Real Vampires Live Large by Bartlett Gerry

Author:Bartlett, Gerry [Bartlett, Gerry]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781436224420
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 2011-01-27T22:19:52.017000+00:00

Fourteen

"We’re here with Gloriana St. Clair, owner of Vintage Vamp’s Emporium. If you remember our previous report several weeks ago, this shop was practically destroyed in a fire that the Austin fire department has determined was arson. Unfortunately there have been no arrests in the case.” The microphone shifted to me. “Gloriana, we’re glad to see you’ve reopened.”

“Thank you, Donna.” I braced myself because I could see what was coming. “It wasn’t easy, but I’m glad to say it’s business as usual at Vintage Vamp’s Emporium, your vintage clothing store in the heart of historic Sixth Street.” I smiled and kept smiling. Yeah, I sounded like a commercial and why not? I was about to be ambushed and putting Donna under the whammy wasn’t an option, not with a crowd of interested shoppers looking on.

“You’ve certainly made your shop unique. Right now we’re standing in front of a mural your partner painted on one wall inside your shop, a painting of a vampire attacking a man. Are you sending a message?” She thrust her microphone under my mouth, this time close enough to bite in two. And don’t think I wasn’t tempted.

“No, I mean, it’s art.”

“I’m sure everyone recognizes The Scream by Edvard Munch. And he also painted Vampire, though it’s not as well known. Aren’t you implying that the store’s name has a special meaning? Exactly what is a vintage vamp?”

That damned microphone was in my face again. I’d love to yell “Cut” and cancel the whole deal. But there’s no such thing as bad publicity, right?

“Donna, I’m into fashion history. A vamp was a hottie back in the roaring twenties. Do you really think I believe in vampires?” I laughed, what else could I do? “Give me a break. Fangs? Blood sucking?” I shuddered. “I know it’s a popular theme in fiction.” I nodded at the mural. “And art. But this is just a vintage clothing store.” I looked directly at the camera and grinned like an idiot. Then I got a whiff of the cameraman. AB negative. Oh, God, my fangs!

“Rat! I see a rat!” Someone, I swear it was Will, screamed. Valdez and Will started barking like maniacs and racing around the shop, knocking the cameraman down and starting a general stampede for the door. Donna dropped the microphone and, when she scrambled to pick it up, Valdez head butted her into a rack of vintage hats. Donna shrieked and landed face first on a black straw with a wide brim. She came up spitting ostrich feathers.

“Oh, no! I’m so sorry.” I had the fangs well under control now and helped Donna to her feet. I sent the dogs a mental message to cool it. “Give me a minute to lock up my pets. There is no way anyone saw a rat, I had the exterminator in just last week.” Truth. I have this thing about bugs. Go figure.

“Dogs in a clothing store. Is that really a good idea?” Donna brushed off her skirt. She was one tough lady, the rat thing hadn’t even phased her.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.