice.
The Grainer family had been grinding wheat, corn and other grains into flour for more generations than anyone could count. Logan was the latest of the line. In another six months, he would be of age and complete his apprenticeship. He would be a journeyman. He would have paid his debt to his father for teaching him a trade. He had every intention of leaving this accursed town ... and his father. A sharp crack of a buggy whip brought him back to reality. He strained to lift the heavy grinding wheel so his father could reposition it on the spindle. It should have taken two or even three people to move the cumbersome stone, but Henry insisted that Logan do it himself. Another whip crack stung his back and salty sweat flowed into the broken skin. Instinctively, he groaned in pain.
"I said get to work, you shiftless slacker. And quit your whining. If you weren't my flesh and blood, I'd ... " Henry took another long swallow of the contents of the brown jug in his other hand and flicked the whip at his son again. "Come to think of it, I ain't so sure you are my own. I remember there was that time I was in the jail just before you were born. Cant rightly say it wasn't her that put me there, neither. Public drunkenness. That's a laugh. She drove me to it." He spat . It landed on the tip of Logan's scuffed shoe. "Treated me like I was some kind of a common criminal, she did. Your mother always did have eyes for that musician fella ... " He laughed sinisterly. "For all I know, you could be his ... "
"You leave my mother out of this." Logan lunged at the man, fire in his eyes. In the past had held his temper in check out of consideration for his mother. Suddenly, it didn't seem to matter. He had had enough. He had heard these accusations ever since he was old enough to remember. Whether they were true or not, he no longer cared. The outcome was always the same. Either he, or his mother, or both of them would be the recipients of one of Henry's drunken thrashings. Instinctively, he lashed out and was mildly surprised as his fist solidly caught the inebriated man's jaw. Although he had a reputation as a fighter in some circles, he had never openly defied his father. Although they had halfheartedly sparred on occasion, he had always backed away from a full confrontation. Until now. Henry Grainer went down like one of the sacks of grain that lined the walls of the mill.
In a panic, Logan ran out of the shop.
**********
Present
"What do you want with me?" Logan asked. "I thought Lady Zera said there were other Elders she had to talk to before they would get back to us." His face darkened. "Or are you here to punish me for my outbursts the other night?"
The Enforcer smiled. Very uncharacteristically. "Nothing of the sort. The Council does not even know I am here." He paused. "In fact, I think you were right in what you said. This is not the time or the place to reveal ourselves to the public. I, too think they are making a grave mistake. I cannot idly stand by and watch them throw away thousands of years of existence in one stupid move."
Logan searched the Enforcer's face. Unlike the expressionless norm, there was a definite sign of approval. "I don't understand." He stammered. "You are an Enforcer. You are sworn to carry out the will of the Council. Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I can no longer do what they want. There are others like me in the Enforcer cadre who feel the same way."
"And how do I fit into all of this?"
**********
"They want you to do WHAT?" Natalie Lambert stared at the vampire in surprise. "I can't believe what I'm hearing." Nick had invited her to his loft after work to break the news to her.
"It's true. Lady Zera said that the Council has decided that it was time for the Community to reveal themselves to the outside world. And I'm supposed to help them." Nick shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know what they expect me to do, but ... "
"It's suicide. That's what it is."
"I don't know about that. When they first proposed it, I was in agreement with you, but now that I've had a chance to think it over, it might not be as bad as all that. After all, you and Tracy, and most probably Schanke know about vampires and you haven't done anything rash. Maybe it will be the same with the general public."
"But we're only three people out of over two million. And that's just here in Toronto. I can just imagine what would happen if the Peeper got a hold of this. I can see the headlines now." She held her hands in a blocking fashion. " 'Vampires Overrun Our Cities. Shortage of Garlic And Holy Water Predicted'. And underneath a very bad picture of Count Dracula."
"At first, I would have agreed with you, but the more I think about it, the more I believe that it can be done. It would certainly be a huge relief for a great number of people."
"What do you mean?"
"Like the three of you and me as well. You wouldn't have to worry about somebody discovering the secret we share. I'm sure we're not the only ones who have to watch over our shoulders all the time, either. I'd venture to say that there could be many more like us."
"I'm certain there are, too. But now the question is what do we do about it?"
"I'm not sure." Suddenly, his face became incredibly sad. "I do know that since I've accepted Lady Zera's offer, I will probably have to go back to drinking human blood. Not that there's any truth to it, but there are a few in the Community who think I am a Carouche because I have been drinking that ... swill ... as LaCroix calls it, for the last century. That doesn't give me much credibility with them. Not to mention the extra strength I'm going to need to pull this off. That means I would have to give up my search for mortality. At least temporarily." < And most likely our relationship, however fragile that is. >
Natalie closed her eyes. Vampires had a very different sense of time. Temporary could be for a few months or a few centuries. < Six years down the drain. All that time and effort. Not to mention our feelings for one another. > There was a small bright side to all of this, though. She was reluctant to even mention it. "Actually, going public might not be such a bad idea."
"You're joking. Right?"
"No. I'm serious. I agree with you about what you said. Think a minute. I'm positive there must be other vampires who aren't ecstatic with their fate. If any of them are searching for a cure, they would have to be doing it with the same secrecy that we are." Her eyes brightened and a smile caught the corners of her mouth. "It's possible one or more of them might have come upon something we haven't thought of. Maybe. Just maybe. If we could share our research, we might come up with something that might do the trick. Also, if the general public knew, we might have access to greater diagnostic tools than what we have now. Not to mention the assistance of some of the mortal think tanks."
He smiled softly. For the first time this whole thing held a glimmer of hope for them. "Maybe it could work." He said almost in a whisper. The smile grew into a mischievous grin. "Enough solemn talk. Why don't you get the popcorn ready while I put a tape in the machine?" He laughed.
"And just what are we watching tonight?" She asked as she put the bag into the microwave. "Something silly, I suppose."
"No. Not this time. Since this is a serious occasion, I have some really serious stuff here for you. Some really deep drama." His face took on the little boy look that always melted her heart. "The Three Stooges Meet The Wolfman." How he managed to keep a straight face surprised even him.
She poured the popcorn into a bowl and opened a can of Coke and poured one of her protein shakes into a glass. "You're impossible." She teased as she handed him the shake. She couldn't help but beam at him. < No wonder why I love him so. >
"Yeah. I know." < No wonder I love her so. > He said, the grin threatening to split his face. He made his usual dour face as he attempted to drink the concoction. This one didn't taste all that bad, but he wasn't about to let her know that he could possibly keep it down. "Now, let's watch the show."
**********
"You're joking. Right?" Javier Vachon said. Almost immediately, he realized what he had done. <Smart move, jackass. > He admonished himself. < Piss off the old demon, why don't you? You really don't want to live a long and fulfilling unlife, do you? > Lucien LaCroix never joked. About anything. His lack of a sense of humor was well documented among the Community. "I mean What I meant to say was ... " Vachon stammered.
The Raven was closed to the public and was crowded with the Community. LaCroix had summoned everyone to hear what the Council had in mind.
"I know what you meant to say." LaCroix replied, staring daggers at the Spaniard. He could not reproach the man too severely. He had only voiced what every vampire in the club was thinking. Lucien LaCroix was thinking it, too. The Council couldn't possibly be serious. It had to be some kind of a monstrous practical joke. < If that is the case, I shall have someone's fangs for it. > "But this is no joke. The council wants input on the best way to prepare the general public to accept the existence of vampires."
"Why should we have to get them to accept us in the first place? After all, we are superior beings, and far more powerful than they are. You don't need to get the approval of your dinner to eat it, do you?" Mitchell asked. Mitchell was one of Janette's orphan brood. He was only a little over twenty five. Still a raw fledgling. Add to that the fact that he had been brought across more or less by accident. He had learned most of what he knew 'on the streets' before Janette discovered him six years ago and took him under her wing. It was only LaCroix's power in the Community that kept ones like him from getting out of hand.
"Because the High Council has said so." The Janette said, flashing her fangs at the fledgling.
"And if you do not like that answer, I'm sure you can be persuaded to change your mind. With a garlic wash, perhaps. Or maybe another chance to witness the sunrise? I'm certain something could be arranged." The Roman General added.
"Yes, Sir." Mitchell said in a very subdued voice. "I did not mean anything by that, Sir." He rubbed the back of his hand. Although there were no physical scars, there were emotional ones. It had taken a few singes from the morning sun, but he was learning not to contradict the Toronto Elder. At least not aloud.
"Good." He smiled his crocodile smile. "Now if no one else has any objections ... " Naturally, no one spoke. " ... let's get down to business ... "
**********
"So, Partner. Where were you last night?" Don Schanke asked as Nick slid behind his desk.
"Didn't Reese tell you? I called in sick." He asked. He had to tell the Captain something to justify his absence to attend the meeting at the Raven. After the last time, he didn't dare just not show up. Particularly since he had every reason to believe that Reese was sincere about the parking meter detail. The flu seemed the best excuse. Especially since several of the other detectives were either off with it, or just recovering from it. Thankfully Reese bought it. Apparently, his partner did not.
"Right ... Sick ... Mr. I'm-Healthier-Than-The-Proverbial-Horse suddenly has a case of the 24 hour flu." Schanke said nodding his head skeptically. "I thought your kind wasn't supposed to get sick ... " Suddenly he realized what he said. "Oops ... " He whispered.
"My kind? What ... kind ...are you talking about?" Nick asked, although he had a good idea what 'kind' Don meant by his Freudian slip.
"I ... ah ... I ... " Schanke stammered
Nick motioned to one of the Interrogation Rooms. "In there. NOW!"
< I'm dead meat. He's gonna kill me. > Schanke followed his partner into the room.
"Okay, Schank. Out with it. What did you mean by ... my kind?" Knight asked.
"Nothing ... I ... You know ... you're a ... ah ... a health nut. Yeah That's it a health nut ... On that special diet and all ... " Schanke could feel his heart racing. He knew that Nick could tell it as well. There was no use trying to lie. "Okay. You want to know what I meant? I'll tell you what I meant. The truth is ... I know all about you." He said almost in a whisper. "I've known for quite a while."
"What do you know about me?"
"I know you're a vampire." There. He had said it. < Now Knight is gonna kill me for sure. > He remembered reading in one of the books that vampires killed anyone who discovered their secret. That's why he hadn't said anything until now.
"Schanke. Relax." Nick said softly, staring into his partner's eyes and concentrating on the wildly tha-thump, tha-thump of his heartbeat. He willed it to slow down. When it had returned to a normal rhythm, he spoke again. "There are no such creatures as vampires."
"It won't work, Nick. You already attempted to hypnotize me once before. You remember the time I had to waste that perp in the alley? You flew down between us and took a bullet for me. You tried to make out like it only grazed you, but I saw it hit you square in your back. Then you tried to make me believe that you didn't fly either, but I saw you with my own eyes. When that didn't work, you tried to make me forget what happened altogether. Janette and that Nightcrawler guy tried, too. Only it didn't take. It worked for awhile, but little by little it all came back. The sun allergy. The strange diet. The way you move so fast sometimes. The other times that bullets supposedly missed you. The blood in your fridge. The things that some of the perps said about you. Glowing eyes. Fangs. Freaky looking. Everything. I started putting a lot of 'two and twos' together and they all added up to vampire."
"Schanke ... I ... " Now it was Nick's turn to stammer. < I was right all along. Schanke does know. > "Why didn't you say anything before now?"
"What should I have said? ... Hey there, Nickey Baby. How's the vampire business? Put the bite on anybody interesting lately? ... I figured you'd get around to telling me when you were ready to. And if you didn't, that was okay, too. Besides, I read somewhere that people who know about vampires don't seem to last very long. And I didn't particularly want to die. At least not yet." He stared at Nick for a few moments. "Nobody else knows ... do they?"
Nick intently scrutinized the floor.
"Who else knows? Natalie? Of course, she has to know. I mean she's been treating you for your condition. That 'condition' " He made quote marks. " is being a vampire. Am I right?"
Nick nodded.
"Who else?"
"Tracy." It was barely above a whisper.
"You told Tracy and you couldn't tell me?" Don shouted. It was a good thing the Interrogation Rooms were soundproofed.
"I didn't tell her. She discovered it by accident. She already knew about others in the Community. Then when she was shot a couple of months ago, she saw me vamping out."
"Wait a minute. Others? You mean there's more of you guys? Oh yeah ... That nightclub owner Janette. She's one of them. Isn't she? And that creepy broad Alma, or whatever her name is. The one that tried to " He rubbed the side of his neck. "And that Nightcrawler guy What's his name? LaCroix? He's a vampire too. Right?"
Nick nodded slowly.
"Natalie knows. Tracy knows. Who else knows? Does everyone but me know about vampires? What did you think I'd do? Take out a full page ad in the Sun? Or maybe go on the Jerry Show? ... My Partner Really Is A Vampire!" He began pacing the floor agitatedly. "You all must have had a real field day laughing your asses off ... Everybody knows about the secret except that poor ignorant schmuck of a partner of mine ... And I thought you were my friend! How could I have been so stupid? ... And here I thought I was protecting you."
"You were protecting me, Schank. And I appreciate that. We are friends. I couldn't tell you anything. It was too dangerous. Trust me."
"TRUST YOU? You got some helluva nerve, you know that! Asking ME to trust YOU after THIS. I'm supposed to be your partner. Remember? Partners are supposed to be able to trust each other with their lives. How can I trust you when you won't trust me? You trusted Natalie with your secret! You trusted Tracy with your secret! Who knows how many others you trusted! But you couldn't trust me with your secret! I'm sorry, DETECTIVE Knight. Trust is a two way street. And only one of us is going down that street at this time. And it isn't you." The door nearly came off its hinges as Schanke slammed it behind him.
"Schanke ... Wait ... " Nick ran out into the bullpen after him.
Schanke stopped only momentarily at the front desk. "Vera. Book me off." He shouted to the officer sitting there. "I'm going home." He looked straight at Nick, anger blazing out of his eyes. "If anyone asks I'm ... Tell 'em I'm sick!"
**********
"You're sure this will work?" Logan asked Edmund, the Enforcer who was sitting across form him.
"Think about it. They want the Community to reveal themselves. That's exactly what we are going to do. Only we are going to do it first. Of course, we know the mortals aren't going to accept vampires with open arms. Like you said, they're going to hunt us down like animals. That will show the Council just how ludicrous their plan is. By then, it will be too late to do even damage control. They'll have to give it up."
"But by then the mortals will already know about vampires. They'll come after us just as they did centuries ago."
"Not necessarily. Once the secret is out, the majority of us will simply go underground. Just like we've done in the past. The only ones they'll find are the ones that are too clumsy or too stupid to protect themselves and manage to get caught. Vampires like that are better off dead anyway.
Mortals have notoriously short memories. After a couple of decades, something else will come up to take their minds off us, and things will begin to return to normal. In a century or two, they will have forgotten that there ever were such creatures as vampires. We'll eventually go back to being little more than myths and legends."
"Sounds reasonable. Now. Which vampire shall we sacrifice to them as a guinea pig?"
"I know just who to target. He has been a thorn in my side for almost five hundred years. According to the High Council, he can do no wrong. He's perfect." Edmund smiled sinisterly at the Vampire sitting across from him. < Yes. It was a stroke of pure genius. He is the perfect patsy. He wants to live in the mortal community so badly. Why not let the mortals know exactly who, or rather what, is in their midst. >
"That's not quite right, Will." Edmund said. "I think that passage would be better read as 'Then shall you go no further. It is the cowish terror of his spirit that dares not undertake. He'll not feel the wrongs which tie him to an answer. Our wishes on the way may prove effects.' " (King Lear: Act IV, Scene II)
"Very good, Edmund." The writer nodded his head and scribbled out the lines he had written. "That does sound much better than what I had in mind. What made you think of that?"
**********
Toronto, Present
< He didn't hear anything specific. That's a relief! > Nick said a quick mental prayer of thanks to whatever deities watched over idiots and vampires. Right now, Nick felt that he fit in both categories. "Actually it was "
<And that could be a VERY long time. For me at least. > "Okay, Cap. I'll see what I can do." Nick left the office and booked out. He was planning on doing something like that anyway.
**********
Detroit, Present
Nicholas de Brabant and Lucius Gaius Pletano had been a thorn in the side of the Enforcers for longer than Edmund cared to recall. He had heard stories of their escapades from other Enforcers for centuries. Although he had no proof, he always suspected that Lady Zera had a soft spot in her heart for the arrogant Roman General and his wayward son. How else could they get away with as much as they did?
"Bigfoot! Playing for the Seahawks? Where'd you hear that bunch of hooey from?" Moose Washnecki, said. His teammate, Tank Trucker, stared at the small reporter in front of him. "You tabloid reporters must be mainlining the white-out again."
"But I got it from an unimpeachable source." Edgar Rathman replied.
"Well, your source was wrong." Washnecki said with a deadpan face. "In order to even be considered for the pro football draft, a candidate has to have attended college for at least three years."
"And as far as we know, Bigfoot only graduated from high school." Trucker added with a sarcastic grin.
"Although you might want to check out Ohio State. I hear their freshman offensive line this year is pretty huge. He might be one of them." Moose finished with a look that oozed innocence and sincerity.
"At least let me into the locker room and let me have a look around." Rathman attempted to maneuver past the two huge backs that were blocking his way.
"Sorry." Moose said, placing his hand firmly on the little man's shoulder. "Nobody but players beyond this point."
"But I'm with the Peeper." He held up his press card. "That means I "
"That means you get the bum's rush." Tank took the other shoulder. "Moose said nobody gets in there. That means you. As far as I'm concerned, you're as much of a nobody as they come." The two of them hoisted the reporter into the air and carried him, kicking and screaming loudly, to the gate.
"You have to the count of three to get out of here." Moose said. "One " They began swinging Rathman like a pendulum. "Two " They swung him in a higher arc. "Three " They released him and the small man went sailing through the air and landed forcefully against the side of his car.
"You won't get away with this!" Rathman shouted as he slowly got up off the ground. "Assault and battery! Whiplash! I'll sue!"
"Why?" Moose said with an angelic look. "We didn't do nothing, did we, Tank?"
"Of course not, Moose. He tripped and fell against the car all by himself." Tank put his arm around his teammate's shoulder. "Clumsy, ain't he? That's our story and we're sticking to it."
**********
"You're crazy!" Tracy Vetter paced the loft of the abandoned church. "You know that? Nuts. Coo-coo. Demented. Addled." She tapped her index finger against her temple. "Your trolley's gone round the bend. Your elevator definitely does not go to the top floor. You're not playing with a full deck. In fact, I don't even think you even have a complete Euchre deck. How can you even think of doing such a thing?"
"Tracy." Javier Vachon said softly as he tightened the new string on his guitar to the proper pitch. "I keep telling you, it's not my idea. Lady Zera and the High Council are the ones who are proposing to do this. Me, I'm perfectly happy being your anonymous friendly neighborhood bloodsucking creature of the night." He plucked the string a few times. "Does that sound like a 'D' to you?"
"Javier Diego Philippe Dos Santos y Vachon!" Tracy seethed between clenched teeth. "How can you act so calmly? This could mean the end of civilization as we know it. Both for your people and for mine. And you're sitting there restringing your guitar!"
"Tracy. Relax. It isn't like you to get so hyper. Whatever happened to that bubbly personality I know?" < And love so much. > "The world isn't going to come to an end just because we go public." He plucked the string again. " Does this sound better? "
Tracy just rolled her eyes.
"What do you want me to do?" He put down the guitar and stood and gently embraced her. The scent of Callia lilies and apricots surrounded him. < I know what I'd like to do right now, but Knight would defang me the hard way for even thinking about it. From the inside out. > "Actually, there's nothing anyone can do at this point. Nobody's made any specific plans. So far, it's just a proposal. It may never happen. If and when it does, we'll deal with it then."
"Maybe you're right, Javier. Maybe I am taking this too seriously. But somebody has to, don't they?" She luxuriated in the feel of his cool body next to hers. < I just wish I could feel it without the intervention of all these clothes. >
"Yes, Quierida. Eventually someone will have to deal with it. But it won't be you and me. After all, that's what kings, presidents, prime ministers, and the High Council are for." He picked up his guitar again. "Now. Come and sit here beside me while I play this little piece I wrote especially for you. I think you'll like it."
In Washington, he also found records of a Nicholas Callahan, a highly decorated Red Cross medic during the Vietnam War. And a Captain Nicholas Knight, a civil war doctor. The further he dug, the more he found in various places. He found a Nicholas Forrester, who was the assistant curator of the New York Metropolitan Museum. Nicholas Girard was a professor of Archeology at Columbia who was fired in disgrace after the McCarthy Committee had investigated him. The most damning evidence that they had found was a supply of animal blood in his house. In other references, he also found Brother Nicholas, Nicholas Chevalier, Nicholas Hammond, Nick Parker, Nick Thomas, and Nick Corrigan. All of them bore an eerie resemblance to Nicholas Knight. As with the Chicago incidents, there did not seem to be any past or future mention of any of the personas other than the original reference.
The most damning evidence he found was on a tapestry in the Royal Ontario Museum. It showed a portrait of the de Brabant family of France, now part of Belgium. It was dated from the early 13th century. There, standing in the middle of the group was a young Knight Crusader, identified as Nicholas de Brabant. There was no doubt. He was the exact duplicate of Nicholas Knight.
A search of the Toronto PD files disclosed an inventory of Knight's apartment, made during a murder investigation. Among the things that were found was a considerable supply of blood in his refrigerator, just as there had been in Girard's house. Heavy metal shields were on his windows, attributed to a severe 'sun allergy'. There were also numerous antiques and other artifacts, some dating to about the year 1220, the same period as the ROM tapestry. The inventory also noted the absence of any religious articles.
This combined with the testimony of several of the criminals that Knight had apprehended, describing him as 'a monster', 'unearthly', 'inhuman', 'evil', and other labels, led Rathman to only one conclusion. He grinned. Here was definitely more than a 'Peeper Scooper'! There could even be a Pulitzer Prize!
Lady Zera starred at the two vampires. "Gloucester. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"I have nothing to say, My lady. I have done nothing wrong. I was merely obeying the wishes of the Council. You said that you wanted vampires to reveal themselves, so I was only carrying out your orders." His voice was calm and his eyes steely. "That is my job as an Enforcer. To carry out the orders of the High Council."
"That was only a proposal, not a mandate." Etrian said. "And you knew only too well that there would be many months of serious discussion and planning with the entire Communities before even the first steps would be taken to implement those proposals."
"You acted totally without the knowledge, let alone the permission of the Council or your superiors in this matter." T'Mutu added. "That in itself is a serious breach of the code."
"The consequences of you actions are most serious. You realize that." Walking-With Moon concluded.