Chapter 3

"Crap, this is too hot!" Vincent McDaniels hissed at his personal assistant, Holly Baker. She was standing in front of him, a thin brunette wearing an oversized white shirt with a blue and white polka dot skirt. Vincent threw the Styrofoam cup at her feet, causing her to jump back and gasp as the hot liquid splashed and scalded her bare ankles.

"Well it's your own fault. Imagine how it felt in my mouth," Vincent stared at Holly who appeared shocked. "Well? What are you waiting for? Clean this up!" Holly looked up at Vincent and quickly nodded. As she left, Vincent grimaced. He usually enjoyed berating his personal assistant. Seeing her squirm was one of his daily rituals. She had the personality of a doormat, which was the only reason Vincent had hired her.

He walked over to the craft services table and grabbed a pig-in-a-blanket. The morning was not going well for him. He looked around at the set and glared. Vincent had won awards for his writing in the past, but his books had never been considered for film. This should have been a happy time for him, but it wasn't.

Vincent thought of his number one worry: Eva Lewis. She had purposely come to the press conference to humiliate him. He was appalled that she had the gall to bring up Christopher and Beatrice, two of his deceased children.

"Hi Mr. McDaniels," a young but sultry voice floated over to him. Vincent turned to see Lauren Bolgers smiling at him. He smiled back, inwardly laughing. He had purposely recommended the flighty actress known for her scandalous personal life to play Eva Lewis in the film. He was delightedly surprised when the casting director agreed she would be able to pull off the role.

"What are you doing here Lauren?" Vincent asked.

"We're still waiting on Luke. He's running late and the director is pissed."

"Luke's not here yet?" Vincent was surprised because Luke Dennings was usually on time. He had a small part in the film as he played Jacob Torres. Still, Luke being late meant the film would yet again be delayed, at least for the day. "Have they called him?"

Lauren grabbed a banana from the craft table, "Yes, they called him and one of the assistants is going to the motel he's staying at right now."

Vincent nodded as Lauren left after being called by make-up.

"Mr. McDaniels?" Holly had come back with a towel in her hands, "I cleaned up the coffee. Did you need anything else, sir?"

"What do you think I need?"

She looked at him blankly, causing Vincent to sigh, "Coffee Holly. I need a new cup of coffee. This time, don't make it too hot!"

Holly flinched at his tone and practically bowed murmuring, "Yes sir. Not too hot. I got it sir."

Vincent wanted to find the director. He wanted to know if anyone had heard from Luke Dennings. When he found the director, Vincent noticed he was standing by the one and only, Eva Lewis. She was smiling and taking notes as she gazed upon the cameras in awe.

"This is really exciting. I can see why everyone wants to be a part of show business," Eva told the director who laughed and spouted something about it involving a lot of hard work.

"Ms. Lewis, what brings you here today?" Vincent asked, interrupting their conversation. The director seemed surprised, "Oh Vincent, I didn't know you were going to be on set today. You know Eva Lewis? She's here to do a story on our movie."

Eva smiled at Vincent, "Oh Vincent and I go way back."

"She wants to play nice and innocent? Two can play that game," Vincent thought. He followed up on Eva's comment, saying, "Yes. She's the mother of my grandchild."

It was only for a moment, but he could've sworn her eyes narrowed in anger at his statement. The director laughed, "Right. I forget about that sometimes. Well, I'm going to check and see if the cast is here yet. You two catch up."

Left alone, the two stared at one another. Vincent decided to break the ice and speak first, "Why do I get the feeling that you're stalking me?"

"Because you're a vain man, Vincent McDaniels," Eva didn't hesitate in her response, causing Vincent to laugh.

"My, oh my...have you changed Eva. I can't say I don't like it. I still remember you in my house in the woods, scared witless that I was going to kill you."

Eva shrugged, "That was then."

"And now you're different?"

"A lot has happened since the first time we met Vincent."

"That's right, you gave birth to my grandson that you won't let me see," Vincent watched Eva's face but if she felt uncomfortable with his statement, she hid it well.

"He's not your grandson Vincent. He will never have a relationship with you. I won't allow it."

Vincent laughed bitterly, "You won't allow it? Who's the vain one now?"

"I'm not vain. I plan to protect my son from you."

"Such brave words from such a small woman."

"You'd be surprised how strong I am Vincent. After all, I did survive two of your protégées."

"My protégées?"

Eva nodded, "Yeah. You see I've been thinking. Since the beginning...I called David the Demon King. The thing is, no matter how evil his actions were...David wasn't the true Demon King. He learned how to be heartless from someone."

"And that someone was me?" Vincent asked.

"Can you think of anyone else? After all you also raised Tom, a man that supposedly killed his sister. I'm not sure I believe that anymore either. For all I know perhaps you killed her yourself."

Vincent stopped himself from striking her, "How dare you say that!" He was speaking in hushed angry tones to keep from attracting attention.

Eva smirked, "Too scared of the truth coming out?"

"This time last year, you weren't a blip on anyone's radar. Now that you're a household name in this area...don't you think you're acting a bit too arrogant?"

Eva threw her head back and laughed, "Arrogant? Maybe you're right but what are you going to do about it Vincent?"

Vincent took a step forward, "Don't tempt me..."

"And don't threaten me," Eva countered to his unfinished statement, "Haven't you realized it yet, Vincent?"

"Realized what?"

"That I finally have the power?"

Vincent was confused, "Power?"

Eva nodded, "The power to take you down."

Now it was Vincent's turn to laugh, "And what kind of power do you have exactly?"

Eva held up a pen she had been carrying to take notes with, "The power of the written word Vincent. You said it yourself. I'm a household name now. People actually listen to what I have to write. I can finally let people know what a monster you really are."

Vincent looked uncomfortable, "I'm not a monster Eva and you have no proof to prove that I've done anything wrong. Making up stories to discredit me will get you nowhere."

"Really? You'd be surprised if you found out all the dirt I was able to collect on you Vincent McDaniels. Your own son, Jacob, has told me an interesting story about how he was conceived."

Vincent paled, "If you print a word of that I'll sue you for libel."

"Go ahead sue me...but it'll only hurt you in the end. You could win in a courthouse but I'd win in the court of public opinion. Poor Eva Lewis, the victim of an abduction and a single mother is being sued by a rich author who has murderers for sons. Who do you think the public will side with?"

She was right. Vincent had a rocky past filled with alcoholism, drug use, womanizing, and frequent stays at rehabilitation centers. Eva Lewis was a paragon of virtue compared to him. Vincent shook his head in dismay, "You've changed a lot Eva."

"Losing something does that to you."

"Your cousin?" Vincent was referring to Joelynn Lewis, Eva's cousin. Joelynn had died trying to save Eva from one of the Demon King's rabid fans.

"No, my fear. I'm not afraid anymore. Not of you or any other boogey man that comes out of the woodwork because of the Demon King. Been there done that."

Vincent had to admit that he admired this stronger version of Eva. If she wanted to go toe-to-toe with him, he was game. "I'm interested in seeing how much power you claim to have Eva. However, I should remind you, that I play dirty." He walked away, leaving her with her pen, a pad, and a new resolution: to prove that Vincent McDaniels was a bad man.

Meanwhile

Holly, Vincent's personal assistant, was standing in a corner, trying to stay hidden. She was holding a hot cup of coffee in one hand and its lid in her other hand. She was blowing on the coffee to cool it off. She wanted to stay hidden so Vincent wouldn't yell at her for something else. If he saw her blowing on his coffee, he'd probably claim she was spitting in it. She could hear the din around her from the crew members and actors.

"I told you this is some kind of joke. Luke is always playing around!" Ian Crawford, the actor playing the Demon King, wasn't paying attention as he talked on his phone.

He didn't notice Holly until he accidentally bumped into her, causing her to spill hot coffee across the front of her shirt, "Owwww."

Ian quickly disconnected his call and looked at Holly, "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

Holly's eyes were watering in pain. She was about to respond when they were joined by Lauren.

"Watch where you're going. You wouldn't want me to tell your boss, would you?" Lauren sneered at Holly.

Ian rolled his eyes, "Lauren it was my fault. Are you okay?"

Holly looked at Lauren and then Ian, "I'm fine. I'm sorry...I shouldn't have been standing there."

"That's right," Lauren laughed, "It's all your fault."

Ian sighed, "Lauren, get lost."

"What?"

"You're being mean for no reason so get lost."

"I'm helping you."

"Did I ask for your help?"

"Is this why you made me leave last night after Luke showed up?"

"What are you talking about?" Ian asked.

"You told me to leave as soon as Luke left. Was it to meet up with her?" Lauren pointed to Holly, who was still standing in front of them soaked in coffee.

Ian laughed, "What's the matter with you? I had things to do. Aren't you supposed to be in wardrobe right now?"

Lauren wanted to stay and argue but Ian was right. She was supposed to be getting changed.

"Fine...but this isn't over," she said giving Holly a look of disdain.

Holly sighed in frustration. She really didn't need an enemy. Having to deal with Vincent's demands was enough to keep her hands full.

"I've seen you around with Mr. McDaniels. You're his assistant, right?" Ian asked her.

Holly nodded, "I'm sorry but I have to find something to change into."

Ian smiled, "I have an extra sweatshirt you can borrow. It's in my trailer."

Ten minutes later, Holly was wearing a sweatshirt that said, "Don't hate the playa, hate the game."

"Ummm...thanks," Holly mumbled, "I'll be sure to dry clean it and return it."

Ian smiled, "Don't worry about it. You can keep it."

"I can't do that!"

"Sure you can. Besides it looks cute on you."

~Woods outside of town~

"C'mon Billy...I see some birds over there," John whispered to his brother. They were both hunting without a license.

"Those aren't birds those are vultures," Billy looked up and saw two large birds circling in the sky.

"Let's go check it out," John whispered running towards where the vultures were at. "I don't see anything."

"Ummm....John," Billy mumbled.

"What is it?" John was still looking around for a dead animal.

"John..." Billy croaked.

John looked at Billy who appeared as if he was going to scream at any moment. He followed Billy's gaze and his shrieked. Above them, hanging from a large tree branch, arms spread out, was a dead body. The victim's face had been mangled.

~FBI Headquarters~

Special Agent Sally Roux walked into her office and saw a pile of mail on her desk. Trepidation filled her when she saw a small brown package on top. She slowly opened it.

"Hey Roux, guess what?"

Sally looked up at her partner Donald Ferguson, standing in her office doorway. She sighed and answered, "There's another dead body?"

"How did you know? I'll meet you outside in five," he walked away leaving Sally standing at her desk. In the package was another blue box with a small vial of blood. Another note was on top, its message short and clear.

There's more where this came from.