“Was there anyone paying special attention to Jefferson, Amelia?” Michael asked, intrigued, sitting forward. “Can you go back and see anything?”
Thankfully, Karson took that breath and blew it out, vacant of words.
“I can try.”
I closed my eyes and went back to earlier in the night. I could feel the weight of their gazes on me. All four vampires staring from different directions was like being in freezer room. “If you could all stop staring at me,” I said, keeping my eyes closed. “I can’t concentrate.” Their eyes fell away momentarily, the chill left, and then came back again. I sighed and searched. I fast forwarded the movie until my mind found Jefferson.
He had been by the bar, flirting with a tall brunette before I came over. That would have gone well later, if her hair flicking and eyelash batting was anything to go by. Jefferson talking to Cole and two men with their backs to me. Then him, speaking to Jodie’s parents, wandering around, smiling, chatting. Moving off with Chris. Standing near the entrance talking to a couple who were laughing. Seemed innocent enough.
I opened my eyes. “I left the hall before he did. He was chatting to a grey haired guy and a lady wearing a cream tweed skirt and jacket by the bar.”
“Obviously, money doesn’t buy taste,” Monique said, taking another sip and resting the glass on her lap.
“Why would Jefferson be outside, that far from the party, in the dark, alone?” I mused, shaking my head. “It makes no sense.”
“Perhaps he was looking for you, Amy,” Monique’s voice was a soft purr, but the intention contradicted the tone. “You did tell him you found maturity alluring, after all.”
I merely rolled my eyes.
Michael shot Monique a quick warning look. “Amelia makes a valid point. I can think of a few reasons someone might leave the party.” He looked amongst the group. “He left on the promise of sex. Or someone asked him to meet them there because they wanted to talk about something important they didn’t want anyone else to hear. He got into an argument and went for a walk to calm down. Or to feed.”
“I think we can rule out the last option,” Karson said, dryly.
I rub my forehead. “He owns the house, he could have sex in any of the rooms, there would be no need to go outside.”
“Yes, his office would be a better choice,” Monique sniped.
I let the dig slide. If she wanted to be childish, fine. She hated me, also fine. I wasn’t in the mood for childish banter.
“Monique!” Michael said, exasperated, “must you?”
Monique threw him a saccharine smile and shrugged as if she couldn’t care less if her banter annoyed him.
“So that leaves us with a bear, or someone who drew him out to talk,” Ethan said, “anyone who did it would be covered in blood. They would have had to leave. Amy, did you see any cars leaving from your spot on the bench?”
“How did you know I was sitting on the bench? You were off shagging the blonde.”
“Shagging! Making love, thank you, and unlike human men I can do two things at once.”
“That’s an appealing thought.” I screwed up my face. “You were watching me while you bonked the girl, charming!”
Ethan grinned. “I had to make sure you were safe.”
“Consider yourself lucky he didn’t come running with his sword out,” Monique laughed and seemed, for a brief moment, both beautiful and personable.
“Brother, as much as I would like a full description of your abilities.” Michael clapped Ethan on the shoulder. “It might pay to focus on the job at hand.”
I closed my eyes and went back in.One car left. Taillights glinting in the dark. Then the brake lights sliced through the black, catching the shimmer of what looked like a V below the back window. I peered in, trying to focus on the plate. Mostly it was a blur, like the black climbing in from a dying TV screen; only a faint glow was visible, but I could make out two numbers.I opened my eyes.
“It was a dark-colored car, two and four I think were last two numbers. Or maybe the two was a seven, or a nine.” I grimaced. “Sorry, I couldn’t see anything else. Tinted windows, newish model, maybe a Volvo. It went right.”
“I’ll call Matt,” Ethan said, “and see what he can dig up.” He flashed upstairs.
“Anything else, Amelia?” Karson asked, bluntly.
I closed my eyes and looked for someone with even a skerrick of blood on them after, someone acting suspicious. I found nothing. Frustrated, I opened my eyes. Ethan was back. They were all looking at me expectantly.
“There was a brunette flirting with him at the bar before I went over, she may have asked him outside? But nothing else that points to anyone.” I sigh. “What did Matt say?”
