The Vampire Detective

Chapter 5

Five

I paused outside the entrance of the shop. I'd really hoped I wouldn't have to come here, but none of the human pawn shops I'd been to had anything that even closely resembled Jonas' stupid watch. Could this be William's odd way of trying to get me to come back to vampire society? I wouldn't put it past him to try something so misguided, but then, that wouldn't quite fit with what his long term goal was. Despite his...quirks, I truly believed William wanted me to be happy. And that I'd be happy with him.

I just couldn't tell him that until I was happier in myself. Contrary to my mother's belief, I hadn't left vampire society in a fit of teenage rebellion. I'd done it because I wasn't happy and needed a change. Grandmother's offer to move into her old manor house just happened to come at the perfect time.

"Come on, Lucy, you know putting it off will only make it worse," I muttered to myself. Talking to oneself was most definitely the sign of a complex and worthy mind. At least, that was what I was going to keep telling myself. There was a good chance I was wrong and just going crazier each time I did it, but only time would tell.

The door squealed as it opened, the sound going right through me. Would it kill Jeremy to oil it some time? It wasn't like he was short of money. All the vampires I knew used his pawn shop to hide their dirty little secrets. If objects could talk, his shelves would be filled with the whispers of things no one wanted airing into the world. I had to wonder how many of those secrets belonged to members of my own family. We were one of the oldest, which meant that Daisy wasn't the only thing hiding in our closets.

"Lucinda, I didn't expect to see you here," Jeremy exclaimed from behind his counter, clapping his hands together and jutting his hip out in a way no straight man would ever be caught dead doing. Vampires in general weren't all that big on labelling sexuality. We lived so long that it was easy to look past what bits people had. Not Jeremy though. He was as gay as they came and proud of it. I'd been subjected to many photos of him strutting his stuff at pride parades. It wasn't that I had a problem with the parades themselves, I just didn't like seeing photos of acquaintances decked out in nothing more than glitter and a g-string.

"And I'm even more surprised to be here," I returned.

"Did William send you to pick out a ring?" he asked eagerly.

I raised my eyebrow. "What makes you think I don't already have a ring?" I did, and it took all my presence of thought not to touch it as I spoke. I might not have technically said yes to his proposal, but that didn't mean I hadn't accepted the ring. I'd take it off from around my neck and put it on my finger when I was good and ready, something William knew full well.

"So what are you here for? An old family heirloom?"

"You have some of those here?" I wasn't able to keep the hint of surprise out of my voice.

He waved his hand towards a shelf with what appeared to be a withered skull on it. "I believe this once belonged to your great-great-grandfather."

I grimaced. I bet it was Terrance. He was my great-great-grandparent most likely to own something as weird as that. He'd probably thought it was good for his fertility or some rubbish like that. It was amazing what some vampires would believe anything if you promised them what they wanted.

"I think I'll pass, thank you."

"One day, you might have need of it."

"And if I do, then you'll be the first to know." I tried to keep the distaste out of my voice, but it rivalled the amount I felt whenever I had to deal with my mother and her friends.

"It's a shame, Lucinda, I'd have thought he'd look lovely in your family home."

"I'm sure he would," I deadpanned. "I'm actually here about a watch."

"Oh?" Jeremy leaned forward, a perfectly manicured eyebrow raised questioningly.

"A...friend has misplaced one very dear to him. Would you mind if I took a look at the ones you have in store?"

He sighed loudly. "I suppose so. You'll be disappointed though." He motioned for me to come over to his far cabinet. "This is my selection of timepieces."

One look at the display and I had to close my eyes to stave off the exasperation within me. "I don't think a pocket sundial counts as a timepiece," I said.

"On the contrary...does it keep the time?" Jeremy asked.

"Not accurately. And not with ease, either. In the wrong hands, it could tell you precisely the wrong time," I pointed out.

"And yet, it will tell you a time..."

"But a wrong one."

"You didn't specify you were looking for an accurate timepiece." He stood back.

"I think it was implied," I muttered under my breath.

"You should never imply something when you know exactly what you wanted, it just wastes all of our time."

My eyes fluttered closed again and I counted to ten, determined not to do anything crazy like rip his throat out. He might deserve it, but the look of expectant disapproval on my mother's face as I stood trial for it wouldn't be worth it.

I pulled out my phone, thumbing through the photos of Jester to find the one Jonas had sent me of the watch. I hadn't meant to take so many pictures of the stupid cat, but he'd just looked so cute all curled up in the sun this morning that I couldn't help it. I wasn't quite ready to admit that I'd be keeping the creature, but, deep down, I knew it was inevitable.

"Have you seen this?" I asked, showing him the photo.

"I wouldn't know if I had."

I scowled. Why did he have to be so awkward? "Why not?" I asked.

"Because there's nothing special about the watch. There must be thousands of them in existence. Even if I'd seen one, I'd have no way of knowing if it was actually this one."

I groaned. I'd realised Jonas was exaggerating how expensive his watch was, but this was even beyond that.

Ugh. At least that meant I didn’t have to spend more time in the pawn shop of shame. “Thank you, Jeremy. Goodbye.”

“Wait.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes”

“While you’re here…”

Oh for fang’s sake, what now?

Jeremy dove under the counter, rummaging loudly until he held a little dusty enveloppe up. “Found it. That’s for you.”

“Old correspondence? No thanks.” I couldn’t get a handle on all the spam pouring through the mail slot of my door, I didn’t need more unopened junk.

The gay vampire chuckled, clicking his tongue. “You’ll want this. It’s for your fiancé.”

“Give it to him yourself,” I deflected, tapping my imaginary hat and making a little bow. I wasn’t anyone’s mailman, and certainly not William’s.

“It’s from his grandfather,” Jeremy sang, waving the enveloppe teasingly from left to right. Not unlike the piece of string I’d been using to play with Jester.

“Fine, give it to me.”

“Ah. It comes attached with a favour.”

“I thought I was the one doing you a favour,” I grumbled, glaring at the shopkeeper. His family was notorious for their numerous offspring. Surely, they wouldn’t miss one little Jeremy if I wrung his neck and let him keep Daisy company?

Annoyed, I drummed my fingers on the glass counter. Whatever he needed to say, he better do it quick.

“You’re friends with that Gregario boy, isn’t that right?”

I frowned. “Derek?”

“That’s the one.”

“I’d hardly call him a boy, but yeah, I guess he’s my friend?”

With a sly grin, Jeremy pushed a notebook forward. "Number, please."

"Excuse me?"

"Gosh, do you need me to spell out everything for you? I would like his number because I think he's cute."

Wow. What were we? Fifteen?

"Right... How about no? Ask him yourself," I scoffed, flipping my hair over my shoulder and turning on my heels. Not even a potentially interesting letter for William would convince me to give out my friend's personal details.

Hah. Friend. I supposed that was what Derek to me? I hadn't thought of it that way. He was more like that flirty, quirky guy I knew. But even so... Friend sounded nice.

The door shrieked even louder than when I came in and a little harder than necessary, I slammed it closed. That'd teach Jeremy for trying to bribe me. This was why I didn't like coming to the pawn shop, but I didn't have much choice this time.

With a sigh, I reached inside my pocket and pulled out my small notepad. Another location to scratch off. So that was a no to Jonas' workplace, his maid, and the pawn shop. But where to go next...