Crackpot Palace Read Free

deep pool of dancers there were currents of movement that could not be denied. They let themselves be drawn by the inevitable flow as the music played on.
    When the song ended, Adeline said, “I have to hit the powder room.”
    They left the dance floor as the lights came up and walked toward the huge structure that held the casino, the gaming rooms, the pleasure parlors of the Ice Garden. Three stories tall, in the style of a Venetian palace, it was a monster of shadows with moonlight in its eyes. At the portico that led inside, Dex handed her a twenty and said, “I’ll see you back at the table.”
    â€œI know,” she barely managed and kissed him on the cheek.
    â€œYou okay?” he asked.
    â€œSame old, same old,” she said and sighed.
    He was supposed to laugh but only managed a smile. They turned away from each other. As he skirted the dance floor on the return journey, Dex looked up at Nabob and saw the performer, midsong, flash a glance at him and then nod toward the table. There was Killheffer, sporting a tux and his so-called smile of a hundred teeth, smoking a Wrath Majestic and staring into the sky.
    Arriving at the table, Dex took his seat across from Killheffer, who, still peering upward, said, “Gin wrinkles, I presumed.”
    Dex noticed the fresh round of drinks and reached for his.
    â€œThe stars are excited tonight,” said Killheffer, lowering his gaze.
    â€œToo bad I’m not,” said Dex. “What’s it gonna be this time, Professor? Russian roulette? One card drawn from the bottom of a deck cut three ways? The blindfolded knife thrower?”
    â€œYou love to recall my miscalculations,” said Killheffer. “Time breaks down, though, only through repetition.”
    â€œI’m fed up with your cockeyed bullshit.”
    â€œWell, don’t be, because I tell you I’ve got it. I’ve done the math. How badly do you want out?”
    â€œWant out?” said Dex. “I don’t even know how I got in. Tell me again you’re not the devil.”
    â€œI’m a simple professor of circumstance and fate. An academic with too strong an imagination.”
    â€œThen why that crazy smile? All your antics? That cigar of yours smells like what I vaguely remember of the ocean.”
    â€œI’ve always been a gregarious fellow and prized a good cigar. The hundred-tooth thing is a parlor trick of multiplication.”
    â€œI’m so fucking tired,” Dex said.
    Killheffer reached into his jacket pocket and brought forth a hypodermic needle. He laid it on the table. “That’s the solution,” he said.
    The large hypo’s glass syringe contained a jade-green liquid.
    Dex stared at it and shook his head. Tears appeared in the corners of his eyes. “Are you kidding? That’s it? That’s the saddest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”
    â€œYou have to trust me,” said Killheffer, still smiling.
    â€œIf you haven’t noticed, we’re here again. What is it? Poison? Cough syrup? Junk?”
    â€œMy own special mixture of oblivion; a distillation of equations for free will. I call it ‘Laughter in the Dark,’ ” said the professor, proudly smoothing back his slick black hair.
    Dex couldn’t help but smile. “You’re a malicious crackpot, but okay, let’s get on with it. What’s the deal this time?”
    â€œMondrian is, right at this moment, upstairs, on the third floor, in Sizzle Parlor number four, awaiting a female associate of mine who has promised him exotic favors, but unfortunately will never deliver. Instead, you will arrive. I want him dead.” Killheffer hurriedly tamped out his cigar and snapped his fingers to the passing cigarette girl. She stopped next to Dex and opened the case that hung by a strap around her shoulders. There were no cigarettes, just something covered by a handkerchief.
    â€œYou think of everything,” said