Clue 1

Midday Max had nothing better to do. Since Corinne decided to carry out the investigation alone, Until she finds something useful or something she couldn't handle alone, Max won't be hearing from her. Max strongly suggested taking him with her, but, alas! Desert Wolf is a stubborn woman.

Be that as it may, Max decided to try his luck. He spent morning half of the day driving around trying to feel if his Sire Bond shows any reaction. Naturally, Max couldn't cover the whole of Portland, he didn't intend to either. it's just he had nothing better to do.

After eating some fast food, it was time to call a certain brunette. Smiling unconsciously Max dialled her number. However, instead of forwarding, call disconnected and Max received a call.

"Hi, cutie pie did you miss me?"

Looks like Lydia also had the same idea as Max, right on the time.

"Yeah! Why didn't you call me? Looks like you forgot me" Lydia said slightly angry tone.

"Haha, babe, don't be like that, listen to me..."

Max couldn't say he was just about to call and before that, she called him, first. That sounded like an obvious lie, even he felt like it was a lie. So to divert Lydia's attention, Max forcefully narrated the whole incident with Desert Wolf. Although he kept the history part for later, he told her about Vampire Hunters and his plan to use Ron as scrap goat.

Lydia has genius level IQ, Max hoped she might think something he couldn't. Besides he didn't see any reason for hiding anything from her at all.

After hearing the whole story she didn't respond as he hoped. She had her own story to tell.

"Hoo! Gerard ask for me huh? Did he said anything else?" Max became a bit angry. Gerard obviously threatening him using Lydia. Just like he did with Scott outside the hospital, using Scott's mother. This guy really knows how to play with peoples emotions. But Max had to finish matter at hand, meantime, he hoped Gerard wouldn't do anything stupid involving Lydia.

"Now-now don't be angry! That's not the reason why I called you, I feel like Gerard is going to die soon"

When Lydia said that Max raised his brows. Banshees predict deaths, they are extremely close to natural forces. Since Gerard suffering from cancer, predicting his death isn't a surprising thing. But Lydia hasn't developed her powers yet, Scott only able to smell it when Gerard stabbed him. To feel Gerard's impending death just like that Lydia's ability is really interesting.

"Don't worry babe, give me a few more days, I will come back as soon as possible. As for Gerard's death let it be, we will see what happen"

Max assured Lydia and talked with her while more. After their conversation ended Max roamed around for bit more.

Time slowly passed, about 6 pm Max decide to head back to the hotel. He stayed on the Portland central park for almost 2 hours. While relaxing He thought about everything and what going to happen. While he, at it, Max come up with two probabilities about Ron. Either he is hiding somewhere safe Or he already left here with his Vampires.

This is just assumptions, Max couldn't tell for sure, Corinne the one doing the investigation. until she confirms, anything can happen.

Just as Max about to start the car, he received a call he was hoping for.

"Hey! Kid, where are you?" Max heard Corinne's voice somewhat anxious.

"I'm at central park, what's going on? Did you find something?" Disregarding Desert Wolf calling him as Kid, Max focused on her worry.

"I think so, come to Harly Bar in the north side, I will be there, come fast"

"Alright I will be there in five"

**********

Max couldn't keep his promise, it took him more than 15 minutes to reach Harly Bar, Corinne was at. Arriving inside the bar, Max saw it was a lively place with mostly males hanging around. Quickly, he spotted a beautiful woman sitting corner of the bar alone, all by herself.

"So why this place? What have you got?" Max sat across her asking curiously.

It was obviously Corinne who slowly slipping down a drink.

"Want some?" Corinne offered alcohol.

Max didn't like to drink alcohol. Although he wasn't against it, didn't agree to it either. Besides he considers as a minor.

"Pass"

Corinne glance at him strangely and gestured telling him to come closer. After Max lean closer, Desert Wolf start whisper slowly.

"See that bartender? Don't turn immediately, do it slowly"

Max followed her instruction and turn over slowly trying to catch sight of the bartender. There were two bartends, one male and one female. Immediately, his attention was caught by her slightly swollen and pale face.

"What exactly am I looking? She involves in Some bar fight?" Max asked confused, unable to understand what Corinne trying to show him.

"That's not it, looked at her neck, see something familiar?" The woman whispered again.

Soon as Max sent his gaze toward female bartender's pale neck, he understood everything. There were two even size marks on her smooth neck. Max didn't need to look any closer, he was all too familiar with these marks. Susan, his real state lady had similar marks when he drank blood from her. Not to mention those headless corpses had same kinda half markings. A wound caused by Vampire to drink blood on normal human never heals.

"Exactly! so you recognized, now the problem is why isn't she saying anything? And who did it?"

Seeing the enlightened face of Max, Corinne said leaning back on her chair. She had to track those headless guys gang activities and police reports about the places those guys died. Although assassinations are easier than this line of jobs, she was proud of herself.

Max frowned silently for a moment and start to speak "How should we proceed? I think whoever it is, they must be holding something against her, if not she wouldn't stay silently enduring bloodsucking horror"

"Maybe you are right, let's wait until her shift is over. I will figure something out" Corinne said ordering some more drinks.

Max, on the other hand, thinking about compelling bartender. That will make things much easier, however, he must avoid Corrine if he going to do it. Of course, he could compel Corinne too, but maybe, just maybe, by one in million chances Van Helsing was to notice it, things might become complicated.

For the next few hours, Max stayed silent thinking easy way to extract information out from bartender. Max knew it won't be an easy task to break this girl, in a normal way, who has something to protect. If she doesn't have anything to lose, she wouldn't stay silent while Vampires feeding on her. Max was a hundred percent sure she isn't compelled, her eyes are sad, but haven't lost the focus.