“Drink up, Alfredo. I hope no one starts keeping their dirty socks in your bag.”
I get up and start away from the bar.
“Where are you going?”
“To the men’s room. You remember those?”
“Funny. When you get back you want to take me outside for a smoke?”
“Why not?”
I get the usual funny looks of recognition and curiosity in the men’s room. It’s not just civilians. Lurkers are just as likely to stare.
“If any of you want an autograph right this second, I’m going to have to do it in piss.”
That usually breaks up the viewing party.
Marshal Julie is waiting for me when I come out of the men’s room.
“Don’t worry, officer. I washed my hands.”
She nods and looks me over.
“You cost me my job, you know.”
“Talk to Aelita about that. Or Wells. Besides, I thought you worked for Homeland Security. Just ’cause the Vigil is gone baby gone, why does that affect you?”
“When the Vigil died, Washington panicked and burned our whole operation out here. They cut everyone loose.”
“And now you’re roaming the countryside like a Ronin. If you’re looking for money or sympathy, I’m fresh out of both.”
“That’s not why I’m here. I don’t want us to be enemies.”
“I can’t play bridge, so don’t ask me to be your fourth.”
“I’m opening my own investigations agency. My father was a PI, so I have experience. If it pans out, I thought that maybe I can throw you work sometimes.”
I listen to her heart and watch her eyes. She means it. Her soul pulses steadily in her chest, a shimmering silver. A good color. Not everyone’s is that clear.
“Why not? I’m not doing anything else. But no hits. And I’m not doing any divorce stuff. No peeping in people’s windows. But if you have something specific that you think I can do, why not?”
“Okay, then.”
She turns and looks around the bar.
“I’d heard all about this place. Some of the other marshals sneaked in here. Some Sub Rosa girls I knew at school. I never really believed them when they said that Lurkers and humans could hang out together like this.”
“You ought to see it on bingo night.”
“You didn’t really think it was going to be that easy, did you?”
“What?”
“You were going to stroll in here with the Druj and put me over your knee like a bad boy? That’s funny.”
Marshal Julie’s mouth is moving, but it’s Mason’s voice coming out. Her eyes are dead and vacant.
“Yes, it’s me. Sorry I can’t be there in person. This is the best my little homemade key can do for now.”