Night of the Vampires by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online

win for anyone in my book.”
    Megan looked at him, quiet.
    â€œNow, now, please!” Martha said, drawing out a chair to join them at last. Cole, Cody and Brendan stood quickly to assist her, but she raised a hand and slid into her own seat. “We’re trying to have a nice civil breakfast here, and there’s going to be no talk of the war, if you all don’t mind. Not one of us here can solve it, that’s the simple truth, and it’s the arguing that got us all into it from the get-go, so… My, my! Cole, have you been in Washington before? Can you see how it’s changed? My, my, from sleepy little place to giant industrial city in just a matter of a few years. And the construction going on! Why, President Lincoln has seen to it that the work on the Capitol Building continues. It will go up—he is determined.”
    Brendan Vincent was quite taken with Martha Graybow. “Indeed, dear lady. The city grew by nearly sixty-thousand souls in just a few years, so it did. Imagine this marshland becoming such a cultural center.”
    They were still in the process of finishing the meal when a knock sounded from the front door. Cody nodded at Cole and they both excused themselves, Cody holding back while Cole stepped to the door.
    â€œCole Granger, are you asking me in? Or leaving a lady on the steps?” said a mischievous voice on the other side.
    And Lisette Annalise, actress by trade and newlyminted agent of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, had arrived.
    Cole opened the door with a smile on his face. “Why, Miss Annalise, no man in his right mind would leave you waiting anywhere,” he replied, inviting her in with a flourish. Cole had met her briefly years earlier when she had been performing in Faint Heart Never Won Fair Ladies on the Western circuit. She was a young Jenny Lind, a stunning, petite woman with the voice of an angel. Lisette had most recently telegraphed Cole, having heard about the success his town of Victory, Texas, had in fighting off a ruthless gang of outlaws.
    Some loathed her fellow “Pinks,” as they were called. Some thought that they were a viable private enterprise. But there was no denying that war changed everything, and the Pinkertons were becoming a true power. The Pinkerton National Detective Agency had been founded in Chicago by Allan Pinkerton as a private security agency for rich and important businessmen and their interests. As president-elect, Lincoln himself had hired them, which tended to mean that Lisette would mention, almost right from the beginning of any encounter, that she’d met the man and admired him greatly, both of them enjoying the theater.
    Cole liked Lisette, and he admired her. But she sometimes frightened him, as well. Her passion verged on fanaticism, and he’d never met a fanatic who could think with a straight head.
    Overjoyed to see his old friend, Cole stepped out and quickly caught up with her about Victory, some common acquaintances and their business in the capitol.
    â€œThis is our contact?” Cody asked, suddenly appearing in the doorway, barring the way to the rear of the house.
    â€œYes, I’m sorry, forgive me,” Cole said, making the introductions.
    Cody and Lisette exchanged greetings cordially but with some tension about them. “Did you tell her about Megan?” Cody asked Cole.
    â€œNot yet,” Cole said.
    â€œAh,” Cody said, expressing what seemed to be the key sentiment of the moment.
    Lisette had dark brown eyes and auburn hair, and flyaway eyebrows that rose in question.
    â€œCody discovered a long-lost sister just last night,” Cole explained.
    â€œMegan,” Cody said.
    â€œA sister?” Lisette said, her lips pursing into a bow. “Does that mean…?”
    â€œYes,” Cole said simply.
    â€œCome along in, we’ll be suspicious out here,” Cole said, and gestured all into the house.
    â€œOh, of course. But