The vampire's wary expression didn't change, nor did he answer the question put to him. "You're authorized to carry communication between us?"

"No, but I'm a.s.signed to work with Mia until Dr. Rider is replaced."

Kurt's unearthly eyes ran over Joe again, searching. Joe was very very uncomfortable. uncomfortable.

"Aside from neurological studies, I've been a.s.signed to begin a behavioral profile based on anecdotal data. So far she hasn't cooperated. I'm hoping to gain her trust so she will."

"To this end you've gone against your superior?"

Kurt tugged again at his shirt cuff. Interesting Interesting, Joe observed, a nervous gesture, hiding something yet calling attention to it at the same time.

Joe continued, "I don't agree with Lydia. It stinks you've been separated without your consent. I'll do all I can to help you both. I've been authorized to obtain anything you need... personal items."

Kurt's disturbing eyes lowered to his book again. "I arranged for the rental of a piano."

This surprised Joe. "Piano?"

The vampire's voice tensed. "Yes, a piano. Also, I require my notebook computer. It's pointless to try to access anything. I made sure of that. I want it back."

Well, he could be an arrogant little cuss.

"Give me a list. I'll see to it personally."

Kurt looked up again with his probing gaze and moistened his lower lip with his tongue as Joe pretended to make notes on his clipboard. "Come by tomorrow night for my reply. No one but Mia must see it. Understand? Look at me, Doctor, when I address you."

Joe wasn't about to cross either of them. He looked Kurt in the eye.

The vampire's expression softened. "I'd like to arrange for flowers for Mia- a single red rose for each night we're apart. Make sure it's perfect and accompanies my letter."

Was the monster a romantic?

Kurt took a small leather notebook and pen from his shirt pocket. He jotted down some items and tore the list out, handing it to Joe with the a.s.surance of one used to giving orders. "These are the items I require. Please don't deviate from the list." He replaced the notebook in his pocket. His pale face suddenly clenched. "Go- I don't wish to be disturbed."

Joe didn't waste any time exiting. Taking a last quick look as the observation door closed between them, he saw Kurt take up the basin containing the bag of blood in his hands and stare at it in disgust. Sensing Joe staring, he scowled before snapping off the lights.

THREE.

The next evening Joe reappeared at Kurt's cell with two large shopping bags containing the clothing and other items they'd asked for. Joe noticed the notebook computer wasn't on the desk as requested, however the vampire sat now on the bench of a sleek, concert grand with the name Steinway and Sons Steinway and Sons emblazoned above the keyboard, fingers resting on the keys as if about to play. emblazoned above the keyboard, fingers resting on the keys as if about to play.

"You got your piano."

Without any thanks the vampire replied, "You failed in obtaining my computer. The letter is on the table. Leave the parcels by the door. And the rose? Show me."

Joe produced the rose, wrapped in tissue, surrounded by ferns. The vampire shook his head.

"What's wrong? I specifically asked for the best."

Kurt gestured at the wrappings. "Get rid of that trash."

"Right." Joe removed the ferns and paper, placing them in the wastebasket by the door and handed the flower to the vampire.

Kurt examined it as if appraising a diamond for occlusions. "Pa.s.sable."

Christ, it was just a flower flower. Joe grew more and more annoyed by their superior att.i.tude. Taking for granted hours he spent tracking down grand pianos, silk panties and long stemmed red roses. They were very very particular. particular. He He specified costly designer lines for his simple trousers and cotton shirts. His shoes alone cost a small fortune. specified costly designer lines for his simple trousers and cotton shirts. His shoes alone cost a small fortune. She She had to have a particular brand of lily-of-the-valley perfume and bath oil from the most expensive shop, not to mention Pima cotton sheets, goose-down comforter and pillows. He'd begun to think of them as a couple of spoiled brats. Luckily Jean had agreed to shop for had to have a particular brand of lily-of-the-valley perfume and bath oil from the most expensive shop, not to mention Pima cotton sheets, goose-down comforter and pillows. He'd begun to think of them as a couple of spoiled brats. Luckily Jean had agreed to shop for her her, sparing him the agony of those floral-scented, pastel boutiques. But, he reflected, at least they weren't attacking him.

Kurt handed the rose back. "Don't forget my letter." A glimmer of expression pa.s.sed over his disturbingly youthful face. "Thanks for your trouble, Doctor."

Joe was taken aback, regarding this sudden change in att.i.tude. "You're welcome."

As if reading his thoughts the vampire explained, "You've been fair to Mia and me where others haven't."

"That's quite a trick you two have."

"Not if one's observant. Try it, Doctor, you may find it useful- particularly when matters of honesty are at stake."

Joe wondered if there was a hidden meaning in Kurt's words. "I'll remember that."

The vampire smiled, chilling Joe to the core, a disarming, boyish smile that conflicted sharply with the haunted eyes. "Don't ever give me reason to question yours. Good evening, Doctor."

What the h.e.l.l did that mean? Kurt was subtle. Deep currents ran through what little he said. This was no boy but a wary, shrewd old man who'd lived through a h.e.l.l of a lot, a survivor. Joe didn't take his eyes off Kurt as he let himself out. Kurt just looked back, appraising him with his sapphire stare. Kurt was subtle. Deep currents ran through what little he said. This was no boy but a wary, shrewd old man who'd lived through a h.e.l.l of a lot, a survivor. Joe didn't take his eyes off Kurt as he let himself out. Kurt just looked back, appraising him with his sapphire stare.

d.a.m.n it, how much did Lydia know about Kurt and Mia? She must know where they came from and why. Where did she find them? Mia might enlighten him, if she'd ever learn to trust him. But why should she? He'd failed in getting her what she wanted most. The only thing he could give her was his letter.

Mia received him coolly when he arrived at her cell, holding out her hand for Kurt's letter. Instead of ripping it open she held it up, inhaling its smell. Intense relief appeared to flood over her, only then did she tear open the envelope. Sinking down on the bed she took in the contents. Joe craned his neck to see what he could as he set down his equipment. The writing was unrecognizable- symbols not resembling any language he was familiar with. Was it code? He wondered if he could get hold of it and decipher it somehow but moments later she tore it to shreds and took it to the bathroom, flushing it down the toilet. He closed his eyes to capture a picture of the symbols to later jot them down.

Joe had forgotten the flower, reaching down into the bag he came up with the rose. She stopped dead in her tracks as he held it out. "This is for you- from Kurt- it was supposed to go with the letter."

"Oh- thanks."

She just took it and set it on the desk, as if it meant nothing. A human woman might have shed a tear or smiled. Whether it struck an emotional chord was anybody's guess. It bothered Joe that this gesture left her cold or apparently cold after all the care and concern Kurt had shown. Somehow it bothered him more than how she'd attacked Rider.

Joe remained by the door, unsure of how to begin. She studied his face for a moment. "Guess we have a deal, Doctor."

He took out his notebook and took a seat. "I want you to tell me whatever you can, without embellishment, pertinent information on your behavior, without the sensationalism of your journal."

She laughed. "Vampire stories have to be sensational or they aren't much fun. It's a full-blown Gothic tale with dark corners and mysterious strangers. I'm afraid it's the only way I know."

"Be serious, I'm trying to help you."

"A girl can't survive in my racket if she's too serious. My modus operandi modus operandi is to amuse. Two things at which I'm very accomplished- one is a witty turn of phrase- the other I'll leave to the imagination. I know you have an is to amuse. Two things at which I'm very accomplished- one is a witty turn of phrase- the other I'll leave to the imagination. I know you have an active active imagination." imagination."

"Just answer my questions and I won't bother you any more."

"But I find you so nice to look at." The dark eyes gave him the once over, rosebud mouth parting slightly in a smile. "You don't like when I compliment you?"

A little stab started behind his eyes. "Just call me Joe. If we're going to work together, we should be on a first name basis. Don't you think so, Mia?"

The doll's mask became an evil pixie's. "You're right, Youssef. Youssef. That That is is your real name?" your real name?"

"Yes, Maria Maria- that's your real name?"

"Demons in our past we'd rather forget. Yours hail from Teheran, apparently."

"I was born there. How did you know?"

She settled in the armchair, drawing her legs under her in a little girl pose, like some centerfold. If this wasn't a demon from h.e.l.l what was? All innocence, the prim little flower mouth, and eyes kind of lost and bewildered- it was an illusion. This thing thing was malignant. was malignant.

"Dr. Youssef Ansari, creator of The Enigma The Enigma, a revolutionary new kind of PET scan, the man who holds the key to the soul, so they say. I do my homework. Don't worry, your secrets are safe with me."

"I'd like to start with a few simple questions I jotted down in regard to what I read in your notebook." He removed the notes from his pocket. "You were very badly beaten that night?"

"You would ask."

"Not personal details- just curious about the healing process of your body. Wounds heal fast?"

She shrugged. "Depends on how severe."

"What was the most severe injury you've sustained?"

"Physically or spiritually?"

"Physically, of course."

"Took a bullet in the shoulder. Took about a week to heal completely. Blood vessels closed off right away, but the hole was there awhile."

"Did it hurt?"

She looked at him. "Of course. I feel pain."

"I see." He wrote this fact down then looked up again. "So after a severe beating you were able to regain consciousness in a very short time, but it left you struggling and in need of... uh... nourishment?"

"Blood?" She sneered. "Go on, you're dying to ask. Who was he?"

"I'm not trying to dissect your personal experiences but I did wonder. It wasn't Kurt?"

"Kurt? No. My master."

"Master? He changed you?" He changed you?"

"That's a whole other story."

Joe abruptly changed subject. "Do you normally feel cold that intensely?"

"Not like mortals- but it was below zero and I'd lost a lot of blood. When he dumped me into that alley he sucked back a lot of what he'd given thirty-six years before. If he'd taken more I wouldn't have regained consciousness- just lain there until morning and hasta la vista baby hasta la vista baby. He wanted me to suffer before fate took care of me."

Joe leaned forward. "Fate?"

"Survival is tricky. Consider the practicalities doctor. It's vital I have a roof over my head at sunrise. I require clothes on my back. I need real food too- not just blood. So, I need money. Manhattan isn't cheap. Ever tried to rent an apartment without identification or a bank account? No birth certificate, no driver's license or social security card. Legally speaking, I didn't exist. But that's just the easy stuff. I also require additional nourishment nourishment every week to ten days. That's a lot of corpses to get rid of. I have to dig shallow graves, dump them into rivers or cut them up into little pieces, all without being seen. Wouldn't do to have New York's finest snooping around. Still- that's not the worst of it. Imagine a lone woman in the ancient world, no man to protect her- I'm fair game. I had to deal with my own kind and that's always a delicate situation." every week to ten days. That's a lot of corpses to get rid of. I have to dig shallow graves, dump them into rivers or cut them up into little pieces, all without being seen. Wouldn't do to have New York's finest snooping around. Still- that's not the worst of it. Imagine a lone woman in the ancient world, no man to protect her- I'm fair game. I had to deal with my own kind and that's always a delicate situation."

"I don't understand."

"A girl on her own among that band of perverts and miscreants? Think about it. They follow whatever custom was fashionable in their time, or in the case of my contemporaries reject enlightened ways in favor of older ones. I'm mere chattel. I don't have the benefit of laws to protect my rights. Technically, I'm discarded property. But I'm sure our quaint, old-fashioned customs are of no interest?"

"Behavior is often driven by biological predisposition."

Her mouth twisted up. "Yeah, they're human and they still act like it. Strip away the mantle of civilization and what's there?"

"This pimp- is he typical of the sort of victims you seek out?"

"It's easier to take down sleazoids. No one likes them or will miss them much. Besides, pimps are a favorite flavor of mine."

Joe winced. "Flavor? We, that is to say, We, that is to say, human beings human beings have different flavors?" have different flavors?"

"It's vampire-speak, certain victims give a certain psychological release. Revenge is sweet Joe- but pimps are small game. My master trained me to seduce and kill powerful men, a fine art. I know all sorts of kinky tricks if you're interested. In any case there's more to it than s.e.x. What's most important is to pinpoint a man's weakness and exploit it for all it's worth. Luring a man to your bed is no great feat if you're attractive- stealing his soul away- now there's the prize."

"I'm not much for metaphysics."

Her bee-stung mouth twitched. "No, you're the objective man of science. Neurons firing- biochemical transmitters- that's the meaning of life."

"Something like that."

She chuckled. "Everything on a map with a key, but it's not that simple, my friend."

He changed the subject. "How long have you been... like this?"

"I can sit hear and answer questions till the bats come home or just tell you as it all happened, be your Sheherazade and beguile you for a thousand and one nights."

"We don't have that much time."

"I have all the time in the world. Where shall I begin?"

"At the beginning would be a good place. How did you become a vampire?"

Mia began, "First off, we don't refer to ourselves by that vulgar term. We prefer Immortyl, Immortyl, with a Y. Of course I could care less, call a spade a spade, I say... " with a Y. Of course I could care less, call a spade a spade, I say... "

FOUR.