Keeper of the Crypt by Madeleine Bellmond

Author:Madeleine Bellmond
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing and Rights Co.

CHAPTER 13

A Weiner Roast Under the Stars

THAT FIRST NIGHT PASSED FAIRLY SMOOTHLY, with mile after mile rolling by without much effort. The traffic was light, and there weren’t any major city centers to navigate through. Instead, we passed through a string of quaint western towns while being serenaded by Vladi’s new collection of country and western tunes. The count had really fallen for the music after hearing it at the Memphis Ruby Saloon—though I’m sure a good part of it had to do with the ladies who’d introduced him to it.

At first, he’d gone about the apartment humming Shorty Cummins and Dallas Brooks under his breath. Then he’d sent me out to buy him his very own collection of country CDs. Luckily, the old couple who’d owned the van had hooked up a CD player under the dash. So, keeping time to the likes of Willie Nelson, Texas Water, and Lorena Swain, we motored through the night with the count sipping his bagged dinner through a straw, and me knocking back too many cans of soda.

I’d about reached my limit of lonely hearts and relationships gone south when we pulled into a small motel-casino complex just west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Releasing a weary sigh, I switched off the ignition. Massaging the back of my neck, I looked over at Vladi. “Would you rather sleep in the van or in the room, sir?” I asked.

Cocking his head, the count thought it over. “I believe I will join you in the room tonight, Rodney.”

“Okay. I’ll go check in.”

Cranking open the van door, I climbed out stiffly onto the pavement. After spending a few minutes stretching my cramped muscles, I headed over to the blinking sign that announced the Office. As I walked along, I started to feel a little nervous. I’d never slept in the same room as Vladi before. And, since I wasn’t lugging the coffin into the motel, that meant he’d be sleeping in the bed right next to mine, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. What if he walks in his sleep? I thought nervously. Is it possible he might do something he normally wouldn’t do?

Absently fingering my neck, I requested a room with two double beds. Since checkout time was at eleven and we wouldn’t be leaving until after sundown the next day, I was obliged to rent the room for two nights. Also, as I was anxious to avoid a case of hysterics from a chambermaid finding what she assumed was a dead body in one of the beds, I made a point of stressing to the man behind the counter that we would not be requiring maid service.

Thankfully, our unit turned out to be on the first floor. Backing up to the sidewalk, I unloaded the cooler and the luggage while Vladi prowled around the room, examining the accommodations.

“Only one bathroom, Rodney,” he pointed out in surprise, running a critical eye over the standard, minimal motel bathroom equipped with tub, toilet, and sink.

I shrugged.

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