Fangs for Freaks (Book 2: Half-blood vampire series)

Chapter Eight

Thomas and I left the back room to join the others. The girls were subdued; Sage was still struggling with her grief. Cookie had pulled herself together and was rocking Sage back and forth on the couch, clucking and softly hushing Sage’s tears. I never wanted my mother more than I did at that moment.

I needed her to hold me and tell me everything was going to be okay and take control of the situation so I wouldn’t have to deal. But I knew better. This was my responsibility. Growing up had never hurt so much.

Mr. Holloway was out on the porch with the men who’d escorted Cookie here. Carl was standing by the door; I couldn’t tell if he was there to keep us from leaving or keep anyone from entering. Either way, I was glad to see him.

Thomas looked at me as though in question and I nodded. I would address the group. They were my responsibility.

“As you all know, we found Tina in…” I cleared my throat. “We found Tina.” It was not an auspicious start for me. “Thomas and I have ascertained the cause of death and need to ask each of you some questions. We believe someone managed to get into the House and commit this crime so we need everyone to cooperate with the questioning.”

Thomas looked at me in speculation, but I kept searching the faces of each of the girls in the room. I didn’t believe for a moment that someone broke into the House and killed Tina. I believed it was one of the girls before me, but I wanted her to think she was safe, above suspicion. I wanted her to get cocky and make a mistake that would lead us to her.

“Now, when was the last time each of you saw Tina?” I started with Sophie. She was human so I knew she couldn’t have bitten Tina, but she was Ileana’s loyal maid and would do anything Ileana asked her to do, including disposing of Tina.

“I saw her briefly after my lady came to bed. She walked down the hallway with Sage. They said they were headed downstairs to watch a spot of telly.”

“And that was the last time you saw her?”

“Yes, mum.” Her head bobbed.

“Thank you, Sophie. Ileana, was that the same time you saw her?”

“Actually, I didn’t see her at all. I was inside my room. I heard her talk to Sophie, though, through the door.”

I nodded. “How about you, Angie?”

“I was watching television and Lucy was on the computer when Sage and Tina joined us. I went to bed about an hour later.”

“Did you go upstairs first?”

She nodded. “Yes, I went upstairs to take my makeup off and brush my teeth. I wore my sweats and tank top to bed.”

“Did you see Sophie when you went to bed?”

Angie wrinkled her forehead. “No, I don’t think so. I was pretty dog tired, though.”

Sophie looked guilty, stealing sideway glances toward Ileana, who completely ignored her and appeared bored by the entire questioning.

“Thanks, Angie. How about you, Lucy?”

“I went to bed right after Angie. I didn’t go upstairs because I brushed my teeth earlier and was already in my pajamas.”

“Angie, did you hear Lucy come to bed?”

She shook her head no. “But I’m a pretty heavy sleeper.”

“Sage, when did you last see Tina?”

“I went upstairs to get a milkshake. Tina was on the computer. When I went back downstairs, she wasn’t there. I assumed she went upstairs to go to bed, even though we’re supposed to sleep in the dormitory.” She bit her lip to keep it from trembling. “She wanted to sleep under the window so she could see the sky.”