Page 24 of The Psychic and the Vampire: A Bad Case of Vampire Curiosity
Viktor did not like Prosecutor Hammond. Although he had never met the man personally before, it was clear Hammond knew exactly who he was.
At least Viktor assumed that was why the man’s features paled the moment he followed Ant into the prosecutor’s office.
There was also a notable spike of anxiety in the air.
As Viktor was used to eliciting that sort of reaction from people, he didn’t worry about it.
Ant seemed determined to be as bright and breezy as possible – definitely faking it.
Viktor hoped there wasn’t going to be too much chit-chat.
His mate was hurting for some reason, and while Viktor would never profess to know the workings of his mate’s unique mind, he knew that the only reason Ant insisted on keeping the appointment with Hammond was because that was the type of person he was.
“I never let anybody down if I can help it,” Ant said firmly when Viktor tried to put his foot down in the car and take them home. Viktor settled for getting Ant to agree that there was no point in him being invisible for a short visit to collect a file.
Viktor didn’t believe that Ant had gotten anything useful out of Captain Bains that he couldn’t have gotten with Viktor present.
Admittedly, Captain Bains might not have broken down and proven to Ant how unreliable he was as a person if Viktor’s presence had been known, but they weren’t going to know that one way or the other now that the meeting was over.
But Viktor was determined not to do it again.
“I was in the area,” Ant said, his tone fake enough to make Viktor wince.
“I just called in to pick up the Carol Doukas’s file.
Did you have it handy? I really don’t want to take up any more of your time than necessary, and wouldn’t have even popped in today.
But you did say you were going to send it over to my office, and Bridget hasn’t received it yet. ”
“Doctor Channon, yes, about that file...”
“Please don’t think about lying,” Ant interrupted quickly. “It’s extremely embarrassing when non-paranormals do that in front of a being such as a vampire. You’ve met my mate, Viktor, haven’t you? He’s so old he can smell a lie a mile away.”
Ant’s chuckle had the same fake tone as his voice.
What’s wrong with him? Viktor was getting more and more concerned.
“So, if you could just hit your little button on your box there, on your desk, the intercom thingy, and let your receptionist know I’m here to pick up the file, that would be extremely helpful. Thank you.”
Hammond sat behind his desk, his elbows on the table, drumming his fingers together.
“There is a slight problem with your request, Doctor Channon,” he said, putting on a grave tone.
“While I appreciate we have always freely shared information between our offices in the past, that was when you were working for the police department. I am afraid, unless the situation has changed with Captain Bains, I can no longer give you access to what are confidential files.”
“If the situation with Captain Bains you’re referring to is related to my resignation as a consultant, that hasn’t changed at all,” Ant said firmly.
“I’m not here in my guise as a police contractor.
I am here as the Dean of Police Studies for the Mage Academy.
Therefore, it is within my scope to request case files and any other information I require from any authorities. ”
“The Mage Academy?” Hammond was scratching his head, and Viktor would have done that, too, but he was supposed to be supportive of everything Ant was doing, or at least give the appearance of knowing what his mate was up to.
“Why is the Mage Academy involved in the Carol Doukas case? There was no magic or paranormal elements associated with the murder scene or Ms. Doukas’s death. I remember that much.”
“I am aware that was the finding of the M.E.’s office, even though they did not conduct or authorize any magical testing to determine Ms. Doukas’s cause of death,” Ant said.
“I was employed in a private capacity by Carmine Doukas to do a scene reading where his sister’s body was found.
I found definite elements of magic at the scene.
Magical traps and scene distortions, which as you could appreciate, had me concerned about the validity of the investigation conducted ten years ago.
“Part of my investigation now is to find out who was connected to the murder in the first place because somebody tried to interfere with my ability to read the scene. It’s logical to believe they have something to hide.
In the meantime, I have every right to the information I’ve requested from you. I’m happy to wait.”
There was another surge of uneasiness in the air.
Hammond didn’t like the position Ant was taking.
Viktor had no idea what the relationship was between the Mage Academy and the justice department in town.
But he was aware that the Mage Academy had a ‘don’t fuck with us’ mentality which was surprising for a group many people underestimated.
It also had the full backing of the National and International Paranormal Council.
Going against such an organization could tie up any legal firm in numerous court cases for years, only for the judge to award the win to the paranormal side.
It had something to do with the fact that most paranormals could detect lies, so they didn’t lie themselves.
Although, I’ve been watching Ant lie all morning. However, Viktor also knew Ant could justify every stretched truth.
“Doctor Channon, I have to say this is very irregular,” Hammond said at last. “I feel a moral obligation as the prosecutor in that case…”
“You weren’t the prosecutor in that case,” Ant interrupted him again. “During the time of the murder trial, you were working for the law firm Lawton, McDougall, and Floyd as a junior legal assistant. You weren’t, at that point in time, representing clients or prosecuting cases at all.”
Hammond flicked an uneasy glance at Viktor. “Regardless,” he said slowly, “I still feel as a crucial part of who I am as a lawyer, it does not feel right to share information with anyone without the proper credentials.”
“Are the credentials you’re referring to the same ones you spout off to a judge in court every time you use my testimony?” Ant got up from his chair. But then, instead of heading for the door, as Viktor and Hammond both clearly expected, he rested his hands on Hammond’s desk and glared at the man.
“You appear to have similar issues to Captain Bains,” he said softly. “Everything about you, the way you present yourself and your aura, all suggest you’re being manipulated. I wonder what would happen to you if you gave me that file?”
“I…er…I… You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Hammond blustered.
“You’re entitled to your opinion. My opinion, in this instance, is that you were told to ensure I did not get the full file on Carol Doukas’s murder.
Fair enough. I have other ways of finding out the information I need.
In the meantime, you should understand that I will find out who is working behind the scenes and pulling your strings.
When I find out who that person is, they will be dealt with in accordance with any and all applicable laws. ”
“Doctor Channon, I…”
“Don’t say anything else. You’ll only incriminate yourself.
I will bring this person down, and when I do, every one of the minions caught in that person’s strings below them will fall, too.
I’m getting tired of being given the runaround.
All I asked you for was a file – something I’ve done a hundred times before.
You really shouldn’t have been so obstructive. ”
Silence. Ant didn’t move, nor did Hammond.
Then Hammond looked at Viktor again, and his jaw tightened.
“Look, Doctor Channon, I’m going to say this frankly.
I find your association with a known gangster a real concern.
The fact that you are investigating a murder for another gangster compounds that concern.
Those sorts of associations, should they become public, could cause all sorts of damage to your reputation. ”
A sub-vocal growl filled the room. “Are you threatening my mate?" Viktor’s hands fisted and he took a step toward the desk, stopped by Ant’s chuckle.
“You’re resorting to desperate measures, now, Mr. Hammond.
I’ve never concerned myself with what others think about me.
At least I’m free to think and do as I please.
Whereas you…” Ant stopped mid-sentence, raised his hand, and drew a large circle in the area of space between himself and the prosecutor.
A green screen appeared in the air, hovering, pulsating, moving as though it had its own heartbeat. Ant ran his hand over it, causing the green to sparkle, before it just as suddenly disappeared.
“How interesting,” Ant said. “At least I know what’s happening now.”
Happening? What’s happening? Viktor didn’t have a clue, and apparently Hammond didn’t, either.
“Doctor Channon, I don’t know what any of that magic you used was supposed to signify, but there is nothing untoward going on,” Hammond said, doing his best to sound as though he was in charge of the situation.