The Ian Dex Supernatural Thriller Series: Books 1 - 4 (Las Vegas Paranormal Police Department Box Sets)
Page 59
“I’d rather you not use any derogatory descriptors regarding my people at all, you tiny-winged turd.”
Wow. Now that was something you didn’t hear from Zack very often. He was usually the peacemaker of the bunch.
EQK giggled, clearly knowing he’d irked the head of the Vegas Werewolf Pack.
“Did you know some of them, sir?” I ventured.
“I don’t have the full list, Mr. Dex,” he replied, “but the few names I’ve seen are familiar to me. They will all be going through a deep reintegration in the Netherworld for their participation in this transgression.”
I doubted that was necessary after how I’d left things, but supernaturals hated going through deep reintegration. It was annoying and left you numb for weeks. Standard reintegration wasn’t so bad. A day or two of fuzziness was all that came from that, but being put through the deep process…that kind of sucked.
“I think they’ll be okay now that the uberwolf is dead, sir,” I said, thinking that maybe the rest could just get a standard reintegration. Guys like Steve Austin didn’t deserve more than that. “The uber was the one who really caused all of this. The rest were just stuck under his thumb.”
“Uberwolf?” Zack coaxed after a moment.
“Yes,” agreed Silver, “what are you talking about?”
“Oh, I thought you knew.”
“Obviously not, numbnuts,” EQK said, “so spill it.”
I found that strange at first, but I guess because the uber wasn’t in Vegas maybe they didn’t know what was going on. I thought they’d all talked or at least had some network of information. Then again, I had that network of information, but I only paid attention to the parts that were under my jurisdiction.
“Right,” I said. “Well, the wolf’s name was Rex. He was at least a head taller than the rest of them, and he was very strong. It took a couple of my particular skills in order to defeat the guy. Honestly, for a while there I hadn’t thought that—”
“You said his name was Rex?” interrupted Zack.
“Yes, sir.”
“Did he have any unusual markings, by chance?”
The memory of that Flashes event struck, as did the hand-to-hand combat Rex and I had engaged in.
“He had a red circle on his shoulder. Kind of looked like a bullseye.”
“Interesting,” said Silver slowly.
“That shouldn’t be possible,” noted EQK without the use of foul language. That made his statement ominous at best. “Seriously, that shit shouldn’t be possible.”
Okay, so a little foul language, but it was still pretty ominous.
“No,” agreed Zack. “It shouldn’t.”
“Uh, sirs?” I spoke up after a few moments of silence. “Would you mind letting me in on what it is that shouldn’t be possible, please?”
“Hmmm? Oh, sorry, Officer Dex.” Zack cleared his throat. “This is nothing for you to worry about. That will be all for today. Thank you for your time.”
“Wait, what?”
“He said beat it, you cock socket,” EQK shouted about two seconds before the Directors faded from view.
I was left seated in a pitch-black room alone, wondering what the hell they had been talking about.
Chapter 31
Even though Rachel and I were currently an item, she wasn’t a fan of the Three Angry Wives Pub, and she knew that I always went there for a few drinks after finishing a mission.
So, I was on my own.
But this time I wasn’t looking to drown my sorrows. This time I was looking for the mysterious vampire known as Gabe.
I walked in and saw him seated at a table near the back of the room. While it was interesting that he was here every time I was here, that only spelled that he knew when to expect me. What I never understood was how he knew or why he knew.
“Gabe,” I said with a nod as I signaled the waiter to bring me a drink.
“Mr. Dex,” he replied in his smooth way. “I trust you are well?”
“Super. How about you? Having a good day?”
“It’s been going fine, thank you.”
“Business going well?”
He inclined his head slightly. “Business?”
“Well, I don’t really know what you do for a living, but I assume there’s more to your life than dumping special skills on me and then running off into the night.” I squinted. “At least I hope so because that sounds really boring otherwise.”
He cracked a smile at that.
“I have many projects that I’m responsible for, Mr. Dex,” he answered coyly. “Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to discuss any of them with you.”
“Of course you’re not.”
The waiter dropped off my usual, a Rusty Nail on the rocks. I gave him a nod and asked for a quick follow-up as I had the feeling this liquid wasn’t going to last long. I had no intention of getting drunk, but I certainly needed something to take the edge off.
“I understand that Officer Cress is back with you,” he said with an arrogant smirk. I paused my drinking. “Don’t be so surprised, Mr. Dex. You’re already well aware of the fact that I’ve been providing you with special skills.”
“Too aware,” I grunted.
“Surely you’re able to make some basic deductions from that fact alone?”
“I am,” I replied, “and don’t call me Shirley.”
I couldn’t resist.
“Pardon?”
“Nothing,” I answered after finishing the first Rusty Nail of the night. “What I want to know is who you are working for and what’s in it for you?”
He took a sip of his Bourbon. At least that’s what I assumed it was, based on the color of the liquid.
“As for my employer…” He paused and looked up thoughtfully for a moment. “There is nothing I can share with you regarding that, I’m afraid.” He brought his eyes back to mine. “As for what’s in it for me, again there is nothing I can share on the subject.”
I was feeling a bit more than frustrated with him, but I didn’t want to blow up just yet. The fact was that this guy had been giving me some powerful skills. How he’d been managing it, I had zero idea. I’d ask, but what would be the point? He’d just say he couldn’t tell me anyway.
“So are you just here to fuck with me?” I said in a defeated tone.
“Mr. Dex,” he said, his voice the tsk-tsk type, “I told you when we first met that there would be many ubernaturals coming to attack your city, and I have provided you with various means to battle each of them.”
“Without user manuals,” I pointed out as another Rusty Nail landed on the table. “I’m slowly getting the hang of it, but would a little help with the basics have killed you?”
His reply was in the way of a sad smile.
As I picked up my second drink, Gabe began scooting out of his chair.
“Leaving already?” I said with a laugh. “Could you at least tell me a bit about Rex? He’s already dead, so how could that hurt?” He said nothing, so I pushed forward, hoping for at least some nugget of information. “He was an amalgamite like me, right?”
“Not like you, no,” he answered.
“But he was an amalgamite?”
“Every ubernatural you’ve faced has been, Mr. Dex, but none of them are like you.” He studied the room uncomfortably. “You’re unique.”
Was this a case of ask the right questions and maybe get an answer? Could be, but it was also clear that my time with Gabe was up for the night. My pain-in-the-ass crystal ball was clearly anxious to get out of here.
“Seriously, dude, why do you always skedaddle after only a few sentences?”
He began pulling on his black gloves.
“Contrary to what you may think, Mr. Dex,” he answered, keeping his voice down, “we are not exactly drinking buddies.”
“Actually,” I countered, “I’d argue you’re the closest thing I’ve got to a drinking buddy.”
He stopped pulling at his gloves and glanced up at me with a rais
ed eyebrow.
“How sad.”
I frowned.
“Either way,” Gabe continued, “my purpose is to judge your state of mind after each battle and to provide you with what I believe you’re going to need in order to combat the next in line.”
I pushed up from the table and glared at him.
“Look, pal,” I said, taking a risk that he may break if I played it tough, “I’ve about had enough with all these games. Since the first time we met, you’ve obviously known something. But you never share it with me.” I wanted to wring his neck, but I held myself in check. “You obviously knew all of this crap was going to happen. You showed up after that Chippendale’s-looking fucker nearly blew the top off the Excalibur, you gave me that Flashes thing to deal with Shitfaced Fred, you gave me Time to use against Charlotte, and then I got Sniff in order to find Rachel.” I held up a finger. “And note that Rex was in London, not Vegas, so it should have been one of the officers there dealing with that shit, not me.”
He had his hands behind his back as I faced him. Clearly, he wasn’t worried in the least that I might get physical if he didn’t talk. Guys like him wouldn’t divulge any secrets, even if you threatened to cut off their balls and use them for a game of hacky sack.
“Obviously you know more than you’re letting on,” I said tightly. “So why the games?”
The look in his eye said he wanted to tell me more about the situation but he couldn’t.
“You said you were going to lend me support where you could, Gabe,” I pressed, hoping to appeal to his sense of honor, if he had any, “so help me out here, pal.”
“I am assisting you greatly, Mr. Dex,” he answered as he pulled at his gloves again. “Believe it or not, I am.”
We stood staring at each other for a few moments, but I knew this was pointless. He wasn’t going to spill the beans.
Bastard.
“Fine,” I said, throwing up my hands in disgust. “Well, what’s the next magic word you’re going to give me that I won’t know how to use?”
“Words,” he replied.
“More than one this time, eh?”
“No,” he said slowly. “The word I’m giving you is ‘Words.’”
“Oh,” I said as Words locked into my brain. “I see. Any hints on how to use it?”
His face betrayed no emotion this time. “Sorry.”
“Is there a limit to the number of uses, like I have with Time?”
“One.”
“One use?”
He nodded and spun on his heel, heading out of the pub, leaving me standing there fuming. The second Rusty Nail disappeared in a flash.
“Use it wisely, Mr. Dex,” Gabe called back as the door began to close behind him.
Honestly, I was really starting to hate that guy.
The End
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Acknowledgments for The Merging
Thanks to The Merging Reader Team!
(listed in alphabetical order by first name)
Aaron Paden, Adam Goldstein, Adam Saunders-Pederick, Allen Stark, Amy Robertson, Andrew Greeson, Antoinette Hilton, Beth Marsch, Bonnie Dale Keck, Brandy Dalton, Caroline Watson, Carolyn Fielding, Carolyn Jean Evans, Cassandra Hall, Charlotte Johnston, Dan Sippel, Davina Noble, Debbie Tily, Del Mitchell, Denise King, Diann Pustay, Hal Bass, Helen Day, Ian Nick Tarry, Jacky Oxley, Jamie Gray, Jan Gray, Jef Ball, Jennifer Reinhardt, Jess Thorson, Jessica A. Lopez, Jodie Stackowiak, Joe Simon, John Debnam, Kate Smith, Kathryne Nield, Katya Gordon, Kevin Frost, Laura Thomas-port, Louise Thompson, Lynette Wood, Lynne DeBoer Moody, Marie Boucher, Marie McCraney, Mark Beech, Mark Brown, Martha Hayes, MaryAnn Sims, Megan McBrien, Mike Helas, Natalie Fallon, Noah Sturdevant, Noel Hera, Pam Elmes, Patricia Wellfare, Paula Pruitt Jackson, Paulette Kilgore, Penny Campbell-Myhill, Ruth Nield, Sandee Lloyd, Sara Pateman, Sarah Newton, Scott Ackermann, Scott Reid, Sian Johnson, Soobee Dewson, Stacey Mann, Stephanie Claypoole, Stephen Bagwell, Tara Parry, Teresa Cattrall Ferguson, Wendy Schindler.
Acknowledgments for Grave Creatures
Thanks to TEAM ASS!
Advanced Story Squad
(listed in alphabetical order by first name)
Cassandra Hall
Hal Bass
John Debnam
Marie McCraney
Mike Helas
Natalie Fallon
Noah Sturdevant
Paulette Kilgore
Soobee Dewson
Thanks to Team DAMN
Demented And Magnificently Naughty
(listed in alphabetical order by first name)
Adam Goldstein, Adam Saunders-Pederick, Allen Stark, Amy Robertson, Andrew Greeson, Bob Topping, Bonnie Dale Keck, Brandy Dalton, Carmen Romano, Caroline Watson, Carolyn Fielding, Carolyn Jean Evans, Debbie Tily, Del Mitchell, Denise King, Hal Bass, Helen Day, Ian Nick Tarry, Jacky Oxley, Jamie Gray, Jodie Stackowiak, John Debnam, Kate Smith, Kathryne Nield, Kevin Frost, Marie McCraney, Mark Beech, Mark Brown, Martha Hayes, MaryAnn Sims, Megan McBrien, Mike Helas, Natalie Fallon, Noah Sturdevant, Paula Pruitt Jackson, Paulette Kilgore, Penny Campbell-Myhill, Ruth Nield, Sandee Lloyd, Sara Pateman, Scott Ackermann, Scott Reid, Stephen Bagwell, Wendy Schindler.
Acknowledgments for Blood Bane Tower
Thanks to TEAM ASS!
Advanced Story Squad
(listed in alphabetical order by first name)
Bennah Phelps
Cassandra Hall
Hal Bass
John Debnam
Larry Diaz Tushman
Marie McCraney
Mike Helas
Natalie Fallon
Noah Sturdevant
Paulette Kilgore
Penny Campbell-Myhill
Soobee Dewson
Thanks to Team DAMN
Demented And Magnificently Naughty
(listed in alphabetical order by first name)
Adam Goldstein, Adam Saunders-Pederick, Allen Stark, Amy Robertson, Andrew Greeson, Bennah Phelps, Bob Topping, Bonnie Dale Keck, Carmen Romano, Carol Howcroft, Carolyn Fielding, Carolyn Jean Evans, Charlotte Webby, Debbie Tily, Denise King, Hal Bass, Ian Nick Tarry, Jacky Oxley, Jamie Gray, Jan Gray, Jodie Stackowiak, John Debnam, Kate Smith, Kathleen Portig, Kathryne Nield, Larry Diaz Tushman, Laura Stoddart, Lyn Mason, Marie McCraney, Mark Beech, Mark Brown, MaryAnn Sims, Matthew Stuart Thomas Wilson, Megan McBrien, Mike Helas, Natalie Fallon, Noah Sturdevant, Patricia Wellfare, Paulette Kilgore, Ruth Nield, Sandee Lloyd, Scott Ackermann, Scott Reid, Stephen Bagwell, ‘Toni Shepherd.
Acknowledgments for London Growl
Thanks to TEAM ASS!
Advanced Story Squad
(listed in alphabetical order by first name)
Bennah Phelps
Cassandra Hall
Hal Bass
John Debnam
Larry Diaz Tushman
Marie McCraney
Mike Helas
Natalie Fallon
Noah Sturdevant
Paulette Kilgore
Penny Campbell-Myhill
Soobee Dewson
Thanks to Team DAMN
Demented And Magnificently Naughty
(listed in alphabetical order by first name)
Adam Goldstein, Adam Saunders-Pederick, Amanda Holden, Amy Robertson, Andrew Greeson, Angie Hill, Bennah Phelps, Bob Topping, Bonnie Dale Keck, Brandy Dalton, Carla Wagner, Carolyn Fielding, Carolyn Jean Evans, Cassandra Hall, Charlotte Webby, David Botell, Debbie Tily, Denise King, Helen Day, Ian Nick Tarry, Jacky Oxley, Jamie Gray, Jan Gray, Jim Stoltz, Jo Dungey, Jodie Stackowiak, John Debnam, Kate Smith, Kathleen Portig, Kathryne Nield, Kevin Frost, Koren Small, Larry Diaz Tushma
n, Laura Maria Redmond, Laura Stoddart, Lucas Warwick, Mark Beech, Mark Brown, Mark Junk, Mary Geren, MaryAnn Sims, Megan McBrien, Megan Thigpen, Mike Helas, Myles Mary Cohen, Natalie Fallon, Noah Sturdevant, Pam Junkins, Paulette Kilgore, Pete Sandry, Ruth Nield, Sandee Lloyd, Scott Reid, Stephen Bagwell, Tammy Tushman, Tehrene Hart.
John P. Logsdon
www.JohnPLogsdon.com
John was raised in the MD/VA/DC area. Growing up, John had a steady interest in writing stories, playing music, and tinkering with computers. He spent over 20 years working in the video games industry where he acted as designer and producer on many online games. He’s written science fiction, fantasy, humor, and even books on game development. While he enjoys writing lighthearted adventures and wacky comedies most, he can’t seem to turn down writing darker fiction. John lives with his wife, son, and Chihuahua.
Christopher P. Young
Chris grew up in the Maryland suburbs. He spent the majority of his childhood reading and writing science fiction and learning the craft of storytelling. He worked as a designer and producer in the video games industry for a number of years as well as working in technology and admin services. He enjoys writing both serious and comedic science fiction and fantasy. Chris lives with his wife and an ever-growing population of critters.
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