The Undead Next Door

CHAPTER 25

"Thank you for coming." Jean-Luc shook hands with Gregori, who had just teleported into his office.

"No problem, bro." Gregori peered through the window at the showroom below. "So you want me to emcee your show?"

"If you don't mind." Jean-Luc thought Gregori was the best choice since he'd once hosted a reality show on the Digital Vampire Network. "I need to be at Heather's side."

Gregori nodded. "She's the chick Lui wants to kill?"

"Yes." Jean-Luc glanced at the silk curtain. She was behind there with her models. Phineas was standing guard, but Jean-Luc was anxious to take over that duty.

"This will be fun." Gregori adjusted the tie to his tuxedo. "Lots of hot babes. Is Simone here?"

"She's with Inga. They put on each other's makeup. I have a digital camera and monitor set up in the cellar so they can see themselves." Jean-Luc retrieved a piece of paper from his desk. "This is everything you need to know."

Gregori glanced over the script. "Okay. Let's do it."

Robby strode into the office. He nodded at the vice president from Romatech Industries.

"Gregori."

"Hey, bro." Gregori shook his hand.

"Everything's ready to go," Robby announced. "One of Heather's models was a bit nervous and had too much to drink. Heather has her drinking some coffee."

Jean-Luc frowned. "If she's drunk, her mental facilities will be weak."

"Ye're thinking she would be easy for Lui to control," Robby said.

"Oui." Jean-Luc picked up his cane with the hidden sword inside.

"I'll keep an eye on her. Simone, too," Robby added.

"Unfortunately, everyone in the building is a suspect." Jean-Luc strode to the office door, carrying his cane. "Let's go."

The three male Vamps zoomed down the backstairs and into the kitchen. Phil and Fidelia were having a late-night snack with Bethany.

"You can go to my office now." Jean-Luc hunched down beside Bethany. "You can watch your maman through the window." The little girl nodded, her mouth full of cookies.

He passed by Phil and whispered, "Keep them safe."

"Yes, sir." Phil nodded. He'd been instructed earlier to shield Bethany's view if things turned ugly.

Jean-Luc strode to the showroom with Robby and Gregori.

Robby pointed at the catwalk. "I'll be up there during the show. Phineas and Ian will be down here. The sheriff's already here with two deputies."

Jean-Luc noted Billy leaning against a wall with a toothpick in his mouth. His deputies were standing on the opposite side of the room.

"I'll check the guests as they come in," Robby continued, "and make sure they're all mortal."

Simone and Inga strode into the room, ignoring the deputies who turned to gape at them.

"Hey, Simone." Gregori walked toward her, smiling.

She stopped. "Gregori." She lifted her hand and allowed him to escort her and Inga to the backstage area.

Gregori lifted the curtains to let them pass. "I'll be back here," he told Jean-Luc.

"Tell Heather I want to see her." Jean-Luc waited.

Heather peeked out. Her eyes widened. "You're looking good."

"Thank you." He'd worn his best tux. "We're ready to start."

"Okay." She glanced back. "Good luck, ladies."

Jean-Luc smiled when he saw she was wearing the black cocktail dress he'd purchased for her.

"You look lovely."

"Thank you." She smoothed down the skirt. "I know a guy with great taste."

"That's right." Jean-Luc escorted her to the front row of chairs. "I heard one of your models is a little drunk."

She winced. "Liz. I would have never believed that a drama coach would suffer so much from stage fright. But they're all dressed and ready to go." She was talking fast and her gaze was flitting about. She was nervous, Jean-Luc realized, and with good reason.

"Come." He sat in a chair at the end of the row and motioned for her to sit beside him. He took her hands in his. They were icy cold, and he rubbed them. "I will protect you, Heather. I promise."

She took a deep breath. "I've been waiting for this for two weeks, and now I just want it over with."

"You'll do fine. Your outfits are beautiful."

"Well, that seems really unimportant compared to someone trying to kill me."

"No one will hurt you. I won't let them." He glanced at the front door. Robby was checking everyone and examining purses as they came in.

"Oh no," Heather moaned. "Coach Gunter has arrived."

The short coach didn't wait in line, but burst into the showroom. "Hey Heather!" His booming voice rang out. "I brought some moral support for Liz." He blew his whistle, and two cheerleaders from Guadalupe High skipped into the showroom, waving pom-poms and squealing.

"Oh no." Heather scooted down in her chair.

Jean-Luc chuckled. "I've never seen this before at a fashion show."

"Only in Texas," Heather muttered.

Coach and the cheerleaders sat in the front row across from Jean-Luc and Heather.

More people arrived, and soon all the seats were filled. Robby shut the door, then walked down the hall. A few seconds later, he strolled onto the catwalk. Obviously he'd used vampire speed once he was out of sight.

Gregori stepped onto the platform next to the runway. "Good evening, and welcome to Schnitzelberg's first fashion show."

The small crowd cheered. Pom-poms waved.

Gregori grinned. "This is a charity event. For each person in attendance, Jean-Luc Echarpe is donating one thousand dollars to the Schnitzelberg Independent School District."

More cheers.

Jean-Luc scanned the room. Every visitor was mortal. None of them had approached him to talk or thank him, so it looked like his identity was still a secret.

"We'll start with two designs by Alberto Alberghini," Gregori continued. "May I introduce our world-famous models—Simone and Inga!"

The crowd clapped politely. Jean-Luc suspected they'd never heard of his famous models.

Music started. Alberto was controlling that from backstage. At the front door, Ian dimmed the sconces on the walls, so the runway would look brighter.

Simone stepped onto the runway. There was an appreciative gasp among the crowd.

"Simone is wearing a black silk evening gown that shimmers with thousands of bugle beads," Gregori read from his notes. "The draped back gives it just the right dramatic touch. A stunning design."

Simone marched down the runway and struck a pose. Jean-Luc watched her carefully. She glared at him, but then she always modeled with an angry expression. She was halfway back when Inga began her walk.

"Inga is wearing an ivory cocktail dress of shantung silk," Gregori announced. "Note the slanted neckline which leaves one shoulder bare and how this is echoed in the asymmetrical hem. An elegant creation by Alberto Alberghini."

The crowd clapped politely.

"Did Alberto write this script?" Heather whispered.

Jean-Luc nodded. "I edited it." He knew Simone and Inga would be busily changing into their next outfits. Alberto had set up a screen so the mortal models wouldn't see them using vampire speed to change clothes.

"And now," Gregori continued, "we have three designs by Schnitzelberg's very own designer, a promising new talent in the fashion world, Heather Lynn Westfield."

The crowd cheered. Coach Gunter circled a fist in the air and hooted. The cheerleaders shook their pom-poms.

Heather ducked her head. "I can't believe this."

"The town loves you," Jean-Luc whispered. "I can see why."

She looked at him, her eyes sparkling with emotion. "Thank you for believing in me."

He took her hand. "It doesn't have to end tonight."

"All right!" Gregori grinned. "Our first model is Miss Gray, an English teacher from Guadalupe High."

Miss Gray stepped hesitantly onto the runway, wearing Heather's first gown.

The cheerleaders leaped to their feet, their pom-poms in the air. "Go, Miss Gray!" Shake, shake, shake. "Go, Miss Gray!"

Alberto started the music up again. Miss Gray smiled and apparently realized she was among friends. She walked down the runway, her smile growing.

"Miss Gray is wearing an evening gown of royal-blue silk chiffon," Gregori read from his notes.

"Notice the expert flow of the skirt and the versatility provided by the matching stole."

The second teacher started down the runway.

"Go, Ms. Lawson!" Shake, shake, shake. "Go, Ms. Lawson!"

"Ms. Lawson is wearing a black cocktail dress, topped with a bolero-style vest," Gregori announced. "The red soutache trim on the bolero is repeated on the hem of the skirt. A creation both elegant and bold."

Heather clung to Jean-Luc's hand.

"You're doing great," he whispered.

"If someone wants to attack me, I wish they'd just do it," she whispered back. "The suspense is killing me."

The third teacher stepped onto the runway.

Coach jumped up and hooted. "Way to go, Liz!"

"Go, Miss Schumann!" Shake, shake, shake.

Liz started down the runway, wobbling a bit in her maroon stiletto heels.

"Miss Schumann is wearing a maroon jacket dress," Gregori said. "The fitted dress is topped with an elegant jacket, featuring a pleated portrait collar, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a faux gem button."

She posed at the end of the runway while Coach whipped out a camera.

Jean-Luc ducked, not wanting his picture taken. Zut, Robby must have been too busy checking purses. He'd missed this camera.

A light flashed, apparently blinding Miss Schumann, for the woman stumbled back, then squealed as she teetered on the edge of the runway and fell off.

"I got you, Liz!" Coach rushed toward her and helped her up. "She's okay!" He raised his arms like she'd scored a touchdown.

The crowd cheered. Heather started toward her friend, but Jean-Luc stopped her.

"You need to stay with me." He exchanged a look with Robby. It looked like the three mortal models were safe. But Lui could have still taken over someone's mind in the audience. And Simone still had one walk left.

The crowd gave Liz another round of applause as Coach Gunter escorted her back to the curtained-off area.

Gregori cleared his throat. "And now, we have three more designs by Alberto Alberghini. First up, Schnitzelberg's own world-famous model, Sasha Saladine."

Sasha started down the runway, and the crowd cheered.

"Sasha is wearing a three-piece outfit, all in beige silk," Gregori continued. "The tightly fitted pants and top make a stunning contrast to the loose and flowing full-length coat."

Jean-Luc noticed Sasha had her hands in the coat pockets. That was normal for a model, but…

Sasha pulled out a gun, aimed at Heather, and pulled the trigger.

Jean-Luc leaped in front and felt a sharp sting in his right arm. As thin as Sasha was, the recoil from the pistol sent her flying off the runway. Phineas jumped on her. The deputies and sheriff were running toward her.

"Are you all right?" Jean-Luc looked at Heather. She was shaking, her eyes wide. He pulled her close.

He glanced at the catwalk. Robby was gone. Ian was gone, too. No doubt they'd teleported outside to look for Lui, in case the bastard was lurking about.

The crowd pushed toward the door, screaming.

The sheriff jumped onto the runway. "Calm down! The danger is over."

Coach blew his whistle, and the crowd quieted. "All right, let's go." He steered the crowd out the door. "Form a double line. Move it! Move it!"

Billy jumped down to where Phineas had Sasha pinned on the floor. He helped her up, and she looked around, dazed.

"What happened?" She looked at the sheriff. "Oh hi, Billy. I remember you from high school."

With a frown, he pulled her hands behind her back and cuffed her. "Sasha Saladine, you're under arrest for attempted murder. You have the right to remain silent."

"What?" Sasha turned pale. "I wouldn't hurt anyone."

Billy used a handkerchief to pick up her gun. "You just tried to shoot Heather with this."

Sasha gasped. "I don't know how to shoot. I would never hurt Heather."

"Yeah, right." Billy led her toward the front door. "You probably blew up her truck, too."

Sasha gasped. "No! I don't know what you're talking about. Billy, please." She gave him a beseeching look. "Don't you remember me?"

He looked sadly at her. "Yeah, I do."

Heather pulled away from Jean-Luc. "Billy, she's telling the truth. She's not responsible."

He gave her an incredulous look. "She shot at you. Everyone saw it." He led Sasha out the front door. "You have the right to an attorney…"

Heather turned to Jean-Luc. "We can't let her pay for Louie's crime."

"I'll take care of it," Jean-Luc assured her. "For now, it's more important that we find Lui." He removed the sword from his cane, wincing when his arm objected.

Heather gasped. "Oh my God!"

"What are you doing?" Gregori strode toward him.

"I want you and Phineas to guard Heather while I hunt for Lui."

Gregori shook his head, frowning. "Dude, you're not in any shape to fight. Let Robby and Ian do it."

"But it's my responsibility." Jean-Luc tightened his grip on his sword. For some reason, his hand was tingling and unresponsive. "I have to kill that bastard once and for all."

Heather touched his left arm. "Jean-Luc. Darling, you're bleeding. You've been shot."

Two hours later, Jean-Luc relaxed in his giant bathtub. The hot water swirled around, producing white foam, while the jets pummeled his back with pulsating water. He sat in the corner, his injured right arm propped along the side to keep the bandage dry. His left arm rested along the other edge, close to the bottle of Blissky.

Jean-Luc had been surprised by the gunshot wound. He'd been so determined to protect Heather and kill Lui that his mind had ignored the pain. Gregori and Heather had escorted him down to his bedroom, while Alberto dealt with the aftermath of the disastrous show.

Gregori knew a Vamp doctor from Houston who had helped deliver Shanna's baby. He called Dr. Lee, and the Vamp teleported straight to Jean-Luc's bedroom with his medical kit. Once Heather was assured that Jean-Luc would live, she ran upstairs to see her daughter.

The bullet had to come out. Gregori handed Jean-Luc a bottle of Blissky to help with the pain. Dr. Lee removed the bullet, bandaged him up, left a bill, then teleported back to Houston.

Gregori wandered off to see Simone and Inga. Ian and Robby were still hunting for Lui, while Phineas and Phil guarded Heather and her family. Jean-Luc knew Lui had to be close by. He'd been controlling Sasha, and she'd been in the area for the last two days. He had to be close. The bastard would want to be close to relish the damage he'd caused.

Jean-Luc took another sip of Blissky. Here he was, once again helpless. He couldn't fight tonight. He was useless. The pain had become a dull throb, but anger and frustration were steadily growing.

Lui had to be found. This had to end. Jean-Luc couldn't force Heather to stay here forever like a prisoner. But if he let her go, Lui would kill her. Mon Dieu, she had every reason to hate him.

She'd lost her newfound freedom because of him. He was crazy to even hope for her love.

He heard his bedroom door open and shut. "Robby, is that you? Please tell me Lui is dead."

Soft footsteps approached. Jean-Luc turned to look, his gaze blurred by pain. He blinked. He had to be dreaming. She was wearing the blue nightgown he'd bought for her. Yes, he had to be dreaming. It was a good dream.

Heather slowly walked toward him. "Jean-Luc."

He blinked. "You're real."

She smiled slowly. "Oh yes."