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beheading?” I surreptitiously glanced down at my wrist,

but there was no mark on it, despite how it felt.
He leaned back in his chair and picked up his glass. “Just that.”
I frowned. “We’ve had no reports of other incidents.”
“No, because the sun was rising by the time he was discovered. His body was consumed by

fire.”
“Meaning he was a very young vampire.”
“One would presume so. We older souls can take at least a few hours of sunshine.”
If he could take a few hours, then he was at least eight hundred years old. “When did this

happen?”
“Two days ago.”
“Do you happen to know the victim’s name?”
If we had another murder, Jack would want me to check it out, even if we didn’t have the

body.
Starke shook his head and shifted his foot again. He must have surreptitiously moved his chair,

because though I had my legs pointed away from him, he managed to run his toe up and down my

calf. He might be wearing shiny leather shoes, but somehow it felt like skin on skin.
And that dark part of me wished it was.
“As I mentioned,” he said softly, amusement playing around the corners of his delicious mouth

again, “he was ashes by the time I got there.”
That raised my eyebrows. “You went to the crime scene?”
“The man who reported it was a little on the inebriated side. I thought perhaps a customer had

merely fallen down.”
“So why not send one of your lackeys to investigate?”
“Employees,” he corrected gently. “And we were full that night. I could not afford to take anyone

away for even a few minutes.”
“So you don’t personally service the blood whores?”
“No.” He was still caressing my calf, and the movement, though gentle, was extremely erotic. “I

prefer to take what I need the old-fashioned way.”
And he’d be damn good at it, too, I thought, then pushed the thought away as his gaze met mine.

He gave me a wicked smile.
Though he wasn’t reading my thoughts—I would have known if he tried—I had a feeling he knew

exactly what I was thinking.
Thank God the full moon wasn’t near. I probably would have been all over him otherwise. My

self-control was barely hanging on as it was.
“Do you know the name of the man who found the body?”
“His name was Henry Gateway. He’s something of a regular here.”
“Human?”
“Vampire. He’s not in my employ, but I do have his address.”
At least that was someplace to start. But that didn’t explain Starke’s “inebriated” comment.

“Vampires can’t get drunk.”
“If they consume enough, any vampire can get intoxicated. Trust me on that. And Gateway doesn’t

normally imbibe, but he lost a close friend recently.” His shrug was elegant.
I frowned. “Wouldn’t it be dangerous having a drunk vampire serving the customers?”
“He is extremely popular with our customers.” Starke waved his hand airily, the movement oddly

sensual. “Something to with his dark good looks and French accent, I suppose. We keep a close eye

on him if he’s drinking.”
“And you have his address because …?”
“Because, as I said, he’s good for business. It pays for me to keep him in once piece.” He

drained his glass then rose. “My presence is required outside. Are there any further questions,

Ms. Jenson?”
He was standing right in front of me, which meant I was staring straight at his family jewels.

And they were impressive, if that bulge was anything to go by. I forced my gaze upward and saw

the laughter there. “No, but I’d appreciate it if you could start sending people in. The sooner I

interview them, the sooner they can go home.”
“Most will not be in a hurry,” he said, then bowed slightly. “It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Jenson.

If you come and see me before you leave, I’ll have that address for you.”
“If you just give it to the barman, that’ll be fine.”
“What, and rob myself of a final glimpse of your beauty? Never.”
I rolled my eyes. “You