“Umberto? Why is he involved? Have you been telling everyone about this?” asked her husband as he opened the box to get a piece of pizza.
“Antoine! You’re going to get that all over you pants. I’ll get plates and napkins. God! For not liking Pizza Hut you’re certainly in a hurry to eat it!” Marie remarked heading in to the kitchen.
Antoine picked up a piece anyway and started to eat as his wife left getting the utensils to make the meal a bit more civilized. Todos and Tito listened on to the bantering and grabbing pizza for themselves. Marie got the plates and napkins then went in to the office to get the book Umberto had given her that morning then returned briskly in to the living room.
“Umberto gave me a book on historical places in LA and it had a picture of a man that’s supposed to be Stefan’s Grandfather” she said passing out the china and linen napkins.
Antoine put a piece of pizza on a plate for her and put it in front of her seat. Marie sat down and took a quick bite then opened the book, leafing through it to the page she wanted to show everyone.
“Here it is. This is Dimitri Delphi”, she said as Antoine, Todos and Tito looked at the old picture.
“So what? He looks like Stefan. I look like my Father and brother. I know what you’re thinking Marie. This is not Stefan” Antoine stated adamantly then took another bite of pizza he had said he disliked.
“I don’t know Antoine. They could pass for twins like Todos and me”, replied Tito.
“Yeah, you resemble your Father and Jean-Marie, but this guy looks just like Delphi. Do you know where this Dimitri came from?” Todos asked Marie.
“No, but I called my cousin Kathy to find out. She has connections with immigration. I thought maybe he was Greek or something. Just my hunch” Marie replied as Antoine took her wool scarf off.
“You’re going to get tomato sauce on this” he said softly putting the dark green scarf to the side.
“Thanks” Marie replied with the brothers looking on laughing to themselves at the contrast by the way they had bantered before and theses gestures that showed they cared for one another in the simplest things.
“I’m really interested now to see the photograph of the Stefan’s Father”, stated Todos. “Maybe we should try something tonight when we see him.”
“Like what?” asked Antoine, “You mean something to prove he’s a vampire?”
“Yeah, like a cross”, said Todos eating his pizza as Marie got up to grab the bottles of Chivas, whiskey and wine bringing them back and pouring refills.
“I have a rosary I got when I was a kid, blessed by the Pope. I’ll wear it around my neck tonight” Antoine replied laughing. “Then I’ll bring it out like this” he said showing how he’d take the small crucifix from his shirt pointing it at Stefan. “He’ll panic and then I’ll know fore sure he’s the undead.”
“I think that’s a good idea”, said Marie serious. “But why don’t you do the obvious and just ask him to prove it. He’s already said he was a vampire so I think he wants you to believe it.”
“No, I’d just go with the crucifix test”, stated Tito. “Maybe he just wants you to think he’s eccentric. If you ask him to prove it and he is. Well, you might be in trouble then.”
“I think you’re right Tito” replied Todos to his brother than looked at Antoine. “You just flash the cross at him tonight when I’m looking, then we can both see how he reacts.”
“You know, I don’t believe this!” exclaimed Antoine. “Whatever! I’ll wear the damn rosary! Should I put some garlic on too?” He was thinking this had gone beyond the jokes they shared two nights ago to a very serious discussion.
The group of four continued their conversation and Antoine was coming around to the idea of testing this Stefan Delphi to see if he was what he said. He got up at one point and left the room as the others continued the discussion, to retrieve his rosary. He went in to his wardrobe and over to the built in drawers and opened the bottom one. From it he took a small brown leather box and from that a gray beaded rosary with a large silver cross. He picked up the holy card that was underneath given to him at his confirmation and looked at it remembering the day when he was thirteen. He thought now about his upcoming wedding and how happy he was that Marie had received an annulment from the church, which would allow them to be joined in the Roman Catholic Sacrament of Marriage.
“Antoine” Marie said coming in to his wardrobe worried about him. She saw him with the rosary in his hand. “Are you ok?”
“What?” he said turning around holding the rosary. “Oh! I’m fine Cara. This is the rosary I was talking about.”
Marie came up to him and took the delicate gray beads in her hand and examined them having not held a rosary since she was a child. It was an odd thing for him to have, as his life had been anything but holy, and she realized now Antoine had deeper beliefs, beliefs about good and evil that he perhaps was scared to face.
“What’s the matter Antoine?” Marie said softly coming in to his arms, looking in to his beautiful browns eyes. She held him tightly. “You’re not telling me something. I know you too well.”
“Yeah, you do. The building is freaking me out. I can deal with the man and woman but the building is something else” he stated with his arms around her. “When I sit in my office, it’s like the walls are speaking to me. It’s like they’re surrounding me, coming closer.”
“What are the walls saying to you?” she asked the obvious next question.
“I don’t know, but I need to find out. I don’t feel like they’re coming after me, I just feel like the walls. I mean the building wants me to know something. Something important” Antoine broke away from Marie, putting the rosary around his neck and under his sweater. “Cavanaugh said he felt the same thing years ago when he first moved in.”
Antoine took his long black leather coat off the hanger to wear that night over his suit then grabbed his wife’s hand leading her back towards the living room.
“Those people from UCLA will be out tomorrow. Maybe they’ll have an answer for you. But I don’t understand why you believe the building’s possessed but you don’t believe there’s a possibility that this Stefan is what he says” Marie said making an excellent point she thought.
“I never said I didn’t believe in the supernatural Cara, ghosts and spirits. Vampires are something else and I just don’t think this guy is for real” he exclaimed. “But to make everyone happy, to make you happy, I’ll try to find him out. Maybe you should give me your compact and while I put some powder on I’ll see if he reflects.”
Todos and Tito overheard the last part of what Antoine said and joined with their friend as he laughed putting on his coat. It was almost ten and he wanted to leave as the fog was rolling in heavily now and the drive to Falcons Lair might take longer. The twins got up and while Tito went over to the entertainment area with Marie, Todos left with Antoine. Marie shouted goodbye as she picked up the remote to turn the light jazz they had going as background music off and turned the large screen digital TV on. She found the Spanish soup opera that Tito watched and they sat back immediately mesmerized.
“He’ll get her hooked on that show too!” stated Antoine as he turned around at the top of the stairs to look at her. “Hell! She’ll watch anything! It’s not even in English!”
Todos and Antoine got in the Lamborghini and drove carefully south on Coast Highway. It was a “pea souper” Todos called it having heard the expression in London once and thinking it made it an appropriate atmosphere for meeting vampires. It was fairly early and the traffic was heavy as Antoine reached Santa Monica heading for Beverly Hills where he would turn off towards Sunset. Todos had directions to Falcon Lair, which was up in the hills off the boulevard, two miles from the Gothic club. After Antoine entered Beverly Hills he made a right on to a smaller street that Todos was not familiar with and off their course.
“Where are you going?’ Todos asked his friend looking around the area and seeing finally a church. “Are we paying a little visit to church?”
“Yeah, I thought I’d get some holy water” he laughed as he pulled up and parked in front of the rather large Catholic Church. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
“I’ll come with”, stated Todos as they got out of the car. “I haven’t been in a church in years. What are you going to do with the holy water? Throw it on the guy?”
“What? And have him freak out? I’ll think of something else”, Antoine said as he tried to open the massive door only to find it locked. “I thought churches were suppose to be open all the time.”
“Not these days my friend, anyway, if he tries something I brought this along” Todos showed the gun he had gotten from Giovanni.
“What the hell is that going to do? We need a stake or something. Put the f…in thing away before you shoot yourself” Antoine said quietly. “Where the hell did you get that? Don’t tell me, Giovanni, right? Jesus, I’d forget all this shit if it weren’t for my Father bugging me about the damn building.”
“Well, Giovanni said we might need it. He wanted to send some men too”, Todos stated as they walked around the building to the side door opposite the Rectory to find it locked also.
“I’m glad you didn’t show that Marie. She would have flipped out” her husband said remembering when he brought the small gun he kept in to their house and she ordered him to get it out.
“May I help you young men?” asked an older, deep voice with an Irish accent.
Antoine and Todos jumped slightly and turned around having been so engrossed in their conversation they had not heard the priest walk up. He was dressed in a traditional black suit with a priest’s collar and an overcoat, having just come home, as the two friends noticed now that the garage door to the Rectory was going down automatically.
“Good evening Father” replied Antoine. “My friend and I were just trying to visit church. The doors are locked.”
The priest smiled believing him, as they were too well dressed to be hoodlums and the neighborhood was safe with the thanks of the Beverly Hills Police Department. The two friends watched as the man about sixty took his keys out of his pocket.
“Yes, it’s not like the old days. I wanted to keep them open but everyone in the neighborhood thought it would bring more homeless around. A safe place for the cold nights” he said unlocking the door. “You know Beverly Hills people.”
“Thank you Father” said Todos as the priest pushed the door open. “I thought you’d be more afraid of thieves.”
“I watch out more for graffiti”, he laughed. “There isn’t anything worth that much in this church unlike St. Catherine’s up on Sunset. They’re often broken in to. Anyway, I’m Father Hennesey. Is there something special that brings you here for prayers?”
“This is my friend Antoine Laconte and I’m Todos Ziraldo. We’re on our way to meet a vampire so we’re here to get some holy water” the young man said and the priest laughed. “No seriously.”
“I can’t believe you said that Todos” said Antoine disgusted thinking that Father Hennessey would throw them out now.
“Well, what were you going to put the holy water in Antoine?” Todos shot back to him. “I thought he’d have something.”
“It’s all right. What makes you think this person is a vampire?” laughed the priest having a good sense of humor but fully aware of Satan’s presence more so then these two men. “Does he or she have a name?”
“Stefan Delphi, he believes he’s one and my wife believes it too. I’m just trying to buy something he owns. My friend and I thought we’d test him. You know see if he freaks out with the holy water” Antoine stated. “I can’t believe I’m telling you this Father. You think we’re nuts.”
“Well, I have heard some good stories but this one tops them. Stay here and I’ll get you a small bottle” Father Hennesey stated and then walked passed the altar in to the back room.
“This is getting crazy”, said Antoine as he got his checkbook out of his jacket that he brought along in case Delphi wanted some money upfront. He took his pen and wrote a substantial check as a donation to the church to try to make this whole scene less insane. “Here Father. This is for the church”, Antoine said handing the check to the priest when he returned.
Father Hennesey looked at it, surprised by the amount as he gave the young man that sounded Italian the small clear bottle of blest water. He would make a note of his name and address before his secretary deposited it the next day. But tonight the priest would call his friend at the Los Angeles Diocese for some advice about this unusual visit from two young men going after a vampire. Antoine and Todos bid the older man good night and got back in the Lamborghini to continue their journey to Falcons Lair at a fast speed as they were running late. Up on Sunset they passed The Full Moon Club, which was as busy as always finally getting to Vine Street where they turned left and started their ascent up the winding hills of Hollywood.
Falcons Lair was on Ravens Way, an appropriate name for a very sinister mansion both thought as they approached it carefully. It was a massive stone building much like those one would find in Europe and it was more a small castle than a house and definitely not the feel of a home. There were three limousines waiting out front as Antoine parked noticing the drivers standing to the side talking, all Gothic’s themselves. Todos and Antoine made their way to the front entrance and the door opened and Stefan Delphi came out looking as ghoulish as ever but wearing purple now. He wore a purple wool suit with a black shirt and tie looking much like Jack Nicholson when he played the Joker in Batman. Antoine and Todos had a hard time from laughing and now relaxed a bit after all their anxious talk about Delphi.
“He may be a vampire Antoine, but he’s a ridiculous looking one” Todos laughed as he whispered to his friend. “All he needs is red hair and he’d look like a f…in.” Antoine jabbed him in the arm to stop him from talking.
Stefan had heard the comment having highly sensitive hearing but said nothing aware the men were both apprehensive about him and being in his home. He did not deal with average people, that he hired others to do, as it was too dangerous for him. Stefan had money and power but not has much as the young Italian and he wanted to make some business connection with Laconte. Delphi also was anxious to finally get rid of The Delphi Building having tried for years unsuccessfully and he knew by lowering his asking price this Antoine would make a deal. There was also something about Antoine that Stefan felt that made him want an alliance. An ally that believed in God and not in Satan as he did, but knew he could trust.
“I hope you don’t mind me bringing my friend?” inquired Antoine as they followed Stefan through the lower half of his home that was decorated as if Valentino still lived there.
“It’s fine Antoine. How do you like Falcons Lair?” he asked as they passed by the living area.
“It’s unusual. My decorator would love to see this place”, Antoine stated.
“When did you buy this place?” questioned Todos as the approached three men standing outside a room at the end of a hallway.
“I bought it after Valentino died” he replied and Antoine and Todos looked at each other after he said he was roaming around back in the twenties. “Here is the man I was telling you about” Stefan said to his three associates. “This is Antoine Laconte and this is Todos Ziraldo. These are my board members.”
Antoine and Todos shook hands with the three men, not having been told their names but neither inquired. One appeared younger than Stefan and the other two in their forties, and all dressed in various fashions in black void of white makeup but very pale. Stefan led them in to what was their boardroom with a large rectangular mahogany table and black leathers chairs around and each took a seat. The youngest of the group had a small laptop on which Antoine and Todos assumed he was going to take minutes of the meeting. The first point of business was the sale of the Delphi Building to Mr. Laconte. Antoine at that point satisfied with the findings of his appraisers, bid eight million dollars vastly under its worth. Mr. Delphi and his men agreed and asked Antoine for a deposit of five hundred thousand which he wrote out a check for flashing his check register in view of Stefan who saw the previous entry to St. Bernadette. A Roman Catholic church of whom he was familiar with and his curiosity was peeked as to why this Italian had given that Parish ten thousand dollars that same date.
“Antoine, we have a few others items to discuss that are personal. I’ve arranged for some refreshments for you and then I’ll join you. I hope you can stay a while?” Stefan graciously asked getting up with Antoine and Todos following suit.
“We can stay for another hour”, replied Antoine as they left the room to be met by Delphi’s assistant who took them back to the living area.
“What can I offer you gentlemen?” the young man asked. “Mr. Delphi has a full bar.”
“Chivas straight” replied Antoine and Todos nodded indicating the same.
After drinks were served they were left alone in the very dark room lit only by two Tiffany lamps worth thousands estimated Todos and equal to the quality of furnishings and antiques that surrounded them. Antoine took the small bottle of holy water out of his pocket and looked at it briefly then put it to his side, at hand to make his move at some point. Fifteen minutes later the assistant came back with a glass of blood for his employer and said to the two men that Stefan would be out shortly. Todos watched as Antoine opened the bottle of blest water and poured its contents in the blood. Both thinking that was a better idea than throwing it at the supposed vampire and looking like fools or even worse being thrown out. Antoine’s mind was set and he wanted to prove this Delphi was just a man and not the undead.
“That wasn’t long”, stated Stefan as he came in and sat door. “I hate these meetings so I try to make them fast.”
He picked up his glass of blood and took a long sip feeling it burn going down his throat then he looked at Antoine and Todos who were on the edges of their seats. It was obvious one of them had spiked is drink with holy water and laughed to himself at the fact they had gone to the trouble. It did inflict pain but it did not have the effect most people thought it had against them. Stefan put the drink down and smiled.
“My drink has the flavor of holy water. Why didn’t you just ask me to prove I’m a vampire instead of this little trick?” he laughed. “Give me your blest water.”
“My wife talked me in to it” Antoine confessed blaming it on Marie as he took the bottle from his pocket and handed it to him.
“I’m not the killing kind Antoine. I may be a vampire but I’m a civilized one. I only wanted to make friends and become business associates”, Delphi stated as he uncapped the small bottle and poured it on his hand. It bubbled but it did not cause him that much pain. “See, now if you need more proof come with me.”
“I told you he was a friendly vampire”, said Todos in a whisper as they followed Stefan.
“When the hell did you tell me that? You’re the one who brought a gun”, he whispered back.
“You do realize I’m in the same room and I can hear you”, said Stefan as they approached a large frame on the wall that was covered with black material. “Stand next to me Antoine.”
Antoine stood next to the man towering beside him as he took the drape of black to show a mirror. It reflected only the Italian and Todos who stood behind and both men had to look twice, first at Delphi then again at the mirror.
“You can examine the mirror. It’s not rigged. Marie was right when she looked in her compact the other night. The two groups behind her were vampires”, Stefan stated. “I know most don’t believe in our existence but as you can see I am one. But I don’t go around causing chaos like others do and I don’t mean you any harm.”
“It’s just hard to believe Delphi”, exclaimed Antoine. “But you seem decent enough. I hope we didn’t offend you. I even brought this along.” Antoine took out the small crucifix and Stefan winced and looked away laughing.
“I didn’t say the holy water and now this, wouldn’t hurt me. They just won’t kill me. Or whatever, since I’m dead already” Delphi remarked. “I hope this doesn’t mean we can’t do business.”
“It’s freaking me out a little but not enough to call our deal
off” Antoine retorted. “You just have to promise you won’t be biting my
wife. She’s all mine! Hell! Wait until she hears this. I’ll never hear
the end of how I was wrong.”
“How did you become a vampire Delphi?” asked Todos as they walked back
towards the living area.
“That’s a long story for another time. If you don’t mind I have to make a few calls, so I’ll have to say good night. Or good evening” he said like Bela Lugosi then laughed. “I’ll see you out.”
“It was an interesting evening Stefan” Todos said as he shook his hand, then Stefan shook Antoine’s.
“Tell your wife Loa is looking forward to seeing her tomorrow night. Please tell her there isn’t anything to worry about. I mean no human sacrifices or anything like that happens”, he stated. “Well, again good night and I’ll be in touch.”
Stefan closed the door and went to find his wife to tell her he had finally gotten rid of the building that had plagued him since he built it. He knew Antoine had hired a group from UCLA that would probably give him the answers, explaining the odd feeling he got as Stefan had whenever he was in the Delphi Building. He knew the building was after him in someway and now he had finally met the right man to take over the burden of owning it. Stefan had made a pack with Satan too long ago, and now he feared God enough to go against his Lord Lucifer’s wishes and live a more peaceful life as a vampire. He did not want to fight good as most others of his kind did, as did Methusis the one who created Stefan. He had given Stefan the property and he felt the force of God in the building the day he walked in to it, but he did not have the nerve to destroy that.
“We’re home!” shouted Antoine as he and Todos came through the door at the Malibu home.
“Hi! How’d it go?” shouted Marie back, turning to see her husband and friend come down the stairs. She turned the TV off and got up. “Can I get you a drink?” She asked, as they looked like they needed it.
“Thanks Cara” said her husband coming up and kissing her briefly as he gave her that little growl of his. “You were right. He’s a vampire.”
“You said that too seriously. He is? How did you find out?” she asked seeing the stern look on his face.
“Well, we stopped off at a church and got some holy water”, stated Todos as Marie handed him a glass of Jack Daniels and Antoine a Chivas.
“Oh! God! Don’t tell you threw holy water on him?” she laughed. “What happened?”
“I put it in his drink and he knew right away from the taste. Then he told me we should have just asked him to prove himself”, Antoine stated as he sipped his scotch.
“He took the holy water and poured it on his hand and it fizzed” said Todos. “Then Stefan took us to a mirror to show us he had no reflection.”
“I tried the crucifix thing too and he backed off right away and laughed”, remarked Antoine. “He says he’s a non-violent vampire. He just wants to be friends.”
“Friends? That’s interesting but I believe it somehow. He just doesn’t fit the pattern”, Marie stated pouring herself some wine.
“Fit what pattern?” laughed Antoine knowing what she was going to say next but asking anyway.
“You know the average vampire. The ones that go after people and kill for blood and make all kinds of other little vampires. I’ll bet this Stefan is like that Brad Pit character in Interview With A Vampire. After that bad vampire LeStat made him one and he had a conscience about the life he had to lead”, she stated as Tito came back from the bathroom.
“Yeah, that was a great movie. I felt sorry for Brad Pitt. I’ll bet this Delphi didn’t want to become a vampire and he’s been tortured all his life” Tito reflected.
“I asked him about it but he said it was a long story and he’d tell us about it later” said Todos. “Anyway, Antoine got the building.”
“Congratulations! How much?” asked Marie then kissed him.
“Eight million with a five hundred thousand deposit. I get the sense now that he’s been trying to unload the place for quite a while” he laughed. “What time do we meet those people tomorrow?”
“Noon” answered Todos as they went over and sat down by the fire.
The four conversed another hour on everything that had happened that evening and none felt this Stefan Delphi was a threat after the shock of realization there were vampires. Each agreed that it was still too crazy to mention to anyone else that was not within their circle especially Antoine’s Father who they definitely would not tell. Stefan had said he was a believer in Satan but he was no evil force bent on destruction so a business association or even a social one was not out of the realm of possibility to Antoine and Marie who both agreed to give it a try. By the time Todos and Tito left to return to the Four Seasons at three in the morning, the Laconte’s had even decided to invite the Delphi’s over for an evening.
“You know I was thinking Cara” Antoine said as he got in to bed next to her. “It’s Holy Week next week. Do you suppose all of this is happening in some way because of it?”
“You mean Easter Week? God! I forgot Easter was coming up” Marie replied as she scooted in to his arms as he lay on his back. “I guess I don’t follow what you’re saying.”
“You know, all these Satanic- things happening right now. It just seems there maybe a connection because of the most sacred part of the year to Christian’s. Forget it! It was just a thought” he said softly then stroked her hair. “Let’s try to get some sleep. You’re coming with tomorrow aren’t you?”
“Sure! I wouldn’t miss it” Marie replied settling in to a more comfortable position. “Sweet dreams.”
“I’m dreaming about you already in those new thongs you wear Cara. Night. Night” he said softly to indicate it was time to stop talking and sleep.
The alarm clock rang at nine and it was always Antoine’s job to turn it off. He woke this time out of a deep sleep unlike other mornings when he was usually awake minutes before it sounded. Antoine looked over at Marie who was not moving and decided to give her another half an hour, so he got out of bed, reaching for his robe and left their room for the kitchen. Theresa was there getting breakfast ready and when she saw Antoine poured a cup of black coffee for him then she pointed out the window to a man seated on one of the patio chairs.
“He was seated there when I got here Mr. Laconte. He says he’s a priest”, Theresa said. “I’ve never seen a priest dressed like that! And he said he wasn’t going to leave until he talked to you.”
Antoine stood for a moment sipping his coffee, looking at the man about forty with light blond hair that was as long as his. He was dressed in black jeans, a tee shirt and a black leather biker’s jacket. Antoine could see a tattoo on his left hand, which also had a wedding ring not unusual to priest and nuns who were in essence symbolically married to God. He walked outside and the man saw him and stood up showing his height to be several inches taller and his body, muscular from working out with weights.
“I’m Antoine Laconte. My housekeeper said she found you here waiting” Antoine said as he approached the man.
“I didn’t mean to scare her. But it’s important that I talk to you. I’m Father Jim Delaney. Your name was given to me last night from the LA Diocese. You spoke to a priest last night about Stefan Delphi” he answered.
By this time Marie was up and had gone in to the kitchen seeing her husband with a strange man out by the pool. She went outside just as the man said Stefan Delphi’s name and she came up and stood by Antoine.
“This is my wife Marie”, said Antoine. “Who are you exactly Father? I’m sorry Marie this is Father Delaney.”
“I belong to a special group of priests that report out of the Vatican. We search the world for. Well, let’s just say I’ve been searching for a vampire by the name of Methusis. For many years without success until last night when the priest you met reported your conversation. The Diocese called me and fortunately I was just in San Diego. I believe Stefan Delphi is a direct link to Methusis. He’s a kind of King of the Vampires so to speak”, the man stated.
“This is like that John Carpenter movie. The character was a priest from an elite group. He went after the head vampire”, Marie stated.
“Jesus! Does everything remind you of a movie?” smirked Antoine and then Marie elbowed him about his language. “Sorry Father.”
“It’s all right, I swear enough myself. Anyway, I saw that movie and that’s pretty much like what we do. Except most of the time we’re going after demons that aren’t that apparent. Methusis as been walking among the living for centuries without detection but now I believe this Delphi might be able to tell me something” Father Delaney stated.
“Are you going to destroy Stefan in the process?” asked Marie as she took a cup of coffee from Theresa who had come out with it. “Thanks. Would you like a cup too, Father?”
“Yes, thank you. Black with a splash of cream would be great. I don’t plan to destroy Delphi just talk to him” the priest retorted. “How did you get involved with this guy anyway?”
“I’m buying a building he owns. He was upfront about himself and last night he proved it”, stated Antoine. “I don’t want him hurt but I’ll call him and try to arrange a meeting for you. My wife and I will be at The Delphi Building at noon to meet some researchers from UCLA. They’re going to test the place for anything supernatural. I’d be interested in getting your opinion since you know about these things. And I suppose since Stefan’s a night creature he’ll be asleep now so I’ll have to contact him later.”
“That’s a myth, he can exist during the day but undercover. I’ll meet you at the building at noon and hopefully by then you’ll know if he’ll help me”, stated Father Delaney as he finished his coffee. “I have to get going.”
“There’s another thing we were wondering Father”, said Marie as she took his cup. “Do you think all this is happening because Holy Week is coming up?”
“Probably. Anyway, I’ve got to go. You’re involved now with this group whether you like it or not. This Methusis is powerful and he seems to know everything. Be careful. I’ll see myself out” he said and walked around the pool towards the side of the house and around to the front where his Harley was.
“Let’s have breakfast. Shit! Now there’s some really evil vampire out there that knows about us”, said Marie as they walked inside and sat down at the table.
“Yeah, he’ll probably find out this priest was hear talking to us. I think I’ll call Stefan now” he said getting up to get the portable phone then sitting back down to dial Todos to get the number which he finally dialed. “This is Antoine Laconte, it’s urgent I speak to Delphi. Right now!”
“Antoine, what’s so urgent?” asked Stefan when he got on the phone several minutes later.
“We’ve just been visited by a Father Delaney. He’s a vampire hunter Stefan but he’s not after you he’s after some guy named Methusis” Antoine stated.
“So he’s finally connected me to Methusis. I’m sorry I got you in to all this. What does the priest want Antoine?” Stefan inquired.
“He wants you to tell him where to find Methusis of course. He said he wanted to meet with you to talk not to hurt you. I don’t think you should take the chance” Antoine exclaimed. “Do you know where this vampire is?”
“I guess it doesn’t matter anymore. He’ll know all about this and even if I didn’t tell the priest he’d destroy me anyway. I always wanted to see Methusis go down. I hated the fact he brought me in to the so-called life and I still do, so tell the priest he’s in San Francisco. That’s all I know” he replied.
“You need to get out of town or something”, remarked Antoine as Theresa put his eggs down.
“No, I need to disappear Antoine. I’m terrified of what Methusis will do when he finds me and what he’ll do with my wife. And he will find me, maybe not tomorrow but someday. Anyway, I’ve decided to give you the building. I’ll have a Grant Deed delivered to your office this afternoon and I’ll tear up your check” he spoke softly. “You’re a good man and you’ve shown me courtesy despite everything.”
“Keep the check at least Delphi. Try to get word to me when you’re settled someplace. You know, to let me know you’re ok” the Italian replied and hung up. “The King vampire is in San Francisco Marie. Stefan told me he and his wife are going underground for a while because they’re too afraid of this Methusis and you were right about him being like that character in the movie. He didn’t want to be a vampire and he’s still mad about it.”
“Yeah, that’s what I figured. Oh! God! I just forgot your Father’s secretary called and he’s interested in a company in San Francisco. There’s no way you’re going up there to look at it! Not with that super vampire around” Marie exclaimed.
“Well, we’ll deal with that later. He’s giving me the building Cara” Antoine now said. “But I told him to keep the five hundred thousand.”
Antoine and Marie got ready for the day and left a bit after eleven and with traffic finally reached the Delphi Building at noon. They were greeted by Todos and Tito in the parking lot and told that the group was already looking around. Father Delaney drove up on his Harley shortly after, joining them and with introductions and explanations made, went to find Dr. Swenson the head of the researchers. There was not as much equipment set up all of them remarked as they went up to the roof to where two of the people were.
“Dr. Swenson this is Antoine and Marie Laconte, the new owners of the building” Todos said. “Dr. Swenson has ESP.”
“Well, that’s a general term, but to keep it simple, yes. You have a recorded deed?” the older man asked looking at the Italian and his wife up and down then at Father Delaney. “Why’s a priest here?”
“He’s a friend”, said Antoine not getting in to anything else. “And no, I don’t have a recorded deed yet. I’ve just bought it and the deed is being delivered today. Why?”
“We did a complete title search on this property back before this building and it was owned by the Catholic Diocese. There used to be a church and cemetery here back in 1890 but they were destroyed in an earthquake. I’m not sure how, but this Delphi family got the land a couple decades later and viola! The Delphi Building” the man stated. “What you’re experiencing Mr. Laconte are the spirits from the cemetery and those that were in the church, they’re not happy about what’s happening around them. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“The owner is a devote believer in Satan and so is his wife. She’s the high Priestess of a coven that performs their rituals up here” he replied leaving the vampire thing out.
“Well, there you go! That explains why they’re warning you about him since this place is sacred ground and they fear his evil presence. It’s doubtful the woman is a Satanic- worshiper. The pentagram is made with pig’s blood which probably means her coven was just a bit of fun and fluff and some PR for her business” Dr. Swenson said. “This is just a routine possession. Let’s go down to the hot spot.”
The group went down to Antoine’s office and for the next half hour they watched the monitors that were set up, seeing all the activity that was in the room. There were sounds registering and one man trying to decipher them by their patterns and another focusing on hot spots through his infra -red camera. Then everything stopped and the equipment registered normal and Antoine no longer felt the bad vibes Cavanaugh had so aptly described.
“Well, the spirits are gone Mr. Laconte. It’s obviously you own the building. They’re telling me their content and able to pass over now”, Dr. Swenson said as Antoine, Marie, Todos, Tito and Father Delaney sat having drinks. “Call me if things start up again.”
“Thanks Dr. Swenson” Marie stated walking out with the men to the elevator and saying goodbye. There was a messenger that came out from the elevator and handed her a manila envelope and without saying anything left with the group to go down.
“What do you think Father?” questioned Antoine sitting behind his desk.
“I think he was right on many levels. But I don’t think the spirits were warning you about Delphi, I think they were warning you more about his connection with Methusis” the priest said. “They’ve left their plane of existence because they’ve been satisfied that this property is no longer under the control of Satan.”
“Antoine, we just got the recorded deed. It was recorded a half hour ago when those vibes of yours stopped” Marie handed her husband the Grant Deed. “It’s made out to you and me, husband and wife as joint tenants, not your Father. Loa has also given us her company.” Marie handed him the transfer papers on the mail order business.
“We need to ask ourselves a few questions”, stated Father Delaney as Marie sat down next to him, opposite her husband. “Why did the spirits of this building reach out to Antoine? What made your Father want this building? Did he sense something? Cavanaugh felt these spirits years ago but never wanted to buy the building, why was that? Is there something in the history of the Laconte’s that coincides with Delphi or even Methusis? I’m obligated now to find the answers.”
“The only question I have is this Methusis going to come after Marie and me?” Antoine laughed slightly but nervous as Marie saw him put his fingers through his long hair.
“One of the real protections against him is your unity in the Holy Sacrament of Marriage. God brought you together and his bond is a powerful thing. Perhaps powerful enough to fight evil” Father spoke.
“We haven’t been married in the church yet Father Delaney” replied Marie a bit anxious now herself. “We’re going to be on June fifteenth.”
“So this would make us like a Power Ranger couple?” stated Antoine looking at Marie using one of her TV analogies, and then the priest. “You’re really serious about this?” he asked the Father and he nodded, deadly serious.
“Yes, I am. I’m heading up to San Francisco now. As I said
before, Methusis knows everything and up to now every move I’ve made.
He might and then again he might not come after you. But I’d get that
Sacrament under my belt. And the sooner the better!”
THE END
(an earlier wedding?)