“No,” says Tykho. “Paul is our representative. He goes with you or you can go in alone. They don’t call it Kill City for nothing. You add up the acreage aboveground and what’s below, without a guide it will be like wandering the Amazon jungle blind.”
“She’s right,” says Paul. “You’ll never find what you’re looking for. That’s assuming the families and the Lurkers don’t kill you. I know what families are there. I’ve studied the Lurker federacies and how to pay them off for safe passage.”
“It’s the Wild West in there,” says Tykho. “You’ll love it. What do you say?”
Tykho might not breathe or have a beating heart, but her type I can read.
“I get it. The boy is our guide but he’s your man on the inside. You’re afraid I might run off with the 8 Ball and take over all of Never Never Land.”
Tykho leans her elbows on the table.
“Like you people say. Trust but verify.”
I turn to Paul.
“I’ll meet you at Bamboo House of Dolls at eight P.M. tomorrow. Don’t wear those stupid loafers. Go get yourself some heavy boots. Maybe some climbing gloves.”
For the first time he looks a little concerned.
“Thank you.”
I stand and nod to Tykho.
“Thanks. With any luck we’ll send Chuck here back with good news.”
“Paul,” he says. I ignore him.
“How many people know about the Kill City situation?”
Tykho shakes her head.
“Only a few among the Aeternus. Why?”
“If too many people know, it might leak back to Aelita and she’ll move the 8 Ball. Don’t mention this to anyone else.”
“Of course.”
I start to leave, when she says, “When are you reopening Max Overdrive?”
“There’s not much point reopening if the world is going to end. You better hope your boy knows his stuff or the Dark Eternal is going to be another bunch of suckers streaming whatever movies the corporate big boys want you to watch.”
Tykho looks up at Yul breaking windows and generally busting up the tinhorn town that hired him.
She says, “Save the world and we might find another suitcase of money so you can reopen.”
“Do that and it’s free rentals for as long as we’re around.”
“Done. Try not to die.”
I take one last sip of her good whiskey.
“By the way, do you know a guy named Declan Garrett?”
“He comes in sometimes. He’s always trying to sell the Crown Jewels or some such nonsense.”
“If he comes in tonight tell him I’m waiting for him at Bamboo House of Dolls. We have something to settle.”
“Is he selling you the Brooklyn Bridge?”