Page 56 of Vampire so Virtuous

Gerry thumbed the button for the elevator. “I was surprised to get the call from Bill,” he said. “You could’ve called me directly, you know.”

Antoine smiled disarmingly. “I would’ve done if I had your number.”

“Ah.” Gerry looked sheepish. “Here, let me remedy that now.” He fished out a business card and handed it to Antoine. “Anytime you need anything.”

“Thank you.” Antoine slipped the card into his coat pocket, ignoring the Superintendent’s surprise.

The elevator dinged its arrival, and all three men entered. Gerry pressed another button. “Steve confirmed we do have a triple-homicide suspect in our custody. One Cally Davis. That the woman?”

“Indeed,” Antoine replied smoothly. And now he had a name.

“We’ve paused questioning, and she’s resting comfortably in our holding area until we get this sorted out. After the call from Bill, I felt it was prudent.”

“I’ve heard of you, Mr. Du Pont,” Cox ground out, looking like he’d swallowed a lemon, “and surprised to hear you were involved in something like this. The case seems open-and-shut. She was standing beside the three bodies when we arrived, and admitted she’d attacked them.”

“Gerry, I dropped by to help,” Antoine said, his tone carrying a slight edge. “Let’s dispense with the ‘involved’ language, shall we?”

“Of course, Anthony, of course.” Gerry glared at Cox. “I’m sure the Superintendent meant nothing by that remark.”

“I’m just a concerned citizen, in the wrong place at the wrong time”—Antoine smiled blandly—“or the right place to help an innocent woman.” He had to lay the groundwork before he tried to influence them with his power; may as well start right away. Otherwise, he risked melting their minds, like he had the cop outside.

“Quite,” Gerry said, eager to move past the tension.

The Superintendent cleared his throat. “Why were you in the area, Mr. Du Pont?” His tone was mild, but with an unmistakable edge.

The elevator shuddered to a halt. “Out for a walk,” Antoine said blandly.

They arrived on a busy department floor. Gerry led them through an open-plan office to a large meeting room with a decent-sized polished table and a good number of chairs. Antoine surmised it was the department board room.

“I’m sure we’ll get this all cleared up in no time.” Gerry’s eyes flicked pointedly to the stoic Superintendent, even as he seemed to be addressing Antoine. He gestured to a chair. “Make yourself comfortable. Would you like a drink?”

“No, thank you.” They didn’t have his vintage.

“Superintendent?” Gerry prompted once they were seated.

“Thank you, Commissioner,” answered Cox, then turned to Antoine. “A few questions, please, Mr. Du Pont.”

Antoine leaned back in his chair, his posture deliberately relaxed. “Of course. But call me Anthony. We’re all friends here.”

“Thank you… Anthony.” The Superintendent looked down at his notepad, his expression impassive. He clearly didn’t agree they were all friends there.

“Indeed, indeed,” Gerry interjected, leaning forward slightly. “You may not be aware, Steve, but Anthony here has regularly contributed to the department’s Benevolent Fund.” He leaned back again as Cox glanced at him in surprise. “For some years. Large amounts. Anonymously,” he added, pointedly.

“I wasn’t aware,” the Superintendent replied sharply. Antoine quite liked the prickly officer. Cox turned back to Antoine. “I appreciate your generosity, Mr. Du… Anthony. Our Benevolent Fund has never been significant. I’ve often wondered how we do so much with so little.”

“It’s the least I can do. Now, how can I assist with your enquiries?”

“Perhaps you could tell us in your own words what happened,” Cox suggested, pen ready.

“Mmm, by all means.” Antoine leaned back, composed. “I was out for a walk when I heard a commotion from a parking lot. Three men were surrounding a woman, clearly intimidating her. I would’ve intervened, but I was outnumbered.”

He paused, allowing a note of satisfaction. “It turned out to be unnecessary. The woman rendered all three men unconscious.”

“Unconscious?” the Superintendent interjected.

“As I said,” Antoine confirmed.

“You’re sure they intended harm?”