To Tame a Demon

“You're sure it wasn't just a random murder?” Hannibal asked. “I mean murder rates are up this year.”

Drake glared at King. “I know Hassan and I know how his mind works. If you want to find out what's going on at the top, you start at the bottom.”

“What does that mean?” Hannibal asked.

“It means the best way to get information on the king in his tower is to talk to the maid in the servants quarters.” Blade said.

“Scud is with this Detective Moss reviewing what is on the security cameras. Hopefully we'll find Hassan's man.” Drake said.

“What about your people here Drake, they are in danger too.” Abby said.

“Scud upgraded our security down here months ago. We just never implemented those changes. It shouldn't be too hard to do.” Drake said.

*****

“Wait go back.” Scud to the guard operating the equipment, “Right there.”

“You don't recognize him Mr Frohmeyer?” Detective Moss asked.

“No I've never seen him before.” Scud said picking up the log book. “John Ayers. That name isn't familiar either. Usually if they send a substitute or a replacement it's someone that has been with them for a while.”

Moss made a note in the little pad he was carrying. “He's the only one out of place?”

Scud was searching the last page of the log book. “ He's the only one.” Scud sat the book down and turned toward to guard. “Mr...Wright.” Scud read the name off of the guard's badge. “I see where Graciela Viero and Ayers signed in, but neither one signed out. Did someone start a new log book?”

“No sir, not that I know of.” Wright said eyeballing the bracelet on Scud's wrist. “I can ask my relief when they come in.”

“Yes do that. And get those copies done for Detective Moss.” Scud said. “Mr Wright will take care of you Detective. I need to contact the Viero family, see if they need anything.”

“Of course.” The detective said. “Thank you for your help. It makes things a lot easier. We'll find this Ayers, bring him in for questioning.”

Scud shook the detective's hand again and got on the elevator. He did need to make sure the Viero family was contacted, but he also needed to check the other security cameras. The ones not tied into the corporate monitoring system.

*****

Hassan hung up the phone. Wright had called and given him a good news/bad news scenario. The good news, he had discovered the identity of Drake's little morsel. The bad news, Ayers had been sloppy.

First to handle the bad news. Ayers had to go before anyone found him. Ayers would lead the Police and worse yet, Drake right to Hassan. Hassan had no desire to face Drake in his current state, Drake would kill him. Hassan's boasts in Drake's office had guaranteed that. Drake had no desire to see things go back to the way they were.

“Milos, it's almost dusk. I want you to find Ayers and make sure he can't talk to anyone. The man has to take his own life; but before he does He needs to confess his sins.” Hassan explained. “Tie up all the loose ends for the humans.”

The vampire who was sitting on the couch across the room stood up, bowed to Hassan and turned to leave the room. One problem down, thought Hassan.

Now for the good news, he had a name. Josh Frohmeyer and he knew Frohmeyer worked at Talos. Drake's personal assistant, of course Drake would keep this one close after what happened with Sehkmet. Hassan had to find a way to separate the bastard from Drake.

Hassan looked at the computer on his desk. There was a wealth of information behind that little screen. Available to anyone who knew how to dig it out. Hassan typed Josh Frohmeyer into the search box and selected images. Hassan looked at the photo of the man who had corrupted Drake.

*****

Scud had forgotten all about his training with Blade. Instead he was busy activating the security system. Blade and Drake found him in the security room busy checking camera feeds and making sure that everything was working correctly before bringing the system online.

“Scud, did you forget something?” Blade asked standing behind him and looking at the bank of monitors.

“Hmmm? What?” Scud asked. Then it dawned on him. “Oh shit, B! I forgot all about it. I got caught up with this.”

“Bringing the other system online Scud?” Drake asked. “Did you and Moss find something?”

I'll say.” Scud replied. “Graciela usually worked with a kid named Jess Miller. He was in college Pre-Law. He was working with J&S to help with expenses. On his way to work he got in an accident, hit and run. So Car ran a red light and plowed into the kid's bike. He's in the hospital. J&S sent in a last minute replacement, John Ayers.”

Scud reached over and did something on one of the monitors. Drake and Blade watched on Scud's shoulder as a woman and man entered the floor. “Graciela and Ayers.”

“This is from the concealed camera in Delores' fake rubber tree?” Drake asked.

“Yeah keep watching.” Scud said and fast forwarded the recording. Graciela was coming out of the bathroom carrying a bucket with cleaning implements. Ayers was making a show of plugging in a vacuum cord. Graciela placed the bucket on the janitor's cart and reached for a roll of toilet paper. The three watched as Ayers wrapped the cord around her neck strangling her.

Ayers grabbed the the woman's legs and dragged her into the elevator. He then came back into the office.”

“I figure he was probably searching our offices for something at this point. Moss is going to find this when he reviews the elevator tapes and he already knows Ayers was an oddball. Wrapped up nice and neat but he will be back here with questions.” Scud said. “No obvious motive. At least not for the police.”

“I suggest we find Ayers before the police do. He can lead us to Hassan.” Blade said interrupting Drake's train of thought.

“I called J&S and got a home address for him.” Scud said holding up a sticky note. “I kind of figured you might want to talk to him first B.”

“I'll take Abby and King with me.” Blade said taking the note.

“Hey B, Find Craig. He's been working on the new Pimpmobile. He's got it up to par mechanically. No aftermarket modifications yet, but it's fast.” Scud said. “Craig's the blond kid with freckles.”

“The one that likes Van Halen T-shirts?” Blade asked.

“That's him.” Drake said.

*****

Detective Moss was looking over Ayers' record. He had a few arrests but hadn't done any time since a couple of them were juvenile offenses. There was one misdemeanor assault as an adult that he walked on. Couple of speeding tickets, nothing to indicate that he would attack and kill a young mother but he had and inside the Talos Building.

He looked up at the clock, 5:30 pm. Awfully late to call the office. He pulled out the card he had gotten from Frohmeyer earlier. There was a cell number. He decided to chance making a call. freaking voicemail he thought.

“Mr Frohmeyer, this is Detective Moss. Please call me when you get this message. I do have some additional questions for you and Mr Drake concerning the death of Mrs Viero."

*****

Scud ignored the ringing phone. He continued massaging Drake's shoulders. “You've been tense ever since I mentioned Ayers searching our offices. What's wrong, Babe?”

Drake reached up and grabbed Scud's left hand. “Nothing, I'm probably just being paranoid.”

“Drake, you know right now keeping something from me is not protecting me.” Scud said.

Drake sighed, “Hassan is, I believe you would call it...homophobic. It's his upbringing. Men just don't touch other men. The Drake he knew all those centuries ago shared his belief. The demon is a different story. When Sehkmet died, I realized the demon saw no difference between a man or woman, lust could be as easily sated by one as the other. It sees no difference between the sexes, it chooses by the ability to feed it and survive.

When the demon chooses, the man eventually grows to love the chosen one. It took some time for me to accept being in love with you, but it was actually quicker than with Sehkmet. Because I avoided having sex with you for a long time when it wasn't spurred by the demon. We spent more time talking than fucking.  I was so busy fuicking Sehkmet it took over a century for me to know her.”

Drake touched the bracelet he had given to Scud that morning.

“Hassan could accept woman. He would simply kill her and be done with it. He will not be able to accept you. He will hate you because of your gender. He won't just kill you he will subject you to all the tortures of hell he can imagine.”