“It’s an old song.”
“Aside from that.”
“I’m afraid not. Are you sure, whatever, it is that’s its real name?”
“You’re right. Blue Heaven does sound a little carefree for an extra-dimensional power spot.”
“I’ll look into it if you’d like.”
“Thanks.”
He picks a couple of grapes off the stem, sets them on his plate, but doesn’t eat them.
He says, “I wanted to ask you a favor.”
“I’ve got plenty of everything. What do you need?”
“I reacted badly when you showed me your hand last night. I was wondering if you’d show it to me again.”
“Sure.”
I take off the glove and roll up my sleeve. I sit beside him on the sofa so he can get a good look.
“It’s just an arm, you know. Kind of an ugly one but it’s still just an arm.”
“How did you lose your real one?”
“In a fight. I used to be a gladiator but I’m a little out of practice. The Hellion I was fighting took it off in one clean shot.”
“My God.”
“I killed him, so the story has a happy ending.”
“I’m glad for you.”
He drops his grapes into an ashtray and sits on the sofa looking shaken.
“Listen, man, I keep telling you that I’m not sure the excommunication thing matters anymore. When I say I have an in with God, I’m not kidding. I know the guy and at least one part of Him likes me.”
“What do you mean one part?”
“Didn’t I tell you? God had a nervous breakdown and split into five little Gods. But like I said, I’m pretty well acquainted with one of them.”
“You are?”
He shakes his head. Holds up his hands and drops them into his lap.
“If any of this is supposed to comfort me, I’m afraid it’s not working.”
I go to the buffet and get the Aqua Regia bottle and two glasses.
“Ask me whatever’s on your mind.”
He takes a breath.
“Let’s say that I really am going to Hell with no hope of salvation. You said you could help me. That means you know someone in power? I guess what I mean is . . . have you ever seen Lucifer and does he hate the clergy as much as I’ve heard he does?”
I set the bottle and glasses on the table between us.