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.We rolled past the cherry neon arch reading “Reno: The Biggest Little City in the World,” cruising for Fourth Street.The street itself—and the blues bar that bore the street’s name up on its red marquee.All cozy and smoky and dark, 4th Street Scarlet was miles away from a tourist trap, all cozy and smoky and dark.The cool licks of a saxophone wafted from the stage as we made our way inside, wrapping around my heart and giving it a squeeze.“His use-name is Cth’pollosu,” Caitlin had told me on the drive over, fresh from her call with Emma.“But these days he goes by Calypso.He’s a big deal, Daniel.One of the greats, a legend even, and he’s been around for a long, long time.Some say he walked with the Morning Star.”“You sound like you’re about to meet George Clooney.”“I won’t lie, he’s up there.Just watch yourself.He’s not stupid.”“Not worried,” I said, taking her hand in mine.“I’ve got backup.”Calypso wasn’t hard to find.He glowed in my second sight like a blood diamond, all hard edges and cold allure.He wore a tan linen suit that stood out against his skin.He was dark, dark like roasted coffee, and a wisp of white smoke curled up from the unfiltered cigarette held between his long, slender fingers.“Hello, hello,” he said as we walked up to his table.His voice was like burnt honey.“If it isn’t the Wingtaker herself.Pleased to find myself in the presence of greatness.”“The feeling’s mutual,” she said.“I admire your work.”His easy gaze slid toward me.His eyes were unnaturally bright.“And if this is Sitri’s honored hound, the man beside her must be Daniel Faust.You’ve been making waves, son.I’ve heard things.”“Good things or bad?” I asked.He chuckled, a low amused rasp.“Things.I’m a ramblin’ man, you see.I hear things all over.Why don’t you both take a load off? Join me for a spell.”As we pulled out chairs and sat down at his small table, he lifted his half-empty glass and waved toward a passing waitress.“Grace, baby? Another whiskey on the rocks.Bring a couple for my new friends, too.”“We’re here about one of your clients,” Caitlin said.“Alton Roth.”Calypso took a long, slow drag of his cigarette.He exhaled a plume of smoke that drifted up toward the rafters, swirling in time with the music.“Mm, Alton.Alton’s a keeper.My most ambitious project in four hundred years.See, that boy’s bound for greater things than the Senate.”“You know he’s looking to wriggle out of the deal?” I said.“They always do,” he said with a lazy smile.“Oh, they always do.I understand Alton’s looking to live forever.Had a few clients try that game over the years.Not one’s ever pulled it off.Nah, immortality’s a losing proposition.Only fame lasts forever.”“He might prove you wrong,” I said.Caitlin rested her hands on the table.“This is a matter of infernal security,” she said.“You’re a Bargainer, and the terms of the Cold Peace give me no authority over you or your order.I am asking you to release Alton Roth’s contract as a favor to me and to Prince Sitri.Your generosity will be repaid.”Calypso ashed his cigarette and took a sip of whiskey, shaking his head.“I appreciate the tone of respect,” he said, “and I appreciate the offer of recompense.But come on, Wingtaker.You aren’t one of those come-lately upstarts with no love for your elders, our traditions, and our ways.You honor your history.So you know, well as anyone, that I can’t let Roth off the hook.Every soul is a song, and I’m still writing his lyrics.”“There’s no offer you’ll consider?” I said.He let out a long, slow chuckle and took another sip of whiskey.“I do so enjoy a man named Faust asking me about a deal.Makes me feel at one with history.Shame we can’t talk business, son, but you’re already damned.Spoiled product.”“He’s also mine,” Caitlin said with a hint of warning in her voice.Calypso took a foil pack of smokes from his inside jacket pocket, some European brand I didn’t recognize, and shook out a single cigarette.“Point is, I’ve got big plans for that man, and I just can’t go parting with him.Genuinely sorry if that steps on your toes.”I thought fast.Roth’s contract was the one piece of leverage we had, the one wrench we could throw into Lauren’s machine, but only if I could figure out how to use it.I got an idea.A sketchy one—my best ideas usually were.“What’s your interest in Roth,” I said, “outside the scope of his contract?”“All I have to do is deliver what I promised him,” Calypso said, “and all he has to do is die.In his proper hour, that is.I won’t brook you interfering with my work.”“I wouldn’t do that,” Caitlin said.“Oh, I know you wouldn’t.Your boy here, though, he’s on a hair trigger.You’d best school him before he does something foolish.”I held up my hand.“Let me rephrase.We need Roth to lean in a certain direction.It shouldn’t interfere with whatever you’ve promised him.In fact, it might help.Is that a problem? If we just talk to the guy? Maybe play with his head a little bit?”“Long as you mind your boundaries, I’m copacetic,” Calypso said.The waitress brought over a round of drinks [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]