“Hold on. Did you say they’ve taken over a whole neighborhood?”
“Yes. All of Little Cairo is off-limits to civilians and Sub Rosa. It’s too dangerous for anyone but professionals.”
I sit up straight again.
“But like I said the other day, I’m not a professional. I’ve chased a few spooks in my time, but not a whole neighborhood full.”
“Try,” says Abbot. “If you can hurt them, we might be able to bring a normal exorcism crew to finish them off.”
I try to think of an argument against it, but I can’t. The leather bully aside, I haven’t seen any action in weeks and I can’t keep punching holes in walls. Maybe getting out and killing something that deserves it will do me some good.
“When’s sundown?”
Abbot looks at his watch.
“In a little over two hours.”
“So, three hours until the party gets started.”
“Exactly.”
“Do you have any Spiritus Dei lying around? That stuff will kill anything.”
He looks at the security guy.
“Matthew, would you bring him some from storage?”
He moves off.
I yell, “Don’t be stingy, Matthew. Get a thermos full. Neither one of us wants me to have to come back here soon.”
“Is there anything else you’ll need?” says Abbot.
“If I do I’ll let you know. And before I forget, I want to give you something.”
I pull a folder from my coat and drop it on his desk. Abbot opens it and looks surprised.
“What is this?”
“Bearer bonds. They’re supposed to be valuable.”
He looks through the thick pile.
“These look worth several million dollars.”
“Good. Now here’s the deal. I don’t want the Sub Rosa spending that on marble condos like this place. Spread it around. Give it to people who need it. Charities or whatever.”
He looks at me.
“Do I want to know where you got these?”
“Do you want me to tell you that the people who had them are dead?”
“No.”
“Then don’t ask.”
Abbot lays his hand on the folder.