by Matt Abraham
“Why you? Who are you anyway?”
“A PI. Non-Sindicate.”
Her eyes narrowed for a moment, then she turned to the door. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” She extended her hand, and without a touch shoved me onto the only part of the booth that still remained. Then she left, and closed the door behind her. I got up, retrieved Rico, and retook my seat. Looking around I surveyed the wreckage.
This didn’t go at all the way I thought it would.
#
After about five minutes Lynx appeared in the doorway with a phone in one hand and a bottle of vodka, and a glass, in the other. Her eyes were damp. “I’m sorry… I, I’m sorry I did that.” She joined me on the booth. “So it’s really true, he’s dead.”
“I’m afraid so. I saw the body.”
“And you’re sure it was him?”
“There were tests, but those aside I’m certain.”
“How did he die?” Her voice shook as she poured herself a heavy dose of booze. She downed it in one gulp.
“I don’t know, not yet, but it was a shot through his stomach. It was quick.”
“That’s impossible. What could’ve done it?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”
Fat tears rolled down both cheeks. She wiped them away, took a deep breath, and steadied herself. “I can’t believe he’s gone. Where’s his body?”
“Probably still there. Gravel’s not stupid enough to move it.”
“And where’s that?” She reloaded her glass and drained it again.
“Fourth and Bismuth.”
Lynx nodded.
I reached out for her vodka and poured myself some. “Hey, if you don’t mind me asking how come you don’t know? Didn’t your dad tell you?”
“I don’t think he’s told many people.”
“Yeah, but you two were an item. I would think you’d be one of them.”
“Why? I never told him Benjy and I were together.”
“What?” Not all the vodka made it down in that swallow. “Your dad didn’t know his daughter was dating Pinnacle? You think that’s something that maybe you’d want to share with him so that when he found out he wouldn’t do anything rash?”
She waved her hand. “Don’t believe the stories you hear. My father stopped caring who I slept with when I turned twenty-five.”
“That’s later than a lot of dads.”
Lynx started crying again. I’ve lost people before, so I knew what she was going through. I wished I could have eased her pain, even a little, but all I could do was offer my handkerchief.
“Thank you. You must think I’m silly. Almost killing you one minute, and crying the next.”
“When people lose the ones they love those’re the natural responses.”
“Love… Yes, I guess I really did. Did you ever meet Benjy?”
“Once, a while back.”
“Then you know how incredible he was. Funny, charming, so gentle. He loved black and white movies. We watched them all the time.”
I let that comment hang. “If you don’t mind me asking how did you two meet?”
“It was three months ago, up on Coradoba Tower. The sunset’s beautiful from its rooftop. Whenever I have an appointment there I schedule it for the end of the day.”
“Appointments? Doing what?”
“Finance. I now function as the Sindicate’s CFO. After one of those meetings I was taking in the view, and who should float down next to me but Gold Coast City’s favorite son. He thought I was going to jump. I convinced him otherwise and we started talking. Of course he didn’t recognize me, it’s not like I ever have a reason to be in uniform these days. It was thrilling. You know, I’d never been that close to a white cape before without trying to break them under my boots. Strange, right? To realize you’re both human beings.
“Anyway, after a few minutes he leapt into the sky, and that was it. But I couldn’t shake the way he made me feel. Maybe it was his smile, or the wink he gave me when he took off, maybe it was the way his body moved under his suit, but I knew I wanted more of him. The next week I went back at the same time, and he was waiting for me. I was amazed. I didn’t think he was interested, but there he was. The week after we met again, and things just took their natural course.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “That sounds nice. When did he discover who you were?”
“I told him everything about a week after we started dating. He took it really well. I think he liked the fact I was with the Sindicate, and Lynchpin’s daughter. Maybe he wanted to save me. I wouldn’t have stopped him.”
I nodded. Then something occurred to me. “Who else knew you were dating?”
She thought about it, and shook her head. “Nobody. If he told anyone he would have let me know.”
“And you? Did you tell anyone?”
“Not a soul. I didn’t tell a soul.”
“When’s the last time you two saw one another?”
“Five, no six days ago. He came over to my place and spent the night. We were making plans for a trip.”
I leaned towards her. “One last question, did he mention anybody threatening him? Maybe a new villain.”
Lynx paused for a spell, and chewed it over. “You know, he did mentioned something about a threat, but he didn’t seem to take it that seriously. He’s always in danger, but…”
“Yes?”
“Well, I don’t remember his exact words, but I got the impression he didn’t take it seriously because it was from someone he knew. Does that help?”
I reached into my pocket, and felt the letters there. “Yes it does, thank you Lynx, you’ve been very helpful.” I stood up to leave. “I may have to contact you again.”
Lynx stood up with me. “Dane, don’t hesitate to do so, and here, take this.” She handed me her card.
I shoved it in my pocket.
“And this.” She leaned in close enough for me to smell the jasmine in her perfume, and kissed me on the cheek. Her aim could’ve been better. The corners of our lips touched. “Find out who did this, but be careful.”
“I will.”
Lynx grabbed my arm. “Don’t take that lightly. You’re in a lot of danger. Whoever you’re hunting has to be incredibly powerful, and ruthless. So like I said, if you need my help you reach out. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
I hadn’t meant to say that.
Chapter 15
I got my coat and hat and made for the door. Hate was there to open it for me. “Take care of yourself, Mr. Curse.”
“Thanks kid. But I’ve always been more than I could handle.”
When I got to the street I took a deep breath and rubbed my neck. Looking back at the false front I stifled a laugh. Henchmen’s may have changed a lot since my last visit, but it was still the kind of joint where the night could go sideways on you.
As I walked back to my car I knew the next logical step was talking to Lynchpin. I don’t care what Lynx said, if her dad knew about their relationship then he had to have strong emotions regarding Pinnacle throwing the awfully high and mighty hard one to his kid. I couldn’t wait to ask him, but Lynchpin wasn’t a man you’d describe as easily accessible. I felt the card in my pocket and realized I could’ve asked Lynx for an introduction, but it was too late now, I wasn’t walking back in there to look like a stooge, so I’d do it myself. Considering I was on the man’s payroll how hard could it be?
I slipped my keys into Jane’s door and opened it.
The voice came from behind. “Dane, old buddy.”
I spun around. A guy my size was about to invade my space. I threw a punch at his jaw, but he caught it mid-swing. And with a hard elbow to my chest pinned me to my ride.
“Relax pal,” he said, “that’s no way to behave.”
With his face now inches away I easily recognized him. He was midlevel, hired muscle with nothing exceptional save the two rows of shiny gold teeth in his mouth, and the fact he had double my strength.
He was Sindicate, too, and I remembered what Lynx told me. “Sorry Bruizer, I didn’t see it was you. You can let me up now.”
“In a second,” Bruizer said, “I just want to make sure we’re going to be friendly.”
“We’re friends all of a sudden? Great. Well then, ease up pal, I got to go.”
I tried to stand up straight, but he didn’t give an inch. “What’s the rush?”
“Your mom goes to sleep in an hour, and I don’t want to miss out on her nightly special.” The wisecrack felt good, but his fist in my gut? Less so.
“Don’t be rude,” Bruizer said, and set me upright.
“Yeah, you shouldn’t be rude.” I turned to see a second guy come walking up. He was shorter than his partner by a foot, had a pointy nose and large ears, and tried to hide it all under a coat and hat that were too big for him. He wasn’t strong, but that didn’t matter because he could hurl bolts of electricity from his hands that could kill a hardy rhino.
“Oh, hey Madcap. Good to see you. Nice suit, is it your dad’s?”
“Very funny Dane.” Madcap nodded, and Bruizer lit another into my chin. It’s a good thing I’m invulnerable otherwise my jaw would’ve been oatmeal. I spit out some blood.
“That looked like it hurt.” Madcap cocked his head to one side. “Did he hurt you, Dane?”
“Just my feelings. What do you want?”
He put his palms on my chest and sent a couple thousand volts of painful tension through every muscle I had. “We were sent to take you in.”
Bruizer nodded. “Someone wants a word.”
“Why didn’t you say so,” I spat again, this time to get the taste of metal out of my mouth. “You’ll get no more lip out of me, I’ll come quiet.”
Bruizer let up. Just a touch. I stayed relaxed, and smiled at him. He looked at Madcap, then pulled back completely. I straightened up. And threw my forehead through the bridge of his nose. Now it’s true Bruizer’s strong as hell, but he’s a real tomato can in a brawl, and when our heads touched his face split open and out poured a pint of red stuff. In this biz there’s nothing wrong with being powerful, but it’s not much without a high degree of invulnerability.
While Bruizer fell to the ground Madcap tossed a blue bolt of electricity at me. I weaved to the side, dodging the blow, then swung a right hook. Madcap ducked, and I hit nothing but air. Then he lunged at me with both hands. I rolled left, parrying his arms and knocking him down. Madcap landed on all fours, and I threw a kick at his ribs. He rolled clear at the last second. Coming up quick he shuffled back, trying to get some distance.
It was a sound tactic.
My reach is only so long as my arm, but Madcap could hurl jolts from miles away. So I charged forward. He panicked, and went for a wild kick to my gut. I ducked down. Catching his foot with my left hand I delivered a quick uppercut between his legs with my right. Madcap dropped to the street. He lay on his back, sucking wind and gagging. While he did that I grabbed Bruizer by the neck, and pushed him against my car.
“Who sent you, tough guy?” I didn’t wait for a response. Instead I drove a fist into his gut hard enough to dent my door. “Come on, speak up, you’re eating into my time with your ma, and she gets cranky if I don’t see her once a week.”
“Then she’ll be disappointed.”
I turned around. A third goon was coming towards me. I dropped Bruizer, and took two big steps back. “Damn it. Hey Bonesaw.”
Bonesaw wore a short Mohawk and a tailored suit, and underneath both was a body full of nearly unbreakable bones that protruded through his skin here and there like thick, sharp thorns. Each one was a dangerous weapon, but the worst by far were the ones on his fists. They jutted out like knuckle dusters, were extra sharp, and had tiny jet thrusters grafted to them that ignited when he punched making his fists move so fast they were just a hair slower than sound.
“Right the first time.” Bonesaw threw a hook. It cut a yellow line through the darkness.
I dodged as best I could, but it connected solid. I flew over Jane, and into the building beyond. As I slid to the ground a few bricks went with me.
“And like the man said, you’re coming with us.”
I stood up, and wobbled. “What man, Bonesaw?”
He walked around Jane to give me a second helping. I waited a few steps until he stopped being blurry, then pulled out Rico. Aiming dead center I let loose with some explosive tips. Three of the slugs hit home. Bonesaw flopped to the pavement with a satisfying grunt. I blasted each of his knees. Twice. Then I holstered my rod, grabbed the nearest truck, and brought it down on him like a hammer.
“Don’t get up,” I said.
“You bastard!”
I turned around. Madcap was staggering my way. One hand was full of his bruised manhood, the other was pointed at me, crackling with energy. He threw a bolt at my chest. I dropped to one knee. It sailed overhead so close I could feel it in my fillings. Pulling Rico again I put two slugs in Madcap’s thigh. Blood sprayed from the holes. He fell to the ground screaming.
I walked over to him. “Who sent you, milk boy?”
Madcap looked up at me. “Get bent, jerk.”
“Wrong answer.” I put a pill in his shoulder. It painted the concrete beneath him red.
“Son of a bitch,” Madcap spat.
“Last chance.” I aimed my piece at his gut. “Who sent you?”
Two arms grabbed me from behind and squeezed hard. I dropped Rico, and looked over my shoulder. “Get your paws off me, Bruizer.”
He hoisted me off the ground. “Now we’ll see what’s what.”
I drove the back of my head into his already busted nose. He let go, and used both hands to stop the fresh flow of face juice. I stomped my heel down on his foot. It sounded like walnuts cracking. Bruizer stumbled back and fell. He wouldn’t be getting up.
Then the truck I tossed on Bonesaw lifted off the pavement, and fell to the side. I knelt down, and grabbed Rico. But the Mohawked thug was already on his feet. He lunged, and kicked the pistol out of my hand. Then he snatched my collar, and pushed me against the wall.
“Big mistake not going easy.” Bonesaw hit my chin hard enough to make me forget eighth grade. “Now I’m going to ring your bell like it’s midnight.”
I didn’t stay awake past four.
Chapter 16
When I came to it was like an old television set, slow and fuzzy. The last thing I remembered was getting my clock cleaned by a trio of heavies, but that was outside Henchmen’s, and now I was indoors, laying on something soft. I sat up, and looked around.
I was on a plush, tan leather couch inside an office. The place smelled like orchids, and was so big it would’ve had an echo if someone hadn’t filled it with expensive books in carved cases, and rugs a Persian Shah would be proud of. On my right, filled with incandescent creatures, was a fish tank long enough for Olympic time trials, while to the left was a long wall of floor-to-ceiling glass windows with nothing on the other side but night sky. At the far end of the room a man sat behind a desk, talking on a phone. The lights glowing from the city below were just bright enough to let me see my host. “Lynchpin,” I said.
Just the man I was I looking for.
“Mr. Curse, you’re awake? I’ll be with you in a moment.” After a few pleasantries he hung up the phone, got out of his chair, and covered the distance between us with long confident strides, more gliding than walking. “I’m glad to see you’re ok. Do you know where you are?”
“The Mountains.”
“That’s correct, though more precisely you’re in my office atop Ultar Tower. And please forgive the manner in which you were treated, Bonesaw takes pride in thorough work done well.” Lynchpin slid onto the couch opposite me, and crossed his legs the way wealthy people do. I had never seen him this close before. He was taller than I thought, with slender limbs, and the same black hair and blue eyes as Lynx. He was wearing brown slacks and a thick, beige sweater over top of what looked like a permanent tan. He reminde
d me of a college athlete who couldn’t hack it in the pros, so made good in the banking world instead.
“He should’ve told me who he worked for.”
“A willingness to identify me isn’t a skill set I value in subordinates. How’s your head?”
I rubbed my melon. “I still have one?”
“I believe so.”
“That’s good. It’s throbbing.”
“Would you like some ice?”
“Sure. If it’s not too much trouble I’ll take it in a glass, floating in whiskey.”
He laughed. “A good idea. I think I’ll join you.” Two tumblers on the bar filled themselves with ice, lifted up, and sailed through the air towards us. Most objects manipulated by telekinesis dance and sway like they’re held by invisible strings, but those two glasses cut the space between us with purpose. One came to rest in my hand while the other landed in my host’s. Then the stoppers lifted from a pair of bottles, and twin streams of liquid snaked up and out, crossing the room, and filling our glasses separately without losing a drop.
“I’ve never seen a telekinetic do that. Ever,” I said, looking into my glass.
“Move liquid? It’s especially difficult, but like mastering any skill it merely requires time, effort, and concentration. I hope you don’t have a problem working through that much. I know that some prefer drinking Octane as it provides a faster drunk, but I find the taste vulgar. One of the few negative aspects of being gifted as I am is that alcohol isn’t very potent.”
I took a snoot full of the whiskey. “I have the same problem.”
“I suppose that means we’ll just have to drink more of it.”
“Sounds good to me.” I lifted my glass. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.” Lynchpin took a sip. “Mmm, that’s nice.”
“What’s yours?”
“Sabra. It’s from Israel.”
“Didn’t know. Israelis made liquor.” I rubbed the back of my head. Suddenly the room was blurry.
“We make a lot things.”
“You Israeli?”
“Yes. I left after I completed my military service. Are you sure you’re ok, Dane?” Without waiting for an answer he leaned forward, and looked into my eyes. “I believe you may have a mild concussion.”
