Dracul's Revenge 02: Anarchy in Blood by Carol Lynne, T. A. Chase Page B

up my budget plan coming up for a vote.”
    There was a knock at the door and Larissa Douglas strode inside. “What’s going on, Richard?”

    ANARCHY IN BLOOD
    Carol Lynne & T.A. Chase
    46

    The moment Larissa entered the room, Aaron noticed the change in Rick. Aaron didn’t know the full extent of their marital problems, but he’d been around the two of them enough to know the couple didn’t seem to like each other very much.
    “There was a body found by the fence on the South Lawn,” Rick informed his wife. “It might be a good time for you to visit your parents.”
    “Why? Mother and Father are in France, or are you just trying to get rid of me?” Larissa asked, crossing her arms.
    Rick sighed. “There was a murderer on the White House lawn. I was only thinking of your safety.”
    Larissa’s tinkling laughter filled the office. “Save it for the press. There’s not a single person in this room who believes you’re concerned about my safety.”
    Rick appeared genuinely hurt by the comment. “Actually, I am. Look, I know we don’t have the best marriage, but I do care about you. There’s a madman out there killing people and draining their blood.”
    Rick lifted his hands and scrubbed at his face. “Please, Larissa. Just do this for me?”
    A perfectly plucked eyebrow rose, and Larissa’s gaze scanned the other men in the room before giving a brief nod. “I’ll make arrangements to visit our summer house in Sagaponack, although it’s October and none of our friends will be there.”
    Rick rose and crossed the room to stand in front of his wife. He put his hands on her thin shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
    Larissa rolled her eyes and pulled away from Rick’s touch before turning to regard Benjamin Wetherby. “Inform my detail that I’ll be leaving first thing in the morning.”
    “Yes, Ma’am,” Wetherby answered and pulled out his phone.
    Aaron watched the woman closely until she turned and strode out of the room. It wasn’t like Larissa to accept Rick’s plea so readily. He’d seen the couple go head to head for hours over something as simple as her frequent shopping excursions. Aaron made a mental note to discuss the situation with Rick as soon as Wetherby left them alone.
    “Have they identified the newest victim?” he asked Rick.
    Rick nodded. “This one was actually carrying identification. Jeremy Lovell is…” Rick shook his head. “ Was a freshman at Georgetown.”
    “Do you remember ever meeting him?” Aaron asked.
    “No, but as I’ve recently discovered, that doesn’t seem to matter to the press.”

    ANARCHY IN BLOOD
    Carol Lynne & T.A. Chase
    47

    Aaron hated the lost look on the President’s face. As he committed the name of the most recent victim to memory, his thoughts strayed to Gray. Maybe he could use the excuse of acquiring Jeremy’s name to call him again. The sound of Gray’s deep smoker’s voice did something to him that no other person ever had. Aaron wondered if it was possible to come just by talking to the handsome man.
    “Aaron?” Cameron said, obviously trying to get Aaron’s attention.
    “Sorry. Did you say something?”
    “Why don’t you go on home? We’ll pick this up again in the morning,” Cameron offered.
    Aaron nodded and stood. There was no telling how long it would take him to get home at this hour. He stretched and gazed down at Rick. “You okay?”
    Rick nodded. “I will be once we find out who’s behind all this shit.”
    Aaron walked out of the office, grabbed his coat and made his way back through security. Moving towards the bus stop, he dug his phone out of his pocket. His thumb hovered over the number pad for several moments before he decided it was too late to call Gray. How pathetic am I? Aaron snorted. So pathetic, I programmed his number into my phone before meeting him at Sid’s.
    Aaron let the phone drop back into his pocket. He reached the bus stop and took