The Cover Age, Chapter 6

Clive was dead instantly.

“Wow,” I said. “Not exactly subtle.”

“Well, he was a vampire,” Oliver said. “And he didn’t even know it.”

“According to what you told me,” I said, “not just any vampire.”

“No,” Oliver said. “No he was not.”

“Still, this was a stupid plan, Oliver,” I said. “Even during a lockdown. This is still out in the open. I’m surprised it hasn’t already caused a scene.”

“He was invisible the whole time, Fox,” Oliver said. “You could see him only because he wanted you to. He might not even have known he was doing it. He told you he had a family, that he had a kid? And you took him at his word?”

“I had no reason to doubt him,” I said.

“This is the real problem,” Oliver said.

“Vampires,” I said. “Not the pandemic. Despite all the media coverage. Vampires. Even with a body in front of me, this sounds like a stupid conspiracy, Oliver.”

“We need to get going,” Oliver said.

“And do what with the body?” I asked.

“It’ll take care of itself,” Oliver said. “It’ll...disintegrate. As if it were never there.”

“An invisible body will disappear,” I said.

“Yes,” Oliver said.

“This is exactly why we broke up, Oliver,” I said.

“I seem to recall other details,” Oliver said.

“Oliver,” I said. “Shut up.”