Dracula's Groom

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Wanted For Questioning

A sense of warmth caressed the side of my face as I opened my eyes to the sight of a new dawn. The sun listed lazily above the forest tree line, cascading shimmering colors of bright orange, gold and red as I sat up in bed and looked around the room. A piece of paper handwritten in cursive script laid next to me on a pillow as I reached for it and began to read.

My darling Nathan,

By now I take it you've awaken and found my letter that I left for you. I'm sorry that I had to leave you again. But something has come up that requires attention. I hope you slept peacefully and dreamt of happier times. Just know that you're always my mind no matter the task at hand. For now, just enjoy today and look towards the sky when the stars appear, because that's when I'll be waiting for you with open arms.

P.S. I also took the liberty of hiring a team of contractors to come and repair the castle. I hope you don't mind.

Best wishes,

D.

I stared at the letter as if it were some kind of inanimate object before setting it back down on the pillow and got out of bed. A loud bang sounded throughout as I quickly got dressed and rushed out into the hall. Standing at the top of the stairs, a small group of men huddled around a big pile of debris that had caved in from the roof.

I rolled my eyes in preparation for the mental cost of repairs this timely castle had on me. Once I knew that none of the men were hurt, I decided to get the hell out of here and enjoy a nice day out on the town without a care in the world. I grabbed my wallet and car keys back in the bedroom before walking out onto the driveway and getting into my car.

It was nice to hear an engine roar to life and not a dead start that usually ended in me pounding the steering wheel out of frustration. The seductive curves of the Aston Martin warmed with me delight as I shifted into drive and cruised into town. The rest of the world disappeared in my rearview but suddenly reappeared by the time I came to a stop behind a line of cars.

Up ahead, a black van and a couple of police cars sat parked with a yellow tape blocking off the area. A few drivers honked their horns as the officers just shook their heads. I considered just turning around and going the opposite way but as I looked behind me, there was already another line forming with no room for backing up and getting the hell out of there.

So I just threw the car in park and sat in my seat with the engine off and waited it out, or so I thought. A lone male Officer made his rounds while his partner remained with the coroner. I pushed a button and the driver-side window rolled down automatically. The Officer wore shades to cover his eyes from the sun as he propped his arm on top of my car and leaned slightly forward.

"Ce-i treaba ta aici?" What's your business here?

"I'm sorry Officer. But I can't understand you. Do you speak English?"

He sighed as if annoyed by having me ask him to repeat himself. "I said, 'What's your business here?'"

"Oh. Well, I was just on my way into town. You know, do a little shopping, and look at some new furniture. I'm not from around here. You see I've only just moved to town."

"You're American."

"That's correct."

"I have a cousin who lives there. He lives in New York City."

"Okay. I've never been there, but I hear it's very popular with the tourists."

"Hmm. Maybe."

"Officer, can I ask what's going on up ahead?"

"A jogger out with its dog discovered the dismembered remains of two bodies, a man and a woman. The cause of death is unknown at this point. But it looks like they'd been decomposing in that stream for quite some time."

"Oh, my God. That's horrible."

"It sure is. But, look, just sit tight for right now. It shouldn't be too much longer."

"Not a problem. I can do that."

Patting the roof of my car, he nodded before leaving and moving onto the next car. How awful that a double-murder would happen just outside of town. And to the poor jogger who found them. I couldn't even imagine what was going through their minds as they came across such a horrifying sight.

Forty-five minutes passed before the yellow tape was lowered and cars could eventually begin to pass through on their way elsewhere. I started the engine, put my foot on the brake, and then shifted into drive as I eased off and gently pushed the accelerator as the car rolled forward. As I came up to the line of cop cars, I looked over and saw the coroner and his assistant begin carrying out a hefty duty black bag.

Such a shame. I thought to myself. Who could do such a thing?

I tell you. People nowadays are just downright crazy.

If medications aren't helping. What will? What's it going to take to stop this madness?

After nearly four hours of searching around Bucharest to find the perfect furniture store, I finally returned home with a printed receipt and a few thousand dollars less in my savings account. Progress may have been slow at first, but I could finally see the restoration process beginning to take shape.

But when five o'clock rolled around, the head contractor ordered the men to finish up what they were doing and leave their tools where they lay and resume work in the early morning light the next day. I thanked the group for all their hard-work today and promised to order in pizza and beer on their next lunch break.

As I shut the door behind me after the last worker rushed past me. I thought about what I was going to have for dinner. The thought of a home-cooked meal looked promising but without a workable kitchen I had nothing else to do but resort to going out and eating at a restaurant. But the thought of Dracul being here soon crossed my mind as I decided to wait and see what he had in mind in terms of dinner tonight.

Suddenly, a knock came calling as flashing blue and red lights lit up the vestibule. I opened the door to see the same Officer from who I met earlier in the day. And from the look on his face, I had a feeling that this wasn't going to be good, for me at least.

"Officer, this is a surprise. What can I do for you?" I asked.

"Well, the department's been going over the grisly murders of the young couple that we found this morning and as it turns out, several people have stepped forward and said that given a recent description of the murderer. They say that he may have had an accomplice or in this case a lookout prior to the murders."

"And you think that's me? Do you have any proof?"

"Please," he replied patiently. "You sound like such a nice young man who doesn't appear to have a bad bone in his body. I'd hate to bring you in by force just for answering a few questions. So if you could just follow me to my cruiser. I'll take you downtown and have you back here before you know it."

"And that's it. I'm free to go?"

"Of course."

Reaching my hand inside the front pocket of my jeans. I made sure I still had the house keys on my person before complying with the good Officer and shutting the door behind me as I locked it into place. He was kind enough to allow me to sit in the front seat while apologizing at the same time for any hard feelings he may have caused here tonight. I told him that it wasn't issue. I was just glad not to be arrested.

Nevertheless, with no way of contacting Dracul and telling him that I might be running a bit late. I wondered how I was going to be able to make it up to him.

Author's Note: Hehehe. Another late night update. Xoxo. Nighty-nighty