The Devil Is a Gentleman Read Free Page A

“That’s what it looked like. And then he attacked me like he wanted to eat me.”
    “That does seem odd.”
    “Damn right it was odd,” I said. “I shot him twice and it didn’t even slow him down. He just disappeared. The cops said there was no sign of him.”
    Sam frowned. “Niki, have you ever heard of angelwine?”
    “No,” I said.
    “No reason why you should,” he said. “I believe your politician overindulged before he paid you a visit. It’s really quite overwhelming for humans.”
    “What is it?” I said. “A drug?”
    “Angelwine. Let’s just say it does not mix well with human DNA. It’s made from the blood of angels.”
    “Angels,” I said. “Of course. Why wouldn’t there be angels?” Sam frowned at me. I didn’t think he caught my sarcasm. “Bradley was muttering about angels.”
    “I’m sure he was,” said Sam. “I have the feeling that this won’t end well. You’re not thinking of pursuing it, are you?”
    “New Government politician who ruined my life, now comes to me asking for help, changes into something that tries to kill me, then disappears? Illicit substances drained from actual angels? Hard to stay away.”
    He sighed. “There’s only one group of people that deal with angelwine. They’re a secret society called The Blood. Niki, be warned. They are extremely powerful. Even you can’t possibly last against them.”
    “I will take your advice into account,” I said.
    “This is the wrong city to tangle with them,” said Sam. “It’s, as your people say, their home turf.”
    “And mine,” I said.
    “Really, Niki,” Sam said, his voice almost pleading, “stay away from this.”
    “Speaking of powerful secret organizations,” I said. “That reminds me. I met with someone the other day. Someone who tried to hire me. Said she knows you.”
    “Who?” he said. His eyes shifted like smoke.
    “She’s just like you,” I said, the realization clicking into place in my mind.
    “What?” he said.
    “The new police commissioner,” I said. “I met her yesterday. I was trying to place what was familiar about her the whole goddamn time I was in her office. She offered me a job, something about tracking down a menacing secret group. But all I kept thinking the whole time was Who does she remind me of? And it’s you. She was wearing tinted glasses, but I’ll bet if she took them off she’d have those same eyes. She even moves like you.”
    “Her name?” he said.
    “She told me not to tell you,” I said, taking a sip of my drink. “In fact, she threatened me. Said if I told you, something terrible would happen to me.” I lowered my eyes in what I hoped was a modest expression.
    Sam’s smile was thin. “As if that would stop you. What does she call herself?”
    I put my glass down. “First, I have questions.” There was a loud hacking cough and we looked over to see Janis, her crossword puzzle forgotten, staring at us with rapt attention. “Maybe we could speak privately?” I said.
    Sam sighed. “Fine. Let’s go sit.” He got off his stool, so quickly I barely saw him. He offered his hand to help me down and I took it. It was like touching fire, it was so hot. I pulled my hand back, looking at him in alarm. He smiled. “It’s okay,” he said. I took it again, the heat not so bad when I was expecting it. Curious. I let go and my hand tingled. I rubbed it on my jeans. Sam led the way to our usual booth, near the door, and we settled in.
    Sam opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted. “Me first,” I said. “Where’s Eli?”
    Sam leaned back and appraised me. “Why do you think that I know?”
    “I just do,” I said. “Where is he?”
    “He’s not dead, if that’s what you’re asking.”
    “It’s not what I’m asking,” I said. I wasn’t going to let Sam derail me this time. I needed to know. “I’m asking where he is.”
    Eli was a cop, I was a private detective, and we were living together when Bradley and the New Government