“Okay. So talk me through what you were feeling at the time, and why.”
“How will knowing Charley’s feelings help solve this?” I interjected.
Another withering glance from my newest anti-fan. “It probably won’t, but I’m trying to cover every angle, to see if I can work out why he didn’t show up on the footage.”
I grunted my acknowledgement that this was sensible, and Dalziel motioned for Charley to answer him.
“I was worried, I guess, because I didn’t want to lose the MP3 player.” His eyes clouded over, and I had the feeling he wasn’t telling the whole truth.
Apparently neither did Dalziel. “And why else? I can understand attachment to a gift, but if you were a key holder and your job was to clean this…place, it doesn’t seem very likely you would be particularly on edge if someone were to discover you and question why you were there when it was closed.”
Charley stared at the polished oak table in front of us and fidgeted. Pale spots of colour tinted his cheekbones as he bit out, “I’m gay, all right?”
“Congratulations,” Dalziel said acidly. “Have a gold star. Or would you prefer a lavender one? It’s the twenty-first century. It’s not a crime. Anymore,” he added under his breath.
Charley glared at him. “Not in the U.K. it’s not. Doesn’t stop people being homophobic arseholes though. Biker club, remember?”
I couldn’t keep quiet. The thought of anyone threatening my ma—Anyone threatening Charley made a tell-tale red mist descend. “Did someone hurt you?” I forced my balled fists to remain in my lap.
He flicked me a sideways glance. “I’ve been roughed up a few times.” I swallowed hard, suppressing the growl trying to escape. “The Wyverns don’t care about being politically correct. They just about keep a lid on the worst behaviour because they want the cash the businesses bring in. But yeah, there’s a few of the club members that I’d cross the street to avoid.”
“And?” Dalziel prompted.
“I might’ve been goading them,” Charley confessed. “I can’t stand that shit, so I overdo the eyeliner, sissy that walk in front of them, antagonise them.” Both Dalziel and I sighed, and this time we were both on the receiving end of Charley’s glower. “I know it’s not smart, but I’m fucking sick of being treated like I’m perverted or sick. What’s worse is I think at least one of the worst culprits is a closet case.”
“Urgh.” Me again. Because I really,reallyloathed closeted bullies. Dalziel barely managed a decent scowl in my direction this time so maybe he felt the same. He returned his attention to Charley.
“So would it be correct to say you felt more anxious than usual when you approached, then entered the…What is it, a club?”
“A bar.”
“Okay, the bar. Were you aware of being hyper vigilant? Do you remember thinking you should take more care than usual?”
Charley thought for a moment. “Yeah, I probably was. I’d had the feeling someone had been following me for a few days. Nothing I could put my finger on, but—” He shrugged. “—a spidey sense had me checking and re-checking shit, like whether I’d locked a door, or even putting on lights although they hurt my eyes. Stuff like that.”
“All right. So you felt anxious about being there alone, or not being there alone, as the case may be.” Charley nodded. “Did you lock the door behind you?” He nodded again. “And turned on all the lights?” He shook his head. “Oh. Why not?”
Charley began mumbling at the table again. “Because I know I can see better in the dark than most people. I wanted an advantage if someone was trying to sneak up on me.” He began running his fingers through his hair, nails scraping against his skull. I could tell he was close to losing it. His heart rate had kicked up, and I could smell his unease. Whether it was from embarrassment, or anxiety about whatever he was about to say, I didn’t know. I was also irrationally needled he hadn’t given me half the information he was now blurting all over Dalziel.
Dalziel must have picked up on the tension too. I felt the balance of the room change as he attempted to push a wave of calm across to Charley. Stood to reason he had all the standard vamp talents. As long as he didn’t try that crap on me.
“Well, it’s not a lot to go on, certainly.” Oh, he was back on track with the night of the missing security footage. “But…I’m beginning to wonder…No, I can’t see how, and yet, I don’t have any better ideas.” He was mumbling almost to himself.
“But what?” Charley had removed one of his hands from his hair and was twisting a wayward lock between finger and thumb. His bottom lip was so raw, I could see blood.
“All I can think of is that somehow you managed to trigger what I’ll call, because I can’t think of another way to describe it, some kind of cloaking device.”
Charley became totally still, apart from his pulse which shot up yet again. “I beg your pardon?”
Dalziel repeated himself.
Charley looked at me. I fired him a ‘don’t ask me’ look in response. It sounded ridiculous to me too, but then again, ninety-nine per cent of the general population would call you a liar if you suggested wolf shifters and vamps were real. I’d learned not to judge.
His eyes narrowed on Dalziel. “You expect me to believe this?”
Dalziel held up his hands in surrender. “It’s just a suggestion.”
“You’re shitting me, right? What the fuck else can vampires do? Dematerialise? Walk through walls? Jump through time? C’mon, this is bullshit! Why is nobody telling me what’s going on? Be the fucking decent thing to do, don’t you think? Seeing as Iama vampire. Or partly one. Clueing me in on what to expect, what I’m capable of, doesn’t seem like it should be a big deal. Except apparently it is. I’ve had enough of being kept in the dark!” Charley slammed his fist down on the table and leapt suddenly to his feet, anger now the predominant emotion rolling off him in waves. He strode towards the doorway. Dalziel and I sat frozen as we watched him wrench the door open. Halfway into the corridor, he changed his mind and turned back to us, his beautiful blue eyes glittering with unshed tears. His voice cracked as he said, “I’m scared fucking shitless, Luc. I don’t know what to do.”
