14. Threats
Chapter 14
Threats
Hawaiian Desire cruise—Moments later
H enry gripped the table’s edge, endeavoring to get his rage under control. If this cat-and-mouse game continued much longer, the man’s safety couldn’t be assured. “Who do you think you are?”
“I’m Dr. Antonio Martinez, the chief medical officer. I asked the waiters to let me know if there were any guests who weren’t eating. I gave them a public health excuse—a stomach virus going around—and they believed the story without question. Because, you see, we have a bit of a medical problem on the ship, and it isn’t a virus.”
Henry eyed the distance between the table and the nearest exit, planning his escape if a security detail approached.
Rolf—who’d been further away from the offending plate—was poker-face calm.
The doctor continued his explanation. “I’m sorry to be so rude, but I needed a way to tell you I know…the truth. My mate is part of the San Francisco Lodge, but I don’t think we’ve met.”
Henry rubbed at the angry red bumps on his hand, trying to decide how to reply. Cerissa reached into her clutch and pulled out a small jar of salve—a compound of encapsulated vampire blood—which would quickly heal the rash. He applied the salve before discreetly passing it to Rolf under the table, just in case he needed healing, too. “And why have you used this method to introduce yourself to us?”
“First, please tell me which community you’re with.”
“You do realize”—Rolf shook his head, his tone nonchalantly menacing—“I could kill you before help would arrive.”
“Probably true, but then my death would wreck your pleasant vacation, and I’m not here to cause trouble. In truth, I’m trying to prevent it. But I must first know if you’re part of the treaty communities.”
Henry lifted his hand to stop Rolf. There was no need to increase hostilities—yet. “We live in Sierra Escondida. You are talking to one of the town’s founders, and Rolf is our mayor. So now you know who we are. Again, what do you want? Money?”
“No, not at all. Though I can see why you’d think that.” Dr. Martinez frowned. “Before I can speak further, I need positive confirmation that the ladies with you are aware of your natures.”
“Aha,” Henry said. With the blood bond compelling Dr. Martinez to keep his lips sealed until he confirmed Cerissa and Karen knew about vampires, the doctor had to find another way to broach the subject. Garlic was one of the more annoying but arguably less dangerous ways to do that with an unknown vampire.
“Obviously, I knew enough to get rid of the garlic.” Cerissa turned to Karen.
“What? You want me to use the V-word first?”
Dr. Martinez shuddered, like a shiver ran down his back. “That won’t be necessary. I have sufficient confirmation now.”
Henry scowled. “What is it you want, if not money?”
“Did you register with the San Francisco Lodge before boarding?”
“We did. But our passports—”
Dr. Martinez raised his hand, swinging his gaze around the room. Waiters were too close for comfort, and the doctor lowered his voice. “You don’t need to explain. I understand the difficulties faced when traveling with your condition.”
“Then what is the reason you approached us?”
“I’ve had two patients come to my office since we left port. All with terrible bites. Someone on board has been live feeding. They’ve chosen to feed on guests, rather than crew members. My guess is they are American and can pass more easily among the guests. Most of our crew members are from other countries, so the biter may have trouble blending in with the crew.”
“I see,” Henry said. “Before we discuss this any further, who is your mate?”
“Victoria Rutherford.”
“The lodge mistress?” Rolf asked.
“Yes.”
“You don’t mind if we verify that?” Henry slipped his phone from his tuxedo jacket.
The doctor shrugged. “That’s going to be an expensive call.”
“I paid for a cruise talk package from my phone carrier, so I’ve already covered the cost.” Henry searched his contacts, found the number, and tapped it, listening to the silent delay as the satellite passed the call on to the phone network.
“Hello?” a woman said when the line connected.
“Good evening, Victoria. This is Henry Bautista.”
He made eye contact with the doctor as he announced himself with the name most widely known by treaty community vampires, which he registered under when he and Rolf sent written notice to the lodge. His current identity, Enrique Vasquez, matched his passport and cruise registration, since he couldn’t officially change his passport to Patel-Vasquez before the wedding. He’d file the paperwork after they returned home.
“I noticed you checked in with us,” Victoria replied. “Are you enjoying your stay in San Francisco?”
“Our visit to your fine city was brief.”
“If you’ve already left, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
“We are on our honeymoon—”
“I heard through the grapevine you got married. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, but it’s your mate I’m calling about. Describe him.”
“That’s an odd request.”
“Perhaps, but I’ve been talking to a man who claims to be Antonio Martinez.”
“I doubt they are the same person. My mate is a doctor. He usually works for San Francisco General Hospital, in the emergency room, but he’s at sea right now. He performs fill-in work for one of the cruise lines when they’re between doctors or their regular ship’s physician takes ill. So the man you’ve met cannot be my mate.”
“Actually, we are on board the Hawaiian Desire cruise ship, traveling to Honolulu.”
“Aha. Your honeymoon,” Victoria said. “I should have guessed. Then you may have spoken to my mate after all. Although I’m confused why.”
“Dr. Martinez approached us because of a situation onboard. The names we used to register with your community are not the ones on our passports, so Dr. Martinez didn’t know who we were. While technically not in your jurisdiction, the ship left from your port. Has he discussed the problem with you?”
“No. What’s happened?”
“I will let him explain, and you can confirm he is indeed your mate.” Henry passed the phone to Dr. Martinez. “Please go somewhere private and tell Victoria what you’ve learned. She may choose to send an investigator. We will wait for your return, but the ladies do not want to miss the show, so please don’t be long.” The doctor looked uncertain. When he didn’t immediately leave, Henry added, “We are not responsible for your problem. We carry our own supply.”
Cerissa gave a knowing smile. “The porters complained about the amount of luggage we travel with. My startup company is producing clone blood.”
“You’re the inventor? I read about Leopold’s project.”
“Um—”
Henry knew his wife could be too modest for her own good. “Yes, she invented it.”
Humbly looking away, she nodded. “I brought enough stock for two weeks. The way I package it doesn’t require refrigeration.”
“Congratulations on your success.” Dr. Martinez rose from the table. “I’ll be right back.”
Rolf glared at Karen. “You will not leave my sight at night while we are on board this ship.”
“That’s going to be difficult, as I’m not spending half of each evening in the casino or sports bar.” She wagged her finger at him. “And don’t look at me like that.”
“If there’s a rogue vampire on board, I won’t risk your safety by leaving you unattended.”
“You’re overreacting.”
Rolf crossed his arms, his pupils fully enlarged and his nostrils flaring. “Nevertheless, you will go where I go, Liebling .”
“Think again.”
Henry raised his hand, inviting calm. “Rolf, if Karen stays with Cerissa, she’ll be safe. As long as the ladies promise to stay together, I think we can pursue our own interests, as originally planned.”
“I would prefer if they stayed with us.”
“Then you can escort me to the shows I want to see,” Karen snapped.
Rolf opened his mouth, but Henry cut him off. “I promised Cerissa I would spend tonight doing whatever she desired, as it’s our first full night on the ship. Perhaps we can all remain together now, and you and I can discuss this more later.”
“Bah. Fine. After the ladies go to sleep, we can decide our course of action.”
Karen tilted her head back and focused on the ceiling, her lips curving into a smirk.
Henry sighed. Rolf’s response was just a face-saving gesture to avoid conceding the point entirely. The ladies would have their freedom to do what they wanted, as would he and Rolf.
Then a thought hit him. Could the rogue on board have something to do with the silver stake he’d received? With a shake of his head, he dismissed the question. No further threat had arrived—and the shipboard attacks were against mortals, not vampires. The silver stake’s delivery had to be an unfortunate coincidence.
Henry bit his lips closed. Best not to raise the issue . He didn’t want to upset the ladies.
The banter between Rolf and Karen stilled when Dr. Martinez joined them again and took his chair at the table. “Thank you for the use of your phone.” He returned it to Henry. “Victoria is still on the line.”
Henry held the phone to his ear. “Yes?”
“That is indeed my mate, and he’ll explain my thoughts on the situation. I am sorry this has interrupted your honeymoon, Henry.”
“It is not a problem. Thank you for taking my call.” He disconnected and turned expectantly to Dr. Martinez.
“Since there have been no deaths, and only a few bites so far, Victoria isn’t sending an investigator. She doesn’t think it worth the expense.”
Henry tucked the phone into his jacket pocket. “Dr. Martinez—”
“Please, call me Antonio.”
“All right, Antonio. You sound as if you disagree.”
“Let’s say I’m more concerned than she is. If we have someone on board who is not part of the treaty communities, there is no telling what they might do. A bite could turn into a death. And no one checked in with the lodge before boarding. They clearly don’t want their presence known.”
Cerissa touched Henry’s arm. “Could it be someone doing government work?”
“Unlikely,” he replied. “They would’ve checked in with the lodge through back channels. Even for those undercover, there are ways to travel through another community’s territory without giving your identity.”
“So whoever it is wanted to be a real ghost?” Cerissa asked.
“Precisely.” Henry made a point of glancing at his watch. They had ten minutes to reach the theater. “I am sorry, Antonio, but we should leave now. We’ll keep our eyes open, and if we see any special guests , we will let you know.”
The doctor volunteered his business card. “I’m on the cruise ship’s messaging app. Text me if you see anything unusual.”
“Will do.” Palming the card, Henry slid it into his pocket as he rose to his feet.
“Oh,” Cerissa said, “you should take mine in case you need to contact us during the day.”
They exchanged numbers, and Antonio stood. “My apologies again for disturbing your dinner.”
“ De nada. ” Henry waved his hand, dismissing the thought. He offered Cerissa his arm. “Shall we go?”
The ladies gathered their purses, and the four took the elevator to the theater level. Cerissa kept looking around nervously.
“Relax,” Henry whispered to her. “Rolf and I would know before you would. There is nothing to worry about.”