“The circle is now complete. A few things remain to be done, and then I can…rest.” His voice was deep and soothing; reassuring – almost hypnotic. “How is my Elias? Is she happy in the life I’ve designed for her?”

Goodbye, my friend.

They all huddled together looking at the note and photograph. “I thought he was dead!! You told me he was dead!” Eli was shaking.

“Eli, the research showed him as having died in the attack and subsequent destruction of his estate. His body was found burned to ashes. In exhaustively reading between the lines, I found nothing further that could possibly be described as vampire activity occurring in the area after his death – only before it.” Papa examined the signature more closely. “Let me get my original notebooks. I think I may have the answer.” He headed for the stairs.