Industrial Magic
Page 23
The Cabal will investigate. My father will see to it.
Fuck the Cabal.
Griff, Troy warned.
I mean it, Griffin said. Fuck the Cabal. They wont do shit until some sorcerers kid gets hurt. I want you to find this son of a bitch and bring him to me. Just bring him to me.
I
I can pay you. Whatever the going rate is for a PI, Ill double it. Triple it. He raised his fist for emphasis, then looked at his hand, shoved it into his pocket, and lowered his voice. Just tell me what you want, and Ill get it.
You dont need to do that, Griffin. My father will order an investigation, and he has resources I cant match.
Im class C. Im not entitled to an investigation.
But youll get one.
And if I dont?
Then Ill do it, I said quietly.
Griffin glanced over, as if he hadnt noticed me there. For a long minute, he just looked at me. Then he nodded.
Good, he said. Thank you.
He turned and walked back into the night.
Oh, God, what did I just say? I murmured, thumping my head back against the leather rear seat. I looked at Lucas, buckling his seat belt beside me. I am so sorry.
Dont be. If you didnt say it, I would have. You set his mind at ease. Thats what he needed. As for following through, that wont be necessary. My father will call for an investigation, if for no other reason than to reassure his employees that the Cabal is taking action.
This time when Troy searched our room, he found someone there. Benicio. Lucas took one look into the room and slumped, as if the strain of the night had just hit him full force.
Minibar? I whispered.
Please.
Benicio and I traded nods, and I skirted past him to the bar fridge. I took out two glasses, then stopped and turned to Benicio.
Can I get you something?
Water would be fine, he said. Thank you, Paige.
I fixed drinks as the two men talked behind me.
I wanted to thank you for joining the search, Benicio said. It meant a lot to everyone, having someone from the family helping.
Yes, well, youre welcome. Its been a long night. Perhaps
I couldnt get your brothers there on a direct order, let alone voluntarily. They think leadership is showing up at the office every day, issuing orders, and signing papers. They have no concept of what the employees expect, what they need.
I peeked at Lucas. He stood there with the pained expression of a child forced to sit through the thousandthrendition of his fathers favorite lecture.
Im sure Hector would have gone.
Benicio snorted. Of course Hector would go. Hed go because he knows Id want him to. Hed have killed the boy himself, if he thought itd win my favor.
Lucas winced. I handed him a straight scotch. He mouthed a thank-you. I gave Benicio his water and he nodded his thanks before continuing.
Weve had more evidence of a pattern. A St. Cloud VP got wind of our problem, prompting a call from Lionel. One of their necromancers daughters, who was living with relatives after some family trouble, was attacked last Saturday, the night before Dana.
Is she okay? I asked.
Benicio shook his head. Like Jacob, she managed to place a call to their emergency line saying she was being followed but was dead when they found her. Ive placed calls to Thomas Nast and Guy Boyd asking whether they know of any attacks on employees children. Thomas tentatively confirmed that theyve had two incidents, but he wouldnt provide details over the phone. The Cabals are meeting in Miami tomorrow to share information.
Theyre launching a joint investigation, I presume, Lucas said.
Yes, which is why Im asking you to reconsider.
Reconsider? I said. If the Cabals are investigating, you dont need us.
No. If the Cabals are jointly investigating, I need your help more than ever. As Lucas can tell you, an intra-Cabal operation
Lucas lifted a hand. Were tired, Pap, he said softly. Its been a very long night. I understand this new concern, and I agree that it is a concern. May I ask, though, that you let me explain the situation to Paige tonight, try to get some sleep, then discuss it with you over breakfast?
Yes, of course, Benicio said. What time do you need to be in court tomorrow?
Noon.
Then lets reschedule our breakfast from seven to eight, to give you time to sleep. Ill have the jet fly you to Chicago afterward.
Lucas hesitated, then nodded. Thank you.
He turned toward the door.
One last thing, Benicio said.
Lucas paused, still facing the door, one hand on the knob, lips parting in a silent sigh. Yes, Pap?
In light of this latest tragedy, I think we must assume that the killers intent is to hurt the Cabals where they expect it least and will feel it most. Given that, we have to also assume that the ultimate prize for him would be a member of a CEOs family.
Yes, of course, but we can discuss this
Fuck the Cabal.
Griff, Troy warned.
I mean it, Griffin said. Fuck the Cabal. They wont do shit until some sorcerers kid gets hurt. I want you to find this son of a bitch and bring him to me. Just bring him to me.
I
I can pay you. Whatever the going rate is for a PI, Ill double it. Triple it. He raised his fist for emphasis, then looked at his hand, shoved it into his pocket, and lowered his voice. Just tell me what you want, and Ill get it.
You dont need to do that, Griffin. My father will order an investigation, and he has resources I cant match.
Im class C. Im not entitled to an investigation.
But youll get one.
And if I dont?
Then Ill do it, I said quietly.
Griffin glanced over, as if he hadnt noticed me there. For a long minute, he just looked at me. Then he nodded.
Good, he said. Thank you.
He turned and walked back into the night.
Oh, God, what did I just say? I murmured, thumping my head back against the leather rear seat. I looked at Lucas, buckling his seat belt beside me. I am so sorry.
Dont be. If you didnt say it, I would have. You set his mind at ease. Thats what he needed. As for following through, that wont be necessary. My father will call for an investigation, if for no other reason than to reassure his employees that the Cabal is taking action.
This time when Troy searched our room, he found someone there. Benicio. Lucas took one look into the room and slumped, as if the strain of the night had just hit him full force.
Minibar? I whispered.
Please.
Benicio and I traded nods, and I skirted past him to the bar fridge. I took out two glasses, then stopped and turned to Benicio.
Can I get you something?
Water would be fine, he said. Thank you, Paige.
I fixed drinks as the two men talked behind me.
I wanted to thank you for joining the search, Benicio said. It meant a lot to everyone, having someone from the family helping.
Yes, well, youre welcome. Its been a long night. Perhaps
I couldnt get your brothers there on a direct order, let alone voluntarily. They think leadership is showing up at the office every day, issuing orders, and signing papers. They have no concept of what the employees expect, what they need.
I peeked at Lucas. He stood there with the pained expression of a child forced to sit through the thousandthrendition of his fathers favorite lecture.
Im sure Hector would have gone.
Benicio snorted. Of course Hector would go. Hed go because he knows Id want him to. Hed have killed the boy himself, if he thought itd win my favor.
Lucas winced. I handed him a straight scotch. He mouthed a thank-you. I gave Benicio his water and he nodded his thanks before continuing.
Weve had more evidence of a pattern. A St. Cloud VP got wind of our problem, prompting a call from Lionel. One of their necromancers daughters, who was living with relatives after some family trouble, was attacked last Saturday, the night before Dana.
Is she okay? I asked.
Benicio shook his head. Like Jacob, she managed to place a call to their emergency line saying she was being followed but was dead when they found her. Ive placed calls to Thomas Nast and Guy Boyd asking whether they know of any attacks on employees children. Thomas tentatively confirmed that theyve had two incidents, but he wouldnt provide details over the phone. The Cabals are meeting in Miami tomorrow to share information.
Theyre launching a joint investigation, I presume, Lucas said.
Yes, which is why Im asking you to reconsider.
Reconsider? I said. If the Cabals are investigating, you dont need us.
No. If the Cabals are jointly investigating, I need your help more than ever. As Lucas can tell you, an intra-Cabal operation
Lucas lifted a hand. Were tired, Pap, he said softly. Its been a very long night. I understand this new concern, and I agree that it is a concern. May I ask, though, that you let me explain the situation to Paige tonight, try to get some sleep, then discuss it with you over breakfast?
Yes, of course, Benicio said. What time do you need to be in court tomorrow?
Noon.
Then lets reschedule our breakfast from seven to eight, to give you time to sleep. Ill have the jet fly you to Chicago afterward.
Lucas hesitated, then nodded. Thank you.
He turned toward the door.
One last thing, Benicio said.
Lucas paused, still facing the door, one hand on the knob, lips parting in a silent sigh. Yes, Pap?
In light of this latest tragedy, I think we must assume that the killers intent is to hurt the Cabals where they expect it least and will feel it most. Given that, we have to also assume that the ultimate prize for him would be a member of a CEOs family.
Yes, of course, but we can discuss this
