“Good eye,” I tell her.
“Thanks.”
Alessa helps her to her feet.
“What do we do now?” says Brigitte.
I load my weapons back into my coat and look at Carlos.
“Let’s go see a couple of bookworms.”
“Now you’re talking,” he says.
VIDOCQ’S APARTMENT IS actually my old apartment, the one I shared with Alice when she was alive. After Mason Faim sent me to Hell, Vidocq took over the place and used some clever hoodoo to make it invisible. You can’t see it unless he wants you to. And if the wrong person ever does get a look at it, they’ll forget it instantly. It’s a good deal all around. L.A. is an expensive burg and Vidocq has been living rent-free for twelve years now.
I bring everyone out in the lobby of the building and we ride the freight elevator up. It wasn’t technically necessary to come this way. I could have just taken us out in the hall by Vidocq’s door, but I wanted one last elevator ride upstairs. I rode this way with Alice a million times and, later, with Candy. If I’m going out, I’m taking a few good memories with me.
As the elevator whines and jostles us on the way up I look at her.
I say, “How are you feeling?”
“Better. Whatever Allegra gave me really helped. How about you?” she says.
“Good. I’ve got another couple of hours in me.”
“That’s not what I mean. I mean being back here.”
“It’s fine. Some nice memories.”
“And the bad ones?”
“Those too. I don’t want to forget anything.”
She reaches out and holds my hand for a second, then lets go. Smart. If there was ever a time for letting go, this is it.
When we get upstairs, I lead everyone down what looks like an empty hall that dead-ends at a window.
“How’s your head doing?” says Carlos. “I think you took us the wrong way.”
I look at Alessa. She and Howard are the only other ones who’ve never been here, and she’s looking at me like I’ve finally lost it.
I don’t say anything. When I knock, all they see is me banging on a blank wall. It’s even stranger for them when the wall opens up and Vidocq is there.
“James,” he says, pulling me inside. He’s French and two hundred years old, so he can’t help greeting everyone like he’s Louis the Sun King. “Let me look at you,” he says. “You look like shit.”
“Good to see you too, old man.”
“At least your absence wasn’t eleven years like your last trip. How was your time in Le Merdier?”
“Dusty. There was a judge down there. He spoke more languages and was crazier than you. If I live, I’ll tell you all about it.”
Ray comes over and frowns.
“I was hoping the potion would last a little bit longer.”
“I’m still on my feet. That’s enough for now.”
Carlos goes over to Ray.