Industrial Magic
Page 83
This is Cassandra began.
Paige, Aaron said. Howre you doing?
Good. I slid onto the stool beside his. How have you been?
Keeping out of trouble. A quick grin. Mostly. And watching my back a little better. Still damn embarrassing, getting kidnapped like that. Beer?
Please.
He motioned to the bartender. I wont ask you, Cass. Theres nothing here youd touch. Probably not even the patrons. Are you going to pull up a stool or just stand there?
This hardly seems the place for a private conversation, she said, then wheeled and headed for a booth near the back.
Aaron shook his head. I ordered my beer and he took a refill on his. As he pushed aside his empty glass, he noticed his cigarette in the ashtray and stubbed it out.
Its not enough that Im a vampire, I gotta kill people with secondhand smoke, too. He pushed the ashtray up beside the empty beer glass. I heard a rumor about you hooking up with the Cortez boy. That true?
I nodded, took my beer from the bartender, and laid down a five. Aaron waved it back and exchanged his fresh beer for a ten, with a murmured no change.
Thanks, I said.
I owe you more than a cheap beer. Now, this Cortez, its Lucas, right? The youngest? Doesnt work for the family?
Thats right.
Well, thats good, because someone was trying to tell me it was the next older one. You dont wanna get mixed up with those Cabal guys. But, now, Cassandra said she wanted to talk about a Cabal situation, and since youre here, Im assuming youre involved. But if youre with Lucas, and he doesnt work for the Cabals
Lets go sit with Cassandra and Ill explain.
I told Aaron the story. When I finished, he leaned back and shook his head.
Fucking unbelievable. We need that kinda trouble like we need a stake through the heart. You find this loser, you make sure the Cabals know the rest of us had nothing to do with it. He took a gulp of beer. I guess you want to know whether I have any idea who might be behind it. Im also guessing youve already checked out John and his gang.
John? I said.
John, Hans, whatever hes calling himself today. You know who I mean, Cass.
Oh, Cassandra said, lip curling. Him.
Well, youve told Paige about him, right? His little anti-Cabal crusade?
My head snapped up. Anti-Cabal crusade?
She frowned. When did he start this?
Oh, only about a decade or so ago.
This is the firstIve heard of it.
Aaron shook his head. No, its just the first time youve heard it and paid attention.
What is that supposed to mean?
Aaron turned to me. Guys name is John, but he calls himself Hans; thinks John isnt a proper name for a vampire. Hes one of the New Orleans vamps.
Oh.
Aaron grinned. That explains everything, doesnt it? Johns got this burr about Cabals. It goes with the whole mentality of those guys. Theyre vampires, so theyre special and they should rule the frigging supernatural world. If it wasnt for that damned writerIts gone straight to their heads. I wouldnt be surprised if they were behind this.
Any idea where we can find them? I asked.
I can get Johns address but it might take a day or two. Hes not exactly on my Christmas card list. But if youre in a hurry, his posse hangs out at the Rampart in New Orleans. He looked at Cassandra. But you check it out for her, Cass. Dont be taking Paige in there.
Vamps only? I said.
Nah, just not a very nice place. Ill put out some feelers, too, see if I can pick up any rumors.
I pulled out my notepad to give him my number.
Hold on, he said, and took out his cell phone. Safer this way. Every damned piece of paper I stuff into my pockets winds up in the washing machine. I can tell you where I was when I heard Lincoln had been shot, but do you think I can ever remember to empty my pockets before doing laundry? Not a chance.
I dictated my phone number and Lucass, and Aaron entered them into his cell directory. Then he returned the phone to his jacket, lounged back in his seat, and cracked his knuckles.
Cassandra sighed. What is it, Aaron?
Hmmm?
Whenever you do thatshe waved at his handsit means theres something on your mind. What is it?
He paused, then looked over at me. The Rampart. Its a problem, and its been a problem for a while, which brings up something else. The interracial council. I know you have Cass, but maybe youd consider taking another vamp
Excuse me? Cassandra said.
Oh, get your back down. I mean a second vampire, someone wholl bring forward vampire concerns, like the Rampart. Ill do it, but if you know of someone better, thats cool. There arent enough vamps to have our own governing body, and the council used to perform that role
Used to? Cassandra said. If anyone has concerns, Ill take them to the council.
Paige, Aaron said. Howre you doing?
Good. I slid onto the stool beside his. How have you been?
Keeping out of trouble. A quick grin. Mostly. And watching my back a little better. Still damn embarrassing, getting kidnapped like that. Beer?
Please.
He motioned to the bartender. I wont ask you, Cass. Theres nothing here youd touch. Probably not even the patrons. Are you going to pull up a stool or just stand there?
This hardly seems the place for a private conversation, she said, then wheeled and headed for a booth near the back.
Aaron shook his head. I ordered my beer and he took a refill on his. As he pushed aside his empty glass, he noticed his cigarette in the ashtray and stubbed it out.
Its not enough that Im a vampire, I gotta kill people with secondhand smoke, too. He pushed the ashtray up beside the empty beer glass. I heard a rumor about you hooking up with the Cortez boy. That true?
I nodded, took my beer from the bartender, and laid down a five. Aaron waved it back and exchanged his fresh beer for a ten, with a murmured no change.
Thanks, I said.
I owe you more than a cheap beer. Now, this Cortez, its Lucas, right? The youngest? Doesnt work for the family?
Thats right.
Well, thats good, because someone was trying to tell me it was the next older one. You dont wanna get mixed up with those Cabal guys. But, now, Cassandra said she wanted to talk about a Cabal situation, and since youre here, Im assuming youre involved. But if youre with Lucas, and he doesnt work for the Cabals
Lets go sit with Cassandra and Ill explain.
I told Aaron the story. When I finished, he leaned back and shook his head.
Fucking unbelievable. We need that kinda trouble like we need a stake through the heart. You find this loser, you make sure the Cabals know the rest of us had nothing to do with it. He took a gulp of beer. I guess you want to know whether I have any idea who might be behind it. Im also guessing youve already checked out John and his gang.
John? I said.
John, Hans, whatever hes calling himself today. You know who I mean, Cass.
Oh, Cassandra said, lip curling. Him.
Well, youve told Paige about him, right? His little anti-Cabal crusade?
My head snapped up. Anti-Cabal crusade?
She frowned. When did he start this?
Oh, only about a decade or so ago.
This is the firstIve heard of it.
Aaron shook his head. No, its just the first time youve heard it and paid attention.
What is that supposed to mean?
Aaron turned to me. Guys name is John, but he calls himself Hans; thinks John isnt a proper name for a vampire. Hes one of the New Orleans vamps.
Oh.
Aaron grinned. That explains everything, doesnt it? Johns got this burr about Cabals. It goes with the whole mentality of those guys. Theyre vampires, so theyre special and they should rule the frigging supernatural world. If it wasnt for that damned writerIts gone straight to their heads. I wouldnt be surprised if they were behind this.
Any idea where we can find them? I asked.
I can get Johns address but it might take a day or two. Hes not exactly on my Christmas card list. But if youre in a hurry, his posse hangs out at the Rampart in New Orleans. He looked at Cassandra. But you check it out for her, Cass. Dont be taking Paige in there.
Vamps only? I said.
Nah, just not a very nice place. Ill put out some feelers, too, see if I can pick up any rumors.
I pulled out my notepad to give him my number.
Hold on, he said, and took out his cell phone. Safer this way. Every damned piece of paper I stuff into my pockets winds up in the washing machine. I can tell you where I was when I heard Lincoln had been shot, but do you think I can ever remember to empty my pockets before doing laundry? Not a chance.
I dictated my phone number and Lucass, and Aaron entered them into his cell directory. Then he returned the phone to his jacket, lounged back in his seat, and cracked his knuckles.
Cassandra sighed. What is it, Aaron?
Hmmm?
Whenever you do thatshe waved at his handsit means theres something on your mind. What is it?
He paused, then looked over at me. The Rampart. Its a problem, and its been a problem for a while, which brings up something else. The interracial council. I know you have Cass, but maybe youd consider taking another vamp
Excuse me? Cassandra said.
Oh, get your back down. I mean a second vampire, someone wholl bring forward vampire concerns, like the Rampart. Ill do it, but if you know of someone better, thats cool. There arent enough vamps to have our own governing body, and the council used to perform that role
Used to? Cassandra said. If anyone has concerns, Ill take them to the council.
