Ballistic Kiss (Sandman Slim 11)

I want to punch him, but I can’t reach him through the phone.

I say, “How do you know about that? I thought you were busy losing a war.”

“Ouch. Kitty has sharp claws.”

“Unless you have something useful to say, I’m hanging up.”

“In fact, I do have something you might want to know: if you’re heading back to your tacky little house to pout, don’t do it.”

“Why not? I have nowhere else to go and there’s nothing else I can do.”

“Don’t do it because there’s a surprise party waiting for you.”

A cop car passes on the street. I watch it cruise by.

“Is it the cops or an old woman named Samantha with a knife?”

“Either would be fun, but it’s neither one of them. It’s your friends from the great beyond.”

“Stay Belows?”

“Quite a lot of them. I don’t think Flicker’s little bundle of light will scare this mob.”

My gut tightens.

“Is Janet safe?”

Samael laughs.

“What has that child ever done that strikes you as safe?”

I don’t say anything for a minute, trying to gather my thoughts. I don’t have any grand theories anymore except for Samantha. And now I’m even more worried about Janet.

“I know you know more than you’re telling me. Just answer one question. Are Gentry’s, Chanchala’s, and Thivierge’s murders connected to anything going on with the Zero Lodge?”

Imagine my surprise when Samael begins to sing.

“‘All things bright and beautiful, / All creatures great and small, / All things wise and wonderful, / The Lord God made them all.’”

I keep listening, waiting for an explanation, but Samael goes silent. Now I’m both scared and pissed.

I shout, “What the fuck does that mean?”

“Time is running out.”

“I’m doing the best I can, man.”

He says, “Look into your heart, Stark,” and hangs up.

I look into my heart and all I can see is bourbon and me punching Samael in the balls.

What does that stupid song mean? What’s supposed to be in my heart?

I go over the lyrics a couple more times in my head.

“All things bright and beautiful, / All creatures great and small, / All things wise and wonderful, / Th

e Lord God made them all.”