Page 57 of Vampire so Virtuous

“Without a doubt. The threatening posturing, the suggestive sexual comments—one even tried to lay hands on her.”

Cox scribbled in his notebook. “Continue.”

“Before I could get there, a fourth man appeared and finished the job. He snapped each of their necks. Check for yourselves—I’m sure they’ll all befound the same way.” Antoine gestured indifferently. “I assume he was a vigilante.”

There was no surprise on Cox’s face. Antoine had known the other man would already be aware. Yet a good lie was ninety percent truth, delivered with the right amount of innocence.

“And then what happened?”

“Well, I shouted across the lot, more from shock than anything else. By then, I was close enough for him to hear me.” Antoine made a small, self-deprecating gesture. “I acted on instinct, though it was foolish to interfere.”

“Very dangerous,” Gerry muttered.

Cox ignored him. “And then?”

“The fourth man ran off.”

“Did you engage him?”

“No, never had the chance.”

“A good thing too,” Gerry said quickly.

The Superintendent studied Antoine—but it was easy to stay relaxed. They were human, and he was… not. There was no doubt about the outcome; he just needed to sow the seeds.

“Your statement contradicts what my officers heard from the suspect.”

“Discrepancies always arise when you ask two people their views,” Antoine responded mildly.

“Indeed,” Gerry chimed in. “I think we’re done here, Steve.”

“Not quite,” Cox said, the tension still heavy. “The woman stated that a fifth man was involved. Did you see him?”

“I did not.”

“Were you the fifth man?”

“I was the fifth person there, beyond the woman.”

“Superintendent, Anthony’s integrity is beyond reproach,” Gerry said, more firmly now.

“We do have three bodies in the morgue, Commissioner,” Cox said, his tone pointed.

“Then focus on finding the fourth man,” Gerry snapped. “Mr. Du Pont has already assisted us.”

“It’s quite all right,” Antoine demurred, “Superintendent Cox is simply doing his job.”

Cox bristled, clearly not appreciating the condescension. Antoine had known he wouldn’t, but it was too good an opportunity to resist.

Antoine decided they’d been at it long enough. He’d already given the men a reason to believe the woman’s innocence, the groundwork laid. Hegave a small, controlled surge of power in his words, careful not to overdo it. “Everything I’ve told you is the truth, a full account.”

Both men blinked, their demeanors shifting in unison.

“Thank you very much, sir,” Cox replied, pocketing his notebook and pen.

“Excellent, excellent,” Gerry said, leaning forward once more. “Anthony, you really are most kind.”

That had worked even better than Antoine had hoped. Was his mind power stronger after just one night? What had changed?