The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) by Sandrine Genier Read Free Book Online Page B

and have beignets and coffee one last time before I have to leave for the airport .
    But Matthew had questions for him. Lots of questions.
    When most of the personal data had been collected and some of it scrutinized and analyzed already, one thing and apparently only one thing so far seemed to raise a red flag: his interest in the paranormal.
    “Where do you go, and what do you do exactly? What kinds of equipment do you use, and how is it used? Would you be bringing this into the job situation? How often do you do this? What do you do with your findings? How is that information used? With whom do you share that information, and where and how is it shared, exactly?”
    Jason answered as patiently as he could. After he thought he had explained it all succinctly, Matthew continued to pursue it.
    Jason tried to hide his exasperation. “What is it you want to know?”
    “What do you think is ‘out there’? What do you believe exists? What kinds of things have you personally experienced?”
    Jason shrugged. “I have experienced many things I cannot explain. I believe there are such things as spirits or ghosts; ectoplasm maybe; shadow figures; I think it is possible for sasquatch to exist. Alien occupants of UFO’s are a likely possibility. The mothman too, maybe.” Does Matthew even know about some of this stuff?
    “Anything else?”
    “Like what?” Jason wondered. Where was Matthew going with this? Jason almost said: astral projection, ESP, mental telepathy, clairvoyance—I believe in all of it, if there is a steady paycheck in it. But he felt certain the Ghost-Busters reference would be lost on Matthew. And he didn’t really want to convey a flippant attitude, especially since he did take most of those subjects somewhat seriously. He began to wonder if Matthew was so focused on this for his own benefit, or did it still have to do with the screening process?
    “What are your personal thoughts and feelings about all of this? What else do you believe exists, specifically? How do you view this field and the people involved in it? What do you really think of the existence of supernatural and paranormal events? What do you personally feel about doing these kinds of investigations? What is it you really hope to find? What kinds of things are you looking for, exactly?” Matthew perseverated. He kept asking the same kinds of questions, in different ways.
    Is he looking for inconsistencies? What is this really about? Is he just trying to wear me down? Jason felt badgered about all of it. “I believe there are things in existence we have not uncovered yet and things which we really do not even begin to understand. I believe there are things that are not supposed to exist, but do. I believe someday I may have more proof than I already have about all of these things. I believe as an investigator it is important to keep an open mind and a healthy skepticism. And to keep your research methods above reproach.” Jason gave what he felt was his definitive answer. He was done.
    Finally, it seemed, Matthew had gotten the answers he was looking for. Either that, Jason speculated, or he had simply given up.
    “We will let you know about the decision,” Matthew said tonelessly. Jason thought he detected a certain coldness in his manner now.
    It was already time to go to the airport. No last minute shopping; no time for one last order of beignets. And, probably, no job offer either, Jason sighed. He was weary of all of this now. He did not want to think about it anymore. As reluctant as he was to leave New Orleans, especially since he didn’t feel he had taken proper leave of the city, and might never get back there any time soon, if ever again, it was almost a relief to be on his way to the airport and heading back home.

Chapter 2
    Interlude
    As soon as he returned to Minnesota, Jason had to apply for unemployment benefits. Several responses to his resume invited him to apply for positions that were not only lower paying, but were