Murder in Vein (2010) Read Online Free PDF Page A

her.
    When Notchey opened the door, the Dedhams were waiting on the other side. Dodie was holding a large bag, which she
handed to him. "Pauline made her chicken soup today, and I
wanted to make sure you got some. There's also a few oatmeal
cookies in there."
    Notchey took the bag and kissed Dodie lightly on the cheek.
He shook hands with Doug. With one last grunt at Madison, he
left.
    Doug and Dodie entered the den. They stood in front of
Madison, their arms wrapped lovingly around each other's
waists. They looked like an ad for AARP membership or an
upscale retirement community.
    "Don't worry, Madison," Doug said, his voice now tender. "We
won't bite ... at least not unless you want us to"
    Using her sharp elbow, his wife dug him hard in the ribs.

     

FOUR

    fter Detective Notchey left, awkwardness as thick and heavy
as motor oil settled between Madison and the Dedhams.
They were trying to be solicitous and charming, yet Madison
eyed the vampire couple warily, still wondering if she was to be
their next meal.
    "Can I get you something, Madison?" Dodie asked with a
smile. "Maybe just a little nibble?" When she saw Madison flinch,
Dodie edited her comment. "Well, perhaps later. Maybe we
should get better acquainted instead."
    Doug glanced at his watch. "The Amazing Race will be starting soon." He picked up a remote from the table in front of the
sofa and aimed it at the large flat-screen TV mounted above the
fireplace. The TV popped to life. "We love that show. Never miss
it." He looked at Madison. "You ever watch it?"
    Madison slowly shook her head from side to side, continuing
to stare at the retired couple with a cocktail of fear and curiosity. Inside her chest, her heart thumped fast with anxiety. Beaters.
That's what she was to them-a beater.

    "It's great," Doug continued with enthusiasm. "It's like a
worldwide scavenger hunt with multiple teams of two competing against each other." Satisfied with his channel choice, he put
the remote back on the table and eyed Madison's position on
the sofa. "Scoot over a bit," he told her, "and we can all watch it
together."
    Instead of scooting over, Madison got up and started for the
stairs. She might not be able to leave the house, but that didn't
mean she had to stay in the same room with them.
    "Please don't go, Madison," Dodie said in a soft, pleading
tone.
    Madison hesitated, her mind weighing her options and not
finding many. After a glance at the doorway, she returned to the
sofa but at the last minute chose to sit in the big leather chair
next to it that Notchey had occupied earlier. After exchanging
glances, Doug and Dodie sat side by side on the sofa, with Dodie
sitting nearest Madison.
    On the TV, Lesley Stahl was interviewing an environmentalist
about global warming for 60 Minutes. "Dodie's right, Madison,"
Doug said after muting the sound. "We do need to get to know
each other, especially if you're going to be staying with us for a
bit."
    "It's not my choice," Madison said sullenly, keeping her eyes
on the TV. "Believe me." She slouched in the chair like a petulant
child.
    "I'm sure it's not," Doug continued with soft amusement in
his voice. "Until tonight, did you even believe vampires existed?"
    Madison shot him a glance, then aimed another at Dodie. The
Dedhams looked like grandparents straight out of a Disney family movie. Grandparents trying to have a heart-to-heart chat with an errant granddaughter. She shook her head and turned back to
stare at the TV. After a few moments of silence, she turned back
toward them and straightened in her chair.

    "No. And I'm not a hundred percent sure they exist now." She
narrowed her eyes at the couple. "What's the catch? If you two are
powerful vampires, why do you need me, a lowly beater?"
    Dodie looked embarrassed. Doug laughed.
    "I'm guessing," Doug said, still chuckling, "that Mike told you
about that term."
    Madison nodded. "Yes. And he said you're helping the cops
find some