The Human Factor

Everyone knows vampires are monsters, right? As humans, we need to be protected from them and we need to keep to our own kind.

But what happens when the humans are scarier than the monsters or when we find out those monsters are irresistible? The battle for balance between the human and vampire world has many elements, but the human factor is key in maintaining order.

Here are some of the different roles that the mortals play as part of the human factor.

  • The Law Enforcement Types
    • The FBI
    • I’m sure FBI Agent Diana Reyes didn’t expect that monsters would become part of her regular world or that she’d be sharing her life with one. As an FBI Agent who specializes in using her psychology degree to profile criminals, chasing after vampires wasn’t on the list.

      Here’s a list of the things over which FBI Agents like Diana have jurisdiction:

      • Counterterrorism
        Counterintelligence
        Cyber
        Public Corruption
        Civil Rights
        Organized Crime
        White Collar Crime
        Major Thefts/Violent Crimes
        – Art Theft
        – Crimes Against Children
        – Violent Gangs
        – Indian Country Crime
        – Jewelry and Gem Program

      For more information on what FBI Agents can do and the FBI Mission, you can visit www.FBI.gov.

    • The NYPD

      Peter Daly is a Homocide Detective in the New York City Police Department. Like Diana, the last thing Peter expected to be dealing with was vampries, but that’s just what happened in TEMPTATION CALLS when Peter went to investigate a drive-by shooting at the Artemis Shelter in Spanish Harlem.

      With a city the size of New York, the New York City Police Department has massive duties and responsibilities. When you consider the crime rates in New York City and how safe you are in most parts of the city, it’s a testament to the hard work that the NYPD does to maintain order.

      Because of its size, the NYPD is fully capable of investigating most crimes, including those that the FBI would normally investigate. However, the NYPD would bring in the FBI to assist in some kinds of crimes, such as the serial killer case in DARKNESS CALLS which introduced Peter Daly to Diana Reyes and David Harris.

      For more information on the NYPD and all its various departments, you can visit the NYPD Site to get an idea of all the different bureaus that exist.

  • The Scientists and Techies
  • “She blinded me with science.” Science and Technology. The two combined have made so much more possible in today’s world and in the world of THE CALLING. Investigating serial killers. Tracking missing people and vampires. Researching the reasons why vampires have eternal life and such amazing powers. Science and technology make that all possible and here’s some of the human scientists and techies you’ll meet in THE CALLING Vampire series.

    • Forensic Specialists

      What with the popularity of CSI and similar shows relating to forensics, people are much more knowledgeable about the roles that these people play. The FBI has an entire laboratory which assists field agents with forensic investigations. For more information on the lab, please click here.

      In THE CALLING, additional forensic assistance is provided to FBI Agents Diana Reyes and David Harris by Maggie Gonzalez. Maggie is a physician and forensic specialist located at the Manhattan offices.

      Additional forensic support is given by the Crime Scene Unit (or CSU) which supports NYPD Detective Peter Daly in his various investigations. The CSU is part of the NYC Medical Examiner’s office.

    • Physicians and Nurses

      Melissa Danvers is Ryder’s keeper, but she is also an accomplished doctor specializing in hematology. Melissa works at a hospital located on New York’s East Side in the lower sixties. Her specialty came about as a result of her father’s influence. William Danvers, Melissa’s father, was also a hematologist and Chief Resident at the same hospital.

      What is hematology? It’s the study of blood of course and William Danvers’ specialty was chosen not just because of the Danvers legacy of being Ryder’s keeper, but because of his wife’s illness. Melissa’s general skills as a doctor prove handy over and over again in the various THE CALLING novels. But her specialty will prove even handier in future novels as Melissa tries to discover what is happening to Diana Reyes as a result of the events at the end of DEATH CALLS.

      At Melissa’s side will be Sara Martinez, a nurse on her ward at the hospital and a woman who has become one of her best friends.

    • Tech Gurus

      Computer expert extraordinaire Sebastian Reyes has skills as a hacker and programmer. Using those skills in combination with modern technology like GPS chips in car navigation systems and cell phones, Sebastian has helped Diana and Ryder time and time again in a number of books in THE CALLING. Technology will play a major role in a future novel in THE CALLING as a serial killer will use technology to find his victims. /li>

  • The Villians
    • Serial Killers

      In DARKNESS CALLS, Diana Reyes is investigating a serial killer. As a profiler, this is something Diana may do often and plans are in place for Diana to be involved in another serial killer case in a future novel. For more information on serial killers, check out these documents released by the FBI under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act.

    • Murderers

      Murder is usually investigated by the police force where the murder occurred. In larger cities, the police force may have a Homicide Division to deal with murders. Likewise in a large city, murders involving sexual assault may be handled by a different bureau. In DANGER CALLS, Melissa Danvers realizes that the death of her parents was not an accident and together with Diana, Ryder and Sebastian, undertakes to find out who was responsible for their murders.

    • Terrorists

      When a friend’s murder leads to a possible terrorist plot in DEATH CALLS, Diana Reyes seeks approval from her boss to help investigate. Normally, however, the FBI has special counterterrorism units. For more information on this unit, please click here.

    • Kidnappers

      In DANGER CALLS, Melissa Danvers is kidnapped by the murderer of her parents. In TEMPTATION CALLS, vampires are going missing and Peter Daly steps in to help Samantha Turner find her missing friends.

      Normally, kidnappings are handled by a number of different agencies. The FBI has jurisdiction over child kidnapping cases and kidnappings involving ransom requests.