Something about her saying that stung. Masters was dead, but his words were very much alive in my head. And the worst thing about them was that he was right. Without a doubt, he was right about everything.
“The job is done. I expect my payment by next week.”
“Ah, but one moment.” She stood, letting her hair fall forward to cover her face before she began pacing. “You retrieved a case of gold bars used by Belik for his payments to the FBI contact. I believe I am entitled to that gold as compensation for lost profits.”
Shit, I thought, one of her cronies must have seen me when I went back to the 5th. Well, she wasn’t getting any of that gold, not on my watch.
“It’s already in the hands of someone who deserves it.” I saw her hands clench as I finished my thought. “But that warehouse where our raid went down on the western docks — it isn’t guarded by anyone but some stragglers from the 5th. Hundreds, maybe thousands of parts are in there, and though quite a lot was destroyed in the crossfire, what’s left could probably fund your operation for a few months. It would keep you from relying on outside sources too heavily and would mean a hell of a lot of money in your pocket and no one else’s.”
She seemed to relax, and I soon heard movement inside and outside the apartment. Her cronies didn’t need prompting, it seemed. After the footsteps outside stopped, she spoke again. “I suppose all is in order, then. Fine job, Elias. Your payment will be in your account within the week.”
“Fantastic.” I pulled out one of the gold bars I had pocketed, throwing it toward her. “Catch.”
With lightning reflexes, she snatched it from the air effortlessly and put it down beside her on the ground. I did it partly to keep her happy, but also to see her arm. I’d noticed it earlier. The augments she had were quite compact and looked very human, despite having a metallic sheen. She had the money and the means to build a custom arm, which probably meant that it was even more advanced than anything Allen had. Still, she’d need a Tesla Battery to operate it properly, but I didn’t see one lying around.
“A bonus for your helpful hints early on in the investigation.”
“Much appreciated, Elias.”
“We good?”
“We’re good. All favours paid.” She gave a whistle as the front door was opened by someone from the other side. As I passed by, I glanced over at him and recognized his face. He’d nearly broken my arm a few days back at GE. He still had his security uniform on, with the wireless radio attached to his vest. That explained why I hadn’t ended up in the slammer of some other precinct after getting Jaeger’s information.
I turned back to her. “It seems you have your hand in everything.”
“As I’ve told you, we have ears where we cannot see, and eyes where there is nothing to hear.”
“Fine. One last question. The Red-eye at the speakeasy, the one that got domed when I tried to question it at the warehouse. Who was that? Did it work for you?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I couldn’t tell whether she was bluffing or telling the truth — but then again, when could I?
“Goodnight, Elias. And give my regards to Allen. I feel that he will be invaluable in the future, for both you and me.”
“It, you mean.”
Back in my own apartment, I could hear the sounds of shuffling and moving as the Eye’s cronies began to pack up and evacuate the borrowed apartment. I dropped my bloody coat on the floor. The gold bricks in the pockets most likely dented the wooden floor beneath the carpet. This was the first time I’d finished a case without feeling like I needed a drink. I figured it was getting better. At least, I hoped it was. I needed a shower, and maybe some dinner. I could always get someone to bring me something. I was in no mood to leave tonight.
Then the phone rang.
Please don’t let this be another Night Call. I approached the table and lifted the receiver. “Talk.”
“Good evening, Detective Roche.”
Speak of the devil. Hard to mistake that voice and tone, even through these goddamn wires.
“Allen, yeah. What’s going on?”
“I was just curious about what to do now, seeing as our case is closed. Should I stay at the precinct and file paperwork?”
The damn machine was perky, I’d give it that. Didn’t skip a beat. It had pulled a lot of its own weight, and most of mine at times. I couldn’t be ungrateful, not after tonight. “No, get home and get some rest, Allen. Everything we did was off the record. There isn’t any paperwork for us to fill out. I’ll grab you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? For what?”
“I have some business to attend to around the city, prepping for Night Calls and visiting some old friends. If you’d like to tag along, I think you could help.”
There was silence for several seconds. “Detective, does this mean we’ll be working together on more cases?”
“Yeah, Allen. I’ll get you at seven, partner.”
“Thank you, Detective.”
A click followed its last words as the phone line went dead. I dropped the receiver onto the phone base, walked to the bathroom, and began to strip for the shower. Something about saying partner had felt like a weight off my chest. Why? Maybe because of James. Allen couldn’t ever replace James, but neither could dwelling on James bring him back.
It back.
But we’d see how the new duo would work out. Allen and me. Partners.
Yeah, I think I could get used to that.
For now at least.
CHAPTER 21
THE STATION WAS BUZZING. Two weeks after the impromptu FBI inspections had finished, there was a happy, colourful atmosphere around the Lower City. The murder rate was at an all-time low for the 5th. I couldn’t say the same for midtown Manhattan, though; their murder
