“We’ll see how long they can keep it.”
I say, “Did you find anything else out about Moseley?”
He shakes his head, still looking at the screen.
“Nothing except that he kind of dropped off the face of the earth a few months ago. No employment records. No bills or utilities. Nada.”
“Thanks. Oh yeah. Mike says he has another idea on how to fix you up.”
That gets his attention.
“How?”
“Don’t get your tail bunched up, Old Yeller. It means I have to go back to Hell and maybe steal something with teeth and claws, so it’s not happening this afternoon.”
He turns back to the screen.
“Hurry up and wait. Story of my life.”
Candy looks over Kasabian’s shoulder at the screen.
“What’s the weirdest porn you ever found?” says Candy.
Kasabian gives her a serious look.
“Unless you want to wake up screaming, don’t ever ask me that again.”
“Yes, sir.”
AROUND TEN, MY phone rings. It’s Brigitte.
“Hi.”
“Hi yourself. You have an appointment with Herr Rose at three tomorrow afternoon.”
“Thanks, Brigitte. You’re my hero.”
“Don’t be so hasty. Remember I said that everything has a price?”
“Go on.”
“The price for the address is this. I’m coming with you.”
“You haven’t exactly been in the field lately. What if things get hot?”
“That’s why I’m coming. If I go to another audition without at least the chance to kill something, I’m afraid my behavior will become quite drastic. So you see, Jimmy, you’re not just doing me a favor. You’ll be doing a humanitarian service too.”
“Fine. Come along. I’m sure Candy will enjoy it. You can tell each other stories about your favorite childhood kills.”
A pause.
“That’s the rub, you see. Herr Rose is terribly claustrophobic and only ever sees a maximum of two people at a time. It’s a rule he breaks for no one.”
“No problem. He’ll be tickled pink when he finds you and Candy at his door.”
“And where will you be?”>“I know. That’s why I brought it to you. I figure an artist knows an artist.”
Mike turns the 8 Ball over in his hands, looking over every inch of it. He pulls down a magnifier mounted on the edge of the table and examines every bolt and fastening.