Forty-five

After hanging up the kitchen phone, Larry went into the living room and found Hal in front of the bookshelves, looking at the collection of his works.

“You’ve got quite an output,” Hal said.

“Seventeen novels, so far.”

“That’s fantastic.”

“Well, things have been going okay. I’m not as successful as I’d like to be, but who is?”

“What are you working on now? Or is that a secret?”

“No big secret, I guess. Would you like a drink?”

“Oh, I don’t want to impose. I just came by to check on Lane and...”

“You don’t have to rush off. I was about to fix myself a vodka tonic. What can I get you?”

“Sounds good to me,” Hal said, and followed him into the kitchen.

“That was a friend who called,” Larry said as he started to prepare the drinks. “Another writer. Quite a coincidence. He’s putting together an anthology of vampire stories, and asked me to contribute.”

“Well, congratulations.”

“Thanks. It’s nice to be at the point where they’re askingfor stories. I don’t even write short stories anymore unless I’m asked for one. That’s a big step from the old days when I used to send them out to magazines and collect rejection slips.”

“Must be very gratifying. You mentioned something about a coincidence?”

“Oh, yeah. Pretty weird. He wants a vampire story, and I’ve been up to my neck in vampire stuff for the past few weeks.”

“So, you’re working on a vampire novel?”

“Not exactly.” He handed a cocktail to Hal, picked up his own and led the way back to the living room. He sank into his easy chair. Hal sat across from him at the end of the sofa. “Here’s how,” he said.

They drank. Hal smiled and said, “Hits the spot.”

“I’m doing a book about vampires, but it’s not a novel. Nonfiction.”

“A study of some kind?”

“Actually, it deals with personal experiences.”

Hal shook his head, smiling as if he thought Larry was putting him on. “You’ve had personal experiences with vampires?”

“Yep.”

I’d better quit talking about it, he thought. Then he thought, why? The guy’s certainly in no position to steal my story. And it might be worthwhile to get an outsider’s reaction.

Everybody will know about it anyway, after tonight, when we turn Bonnie over to the police.

“Want to hear about it?” Larry asked.

“Sure!” He took a sip of his drink and leaned forward like a kid eager for a spooky tale.

“Well, it all started a few weeks ago when Jean and I went out in the desert to explore a ghost town with some friends. Peter and Barbara. They’ll be coming over for dinner in a little while, so you’ll have a chance to meet them.”

“Great.”

“In fact,” Larry said, “how would you like to join us for dinner?”

He hoped Jean wouldn’t object. Probably not. She had a roast in the oven. There was undoubtedly more than enough to feed an extra guest.

We’ll get him to stay for the big event, if he wants. Have an objective observer.

“I hate to impose,” Hal said.

“We’d be glad to have you. This is a rather special occasion. You’ll see why, once you’ve heard the whole story.”

“Well, I’d be delighted to stay. If it’s all right with Jean.”

“She’ll be happy to have you.”

Hal shrugged. “If it’s okay with her...”

“Great. Okay.” Larry took another drink. “So, the four of us went to this ghost town about an hour’s drive from here. It’s called Sagebrush Flat.”

As he told the story, Hal watched him and drank. Sometimes the teacher shook his head as if he couldn’t believe his ears. A few times he murmured his astonishment. After finishing the part about bringing the body home, Larry left the room briefly to refresh the drinks. Then he sat down again and resumed his tale. Carefully leaving out the details of his infatuation with Bonnie. Concentrating on the facts. He enjoyed Hal’s reactions. The man was clearly fascinated.

“And so,” he finished, “tonight’s the night we finally pull out the stake. Right after dinner.”

“Holy shit,” Hal muttered.

“You’re welcome to stick around for it. You can play the role of the disinterested observer.”

“Get myself killed?” He laughed. It sounded a trifle nervous.

“I don’t imagine it’ll come to that.”

“No, I don’t, either. I may be superstitious, but I don’t think I’m ready to believe in the existence of vampires.”

Grinning, Larry nodded. “If she comes to life, I guess we’ll all be in for a shock.”

“I’d certainly hate to miss it, though.”

“No reason you should.”

Excusing himself, Larry went down the hall to his bedroom. He found Jean putting on makeup. She wore her jumpsuit, boots, and scarf.

“Are they here?”

“Not yet. But Hal Kramer is. He came by to see Lane and bring her some assignments.”

“That’s certainly above and beyond the call of duty.”

“I think he felt a little guilty. He was afraid her absence might have something to do with Saturday night.”

“He did keep her out awfully late.”

“Maybe he thought she got sick on the pizza. Anyway, it was nice of him. I’ve asked him to stay for dinner.”

Jean frowned in the mirror. “Won’t that kind of put a damper on things?”

“I told him all about it.”

“You told him about the vampire?”

“Sure. Why not? It’s no big secret. Or it won’t be, once we’ve called the police.”

“Still, you shouldn’t have... You’re always blabbing, Larry. God.”

“What’s the big deal?”

“I’m not saying it’s a big deal, just that I wish you’d be more careful about what you say to people. Everybody doesn’t need to know our business.”

“I just wanted to get his reactions.”

“Now he’ll probably think we’re all nut cases.”

“Hardly. He was blown away.”

Jean sighed. She glanced at her wristwatch. “Well, what’s done is done. I just wish you’d...”

“I know, I know.”

“Right, you know. Anyway, Pete and Barbara should be arriving any minute. Would you like to make sure Lane’s about ready?”

“I shouldn’t leave our guest abandoned...”

“It’ll only a take a minute.”

Wishing Jean wouldn’t be so negative about everything, he left the room and went to Lane’s door. He knocked.

“Yeah?” she called.

“Are you decent?”

“Yeah.”

He opened the door. Lane was still in bed, hidden under the covers except for the back of her head. She didn’t look at him.

“I thought you’d be up and dressed by now.”

“I had a relapse.”

“Do you feel good enough to have dinner with us?”

“I don’t know.”

Concerned, he went to the bed. He sat down on its edge and stroked Lane’s hair. She looked up at him with solemn eyes. Her face was slack and pale. “Are you okay?”

“If I was okay, I wouldn’t be lying here.”

“I mean, do you think it might be something serious? Maybe we’d better get you to a doctor.”

“I don’t need any doctor. I’ll be fine.”

“I really hate to see you like this, honey.”

“I’m sorry.

“Look, if you’re not up to having dinner with us, we could bring it in for you.”

“Are Pete and Barbara here yet?”

“Not yet. But Hal’s still here. We’ve asked him to join us. For dinner and for the big event.”

Closing her eyes, Lane muttered, “Wonderful.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. I just feel awful, that’s all.”

He gently caressed her cheek, then stood up. “It’d be nice if you can join us. It’s up to you, though. Wouldn’t want you barfing on the table.”

Lane didn’t crack a smile.

She issick, Larry thought.

“Like I said, we’ll bring you something.”

“Thanks.”

He went out to the hallway and closed her door, feeling depressed. It’s probably nothing serious, he told himself. But he thought, What if it’s spinal meningitis? Or bone cancer? Or... Knock it off!

Jean was no longer in the bedroom.

He found her in the living room, sitting on the sofa near Hal, saying, “I know the whole thing sounds crazy, but...” She looked up at Larry.