Case of the Docile Dhampir

By Steven Sterup, Jr

Connor Mousman's murder leaves his adopted daughter Cassy with no choice. She must trick Zach Nielson, a seemingly ordinary accountant, into becoming her partner.

With his help she might finally be able to discover what they both are. They are not human but Connor Mousman always said Zach was like her. Perhaps he meant that Zach was exactly like her.

The lies and manipulation she used to recruit Zach weigh heavily on Cassy as she struggles to find her father's killer. She knows she needs to tell him the truth but the truth might chase away the only person like her in the entire world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven Sterup, Jr
• Release date: Apr 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463901908

Steven Sterup, Jr

I enjoy reading and writing fantasy themed books, including romance novels. Most of my work is about fantastical worlds with magic and monsters.Since I was young I've had a strange desire to create 'something' and as soon as I started writing my first book I knew I had finally found what I was looking for.I hope you enjoy the worlds I have created and I appreciate your feedback. Feel free to contact me on my website at www.StevenSterupJr.com or email me at [e-mail].

Book preview

MOUS Investigations

Case of the Docile Dhampir

Written By: Steven Sterup Jr.

Copyright 2019 Steven Sterup Jr.

Legal Disclaimer - This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Book Cover Art by 100 Covers.

Special thanks to my wife, Tammy. Without her support, none of this would have been possible.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Prologue

Conner Mousman stuck his head around the corner of the large brick building and stared down the alley. It was hard to make out much besides the curvy blonde stepping into the light halfway down. It took his eyes a minute to adjust before he saw the garbage cans hiding in the shadows. Thankfully, that was all that was hiding there tonight.

Connor’s blue jeans, dark shirt, and black jacket protected him from the night air. Not only did his clothing provide warmth, they also served as camouflage on the dark street at a little after midnight. He marveled at Rebecca’s indifference to the elements. Any normal woman wearing her black dress, which barely covered her curves, would have at least had goosebumps. It had no sleeves and an abundant amount of cleavage. The sight alone told Connor that, as careful as he had been, Rebecca knew he was there. Connor was quickly approaching fifty, but the woman who appeared to be in her mid-twenties was far older than he was.

He couldn’t help but stare as the beautiful blonde brushed her long hair off her shoulders and smiled while she approached a door halfway down the alley. Connor’s wife had died nearly ten years ago, but this woman looked just like her. Not similar, not a decent look-a-like, Rebecca Engels WAS Lynda Mousman at twenty-two. The dress she wore and even the stiletto heels were identical to the first time Connor had met his late wife. He knew it was an illusion, but he couldn’t stop the thoughts that urged him onward.

Dhampir didn’t kill humans, not intentionally. Maybe he could have one night with the woman who, for all intents and purposes, was Lynda Mousman. Rebecca would drain his life force and leave him feeling like he had been hit by a truck, but he would never get a chance like this again.

Connor waited and shook with nerves he had forgotten he had. He’d been following and spying on people for nearly thirty years. He absentmindedly ran his fingers through his grizzled beard that had recently become more white than brown. Maybe spending the night with her would also provide him with the answers he sought. He knew it was a rationalization but following her was certainly not getting him anywhere. Especially now that she knew he was there.

He started down the dark alley, still shaking. He wanted to call it fear, but it wasn’t fear. He was not afraid of the two-century-old dhampir; he was nervous. Like he had been the first night he had met Lynda. Would Rebecca act like Lynda, speak like her? Would she smell like his late wife? The one he still dreamt of. The one who haunted his every waking moment. The reason he had never wanted to date anyone, despite his daughters’ insistence. Was Rebecca really Lynda in every way that mattered?

Connor stopped and ran both hands through his hair, which was turning white faster than his beard. He pulled at the strands and struggled with himself.

Rebecca neared the door, her heavenly features accentuated by the light above it, then stuck out her right hand. She motioned for him to follow with her index finger but didn’t turn to face him. Then she vanished through the door.

Connor quickly pulled out his cell phone and nearly dropped it before laughing at his teenage jitters. With childish excitement, he hit the only number programmed into his phone and waited.

Did you find her dad? Connor’s daughter, Cassy, asked with anticipation.

Yes, honey, he answered too cheerfully for Cassy to tolerate.

Don’t do anything stupid. It’s not mom, Cassy warned.

I know it’s not your mother…but…, Connor started, and Cassy interrupted.

It’s just an illusion. I knew I should have been the one to follow her. Just come home, Dad, she ordered, though it sounded more like begging.

I can find out who your real parents were, Connor argued.

I don’t care. Losing you to find them isn’t worth it, Cassy stated.

Dhampir don’t kill humans, Connor rationalized.

Cassy didn’t know how to answer. She sat there for a moment, going over it in her head, while Connor waited for his adopted daughter’s approval.

She knew exactly how her dad was going to get the information from Rebecca. She also knew the price he would have to pay for it, as well as why her dad would be gone all night. She didn’t blame him. She was just worried. A dhampir would never intentionally kill a human, but there were instances of humans who became fixated on the illusion the dhampir created. These poor souls couldn’t break free and would either commit suicide by convincing the dhampir for a second night or become so obsessed that they drove themselves mad.

It’ll be fine, dear. I won’t see her again. I’ll find out what she knows about your parents then leave, he stated, and Cassy could hear the joy in her father’s voice.

She couldn’t deny him this one chance to remember his wife in a way no other creature could provide. She was worried, but she also knew that he would never get another chance like this. Dhampir weren’t exactly popping out of the woodwork. It took a miracle for one to even be born, let alone survive as long as Rebecca had. Rebecca might be his last chance to say goodbye to Lynda.

Cassy knew a lot about dhampir, thanks to her father’s research. They were very magical creatures compared to their parents. The vampire parent gave them their long life but was unable to use magic in any way. The human parent could, if properly trained, wield some magic but only in its most basic form. The abilities of the dhampir were both mysterious and unexplainable. How could two of the least magical beings produce one of the most gifted? This was the reason for their rarity. If they managed to survive birth, they were usually locked up and studied or killed out of fear. Vampires and humans alike hated what dhampir were capable of. The illusion was a lie so powerful that no one could tell the difference between the original and the copy.

One night. No more. You can never go back. Just be careful, Cassy said. I love you, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Cassy, I’ll be… Connor started then Cassy heard a thud and the loud crash of something heavy hitting garbage cans. Next, she heard her dad’s cellphone hit the pavement and her dad shouting. What do you want?! Wait! Then she heard her dad scream in agony and another sickening thud followed by complete silence.

Dad! DAD!!! Cassy screamed, but there was no answer, then the line went dead.

Chapter 1

Zachary Nielson marched along the hall of cubicles toward an open door. The papers in his hand scraped across his face as he adjusted his tie and straightened his blue suit jacket one more time. Shana, the gorgeous redhead at the end of this journey, looked as indifferent as ever. Even if he had been the only man in the office, she still wouldn’t have noticed him. He wasn’t sure why he kept trying to impress her other than his hope that someday she might pay attention.

One day she might take a look up at his tall, muscular frame and say ‘why not?’ Or maybe he’d look down at her beautiful green eyes and those eyes would look back with the same desire. One look at his trimmed black hair and silvery eyes and she’d wonder why she’d never considered him before. Other women found him attractive, though not usually women he was interested in. Zach had a specific type of woman in mind, and Shana was nearly perfect.

Then as he stood in front of the beautiful Shana, who was more interested in the numbers on her screen than the man in front of her, he remembered why she would never see him.

It wasn’t about looks, nor age. It had nothing to do with his sharp suits nor how many times he was kind to her only to get apathy as payment. It had everything to do with the fact that he was flat broke. A low-level accountant at Carlson and Carlson didn’t make enough money to interest Shana. What was more, every time he spoke to her, he was reminded that, despite her beauty, she was a cold bitch.

Here are the reports, Shana, Zach said as he placed them on her desk. She stared at them then looked up at him. That was the look. The one that said, ‘who are you, and why are you bothering me?’ Then she stared at her expensive looking watch.

I needed those an hour ago, Matt, she barked.

It’s Zach, he corrected.

Whatever, she said and returned her focus to her computer screen.

And you said by noon. It’s eleven thirty. I’m early, he said hopefully. Maybe this would be the day she looked beyond his finances. Surely there was more to Shana than the cold-hearted bitch she portrayed. Perhaps it was her job as head of this department which made her act like this. Zach was willing to give her a chance if she could just look beyond his monetary shortcomings.

Shana pulled her gaze from her screen and gave him another stare. This one wasn’t as harsh, but he still got the impression that she was annoyed by his presence.

Oh. She picked up the reports Zach had placed on her desk. Sorry. Thought these were the Barnes reports.

No. That’s Matt. I’m Zach, remember? he asked.

She flipped through the pages quickly, placed them back on her desk then returned her focus to her computer screen.

Yeah, sorry, she said absentmindedly. As Zach was about to leave, she pulled her attention from her screen, turned her head at an angle, and gave Zach her full attention. Zach Nielson?

Yes, Zach replied. She did know his name. This was the day! Zach stood up straighter, and his smile grew wider.

Alan wants to see you in his office, she said then returned to staring at her screen.

Ok, Zach replied. He could feel his posture sinking as he plodded out the door and headed toward the elevators.

His boss, Alan Carlson, had an office on the top floor. It was only a two story building but, after another depressing conversation with Shana, he just didn’t have the energy to walk up the stairs.

As soon as he hit the button for the second floor, he regretted his decision. It seemed that even the elevator music was taunting him. It was some country song he had heard a million times about a lonely farmer who couldn’t win the girl of his dreams. The end of the song gave Zach yet another punch in the gut. The man ended up broken and alone, with only his dog to keep him company. Zach thought that maybe the universe was trying to tell him something. Perhaps he would end up alone, with a dog, on some farm in the middle of nowhere. That was certainly the way his life was headed…minus the dog and the farm.

When Zach reached the top floor, he got out of the elevator, took a deep breath, and tried to shake off yet another cold shoulder from Shana. Mostly, the employees on this floor were busily working away in their offices as he made his way down the long hall. At the final office, he turned and smiled kindly at Sheri Carlson, Alan’s daughter, and partner. Strangely, Sheri didn’t look him in the eye for more than a second before she averted her gaze.

What was going on? Something gnawed at Zach’s brain. Something deep inside told him that something was very wrong, but he pushed it away. Perhaps it was just his mind playing tricks on him. The conversation with Shana had put him in a bad mood. Sheri wasn’t like Shana. It was probably all in his head.

Sheri wasn’t really his type. She was blonde, way too skinny, and on top of that, she was gay. Sheri wasn’t his type, but she was his friend. Or at least he thought so. He couldn’t count the times Sheri and he had gone out for drinks after work. And now she couldn’t even look at him? Something really strange was happening. As much as he tried to push them down, the nagging feelings grew stronger as he approached Alan’s office.

At the end of the hall, Zach reached his destination. He knocked and, at first, Alan smiled then the smile faded. Alan’s smile vanished as his brow furrowed, then the man’s lips tightened. He waved for Zach to come in, but something about his look and body language was off. Like the whole thing had been rehearsed. Alan looked like a man pretending to be angry, but the fear and guilt he tried to hide were still visible.

Something really weird