Friday was finally here. It was going to be quite the Friday for every one involved in an unassuming Garneau condominium. Grant Roberts was now asleep for the day, knowing full well he had done well in bringing forth a suspect in Claire Sawyer’s gang rape, and he had a date later in the evening with Amy Moore, an expat English nurse he had become quite chummy with since his return to work. Kaitlyn Russo, meanwhile, ensured her dress uniform was still in good condition. Not only was today the retirement of an old family friend – and subsequent party for him – but the new police chief was to be sworn in. The original plan was for him to be sworn in on Monday, yet those plans were escalated due to events that have occurred in Edmonton during the week. Expecting the usual pomp and circumstances that happens during a change of command, the new chief of police was also planning to make announcements concerning the formation of an anti-vampire activity patrol unit. That was right now the furthest thing from Kaitlyn’s mind as she looked in the mirror while doing up her dress tunic. She was thinking about her encounter with Clarice Stanfield last night, and how Kaitlyn had her suspicions about Clarice’s involvement in the attack of a fraternity house. Kaitlyn was also concerned as to why she was in wolf form that night and attacked Charlie Lamb – currently the prime suspect in Claire’s rape and a person of interest in an arson/cross-burning incident. As usual in a time like this when Kaitlyn’s mind is more focused and intense, Seth Rollins would appear. This time, Seth showed up as a reflection in the mirror while Kaitlyn adjusted the buttons of her tunic and service medals. “You know, I always had a thing for women in uniforms,” Seth said and quickly disappeared before Kaitlyn could slap the mirror. “Not now, Seth!” she chided Seth who appeared alongside Kaitlyn as she walked out of the bathroom.
“You’re pretty uppity this morning. Thought you would have gotten lucky last night with Rasputin,” Seth jokingly prodded Kaitlyn about her escorting Sergei Koloff.
“Sergei?” Kaitlyn asked as she walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge door and got out a container of orange juice. “Well, he’s quite the gentleman. So old-fashioned and chivalrous…”
Seth cut her off: “Well, hate to break it to you sweetie, he’s a werewolf hunter. Right now he is all lovey-dovey aristocratic nobleman. The second you go all wolf, he’s gonna get all Ivan Drago on you,” then in a mock Russian accent, Seth added “I must break you, you will lose!’
“Real cute,” Kaitlyn said as she rolled her eyes while pouring a glass of juice.
“Do you view the entire world as caricatures from movies?”
“Just the funny ones,” Seth replied back. “But seriously, you think he’d be all hot for you if and when he finds out?”
“I’ve thought about it,” Kaitlyn answered, hoping to reassure Seth’s uncharacteristically concerned side, “Right now, I’m not looking for anything serious anyways. He walked me home here, asked if he could come up, and I said ‘no’. Right now I need to figure out what is going on in me before I can even entertain the idea of bringing anyone home for a night.”
“Right, right,” Seth said. “Meanwhile if you need someone to release all your frustrations on, I’m your ghost with the most here.”
“I’m flattered,” Kaitlyn said in a teasing manner “But we’ve been over this before time and time again – you got no real penis. I’d go right through you. Or hey, here’s an idea – find a lady ghost. Hell, Grant’s got a date, so it’s possible for you to find someone.” Seth answered back, slightly dejected “Ehh, ghost sex is overrated. Don’t know if she is actually moaning because you got her motor going, or the fact she’s a freaking ghost and most ghosts moan to begin with!”
“Huh, didn’t even know there was such a thing as ‘ghost sex’” Kaitlyn said. “But still, why not go out of the suite for a while?”
“Yeah, and then find someone who I have unresolved issues, resolve said issues, and cross over to the other side without the privilege of conversing with Jennifer Love Hewitt? No thanks!” Seth dismissively replied.
Kaitlyn hung her head and sighed “We’ve been over this. Jennifer Love Hewitt is not a real ghost whisp…” she tried to tell Seth, who held his hands over his ears and was saying “Lalalalala! Not hearing this!”. Kaitlyn just gave a half smile as she walked towards the door and left the suite, heading off to work for the day.
The sound of drums and bagpipes filled the main lobby of Edmonton’s city hall as the Edmonton Police Service Pipe Band marched in. A few dozen or so of other officers also marched behind the band while more officers and other dignitaries sat in chairs. A podium was in the middle of the staircase that led from the lobby floor to the main entrance of city hall. The pipe band took a position to the left side of the podium while the other officers filed in on the right side. Down from the stairs, a dozen or so men and women descended down the stairs. The last man in this procession was a stocky-built man with salt-and-pepper hair, wearing a full dress police uniform. The man was to be introduced as Robert Van Danzig, the new chief of police in Edmonton. In the middle of the crowd on the floor, Kaitlyn Russo sat in between Simon Fererra and Cameron Swift. The three of them carried on a very quiet conversation.
“So, how much do we know about him?” Simon asked in regards to Chief Van Danzig.
“Well, parents immigrated to Canada shortly before World War Two,” Cameron answered. “He served in the merchant marines for five years. Career man, mostly worked vice and anti-gang units throughout Montreal. Spent last five years leading a crusade against vampire-related crimes in his last tour of duty.”
“Think he’s gonna do the same here?” Kaitlyn asked.
“More than likely. Think this whole production here is gonna show he means business.” Simon answered his partner.
“Kind of pointless since most vampires are asleep now,” Cameron added, trying to fit in with a dry, witty banter.
“Except for the daywalkers, if they exist,” Kaitlyn said to Cameron. “If they do, I have a friend who thinks he can spot them.”, she added jokingly.
“Okay, think our new boss is gonna speak here right away,” Simon mentioned to both Kaitlyn and Cameron, who all hushed up as Chief Van Danzig took to the podium and addressed the crowd: “Ladies and gentlemen, fellow officers, elected officials, and select members of the press”, he said in an introduction. He then went on, “Wish I was taking this position under different circumstances, but with the recent events in the last week in this city and public outcry to do something about it, all it has done was strengthen my resolve to maintain the peace among this city’s living and non-living populace. While it will not go into full effect until next week, but right now we will be going ahead with a zero tolerance policy towards members of the vampire community and members of the rest of the community. We will not tolerate anyone inciting hate or misguided dogmatic attacks from either side. It is my duty as chief of police here in Edmonton is to ensure that no one innocent will lose lives or property as a result of our current vampire community. I am not saying they do not belong here or have the same rights as everyone else, that will be up our lawmakers in Ottawa to determine shortly, but right now our role will be to enforce the status quo. There will be nearly four dozen street officers who will be trained for any potential confrontations with our fanged citizens. Other officers from major crimes, vice, and other support units will act in a support role investigating any vampire-related crimes to their respective roles.” Van Danzig paused as a small pattering round of applause began to come from the crowd, then the applause grew louder.
“Thank you all for your support,” Van Danzig said. “And to those officers who will be selected for this unit, I thank you all in advance for serving your community. And I thank you all for allowing this opportunity to keep control of all supernatural forces working within the confines of this fair city. Thank you once again.” A more uproarious applause filled the hall as Van Danzig stepped down from the podium. A flock of reporters from newspapers and television stations followed him off to the side as the pipe band begun to play again. “Supernatural forces, huh?” Simon stated to Kaitlyn and Cameron. “Think he’s gonna turn us into real life ghost hunters too?”
“Doesn’t sound too far-fetched. I mean if Sergei believes the wolf attack on Deke House was from this Brotherhood of the Cross, something has to be up.” Cameron answered.
Kaitlyn chimed in, “Yeah, and the fact I got this weird vibe from talking with Clarice Stanfield last night. Think I’ll talk to Sperling later and see if we can get a warrant to search her home.”
“Good luck,” Cameron said. “From my understanding, the Stanfields are almost untouchable. They have also became Edmonton’s financial and social elite since the Daring family all buggered off after the whole Jason Saxon affair. You’re going to need more than a queasy feeling from talking with Old Lady Stanfield to even sniff around their estate.”
“Well then, looks like this Scooby Gang has got its first mystery,” Simon said and quietly laughed.
Claire Sawyer gingerly made her way out of a police car. She was medically cleared to return to her private practice law firm, but advised by multiple counselors to not rush back into work. With her only vehicle being held as evidence, Claire opted to take the opportunity to be escorted by the police as suggested by her investigating officer Angie Newhart. Claire knew she had to begin working on Grant Robert’s class-action suite and perhaps immersing herself into legal work would keep her mind off the events that led to her attack. But Claire froze up on the sidewalk, noticing her small office in a nondescript strip mall had been vandalized and broken into. One of the officers in the car got out and slowly made his way into the office. “Ma’am, you going to be alright?” the second officer asked Claire, who stood just still, noticing “Fang Banger” and “Jude 1:6” spray painted on the window. Claire then slowly knelt on the ground, sobbing hysterically as the second officer called in for backup.
“’Jude 1:6’? ‘And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day.’” Simon Fererra read from Sergei Koloff’s pocket bible. “Well, that’s just wonderful to know,” he commented as he closed the book and handed it back to Sergei as the two of them gathered around Cameron Swift’s desk,
“All of this makes no sense.” Cameron stated, “Based on previous intel about the New Sarepta Church of the People, none of these attacks fit their M.O. Except for the cross burring, the vandalism of Miss Sawyer’s car and business and even the attack on her doesn’t match their own patterns.”
“But the hate literature, the scripture quotations,” Sergei said, doubting Cameron’s hypothesis. “There had to be members of the church within this fraternity that the Bratstvo Kresta would suspect were in there.”
“Maybe so, but it wasn’t Charlie Lamb,” Kaitlyn Russo came in and joined the conversation. “His family are devout Catholics, his father is a chief operating officer of a large engineering firm here in the city. Hell, the old man has made large donations to the U of A’s engineering faculty and the police association,” she added to the conversation from reading a file.
“So how does Charlie Church-Goer become an anti-vampire hate mongering rapist then?” Simon asked.
“He’s not all that innocent,” Kaitlyn answered. “He has several traffic violations, mostly excessive speeding. Campus security had responded to several complaints about him being excessively drunk and abusive on campus grounds. Although, and here is something interesting. Two female engineering students launched a sexual harassment complaint against Charlie, which was later dismissed after the original plaintiffs withdrew the complaint.”
“So, he’s shown signs before of inappropriate sexual behavior? Until we can figure out more about why those photos were on his laptop, that should be enough to hold him for the Sawyer case.” Simon stated.
“Well, actually even going through the computer, we did get more info about the fire.” Cameron commented. “Traced some IP addresses and instant messages, by the sound of things, it was more of a prank gone wrong.”
“And a prank that could lead us all into a blood feud.” Sergei dreadfully stated.
“Meaning what exactly?” Kaitlyn asked.
“If Missus Stanfield felt the attack on her property was a declaration of war, bringing in the Bratstvo Kresta would be her way of saying ‘bring it’. Even if the intent was not serious, she seems to be someone who would look for any excuse to kill to send a message.” Sergei answered.
“More of a reason we need to question her,” Kaitlyn insisted.
Grant Roberts had not been out socially with anyone in a long time, so not surprising he was nervous meeting Amy Moore down at The Fox and Whistle, an old-style English pub hidden just off Whyte Avenue in the heart of Old Strathcona. Slowly the nerves he felt died down once they got over the slightly awkward silence that a first social encounter usually would have. But the two of them got more comfortable as the night went on, first by starting off with taking on a couple big shot wanna-be pool sharks and humbling them. Then as talked about from one of their earlier conversations, Grant and Amy played a few rounds of darts. They ended up splitting the series before another group had moved in and halted the rubber match. Grant and Amy made their way to a secluded part of the pub where they could carry on a conversation far from a karaoke contest that was going on there this night.
“I totally would have won, ya know that?” Amy teasingly asked Grant as a waitress brought them a couple pints of beer. Despite having no need for any mortal food and drink, Grant did at times indulge to keep up his illusion of being normal.
“Guess we’ll never know, will we?” Grant dryly asked back.
“Well, maybe we’ll have to pick up the competition later,” Amy said right back, showing a little bit of inebriation.
Grant added “Well I do have a dart board at my own place…”
Feigning shock, Amy playfully punched Grant in his shoulder and said “Why Grant Roberts, I do think you’re asking me to come home with you.”
“What? Was I implying that?” Grant nervously asked as Amy just smiled and laughed. “Relax sunshine,” she told him. “I won’t do anything you don’t want me too.”
“Oh thank god,” Grant sighed with relief, “Although I would be honored to beat you on my home field.”
“Ooh, a definite challenge! I love that!” Amy said with excitement. The host of the karaoke service then announced that he was looking for one more entrant for the evening. “Speaking of challenges, let’s do that!” Amy said, as she took Grant by his hands and tried to coax him to follow her.
“I really don’t sing,” Grant sheepishly said.
“That’s the beauty of karaoke, love,” Amy slightly begged to Grant, “Just a couple mates up on stage willing to make complete arses of themselves!” Grant gave in to her request and the two of them made their way up to stage. A small pattering of applause came from the crowd as the host asked Grant and Amy. “All right, so wanna introduce yourselves?”
“Amy Moore, the pride of Sheffield!” Amy proudly and drunkenly declared. Grant, feeling unsure and shy, spoke into the mic next.” Grant Roberts,” he said with the passion of a Steven Wright monologue.
“All right then,” the host said. “And what will you be gracing us with tonight?” Amy whispered into the host’s ear. “I believe we do have that one, so here we go. Amy Moore from Sheffield and Grant Roberts with their rendition of David Geddea one-hit wonder ‘Run Joey Run’!” Grant looked confused as Amy whispered in his ears “Just follow the words on the screen, and my lead, love!” Grant looked like he was going through stage fright as the music began and Amy did the first part of the song with a mix of passion and drunk bravery: “Daddy please don't/It wasn't his fault/He means so much tome/Daddy please don't/We're gonna get married/Just you wait and see…”
With a brief musical interlude, Grant was up next and totally deadpanned his part: “Every night, the same old dream/I hate to close my eyes/I can't erase the memory/
The sound of Julie's cry/She called me up late that night/She said, ‘Joe, don't come over/My Dad and I just had a fight/And he stormed out the door/I've never seen him act this way/My god, he’s going crazy/He said he’s gonna make you pay/For what we done, he’s got a gun/So run, Joey run, Joey run!’” The crowd slowly got into the two of them singing as the rest of the song went through and Grant came out of his shell for this one moment of drunken karaoke awesomeness.
Grant’s date was not the only night time activity going on in Edmonton this evening. At the Kingsway Legion Hall, the retirement party for Ryan “Sully” Sullivan was now in full swing. Inside the hall, friends, family members, and fellow officers were gathered together to say goodbye and pay respect to the thirty-year veteran of the Edmonton Police, who was retiring today. Everyone inside the hall was unaware that outside across the parking lot, five pale-skinned men, donned in black wool navy coats stood there. Each man also had with them an Eurasian Wolf, all five under collar and chain. “Why don’t we go now?” One of the men asked.
“Mistress Anya gave us specific instructions to wait for her.” Another one of the men replied back.
“Wish she would hurry up.” Another one of the men spoke up “I’m getting hungry!”
“We’re only here to scare them, not to feed on them!” the second man snapped back.
“Bummer.”
Grant Roberts did his best to keep Amy Moore, who was completely wasted, from tripping over her own feet as the two of them made their way out of the Fox and Whistle. It was a productive evening for the two of them, coming in second place in karaoke. Now Grant was waiting for a taxi cab to arrive so he could safely take Amy home. “How come you’re not sloshed here, love?” Amy asked, with a slight slur.
“Stronger endurance maybe?” Grant replied back.
“Oh god, I bet you could drink my brothers under the table!” Amy laughed as she playfully patted Grant’s cheek, unaware that his skin felt cold. “Grant Roberts, a man of many hidden talents!”
“And you, Amy Moore, from across the pond,” Grant said.
“Ohh, that sounds so cute!” Amy gushed with pride. “You sure you don’t want to come over for a night cap, mate?” she asked Grant as the cab pulled up.
“That’s quite alright,” Grant said. “I don’t think it’d be fair for me to do so in your current condition.”
“Such a gentleman!” Amy said, as she planted a sloppy but meaningful kiss right on Grant’s lips. “We shall do this another time then!” she said as she clumsily made her way into the cab. Grant closed the door behind as the cab slowly pulled away. As Grant began to walk away, a strange man in a black trench coat approached him from behind “Grant Roberts?” he asked towards Grant. “Yeah?” Grant replied back, slightly unsure.
“I have a message to deliver to you,” the man in black said.
“What?” Grant confusingly asked.
“Anya wants to see you as soon as possible.”
“Anya? What are you talking about?” Grant asked, as the man ripped off the sleeve of Grant’s coat and shirt, to reveal the legal “V” armband.
“The sooner, the better. Mistress wants to make peace with you for some sick reason,” the man in black said as he spat in Grant’s face and disappeared quickly into the back alley
Back at the Kingsway Legion Hall, the five men with the five wolves still waited. All of them stood at attention while the wolves howled and snarled. A black towne care then pulled up, and out from the rear passenger side, the same woman from the Delta Kappa Epsilon attack came out. Still wearing the same red leather pants and black tank top.
“Mistress Anya,” one of the men said to the woman, known only as Anya. She has gone by that for such a long time now. No one knew what her last name truly was, and no one bothered to learn it at this point in time.
“Let’s not waste any more time here, shall we?” Anya said and motioned for the five men to advance onto the hall. Being a public place, the six of them were able to enter the hall. They made their way into the main banquet hall where everyone fell into a fearful hush as Anya, the five pale men, and the wolves wandered in. The men and wolves blocked the door as Anya sauntered down the middle of the hall. From a far end of the hall, Kaitlyn Russo watched in confusion as to what was going on, until she was pulled down to the ground by Sergei Koloff, who was also on the floor with Cameron Swift and Simon Fererra.
“Keep quiet as possible” Sergei quietly instructed Kaitlyn.
“We’re not going to live through a Brotherhood Night?” Cameron nervously asked.
“Don’t think so. This is so uncharacteristic of the Bratstvo Kresta. In the years I have known about them, they never appear with their employers.” Sergei said as the four of them watched from the floor as Anya’s muscular legs made their way down the hall and to the front.
“Ah, E-town! So good to be back here!” Anya proclaimed as she took a glass from a table and drank from it. “Oh, the things to do in Edmonton when you’re undead. Too bad I didn’t get an invite to this little fancy soiree here.”
“Get out now!” a man shouted towards Anya, who just laughed at the empty threat.
“Oh please, spare me with your false bravado. If I really wanted to, you’d all be dead by now!” Anya boasted as she walked back and forth. “Consider this a little warning to all you little cops who want to play slayers – stay out of our way. Any of you normal mortals sniff around our little neighborhoods without any cause or provocation, well, I have no qualms turning any of them inside out.”
The same man who shouted out earlier tried to tackle Anya to the ground, but failed miserably as Anya tossed him to the back for the wolves. Much to the shock of everyone, two of the wolves attacked the man.
“Anyone want to try and play hero?” Anya asked and laughed as she looked around. She smelled the air and made her way towards Kaitlyn and her comrades. “Fe fie foe fum, I smell the blood of a Slavic bum,” Anya said as she realized Sergei. “This is not your battle, Mister Koloff!” she chided him.
“As long as you have the Bratstvo Kresta at your side, it is my battle.” Sergei fired back at Anya.
“They are not my idea to begin with,” Anya replied back. “Hate the fact we have a détente with these beasts.”
“So who’s their owner then? Clarice Stanfield?” Simon asked.
“Oooh, nice try, flatfoot,” Anya said sarcastically to Simon. “Check with the Vamp officers in Immigration. I got back here two days ago so I got an alibi.” Anya then noticed Kaitlyn. “Ah yes, the big brave vampire defender,” Anya said to Kaitlyn’s face. Anya teased Kaitlyn’s lips with her own, much to Kaitlyn’s dismay. “I was told to be nice to you, which is a pity, I’m sure you and I could have had some fun.” Anya said seductively to Kaitlyn.
“You’re not my type to begin with.” Kaitlyn said with disgust.
Anya leaned into Kaitlyn’s ear and whispered. “Call me when you get that dog out of your soul,” as she gave a quick lick with her tongue.
“What? Nothing for me?” Cameron asked. Anya just looked at Cameron rather unimpressed. “Aren’t you one of the little people?” she asked to Cameron. Anya then added “See me when your testes drop, Boy Wonder,” as an insult to Cameron’s youngish appearance. Anya then made her way to the wolves and pale goons.
“Consider this your only warning, sweeties” Anya told everyone in the room. “The Big Bad Bitch is back in town, and you’re all best not to cross me!” she warned everyone as she kicked the door open and left with the wolves and goons behind her. Much of the crowd muttered in shock and disbelief.
“Did… did we just get served by a vampire?” Cameron asked in disbelief.
“We got served alright,” Simon answered. “Served with notice that the vamps are ready to fight back.”
Kaitlyn just stared blankly, feeling very unnerved by Anya’s advances on her. It felt eerily similar to her two encounters with Clarice Stanfield. An encounter she hoped to not go through again for a long time.
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