The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) (59 page)

“Oh, a little more than that I think.” James shook his head. “He had seen you before and he remembered you.”

Jason paused with a forkful of the creamy shrimp and tomato pasta halfway to his mouth. “Seen and—remembered— me…? Where?”

“You had been to New Orleans once before, correct?”

Jason had to lay his fork down. “A long time ago. On a high school trip. My class was there for two days.” He paused to reflect on that. “And I’m pretty sure I never met Mr. Augere then.”

“No. You didn’t. But he saw you, somewhere, while you were in New Orleans and he took note of you. Apparently he saw qualities in you he looks for in an assistant. You were too young then and your life was set on a different path. So that was the end of that.

“But then when you returned to New Orleans, he saw you again and he remembered you. And your circumstances had changed then.

“He learned you were in a transition in your life. He was able to find out you had lived in Boston. You went to school there and were apparently fond of the area. He took a chance a job offer there would be attractive to you. He invested in both you and the house.”

Jason was completely stunned to hear this. But how could Augere possibly have known all that? And he had almost turned Augere down. Of course he hadn’t known about any of this; he had been ready to casually dismiss him.

“You are probably wondering how he could have known all that.” Genier nodded. “He has an intuitive sense about things that is uncanny. Maybe it is part of his vampire ability; I don’t know but I think it could be. He said he has always ‘known’ things though, about other people and various situations, ever since he was a child. Perhaps this has been further enhanced by his vampire nature. His ability can apply to everyone, it seems, except himself. He is his own blind spot.”

“Do you think he can read our minds?”

“There have been times when I would have confidently bet money on it. He has always denied it, even when it seemed there could be no other explanation. But then there are times when he seems as genuinely surprised at things as the rest of us are.”

James reflected for a moment. “He is something of a medical intuitive—sometimes just by looking at people he can tell things about their health or problems they are having. He is often quite accurate too. He has a medical background—did you know?—”

Jason shook his head.

“—as well as having been in the military. His innate human qualities must have been quite useful. Of course, I’m sure all of those qualities are further enhanced by his vampire abilities; and all of his senses too…” James’ voice trailed off and he took a bite of jambalaya.

“I think…I may have heard something about that, but I can’t recall where…”

“I think I might have let it slip when you were ill. About the medical background. He was giving me a really hard time, saying he could not take care of you and that I needed to do something. When I reminded him he was quite capable of tending to you, since he had triaged wounded soldiers on the battlefield, he got really angry with me—”

Jason recalled the incident. “Yes! I think I might have witnessed that. It could have been when he threw the phone down after speaking rapidly in French…”

James nodded and laughed.

“There is so much I just don’t know.”
And so much that I might never have had the chance to know. “
All that time I spent with him and I never even realized—”

“He will tell you things. Probably not all of it. But he will share personal details with those with whom he has built up some trust.” James paused. “Things that will astound you.” He paused again. “Always try to be truthful with him. Sometimes he will ask a question he already knows the answer to as if to catch one of us in a lie. If he catches you in a small lie, he may suspect a bigger one. He never really trusts any of us. Even after all this time.”

Jason nodded. “I appreciate any advice you can give me. I feel like I am right back at the beginning.”

“You will do fine, Jason. Just remember the things I’ve said. And if you ever have occasion to call him by his first name, he will completely ignore you if you do not use the French pronunciation. He gets very upset when he loses things; material things matter to him all out of proportion, as I think you might have learned recently. I believe it is because he has learned to attach to things and not to people. There may be some obvious reasons for that.”

Dinner was over and coffee and dessert had been ordered.
This has been not only one of the best meals of my life, it has also certainly been the most interesting dinner conversation I’m ever likely to have
.

Jason took a bite of the decadently good crème brulee and paused. It was heavenly and now he was actually starting to get full.

“Is it not to your liking?” Genier asked with concern.

The same kind of expression Augere would use. Jason smiled. “It is very good actually; I am just finally feeling satisfied. I was starved coming in here and I ate too much.” He reflected for a few moments, letting another bite of the luscious crème brulee linger on his tongue.

“How does his house in New Orleans compare with the one in Boston?” Jason asked, suddenly curious about Augere’s other life.

“Well, I can’t say, since I have seen neither.”

“You’ve never been inside his house?”

“He won’t even tell us where he lives. He maintains a post office box address. I know he must have owned his house here for a very long time. It might not even be in his name. That is how closely he guards his privacy. It is his sanctuary and his safe place. I can’t blame him. What we don’t know, we can’t reveal or intrude upon. I don’t know how he manages taxes, assessments, repairs and maintenance—he insists he loathes those mundane details. But somehow he does it. But I understand the need for such secrecy. He has to be careful. People have tried to take advantage before.”

How exactly?
Jason wondered. “It seems he has been open about the house in Boston—or am I wrong?”

“The house in Boston is considered ‘temporary’ even if he lives there for forty years. It is not his ‘real’ home to him.”

Jason shook his head. “I still find it hard to believe this secret has been kept—for how long? How is it even possible?”

“For many generations.” James nodded. He reflected for a few moments. “And by carefully selecting and limiting exactly who knows the truth.”

“But to be able to keep it secret from the world…I’m still finding that hard to believe.”

“Ours is a big, but tightly knit family. All of us grow up with a strong respect for our family’s integrity. And a desire to preserve it. As the children grow up they are protected from the truth and many adults remain unaware also. If someone elects to become part of the actual business, they must pass a probationary period where they are slowly exposed to and entrusted with the secret. The penalties for going against the family, and Augere, are severe. On occasion there will be the faulty character, or the reckless judgment; these are dealt with very harshly. We are protecting our own interests as well as Augere’s. We have no tolerance for those who cannot or will not adhere to this. It is one way we maintain the secret.

“The thing to remember is this: what happened to make him this way was not his fault. He manages with this condition the best he can. When we as a family entered into this agreement with him, we knew there would be big challenges. But we have big shoulders. My ancestors were up to the task and so am I and the present generation. We don’t judge or condemn him for what he is. He can be rather high maintenance at times. But he has had to bear so much of this alone. He really has no one, except us, to unburden himself to. I mean to do what it takes to protect that trust.”

“Although—he doesn’t really trust any of us.”

James nodded with a small smile.

“Yet he prefers to live among us, so he won’t be alone?”

“He would prefer to be let alone and sit in dark rooms all day, coming out when he absolutely has to so he can meet his basic needs. He has secluded himself for up to a decade at a time. Having an assistant was largely our idea. We slowly got him to accept it. It helps to keep him engaged, involved in the world, and lets us know what he is up to. He is not always happy with that.

“He doesn’t really enjoy being around us. Besides the trust issues he has said we make him feel uncomfortable most of the time. Our voices are too loud, for one thing, and he said it feels like we are always shouting at him.

“I think he really just wants to be able to be himself, and to be accepted for what he is. We recognize he is not all good but then he is not all bad either.” James paused and sipped his coffee with a thoughtful expression. “I find there is something very endearing about him. I hope you might find something of the same yourself, Jason. I once said to him: ‘I bet you were quite something, even before all this happened to you.’ And he seriously replied ‘Yes. I was.’” James laughed. “He can be quite charming at times. He endlessly surprises, amazes and confounds me.”

Jason smiled. “It sounds like you are very fond of him.”

“I am.” James nodded, with a downward glance. “Though he totally exasperates me often. He once hung around our office all day to ‘see what you do around here.’ He managed to break several pieces of expensive equipment, by playing with them, trying to see how they worked.” He shook his head. “It was a very expensive afternoon. Then at the end of the day he came and hugged me, nearly cracking some ribs, and thanked me for letting him feel what it was like ‘to be a normal person for a while.’ He has made me tear up sometimes, with some of the things he has said to me.” James had a faraway look for a moment. “He comes around and flirts with my assistant, until she becomes so flustered she is useless to get any work done.” He sighed. “And yes I really am very fond of him.” He looked up at Jason then. “And thank you for taking him off of my hands for a while.” He smiled and Jason laughed.

They were finishing their coffee.

“Well, now I guess it is time to get back to business. Now that you fully know and acknowledge the truth, we have to go over the new confidentiality agreement.”

Jason nodded. “Is it just like the one I signed before? Oh, and uhm, what about my resignation papers?”

“The one you already signed will remain in effect. This one is a little different. You can fax us the signed/rescinded resignation papers; I have your re-instatement papers with me.

“This agreement stipulates that you can tell no one the truth about him, or reveal any information that could lead others to learn the truth. Absolutely, no one: no friend, family, clergy, attorney, lover; no social media of any kind, can possess this information. We encourage you not to keep any kind of journal, online or in tangible, physical form. To do so could put yourself in extreme danger. Mr. Augere demands absolute loyalty. What you will be asked to sign is more of a psychological inducement that is intended to emphasize your commitment to this agreement; it is an acknowledgement that you understand what you have agreed to and that you accept the terms of your employment and post-employment. It specifically prohibits you or anyone acting on direction or cooperation from you from writing a book about him. He further prefers and requests that you possess no photographs of him. This agreement will stand in effect with the previous agreement with the further addendum that you understand and accept that we reserve the right to take whatever action we deem necessary against you, and that neither you nor your family, survivors, etc. may seek or claim any compensation for any actions taken against you. You are expected to be fully accountable for your own actions, or anyone acting on your behalf.” James looked up at Jason. “Any questions?”

Genier had suddenly become a coldly professional attorney. Well, that was expected. The subject at hand was clearly a very serious one and meant to be taken as such.

“Merely an academic one, because I can and will agree to it. But, just to be clear, what I am signing basically gives you, well, him, the right to kill me? Is that true?”

James inclined his head slightly. “Though it could never be enforced in a court of law, of course, yes, technically, that is correct. Mr. Augere has his own court, so to speak.”

“So, if I were to leave, say five or maybe ten years from now, all of these agreements would still be in effect?”

“Yes, of course. Until your death. If you betray him, at any time, from this day on, he will deal with you at his discretion. And anyone else who knows about him through, especially, but not limited to your personal actions, will share that fate.”

“So, stay or go, the risk is the same.”

“Basically, yes.”

Jason paused. Genier observed his thoughtfully somber expression.

“It is the same agreement every assistant has had to sign, once they have realized the truth, and subsequently left,” James added.

“Suppose—hypothetically, someone were to find out, inadvertently—then what?”

“Has that already happened?” A tone of alarm colored Genier’s voice.

“No. But, what if, in spite of my efforts, someone was able to figure it out? Through no fault of mine?”

“You would let us know about the situation immediately and discreetly. In the meantime you would do everything you could to convince the person they were wrong. That the idea is ridiculous and impossible. And make sure it never gets brought up again. We will take it from there. I know this is a very heavy conversation, but this must be taken very seriously, Jason. I should mention he has not had to enforce these sanctions on anyone in a very long time.”

Jason nodded. He stated he was ready to sign. Well, as ready as anyone would ever be.

“Normally, we require a witness. I will ask one of the staff I know here to merely witness the signatures and your identity.” Jason nodded. Genier summoned the waiter who delivered the message to the designated employee.

“I’m glad I had a chance to sit down and talk with you,” Jason stated. “It has been very helpful to learn all that you told me. I’m actually a little nervous about seeing him again. But I’m looking forward to getting back to Boston, back to work and, well, back to abnormal.”