“That’s Kasabian. Be nice to him. He has a hard enough time just existing.”
“He’s doing fine. We were chatting about finding him a body so he doesn’t have to crawl around this room forever.”
“Where’s Candy?”
“She’s having a beer with the head. He’s telling stories about you. He’s a real cutup.”
“Why are you in town, doc? I told you to stay away.”
“Candy and I came back to drag your ass out of here. You can’t stop what’s coming. This isn’t about zombies or the Vigil or Lucifer. It’s about the city eating itself. This train’s been coming for a long time and you don’t want to be here when it crashes into the station.”
“Thanks, doc, but a dead buddy and me are on our way to the Jackal’s Backbone for drinks and a lap dance.”
“Dammit. If you go in there you’re never coming out. Do you understand that? You’ve been bit. You’re already halfway to becoming one of them. Come back and we’ll see what we can do for you.”
“You’re wrong and you’re wrong. I’ll come out of the Backbone and I’m going to stop whatever’s going on because whoever’s doing it has really pissed me off. You’re wrong about the other thing, too. I’m not turning zed. I’m turning into you. Stark’s going bye-bye. In another day or so, the angel part is all that’s going to be left.”
That shuts him up.
“Listen to me. You’ve got to stop whatever it is you think you’re doing and come back here right now. We can fix this and put you back like you were.”
“Why would I want that? Get Allegra and Vidocq out of town. If you can’t take Brigitte or Kasabian, then hide them someplace safe.”
He doesn’t say anything.
“Doc?”
“Hi, Stark.”
“Candy?”
“You need to come home. Kasabian and I are drinking all your beer.”
“Just remember to empty his bucket every bottle or two.”
“I’ve missed you.”
“Hobbies are a good way to forget your troubles. I’ve heard needlepoint is relaxing.”
“Doc says you’re sick.”
“No. I’ve been sick. Now I’m getting better. Soon I’ll be perfect.”
“Please come back.”
“I can’t. We’re here.”
I park across from the address Johnny gave me. We’re in front of a ten-story office building shaped like a cake box sitting on top of a shoe box. The only interesting thing about the place is that it doesn’t seem to have any windows.
I say, “Good-bye, Candy,” and hang up. Good-bye to everyone. Been nice knowing you.
Johnny leans over and stares up at the building, as curious as I am.
“Do you have a way in?”
“You got us the car. I thought you could do it.”
“You’re more awake than this morning.”