0236: The Vampire's Daughter

"If you've left unbelievable things out, I'm sure my feeble imagination couldn't create a more lively tale than you've just weaved," Gan said. "But come back and sit. Do you have that list you claim John Paul gave you before he was killed?"

Walking back and sitting, Sol pulled the list from the inner chest pocket of his jacket. "Here it is. If you have any idea how to find anyone on this list, I would be in your debt if you would tell me."

Gan took the list and scanned it over. He nodded his head a few times, and then said, "I don't deal in debts, Sol. I deal in money. How about a million a head?"

"That seems expensive, but I don't see that I have a choice," Sol said coldly, though he was exhilarated by the thought of meeting one of the vampires listed, if only to know the contents of the letter he had been given. "What about my safety?"

"That'll be another million," Gan answered.

"And Jamie?" Sol asked.

"I'll throw Jamie in for free."

Standing and extending an arm, Sol said, "Then I think we have a deal."

Gan stood and shook his hand, saying, "So we do." He held Sol's hand far longer than polite and just looked into his eyes. Sol never wavered, returning the stare.

Finally letting go of Sol's hand and averting his gaze, Gan said, "You'll stay in the guest room next to my room. It is the safest room in the castle, after mine, of course."

"Of course," Sol said.

"You'll have free run of the castle, but don't leave the inner court. The little girl you saw outside is one of my best assassins. Perhaps the best now that you've killed her lover," Gan directed.

"I'll be sure to avoid her," responded Sol.

"That would be wise, particularly since I won't be here to protect you. Some of the names here will be difficult to locate. I believe this task will require me to do a fair bit of traveling."

"Are expenses in addition to your finders fee?" Sol asked.

Gan laughed, "No, no. I believe I've built in enough of a profit margin that I can swollow the expenses."

"That's encouraging to hear," Sol said.

Gan laughed again, then said, "Come I'll show you two to your room."

Gan led Sol and Jamie through a secret passageway behind the fireplace before which Sol had stood. After reaching a dead end, Gan put his hand on the wall and a door opened up leading to a stairwell that headed down.

Following Gan, Sol and Jamie both struggled not to fall in the pitch dark before a bend in the stairwell revealed a glimmer of light.

As they got closer, it was clear that the light was coming from an electric source.


[The Vampire's Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006. All rights reserved.]