Pet Shop of Horrors

Chapter 3: The Count

Suddenly it felt like there was no air left in the room. The eyes -one gold one blue and green and grey lined with black-the lips -thin but full and colored a dark pink-the skin-pale and smooth and perfect-the hair -perfectly coiffed and begging for someone to run their hands through it-the everything-oh there you are, I've been looking for you forever-

"Detective?" The man Blaine had been oogling at asked. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch your name."

Man. Man man man man man man man man man. That's it. You are taking Santana's offer after this case.

"Detective Blaine Anderson, SFPD. The Count is your grandfather then?" Blaine tried to ignore how high his voice came out.

"Yes. He is away on business and asked me to take care of the shop in his absence. Tea, Detective?" Blaine nodded, leaning forward to accept the delicate cup.

Their fingers brushed.

A flash of perfectly manicured nails painted a dark purple digging into his back. He could feel them pierce the skin, blood dribbling out. Strong legs wrapped around his waist , a pale slender neck beneath his lips.

"Detective..."

"Detective? Is the cup too hot?" Kurt asked, a small smirk on his lips.

Blaine blinked,grabbing the cup and sitting further back on the couch. It was just a smirk. He couldn't know what Blaine was thinking. Not that Blaine would think that. It was lack of sleep is all. Not his fault the guy could pass for a chick.

"No. it's fine. Thank you." Blaine took a sip, wrinkling his nose.

"I see. So tell me. What does San Francisco's finest need with my grandfather?" Kurt inquired as he crossed his legs, causing the slit in his -what the hell? Is he wearing a dress?-to reveal...

...slik pants. Blaine let out a sigh.

"Dissapointed, Detective?" His tone was teasing, flirty...and Blaine really needed to get laid.

"Just curious as to why some white guy has a shop in China town."Take that you smug bastard.

" Ah. Well, my grandfather is of Chinese decent. Between him and I there was some Celtic and Greek blood mixed in, and voila! Here I am."

"Right. And do all Chinese-Celtic-Greeks wear dresses and make up and paint their nails?"

"My ensemble is a Cheongsam. It's traditional Chinese attire and I assure you calling it a dress can be considered offensive." Narrowed eyes and clipped tone.

Score one for boys.Blaine couldn't help but think.

"You have yet to tell me why you need to speak with my grandfather and why my fashion choices have anything to do with it."

Blaine blinked.Crap.He had totally forgotten about the murder. He coughed, trying to get back into business mode.

"Right. Yes. How long has the shop been in your care?" Blaine Anderson was a professional after all.

"Well, my grandfather set up the shop since June, and that is when he went out of town, so ...about 7 months now."

"I see. Do you keep track of all your sales?"

"Of course. You have yet to tell me why you are here, Detective."

"A young man by the name of Jesse St. James was found dead in his apartment this morning." Blaine pulled out the file, showing Kurt the pictures. "The body of a very rare, very unknown lizard was found next to him." A gasp met his statement and the owner's hand purple nailed hand flew to his mouth.

"Oh my..."

"Yeah. The first time seeing a dead man is hard-"

"The poor darling. She was on of my favorites you know." By now Kurt had set his tea cup down and picked up the pictures of the dead lizard. "Medusa was her name. Cliche, I know, but so very fitting of her. She was a rare breed of Albino lizard. Her scales were pale ivory and her eyes a blood red. Such a shame he didn't listen to me and stay true the contract."

"Contract?"

"Yes. Every costumer who purchases a pet from here must sign a contract. A simple list of rules on how to take care of their pet. It also states that the shop can not be held liable for whatever happens should they break the contract."

"And what exactly would happen if they do?" If this guy didn't scream creepy criminal, Blaine didn't know what would.

Dark pink lips parted, dark lined eyes squeezed shut as the man below him screamed his name-

"That is something I couldn't tell you. I can, however, give you a copy of the contract for you and your superiors to look over."

"What? Oh yeah. Sure."

"It will be just a moment. Please, help yourself to some more tea." As Kurt got up Blaine willed himself not to look at that ass. Cause, seriously? That ass in silk should be outlawed. Groaning he pulled out his cell phone, dialing Santana's phone.

"Talk to me baby boy."His partner purred into the phone.

"Hey. Any luck with the wife?"

"Not so much. Turns she left back for New York last night after her hubby refused to sign the paper work. I'm on my way to tell the Chief now."

"Well, she has an alibi."

"Seems that way. What's the deal with lizard?"

"Holy crap. This guy is a freak. He is wearing make up and has nails that would make even you jealous. Apparently he makes his costumers sign this contract that prevents the shop from being liable in case anything happens."

"Creepy."

"Yeah. Even if it turns out we can't pin this on him, I swear we can get this guy for something. I've got bad feeling about him."

"You have always been good with instinct. If you say he's bad, he's bad."

"Thanks Tana. Hey, would you still be up for a little somethin somethin tonight?"

"Oh. So now I am good enough for the great Anderson?"

"Turns out it's been longer then I thought. I'll throw in a fancy dinner and turn the woo on. Show you how a lady should be treated."

"Wow. You do need it. Your lucky I like you. I'm in."

"Cool. I'll see you tonight."

"Bring your handcuffs."And with that she hung up. Blaine let out a laugh.

"Your wife, Detective?"

Blaine glanced up, finally noticing the shop's owner sitting across from him, the said contract on the table and a fresh pot of tea.

"Oh...no. My partner. How uh...how long have you been there?"

"An office romance then. How very...nice." Kurt avoided the second half of his question, choosing instead to refill Blaine's empty tea cup and placing a small raspberry tart on a plate, handing both over.

"I suggest you get comfortable, Detective Anderson. Now you can take the contract and I can write you a statement about Mr. St. James, however, for you to really understand what happened you need to know the story from the start."

Blaine nodded and accepted the treats, leaning back.

"So tell me."

Kurt nodded, picking up his own cup.

"Jesse St. James has been a costumer of this shop since we opened. He would come in almost once a week to buy a new companion. Jesse was...a very lonely soul. That's what my shop specializes in, you see."

"So...you sell people animal's to make them feel better themselves."

"I sell desire, Detective. What ever the soul who comes in my shop needs and wants. Generally, it is a companion. Someone to love them."

"Someone? Well, sorry Count, but that's not why I am here."

The said Count smiled.

"Isn't it though? You desire the truth. And here you are. Unless, of course, you are not even sure what it is you truly desire."

Their eyes met.

Skin meets skin. Porcelain on tanned. Sweat and sex filled the air.

"Your story, Count? I have a murder to solve."

"Yes, of course. The story you want begins about three months ago, when Mrs. St. James first filed for divorce..."