Chapter 5: Information Blood Letting

In this chapter, the Solver goes to the Vampire Brothel, hoping to find the whereabouts of his target...

The Solver, on the drive over to the Sheriff's nightclub/brothel, couldn't help but think about the Magister, the two had never got along, mainly because of their somewhat conflicting positions within the Authority, the Magister was committed to keeping the rule of law within the Vampire world, and Thomas' often “messy” ways of dealing with problems often came into conflict with that.

Nevertheless, Thomas' was committed to fulfilling the King's request, the Magister could wait until later.

Thomas pulled up outside the Brothel, on the outside, it looked to be nothing more than a regular nightclub, the doors were still closed, after all, not many places still had an open door policy at 3am, and to do so would make the fact that it's a vampire establishment a little more obvious, after all, it wasn't so long ago that most humans were unaware that vampires weren't just something that existed in myth and fiction.

The Solver knocked on the door, firmly, to which someone looked out the peephole...

“We're closed tonight...”

Thomas quickly showed his fangs.

“Fair enough, come on in...”

The door then swung open, and Thomas entered.

It was you're typical vampire club at first glance, pole dancers, European music, and a chair resembling a throne at one end, so many vampire business owners did such, Thomas guessed many did so to feel like a monarch, even if to him, “tacky” was a word that came to mind.

However, the throne was unoccupied at the time.

What was occupied, was several closed off rooms, many with interrogation cell style peep slots, where judging by the sounds blending in with the music, paying humans were voluntary snacks for the vampire prostitutes within.

Thomas made his way over to the bar.

Bartender: “What I can get you?”

Thomas: Right now, your boss, I have business with him, and secondly, a Tru Blood, O-Negative...

Bartender: Um, he's in his office right now, he asked not to be disturbed.

Thomas: *Sigh* This is becoming an annoying regularity with me lately, where's his assistant?

Bartender: In there with him.

Thomas: Well, where is the office, I'll go there myself.

Thomas saw that the bartender shot a glance towards the door, and out of the corner of his eye that one of the bouncers was slowly making his way over.

Bouncer: What's going on here?

Bartender: ….

Bouncer: Care to tell me sir?

Thomas: As I was telling the young human bartender, I'm here to see the boss.

Bouncer: Impossible...

Thomas: Excuse me?

Bouncer: I said, that is impossible, now, take your “drink” and leave...

Thomas' patience was wearing thin, the constant hold ups were becoming too much.

Thomas: Look, I'm not here for any trouble, but, please go and get your boss.

Bouncer: OK, you'd better go...

The Bouncer, extending his fangs, grabbed Thomas by the collar.

Thomas: Really?

Thomas quickly shot up, grabbed the bouncer by the throat, and slammed him against the wall.

Thomas: You misunderstood me, I said I'm not here for any trouble, but not because I feared for my safety, but because I didn't want to cause your boss any undue problems considering the business I have with him, now, where is his office, and speak quickly, before I decide to make a rather large mess on the floor consisting of your bloody remains.

Bouncer: It...it's over there *pointing behind the stage*.

Thomas: Thank you...

Thomas dropped the bouncer, who fell into a heap on the floor, with possibly more hurt pride than neck.

Thomas went back to the bar, the bartender was obviously terrified.

Thomas: I believe you had a drink for me?

Bartender: Y...yes Sir...

He gave Thomas the Tru Blood he ordered, Thomas though, re-extending his fangs, leaned in towards the bartender's neck...

Thomas: I saw that look you gave the bouncer, you're lucky I'm here on business, otherwise that wouldn't have been the only blood you give me...

Thomas then made his way behind the throne.

Approaching the office, Thomas got the feeling he might be interrupting something, but at this point, he didn't care.

*Thomas knocks on the office door, no answer.*

Thomas: Ugh, to hell with this...

Thomas opened the door, and a familiar sight greeted him, the sheriff and another vampire, on top of two humans.

One of them turned to face Thomas.

“Who the hell are you, and who said you could come in here?!”

Thomas: A rather stupid employee of yours, and your King...

The vampire talking to Thomas turned around to the two humans.

“Get out, both of you, the bouncers will take your payment when you leave...”

The humans quickly left, not daring to even look at Thomas.

Thomas: So which one of you runs this district?

The long haired vampire spoke.

Sheriff: That would be me, name's Nathan McGrath.

Thomas: And this would be your assistant I take it?

Sheriff: Yes, my progeny, Ethan.

Thomas: You may call me Harrison, now, I'm here to discuss business with you.

Sheriff: Please, take a seat.

Thomas then sat down at the desk, while the Sheriff sat on the other side, his progeny standing closely to the side of him.

Sheriff: So what brings you here then Mr. Harrison?

Thomas: A request and a job offer.

Sheriff: Job offer?

Thomas: Yes, I come from the esteemed Queen of New York, she is considering replacing one of her own Sheriffs, and would like to offer you the position.

Sheriff: And my King has agreed to this?

Thomas: Yes, but only if I do something for him in return, which, coincidentally, I need your help with as well.

Sheriff: That is an honour, to be so important to two Monarchs.

Thomas: You are, it took some convincing to allow your Liege to let you go.

Sheriff: You'll understand if I have to think about this offer from your Queen.

Thomas: Of course, just know that whatever perks King Michael gives you, my Queen is willing to give you and more.

Sheriff: Yes, I have heard about her vast wealth, but what is it my King requires of you?

Thomas: A rather personal matter, to which I ask you, your recently informed him about his first progeny?

Sheriff: Ah, yes, that a*****e.

Thomas: Left a bad impression did he?

Sheriff: You could say that, he drained two of my patrons dry, and sauntered out of here throwing Ethan across the room.

Thomas: And you did nothing?

Sheriff: He said he was a progeny of the King, at the time I didn't know of the situation between them.

Thomas: You should know that the King wants him to meet the True Death.

Sheriff: I won't shed any blood tears over that.

Ethan: Nor will I...

Thomas: You have any idea where he went?

Sheriff: He mumbled something to my bartender, you should talk to him.

Thomas: The bartender didn't tell you?

Sheriff: I told him not to, I had no intention on seeing that dickhead again, and if I found out, I wouldn't have been able to resist going after him myself.

Thomas: Thank you anyway, I'll go talk to your bartender.

As Thomas left the office, he could hear Ethan talking to Nathan...

Ethan: That old psycho is definitely going to come back here after he finds out what you told him!

Nathan: Relax...

Ethan: He had at least 300 years on either of us!

Nathan: I said...RELAX! As soon as that guy said what his name was, I realized it was OK to do so.

Ethan: What you mean?

Nathan: I seriously doubt that the person that hurt you darling, is going to be back here. That was Thomas Harrison, vampire age means little to him, otherwise The Authority wouldn't have gave him the title he has...

Thomas went back to the bar, noticing him, the bartender immediately froze up...

Bartender: Please, I'm sorry about earlier...

Thomas: I've learnt to be forgiving in my time kid, but it turns out, you have information I need...

Bartender: What?

Thomas: Your boss says that there was a vampire the other day who drained a couple of your customers, and that he said something to you...

Bartender: I.. don't remember, I was scared...

Thomas re-extended his fangs.

Bartender: No, please, he...

Thomas: 'He' isn't here right now, and unless you want to be the 3rd casualty of this bar...

Bartender: No, wait, he told me to “come visit his nest across town”.

Thomas: And why would he tell you that? How would he know that you wouldn't just go tell your boss?

Bartender: I guess he didn't care, or wasn't too concerned about my boss.

Thomas: So where is this nest of his?

Bartender: It...it's on 8 Mile Road.

Thomas: Peh, how cliché of him, tell your boss I appreciate the information, and that I look forward to working with him...

Thomas played it cool, but in reality, his job just became more complicated, vampires in nests tended to share the traits of the strongest member, which obviously was Anselm, that meant there could be as many as 10 or so members, Anselm being of somewhat advanced age would mean that he would be an “attractive” partner, for lack of a better term...

Thomas: Oh, before I leave...

Thomas handed the bartender two hundred dollar bills.

Thomas: Consider that payment for both the drink and information, and hopefully a nice tip for you...