Nefesh looks at her like he hadn’t even noticed her before. I pull her away, pointing a finger at him.
“Don’t answer that.”
I pull Candy to the wall.
“Look at that clown. Do you really care what he says? Will knowing make a difference in what we do tomorrow or the day after? Forget the question. Forget him. Let’s just get the 8 Ball and get out of here.”
“So, you want the Qomrama Om Ya,” he says. “What for?”
“I’m starting my own magic act. You know, like Doug Henning, but with more decapitations and better music.”
“Don’t get snippy with me, junior. I can be gone in a second and you can explain to your friends how you wasted their time and, from what it looks like, their blood.”
“I want it to use against the Angra. And to fuck with Aelita. Even if I never figure out how to use the thing, not letting her have it will be a little bit of satisfaction. Do you know where it is?”
He nods.
“Of course. I saw her hide it. Can you imagine how shocked I was to see that crazy bitch walk into my hidey-hole with the one thing in the universe that can kill me?”
“Where is it?”
“I’m not sure I’m going to say. You’re not the most trustworthy character on the planet.”
“And you are? If you won’t tell me, then tell the priest.”
“Why? He’s not even a priest anymore.”
“Once a priest always a priest. However you want to split hairs, it means he’s the sentimental, spiritual type. He might be mad at ghost dad, but in his heart of hearts he still loves him and doesn’t want to see him die. Tell the father and he’ll be the one who gets the 8 Ball and will have the final say on what happens to it.”
“How do I know you won’t take it from him?”
“I’m not the one you have to worry about. Keep your eye on Robby the Robot over there.”
We both look at Delon. He takes a step toward the bath like maybe he didn’t hear us right.
“I was wondering why you were lurking around here with one of those things.”
“Why don’t you ask it yourself?”
“Are you talking about me?” says Delon.
Nefesh looks at me.
“It doesn’t even know, does it?”
“It doesn’t have a clue.”
“Know what?” says Delon.
He pulls his pistol and points it at me, swings it to Nefesh, and then back to me.
“What are you up to? I’ve done what I’m supposed to do. I got us here.”
“Brigitte got us out of that dead end you walked us into. If you were still leading, we’d be somewhere south of Borneo by now.”
“Put the gun away, son,” says Nefesh.
“Son? A minute ago you called me ‘it.’ Why?”