Night of the Vampires by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online Page A

I’m suspicious of this sudden sister already,” Lisette said, which Cole couldn’t help but smile at.
    In the kitchen, introductions and greetings went around again. Martha was thrilled to meet Lisette. She had seen her perform onstage long ago in Richmond. Lisette was charming and said that she’d be performing in Washington soon.
    â€œI find it so difficult these days, with so many soldiers out dying on the fields,” Lisette said.
    â€œOh, but you entertain those left behind at home. You help them bear the hours while their loved ones are away!” Martha said enthusiastically.
    â€œJust how is it that you know each other?” Megan asked sweetly. Her eyes glittered gold, though she smiled as she asked the question.
    â€œWell, Cole and I go back a long way,” Lisette said. She cast Cole a warm glance and lingered over the words, inviting all types of speculation as to what that exactly meant. “He wrote that he’d be here. May I ask you the same, Miss Fox? I’m always surprised that so many Southerners are enjoying a Union capital.”
    â€œI had word that Cody would be in Washington. I was anxious to meet my brother.”
    â€œAh, yes, nothing like a little teasing sibling rivalry!” Lisette said.
    Maybe it was natural that Lisette should subtly suggest that Megan Fox wasn’t here with the noblest of intentions, to insinuate to those who understood the undertone that Megan might possibly hold an agenda that involved infesting the capital with the plague—and thus getting the Union to capitulate to the South.
    To her credit, Megan was composed. “Rivalry? Oh, Miss Annalise, I wouldn’t dream of attempting any form of rivalry with my brother. I’ve been hoping to meet him for so long! No, miss, I assure you, I shall do nothing but follow in my brother’s wake, and hope to be so fine a—being.”
    â€œHow utterly charming,” Lisette said. She rose from her position at the table, smiling graciously. “Would you please forgive us? In these dreadful times of war, we never know when we will meet. Cole and I would like to take a bit of a walk.” She smiled at him, blinking, as if she were about to burst into tears—as if there were far more between them than there had ever been. She was the ultimate actress.
    Megan quickly and awkwardly rose, as well. “How nice! How very lovely. Yes, yes, the two of you must up and away for a lovely stroll. Pity the streets are little but mud and the dust flying about is terrible, but I’m sure you’ll have a charming walk, so sweet when time is precious and two people are together.”
    One woman wanted his company, another was evidently more than anxious to get rid of him. He needed to see the one, and he was afraid to take his eyes off the other.
    Megan was Cody’s sister. And Cody certainly knew the score.
    â€œOf course, Lisette,” Cole said. “The streets are not so bad here—the house is not on a direct march line for the troops coming and going into and out of town. Let’s do stroll.”
    â€œYou will excuse us?” Lisette asked Martha, her beautiful smile all encompassing as she looked around the room.
    They left by way of the rear door, the carriage entrance.
    When they came around the front, Cole saw a sad-looking young woman standing on the front walk, an envelope and a clipboard in her hands. He started toward her.
    â€œCole, just walk, she’ll come,” Lisette said, taking his arm.
    â€œShe’ll come? Who is she?”
    â€œIt’s just Trudy.”
    â€œWho is just Trudy and why is she standing there?” he demanded.
    Lisette sighed. “She’s my assistant. The agency seems to think I need one, but I loathe being followed around.Luckily, she’s a little mouse and stands wherever I tell her.”
    â€œYou had her just standing outside while you came into the house?” Cole asked.
    â€œWell,