The Perdition Score (Sandman Slim 8)

“The stores won’t be open yet. There’s nothing we can do right now. I’m going to lie down. That all right with you?”

Allegra nods without looking up.

Candy follows me out into the living room. We take some pillows off the sofa and lie down. It’s a tight fit, but it doesn’t matter. Even with the caffeine in my system, I’m asleep in a couple of minutes.

This is where I’m meant to be. I’m Heaven’s Abomination. I’m a mo

nster. I’m going to Hell. And I’m completely at peace. My sleep is deep and comforting. No more nightmares for me.

ABBOT CALLS ME around noon. Candy doesn’t wake up and Allegra is asleep next to Vidocq. I take the call in the kitchen.

“Elsabeth called. It sounds like you had a busy night,” says Abbot.

“Consider Burgess an early Christmas present.”

“You’ll be interested to know that a lot of powerful people vanished into thin air last night.”

“Write their names down. There’s your list of Wormwood heavies.”

“I’m already on it. Elsabeth is leaving the country,” he says.

“You told her I wouldn’t hurt her, right?”

“I did, but you did murder her husband. Even if she didn’t like him, it’s a shock.”

“That prick is fine. Probably having piña coladas in Hell with Norris Quay right now.”

Abbot takes a breath.

“It’s too bad we can’t do anything about that. A shock like that could bring Wormwood down.”

“Who says I can’t do anything about it?”

“You said you’d lost that kind of power.”

“There’s more than one way to skin a flounder.”

Abbot says, “If that means you can hurt Wormwood in their sanctuary, I’ll do everything I can to help.”

“You said I have insurance in that packet you gave me.”

“Yes.”

“Does that include life insurance?”

“No. Most council members have their own.”

“Guess what. I don’t. I’ll do what I have to do, but you promise me that if something happens to me—like you never hear from me again after tomorrow—you keep paying my salary to Chihiro.”

“I can do that,” says Abbot.

“Then we’re square, no matter what happens from here.”

“When should I expect to hear from you?”

“In a couple of days. After that, consider me in Oz with the flying monkeys.”

“Wherever you’re going, please come back.”