Top Secret Vampire (Monsters, PI #4)

5. Reese

Chapter 5

Reese

“ R eese? Is it truly Reese Hamilton?” a voice called out from somewhere nearby. I turned to find my old college professor striding our way. “I heard you were back in town.” His easy smile traveled between me and Wolf, and I had to hand it to him, his face didn’t even twitch as he took in Wolf’s cape and starched white shirt topped with a red bow tie.

“Wolfram?” I said. “This is Flint Prospect. Flint? This is Wolfram Zegrath, a friend who works at Monsters, PI.” No need to share that I’d hired him.

“Ah, the detective agency?” Flint’s gaze flicked to the building across the street from us, and he tugged on his suit jacket and straightened the collar of the t-shirt he wore beneath. The silver in his dark hair gleamed in the sunshine, but other than that and the few creases around his eyes, he looked the same as he had seven years ago when I graduated with my associate’s degree.

“Yes, I began my employment there recently.” Wolf dipped forward in a short bow. “It’s a delight to meet you, Flint.”

“Flint was my professor at the community college where I got my creative writing degree,” I said. “His classes helped me define my voice.”

“Now, now.” Flint said, patting my arm. “It’s just one of the many things we do for our writers. I will say, however, that I can take some credit for your success.”

A hawk soared overhead only to dive down, aiming for us. Spooked after the recent attack, I ducked, memories of the seagull bombing fresh in my mind.

Wolf lifted his arms, spreading his cape wide, and with a poof, he disappeared, reappearing between us and the bird, his cape outstretched, and his fangs bared.

The bird screeched and flung itself in the opposite direction.

“Mary, wait,” Flint shouted. His gaze darted to mine. “Mary is my trained hawk. I can’t imagine what’s happening. Mary. Mary!” He rushed toward an open area in the parking lot and held up his arm. The bird soared down and landed on his forearm. Only then did I see the traces dangling from the bird’s ankles.

Wolf reappeared at my side and swept his cape around me, tugging me against his muscular frame. His cryptic voice swept across my ear. “I have you. You’re safe. The bird attacked you,” he growled, glaring Flint’s way.

“Thank you so much.” My heart still beat at twice its regular speed. “Flint said it’s his pet. It must’ve been trying to land on his arm. Back when I went to the community college, he ran the birding club. I’d nearly forgotten. I didn’t join, but my best friend, Charmaine, did. They’d go out early on the weekends to spot various species for their logbooks, and from what I remember, Flint ran a small sanctuary for birds injured in the area.”

Wolf grunted. “You’re suggesting the Buteo jamaicensis did not try to cause you harm?”

“What’s a buteo . . .?”

“Red tailed hawk.”

“Cool that you know that.”

“When you live a long time, you read many books.”

How awesome was that?

Flint remained about ten feet away. “Mary won’t harm anyone. She’s very tame. I raised her from the time she was found lying beside the road, horribly injured.” He stroked the hawk’s spine, and it preened, leaning toward him. “Is it alright if I bring her closer? I apologize for her scaring you both. She was only seeking me.”

“I was not frightened,” Wolf said. “But I assume Reese was. She was recently attacked by a seagull, and I’m sure that experience still haunts her.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I was worried for a second there.”

“Notification of your bird’s intentions would’ve helped us avoid this potentially unfortunate incident,” Wolf said, his voice neutral. He released me from his arms and stepped forward to stand beside me, his cape fluttering around his legs. “Naturally you can bring it closer, though I warn you, if it threatens Reese, I will take action.”

As he walked over and stopped in front of us, Flint’s attention focused on Wolf. “You’re a vampire, right?”

“Indeed.”

“Quite a display you just put on there.” He narrowed his gaze. “You’re out in full sunshine. I thought sunlight would melt you.”

“I’m a born vampire, not made. Nothing makes me . . . melt.” His eyes slanted my way, and why did I get the idea he thought I might be able to melt him when no one else could?

I shook off the thought.

“That’s interesting.” Flint’s frown remained, but he didn’t ask further questions, just looked at me. “Again, I’m sorry. Where were we? Oh, yes, I was telling Wolfram that my input significantly contributed to your success.”

I wouldn’t go that far, but he wasn’t the first person— man , in particular—to be eager to take credit for my hard work.

“I read her simple essays and short stories before anyone else,” Flint said, rocking on his heels, his face suffusing with pride. “I only had a few important suggestions for her class final. A novella. She wisely listened to my advice.” His beaming smile turned my way. “I believe I see hints of my efforts in each of your novels. Am I right?”

“Perhaps.” It was hard to remember exactly what he’d suggested. I only took three classes with him; the majority were with other professors. “How’s your own publishing journey going?” I shared my smile with Wolf. “Last I saw, Flint had published three or four books. Thrillers, which I also write.”

Copying me? Nah, it couldn’t be that.

“An author as well?” Wolf said. “How admirable.”

“Oh, well, you know,” Flint said. “I have four novels published now. One of my manuscripts was a finalist for the Brooster Award.”

“Amazing,” I said.

“I’m making slow progress on a new book. I hope to be able to quit my regular job and go full time one of these days. Unlike you,” his voice sharpened, though it was subtle; I doubted even Wolf noticed, “I don’t have the luxury of sitting at a desk all day long, dreaming up intriguing plotlines, let alone traveling to one college or another to guest lecture.”

So he knew the community college had reached out and asked me to teach a class in writing and self-publishing this fall? But I suppose he would since he worked in the English Department.

“I’m honored that my alma mater asked me to share some of my knowledge with students,” I said with a fake smile. “As for writing full time, I’ve only been able to do that for three years. I worked for a newspaper, writing columns, plus served as a waitress at a restaurant to make ends meet prior to that.” I was eternally grateful to the readers who not only found and read my books but talked about them with their friends. I’d still be serving meals and interviewing dog groomers for articles if they hadn’t.

“What do you plan to offer the students?” Flint asked.

“I’ve discussed my lectures with the dean. I’m sure she’ll be happy to share.” She wouldn’t. She’d tell him it was none of his business or, if he was that interested, he could attend my classes.

“ My novels are fantastic,” he said. “Don’t you agree?”

I’d read his first. Sadly, I spent so much time writing, I could only read a few books a month, and I avoided reading within my own genre while I was drafting to avoid inadvertently copying someone else. “Yes, I enjoyed your first book.”

His smile grew slick. “Can I call that an endorsement? You owe me.”

Not really, but . . . I was always willing to help other authors. If they hadn’t helped me, from critiques to encouragement when I felt down, I wouldn’t be where I was today. “Sure. Would you like a formal quote?”

“That would be wonderful. I appreciate it.” He rattled off his email. “Could you send it by tomorrow?”

“Alright.” It was getting hard to hold onto the polite upward flick of my lips, though I could say something nice about his book that I’d enjoyed.

“Anyway, it was good seeing you again,” Flint said, stroking Mary’s spine. “Don’t forget the blurb. I’ll reach out in the morning, in case you forget.”

There was no getting out of it now. I’d write it up and email it tonight to avoid the nudge. I winced out another smile. “I’ll remember.”

He turned and started to walk away from us but spun around, nearly unsettling Mary from his arm. She flapped her wings before tucking them back down at her sides. “I appreciate the solid reference you gave Tracy, by the way. I believe she’s going to work out quite well.”

“Tracy?” I asked, not sure what he was talking about.

“Yes, she just accepted my job offer. She’ll not only serve as my self-publishing assistant, but she’s agreed to put in a few hours at the college each day. They’ll pay her for that, of course,” his slick smile widened, “I plan to have her do some things for me while she’s helping at the school.”

“You hired Tracy?” When had she applied for a job with Flint? I bit back my growl. It appeared I’d never known that woman, that I’d only fallen for her friendly facade.

“Who wouldn’t after your stellar endorsement? So nice of you to email it to me this morning.”

I had done no such thing.

Which reminded me. I needed to change my passwords right now.

Flint nodded pertly. “She’ll be starting work with me tomorrow.”

“Please allow me to fly you to your home rather than take your vehicle,” Wolf said as Flint carefully placed Mary inside a cage in the back of his truck and climbed into the driver’s seat. “I sense you need to take care of some tasks as soon as possible.”

“I can’t believe Tracy did that.” My sigh bled out. “She must’ve been applying for jobs all along. However, since she was that unhappy, I shouldn’t be surprised. Surely, she knew I’d give her a real reference if she asked. Instead, it looks like she’s been writing them for me.” I shook my head, stunned all over again by my former assistant’s behavior.

“I’m sorry,” Wolf said.

“Thanks.” I needed to find a new assistant and fast. Maybe I’d hire someone local. My mom might have suggestions. “I wish Flint all the best with her. Should I fill him in on some of her less than stellar attributes?” I rolled my eyes. “Although, from what he just said about my books and all the help he did not, I’ll point out, give me, they may deserve each other.” I grunted. “Yes, he gave me some solid advice when I was just getting started, and I appreciate it, but I’ve worked incredibly hard. I own my current success, not him.”

“You’re completely right. Males are too often eager to take credit where it isn’t fully due.”

“That sort of behavior never goes away, does it?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

“If anyone should know, it’s you, grandpa .” My laugh shot out, loosening my tight spine.

He growled and lifted his hands, advancing on me.

I giggled and backed away.

He latched onto me and swooped me up in his arms, spinning me around until I was laughing and tears were streaming from my eyes. When he finally stopped, he stared down at me with such stark longing on his face that I couldn’t drag a breath down my tight throat.

“I apologize for manhandling you.” He placed me gently on the ground.

“It was fun. Don’t feel bad for that.”

“You didn’t mind that I held you?”

I leaned into his chest and batted my eyelashes up at him. “Not one bit. You might want to do it again.” With that parting shot, I spun away from him and started across the lot, aiming for my car I’d parked near the opposite edge.

“Wait, wait,” he called out, mistifying only long enough to reappear ahead of me.

I nearly ran into him. “That’s a cool trick, Wolfie.”

“Wolf, if you please,” he ground out, though his eyes sparkled. “If you keep calling me Wolfie, I’ll have to seek revenge.”

“What kind of revenge?” I snorted. “Hit me with your best shot. I dare ya.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Some might suggest you are asking me to discipline you in some way or another for your impertinence.”

“I’m not into BDSM. Let’s get that straight right away. I don’t scorn anyone for enjoying their own kink, but if you believe spanking me will endear me to you, think again.”

“Duly noted. As for Professor Prospect, if you don’t want to give him an endorsement, then you shouldn’t. I’ll stand behind any decision you make, and I’ll gladly inform your old professor that you’ve changed your mind. If you wish.”

“Don’t worry about it.” My lips thinned, and I watched as Flint drove his vehicle out of the parking lot. “I can handle him.”

My eyes were caught by someone standing on the sidewalk on the other side of Main Street. Was that Charmaine? Back in our last year of college, my best friend and I had argued. I hadn’t seen her since graduation, but I’d missed her. We’d shared everything, and our parting had left a gap I still hadn’t filled.

Excited, I waved, but it must not be her, because she turned and strode down the sidewalk without responding.

I lowered my arm to my side and looked Wolf’s way. “I can write something up quick and send it to Flint later. I did enjoy his first book, and I don’t mind sharing that.”

“Very well.”

“As for you taking me to my house, I can get us there just as quickly in my—” I gaped at my shiny red SUV sitting in the lot not far away, both tires on this side flat. “What . . .” Racing forward, I stooped down beside one of the tires and sent Wolf a stunned look. “Cut. Someone cut my tires.”