OLD Friends

I was almost to the dojo when my lawyer, Lawrence Fenwick, called me. Beta Lawrence had been a friend of our family since he defended Leo and Adrienne in front of the Council thirteen years ago, and his small practice was now helping me. “How did I do,” I asked him.

“You did well, but he’s not giving up. Skip Bonino is joining the suit, and they are alleging a pattern of excessive force by you.”

Skip was the extreme sports athlete in Hawaii who tried to drag me off and rape me; I’d beaten him up on video before breaking his upper arm with a kick. “These guys don’t learn,” I said.

“The gloves come off, Vicki. I need you to go to the FBI office in San Diego and file a complaint against Brian for indecent assault. It’s a misdemeanor under Federal law. Take the lawyer you used when you ended up with the art.”

“He’s bound to file a criminal complaint against me,” I said.

“He can try, but I doubt if the US Attorney for Massachusetts will pursue that. Your complaint, she will jump on it. It has everything a politically-motivated prosecutor looks for; clear video evidence, a sympathetic victim, and publicity.”

“Why the FBI? The vessel belongs to a Massachusetts research institution.”

“The FBI has jurisdiction on the high seas, and you were outside of waters 'wholly within the boundaries of the state.'”

I arrived at the dojo, waiting in the car for the call to finish. “What is the advantage of the criminal charges?”

“I think he’s trying to embarrass you and get a quick payout. Even though it is just a Federal misdemeanor, he’s stuck. If he pleads guilty, the conviction feeds into his civil case and makes him look bad. Brian should refuse to answer questions using his fifth amendment rights, but in civil court, his refusal to answer CAN be used against him. As long as the US Attorney doesn’t charge you with assault, you are better off.”

I started thinking like a publicist. “Are you in New Hampshire?” His Pack lived in the White Mountains.

“Yes, I’m at my office.”

“I think it would be best if we did this at the FBI Office in Boston. I can tip off the press that I am coming. There is more interest in that area in the story, and we take it right to him. Maybe we can meet with the US Attorney or her representative in person.”

I heard him chuckle. “It’s a three-hour drive, so you’ll pay for a full day, including my lunch.”

“Worth every penny. Besides, you know you’ll be working on stuff for other clients while a Pack member drives you there. You better not double-bill for your time.” Lawyers. If they thought about your case while sitting on the toilet at home, they charged you.

“You’re my favorite client, Vicki; nobody gets people spun up like you do. Text me your flight time, and I’ll have you picked up at Logan.”

“I will. Thank you, Lawrence.” I hung up and made another call, this time to my Mom. After explaining the situation, she agreed to my plan, and Fiona did as well. I pulled up a travel app and booked first-class seats on the flights I needed, then texted the information to Lawrence and Olivia. “Come on; we should tell Hammer what’s happening.”

He was waiting for me when I came in the door. “I have to go to Boston for business,” I said.

“I saw after my run this morning. If you need an expert witness for your trial, I’m there for you.”

“Thanks, Hammer. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow.” Fiona called and had Carly pack overnight bags for us, driving them to the airport so we wouldn’t have to backtrack. I had one more call to make, and it was more of a courtesy, though I was curious as to how her life was going now. I found the number for Master Emily on my phone, and her assistant immediately patched me through.

“Vicki, what an unexpected pleasure,” Emily said.

“Plans change, and I’m on my way to Boston now,” I said. I quickly explained my plan.

“Good. I had half a mind to find that man and drain him dry; it would improve both of our worlds.” I had to laugh at that. “What else is going on? Your life is so busy now, I suppose.”

I gave her the condensed version; school, modeling, and the struggles to get my production company up and running. “I never thought I’d have to become an expert on offshore research vessels at eighteen,” I said with a sigh.

“Girl, I’ve got centuries on you, and I still learn new things every day. Let your friends help you, and put experts where you need them. That’s what your money can help with.”

“I’m trying. I asked my team to bring options to me tomorrow.”

“I’ve inherited some investments in shipyards and commercial shipping; I’ll reach out to my people as well. Send me your wish list, and let me take you out to dinner tomorrow.”

“It will have to be early, my flight leaves at seven PM, and I’ll have my mother and my bodyguard along.”

“That won’t be a problem. My people can pick you up from the FBI office when you’ve finished with them, and take you to the airport after dinner. I’ve got a lot to talk to you about.”

I bet she did. She’d been Master Vampire of Boston for long enough to have some stories. “I accept. Thank you for the time, Master Emily.” I hung up the phone and put it in my purse.

“Vicki, are you sure this is a good idea,” Fiona asked. “We’re only three werewolves, and you’re putting yourself with a Master and her Coven.”

“Emily is an ally, and I need to maintain that relationship,” I said. “One of these days, I’ll take you to New Orleans, and you can meet the Supreme Vampire. Cyprian’s a friend, too.”

We got on the plane, arriving at dinnertime in Minnesota. Mom and Dad were waiting for me outside the airport; it was great to see them again. I was so busy that I missed just being with my family. I got in back with Mom, excited to be home. “What’s going on tonight?”

“Pool party and barbecue at the house. Short notice, but everyone wants to see you. Leo went and bought four cases of ribs at Sam’s Club as soon as he heard you were coming.” A case had fifteen full racks, so that was a good start.

Mom helped me work through some of my worries as we drove to Miesville. “You’ve taken on too much, too fast,” she finally told me. “Susan says you aren’t getting enough sleep.”

“I’m going after my dreams, and some of this stuff isn’t my fault,” I said defensively.

“Priorities,” Dad said. “What are you doing now that you could throttle back on?”

That was more difficult. “I’m under contract to Bodyglove, and I’ve already committed to the tour. I’ve got serious money invested in the production company, with more to come. I can’t slack off on my fitness with my modeling, but I suppose I could drop Jiu-Jitsu.”

“You’ve been doing that almost every day,” Dad said. “You won’t be able to do it for months, so would a few more skipped classes matter?”

Dropping down to two a week would free up some time. “That leaves diving and school.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but school should not be your priority right now,” Mom said. I just looked at her like she’d grown a second head. “Why did you want to get your doctorate, Vicki?”

“I love sharks, and I wanted to do research and become respected in the field,” I said.

“You’ve formed a research foundation without a college degree. You’ve filmed two documentaries without a college degree. Now, you’ve formed a production company with plans for a reality show and more documentaries, still without a degree.”

“What are you getting at, Mom?”

“Things aren’t the same as they were at the Alpha Summit. You’re famous, you have a modeling contract, and now you’re independently wealthy. You’re going to learn about sharks and get respect in the field for what you do as a PRODUCER, not as a doctoral student. You’re much more important than that.”

It hit me like a Great White nailing a seal from the depths; I’d spent so long thinking I had to get a degree to achieve my dreams, but I was living my dreams NOW. “You think I should quit school?”

“I didn’t say that, but you will burn yourself out at a full-time student load. You’re more like I was when you were a baby; you have a job, you have responsibilities, and you only have time for a few classes at a time. It will take longer, but you will still get there.”

I was taking fifteen credits right now; if I dropped down to eight, that would halve my schoolwork. “Wow.”

“Can I blow your mind a little more,” Dad asked.

My mind was reeling already. “You guys have been talking about this, haven’t you?”

“Of course. It’s not just Susan who was worried about you. Amy was as well,” Dad said. “You’re doing the basics right now, but you should think about majoring in business administration instead of marine biology. Take the courses you like on sharks as electives, but you’re a business owner and manager now. You need to learn more about taxes than taxonomy.”

“My head hurts now,” I said.

“You’ll be fine,” Mom said. “Relax and have fun tonight.”

I did. The party was epic, and the weather was unseasonably warm. I had a great time with my old Pack and didn’t get to sleep until after two in the morning. That was only midnight West Coast time, but it meant the four-thirty AM wakeup was WAY too early for me. I slept the whole flight.

The press and paparazzi were out in force as I walked in with my Mom to the FBI Branch Office in downtown Boston. It didn’t take long to swear out the complaint about the sexual assault. An Assistant US Attorney read it over and assured me she would act on it promptly.

I thanked Lawrence for his help as we walked down; he was returning to his Pack immediately. Mom, Fiona, and I all entered the limo that Emily had sent for us. Since it was only three in the afternoon, the driver took us to Emily’s office. Fiona waited in the lobby while Mom and I went to talk with Emily.

“Welcome, it’s great to see you,” Emily said as she came out from behind her desk to meet us.

I introduced my mother before looking around. I couldn’t see any remnant of Corvinus’ office remaining. Leather and glass furniture, hanging textiles, and movie poster prints gave the room a modern feel. “You’ve settled in nicely,” I said.

“I’ve consolidated my position here,” she said. “It wasn’t easy; I had two challenges to fight off, and I had to replace two Coven members. I was lucky enough to find strong but not dominant replacements.”

“Unlike wolves with ranks, most challenges within a Coven come from junior vampires in it,” I sent to Mom. “Is there anything I can do to help? You’ve done so much for me already,” I said.

“There is one thing I would ask, but I will understand if you refuse,” she said. “When I go to New Orleans, I expect one or more of the other Masters to challenge me. I’d like the edge only you can give me.” She opened a drawer in her desk, removing a blood donation bag and kit.

“You don’t trust me with my own,” I teased.

“I think it’s better this way,” she said evenly.

“It is in my interest to keep you in power,” I said as I held out my hand for the kit. Mom helped prep the area, then inserted the needle into my arm and taped it down. It would only take fifteen minutes to give her the blood she would need to strengthen her. “Did you hear anything back from your contacts on a research vessel?”

“I did, but I wanted to wait until you agreed to the blood first. I didn’t want you to feel obligated after what I have to tell you.”

Mom and I both looked up. “What did you find?”

“It’s easiest to go see it, and you can tell me if it meets your needs. I have my plane on standby; if you change your return flight from Boston to New Orleans, we can leave in thirty minutes and be there tonight.”

I was game; she wouldn’t waste my time, and New Orleans was one of three other Vampire-controlled cities I felt safe in besides Boston. I had an ally there, and we had decent relations with Minneapolis and Los Angeles. “Are we seeing the Supreme Vampire?”

“It was his idea,” she said. I got on my phone and canceled my return flight, linking to Fiona while Mom texted the change in plans to Leo, Brent, and Alpha Steven. I thought about Linda. “My director is heavily involved in making this work, can I have her meet us in New Orleans?”

“That won’t be a problem.” I got the destination airport, then called Linda and told her to get to the airfield. Calling the jet charter service, I set her up with a private flight leaving in an hour, with a return flight the next morning. Mom would fly commercial back to Minneapolis, so I got that flight as well. By the time I’d purchased her ticket, the blood donation had finished too.

Emily opened a safe wall, revealing a refrigerator where she carefully stored the blood. “Thank you for that,” she said. I washed up and drank a bottle of juice before we went back to her limo. Thirty minutes later, we were in the air.

We landed twenty minutes before Linda’s jet would arrive, and we waited in the limo with Supreme Vampire Cyprian Pontalba. He knew we would be hungry, so his driver had stopped at Liuzza’s By The Track, bringing shrimp po’boys, garlic-fried oysters, and gumbo. Linda was lucky she wasn’t late, because the food was disappearing fast.

As soon as she got in, we drove towards New Iberia.

Meanwhile, back in Boston, Brian was getting perp-walked past the press before I’d finished dinner.