The Perdition Score (Sandman Slim 8)

“I’m sure it’s not that. Vidocq just misses jabbering like when he was in France. He’ll get over it in a couple of days.”

“He better. I’m about to throw him and Madame Defarge out of the clinic.”

“They’re there now?”

She nods.

“Fairuza is keeping an eye on them for me.”

I taste my espresso. It’s good. Dammit. How am I supposed to hate people if they make good coffee?

“You can’t keep doing this. I know you’re trying to be all reasonable, but if they’re bugging you this much, you need to say something.”

“I know. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to see you. Will you come with me when I tell Her Majesty to hit the road?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks.”

We both drink our coffee. I clear my throat.

“Listen. This PTSD bullshit everyone wants to talk to me about. Hell. I don’t know.”

“Chihiro told me about your headaches.”

“What did she say?”

She sips her coffee like she’s thinking.

“Have you ever considered that they’re psychosomatic? One of your PTSD symptoms?”

I look around the café, hating it more all of a sudden.

“Even my headaches are crazy? That’s fucking beautiful. So what’s next? Electroshock. Candy’s hoping you can fix me.”

“Yes, she is.”

“Can you? I’m as tired of this as she is.”

Allegra looks surprised, but tries to hide it.

“I know a couple of Lurker-friendly psychiatrists I could recommend.”

I lean my arms on the table.

“No shrinks. No yoga or positive visualization. I need something that will actually help.”

“There are some medications we could try.”

I drop my head onto my arms for a second.

“I was afraid you would say that. Will that stuff even work on a half angel?”

She shrugs.

“Sometimes with psych meds it’s like whacking the side of a radio. You have to keep hitting it until something works.”

“Or breaks.”