[sylvanSpider]

Emily's eyes were still luminescent emeralds, laying in a field of pale snow glowing softly in the light of the fire. But Simon wasn't looking at her any longer, in fact, he had turned completely and now turned to the retreating officer, “Officer Jones, before you leave, may I have a brief word?”

“Absolutely, Mr. Wegg. Do you need anything else from the force?” Officer Jones was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a deep voice and an equally deep heart. Even Simon with his height of one hundred ninety centimeters had to turn his gaze slightly upward at the uniformed man.

“I am requesting a new escort for Miss Emily here. Given the circumstances, I deem it necessary. Until one is produced, I will work to fulfill that role. However, I ask that you make haste in finding one, I cannot waste much time here, lest another victim fall prey,” Simon straightened his tie, disregarding the woman on the floor who seemed to be finding more and more distaste with her temporary escort as he spoke. Simon continued, “Again, I would like to thank you and all of the other members of the force for your aid in my investigations.”

Officer Jones nodded, even offering the man a warm smile (not returned) before ducking out of the doorway to relay Simon's latest orders. The police had given Simon everything he asked; they were easy enough tasks, but Jones couldn't help but question where his investigations were leading them. He suspected a vampire behind the attacks, Mr. Wegg was forthright about that. But even after seeing the body of poor Mrs. Thomas, he still had a hard time believing that the creatures existed at all. Still, he bore official papers from the Church of England. He was official clergy. So long as his work was in the name of God, he would have the polices' allegiance.

The door shut behind Jones, but the chill from outside still lingered in the doorway, and still in Emily's heart, “Get me a new escort? Just like that? And I'm to have a male as my escort? I will tell you right now, Mr....Wegg, was it?” With an assenting nod from the cold fellow, finally turning again to face her, “Wegg, then. Mr. Wegg, I will tell you right now that I am a woman who is engaged to be married--”

“I am chaste as far as you are concerned, Miss Barker,” Simon responded coolly, his hands once again reaching to straighten his already straight tie, “I am clergy to the Church of England with the title of Head Investigator. An investigator to what you may ask, but I fear that even if I told you, you would not believe me.”

“I'm asking now,” the redhead retorted with a snort. The trail the tears had left down her cheek was still there, but beginning to dry, drying her skin with it. Emily didn't seem to notice, as she'd made her way to her feet, her hands planted firmly on her hips. She did not like the situation she was in, and she wished now, more than ever, that William would waltz through the door. This way, even if a man did try to lay hands on her in an immodest way, it would be the man who would later claim her as his wife. But, he hadn't shown up at any point in the day, and she was beginning to get worried. His morning routine before he began conducting business usually included a breakfast with she and Rosamund, and after business was conducted he would accompany the ladies on a walk down in the park in the down town areas. Today, however, he hadn't shown for either of the usual times.

Simon's cool, gray eyes found hers and honed in, “I am an investigator of supernatural affairs, specializing in the work of vampires, Miss Barker.”

“Vampires?! You have got to be out of your mind, Mr. Wegg! Vampires do not exist, and surely, as a man of the church, you wouldn't believe such nonsense either!” The woman, at this juncture, looked as if she'd been through Hell and back, and perhaps a lesser man, one who didn't understand her situation, would have her committed. Surely, she'd be safe in the nuthouse, though that was a fate worse than death, and was one of the many faults he could find with both the monarchy as well as his church. But, they employed him, and Simon was bound to obey, so long as they allowed him to keep up with his experiments. It was a symbiotic relationship, Simon and the Church, one that probably wound up with more good than harm coming to the world so far as supernatural beings were concerned, but only on accident as only a mere side effect.

“On the contrary, Miss Barker, the Church works to combat such forces as they are of the Devil. It is the side of religion attempted to be shielded from the congregations for their safety as well as their continued allegiance to the same God that created these creatures. God loves all of his Children, you see, but humans are his most beloved—and we work to ensure the safety of his most beloved Children, yourself included,” Simon never lost the matter-of-fact nature in the timber of his voice and he proceeded to explain, “That's why I am here this evening. I am attempting the best etiquette I can muster, and it doesn't seem to be enough for you.”

Emily ignored the last sentence, her emerald eyes never losing the glint of fire, “Very well, then. Supposing vampires are real, then why here, and why me? Why am I in danger? Rosamund was poisoned. This was the work of another human. Rosamund still had all of her blood, and I saw her body give out due to the poisons. No vampires involved. Why are you here?”

“Asking the question once would have sufficed, Miss Barker,” Emily hated the repeated use of her name; Simon didn't mind that obvious distaste, “However, that is where I believe you to be incorrect. I was sent a telegraph late in the evening, yesterday evening regarding the death of a Mrs. Thomas--”

“Mrs. Thomas? You don't mean--”

“The one and only. I had assumed that word of her death had gotten out already. I am sorry that I must be the bearer of bad news, but it was necessary for my explanation nontheless,” Simon said in a tone that said he wasn't really that sorry, only that him having to the bearer meant a further inconvenience for him. “Mrs. Thomas was found laying face-up in her garden completely drained of her blood. This, as you would imagine, is a tell-tale sign of a vampire—either one who was very new and just now realizing their thirst for blood, or, as is seeming to be the more likely case, an ancient vampire who had not fed in entirely too long. Perhaps one who had been sleeping, or again in the most likely case, one who had had the appearance of an elderly, no...no, ancient person—but the work of a vampire regardless.” Simon stopped to take a breath, making his way to the bed that Emily now stood closest too, dainty frail fists clenched. In this break, his eyes met hers, waiting for questions at this point in the explanations.

“That's all well and good,” Emily muttered at length, “But what does that have to do me? Or poor Rosamund?” she asked, her voice cracking on the last syllable of “Rosamund.”

“Good. You seem to be following. At this juncture? Nothing, but further investigations led straight to you. You might as well have a sign over your head,” Simon cleared his throat, “Here. Let me explain. I began my investigations, naturally, with a brief autopsy of Mrs. Thomas revealing exactly as I had anticipated. Now, generally in a case such as hers, the vampire is someone known in town, though separated. They'll be living on the outskirts of town, or even in the countryside, and the locals to the town would likely have some knowledge of such a person,” He paused to take in Emily's reaction. Her eyes widened, knowing such a person—the person that her beloved was conducting business with. Simon seemed satisfied that she was following along, and if she was as quick as she seemed to be, would come to the same conclusion that he himself had, “I struck gold when I came the household that has your fiance, Mr. William Shaw, as a ward. As it turned out, he hadn't shown up for dinner at the usual time, and neither of that lovely couple had so much as seen him since he went out to conduct business with Ms. Ward. It is in his disappearance that I was able to target you. You are the same age as Mrs. Thomas, correct? At least, give or take a couple of years.”

Emily nodded dumbly. Simon continued, “The death of Miss Quincy furthers that suspicion. Most vampires will find in their prey features that they find sexually appealing. Mrs. Thomas, she was described to me as very beautiful in life, as are you. Now. With Rosamund's death, knowledge the vampire has already fed and does not want to look suspicious, poison would be the perfect way to get you isolated. Unfortunately for Madame Vampire, the top of the business is attending to your needs. Do you see why I am here now, Miss Barker? I aim to protect you, and, if possible, retrieve William safely, though I must be honest—my hope for him is not high.”