by Gini Koch
“Okay, but why here, why this business in particular?”
He stared at me for a few long moments, then I saw realization dawn on his face. “Oh, that’s right. In your position, you have to function as human more than undead. If you’re able to, look around with undead eyes.”
I was embarrassed that I hadn’t thought of this on my own. But, fine, I’d throw one to Cotton. I shifted my mind and opened my eyes. And managed not to scream.
“Why didn’t anyone mention this?”
Cotton sighed. “I assume they thought you knew, or would pay attention.”
“You know, it’s hard to pretend to be human if you can see Necropolis. Or this.”
“No need to get defensive.” He was quiet for another few moments. “Do you think it’s significant to your case?”
“Yeah, I do. How long has this been here?”
“It appeared just before I took over the business. I’m sure it’s why I was encouraged to do so. Someone must guard the portal, so to speak.”
I dragged the words out. “Thank you, this is a great help, Cotton.”
“You’re very welcome.” He sounded incredibly pleased. “You know, I’ve been thinking about the young man, Tony T. The last time I saw him was several months ago, right after he’d come in for the scroll. He came back and gave me a great number of items for pawn. He insinuated I shouldn’t worry if he didn’t come back for them and also suggested I sell a few for profit.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. “Cotton, do you know where you put those things? All of them?”
“Yes. I’ll show you.” He glided out of his office and I followed. We wandered in what seemed like random directions while I spent my time trying not to look down or towards the street. We reached a display marked “Specialty Items”. “Here we are.”
I looked at what Cotton was showing me. Nothing screamed out that it was from the Prince, but that didn’t mean anything. The Prince and his minions were all over the idea of disguising evil items to look innocuous.
“Cotton, doesn’t it…bother you? I mean where your business is located?”
“Not so much. Convergence points aren’t an issue if you’re not heading down into the Levels.”
“But we’re standing on the edge of a convergence chasm, not a point.”
He shrugged. “Same thing. I don’t understand why you didn’t notice, however.”
“You know, I’ve never come onto this side of the block, possibly in the entire time I’ve been with the Prosaic City Police. Doesn’t that seem odd?”
“Yes. You do the job you do because of your skills, not just appearing human, but because of your powers of investigation.” Cotton looked thoughtful. “You know…it seems odd to the point of unlikely that, in a year or more you’ve never come in here.”
“The Pleasure Palace next door has a spell on it. It extends to the back of the building. I wonder if the whole block was spelled.”
Cotton nodded. “Could be. I don’t know how to check for that, however.”
“The former owner was a human? You’re sure?”
“Fairly positive. However, he was aware there were undeads about, though I don’t think he was a human in the know. The patrons considered him crazy. Crazy Ed was his name -- even he called himself that. He told me business was good and steady, but that the clientele weren’t always what they looked like. I got the impression he was getting out of Prosaic City because he was frightened.”
“His pawnshop was sitting here and you think he might have been frightened?”
“No need to take that tone. You didn’t notice. Why would he?”
“I didn’t notice because when I’m on Prosaic City P.D. business, I make it a point not to look into the planes. But if Crazy Ed was a human who could see us, then he wouldn’t know how to block it out.” No wonder the poor guy was crazy and wanted to leave. “You sure he left and wasn’t killed or something?”
“I received a letter from him a few months after he’d sold me the business. Told me he was in New York City and happy. It seemed legitimate.”
I hoped it was. “Okay. So, how well do you know the owners of the other businesses here, The Pleasure Palace and the Salvation Center?”
Cotton’s lip curled. “The Pleasure Palace is not a place I enter. And I have no need of the Salvation Center.”
I refrained from comment and focused on the specialty items. “Which ones did Tony T give you?”
Cotton pointed out several things -- an old book, a large knife with an intricately carved ivory handle, what looked like an ancient phonograph and a set of vinyl records, a bag of marbles, and a small statue of something that gave me chills to look at.
“Were there any other items Tony T sold to you that you’ve resold already?”
“No. These six were it, well, if we count the records as one item, which Tony insinuated I should. All worth a good deal, honestly. I had them appraised before I gave him any money.”
“Who did the appraisals?”
“Benny the Fence.”
“Best choice. Cotton, I need to take these as police evidence.” And to prevent him from selling them to another unsavory being. “I’ll give you a receipt so you can reclaim them once our investigation’s over.”
He sighed. “I assumed as much. Anything else you want to keep?”
“Yeah,” Jack said from behind us. “I found a couple of things.” I turned. He was holding something that looked like a small guitar made by someone who didn’t know how a guitar actually worked, and several scrolls.
Cotton sighed again, but didn’t protest. He zipped off, got a receipt book, marked down what we were taking and their estimated values, gave us a copy, then put everything into a large bag. I had to hand it to him, he did seem to have the whole customer service thing down.
Jack took the bag, we said our goodbyes, and left. The jangling bell was just as cheerful the first time and just as annoying by time four as when we’d entered. I wondered if Cotton liked it or if it drove him crazy, too. Decided I didn’t care.
“Salvation Center next?” Jack asked.
“Yeah. But first, I need to tell you guys what a convergence point is, and explain why being on, in or around one can be bad.”
Chapter 33
The three of them gaped at me. “A what?” Sexy Cindy asked.
“A convergence point. They tend to be small, usually about the size of a quarter. They’re points where time and space and the various planes of existence all meet.”
“Are they rare?” Jack looked around. “And can humans see them?”
“Not so much and generally no. Being as small as they normally are, most beings won’t spend a lot of time around them. Since they’re also part of the space-time continuum, they tend to shift. So, just because there was a convergence point on, say, Sixth and Main last year, it doesn’t mean it’s still there this year.”
“Okay, so what’s the big deal?” Sexy Cindy sounded bored.
“Well, if a being stays on a convergence point too long, then it can affect them -- psychologically and emotionally, as well as physically. A lot of missing humans locked onto a convergence point at the wrong time and were shifted to another plane of existence. Some make it back, some don’t.”
“Are the ones who make it back those who insist they were abducted by aliens?” Freddy asked thoughtfully.
“Frequently, yeah.”
“Huh. Figures, I suppose.” He shook his head. “So, is there a convergence point around here?”
“No.” They all looked relieved and like they thought I was a weirdo for making a fuss. “There’s what I’d call a convergence chasm here.” I pointed to the street as they all went from relieved to worried, fast. “Freddy and Cindy, you two may be able to make it out. Jack, don’t even bother to try. Convergence points glow golden -- when people are dying and think they’re going into the light, there’s a convergence point in or on them somewhere.”
“But a lot of those people com
e back,” Jack protested.
“Yes. Because they were being moved to a positive plane of existence, usually the angels’ realm, and the beings there helped send them home. Anyway, metaphysics and such later.”
“That’s not metaphysics --” Freddy started.
“Not for humans, no. For us? Yes, it is. You can discuss it with H.P. and Edgar, okay? Right now, we’re standing on what looks to me like the biggest convergence point ever. Cotton said it appeared just before he took over Killjoy’s. From what he said about the former owner, he was a human who could see into the planes, meaning he was going crazy.”
“Crazy Ed, yeah,” Sexy Cindy offered. “I liked him a lot better than Cotton.”
“Shocking. Anyway, from what Cotton insinuated, someone suggested he take over this pawnshop. He thinks his presence is guarding, so to speak.”
“Is it?” Jack asked.
“I doubt it. Cotton’s not a really powerful undead, most ghosts aren’t.”
“Ishtrallum’s not guarding anything,” Jack snarled.
“No, in fact, I’d assume he’s doing better being on a convergence point of this size. They’re attractive, in their way, even if you don’t get shifted by one. But the issue is -- no one at Enforcement Headquarters has mentioned this to me. Cotton thought they’d figured I’d find it -- but no one, not even the Count, has that much patience. They didn’t tell me about it, even though it’s in the heart of my Night Beat jurisdiction, because they didn’t think I needed to worry about it. So…someone’s actually doing the guarding, and whoever it is, they’re a being of high aptitude and trust, or they wouldn’t be here.” I looked at the Salvation Center. “So, let’s go find out who that is, shall we?”
“We in danger, being on the convergence chasm and all?” Sexy Cindy was heading back towards sarcastic.
“Yes. But we’re somewhat protected.”
“How?” All three of them asked that as one.
I shrugged. “Martin and Black Angel Two are watching over us.”
Angels did really watch over beings they considered in their care. The more powerful the angel, the more likely they could keep their particular charges out of danger. I knew how Martin and Black Angels One and Two operated -- we were all working a case of epic ramifications together, so they were watching over our entire team. As powerful as they were, it should be enough to keep the four of us from being sucked into the convergence hole I could see under the asphalt.
I walked into the Salvation Center. No jangling bell, which was a relief. Compared to the other two establishments we’d just been in, it was small. And dowdy. Dull, quiet, hushed, really -- almost like a library without too many books.
We looked around. Not a lot of activity, and no sign of any being. I sniffed. There was something vaguely familiar about the scent in here, but it was faint.
I felt rather than heard the step behind me. I spun to see someone I knew very well standing there. As I stared at him, it occurred to me that no one had mentioned this block to me, or the convergence chasm, or anything else about this area, because they were hoping I would never have to come here.
He smiled, a crooked smile that I hated myself for still finding attractive. “Hello, Victoria. It’s been a long time.”
“Love the name of the place,” was all I could come up with that wasn’t going to sound stupid, pathetic, lovelorn or bitter.
“It’s appropriate. You’d be amazed, despite the location, we actually get a lot of foot traffic.”
“I’ll bet.”
The others clustered around me. “Who’s this?” The way Jack asked, I figured my expression was telling him not necessarily who but definitely what was standing in front of us.
“You can call me Jude.” He put his hand out.
Unlike with Cotton, Jack took it. “So, how long ago did you two break up?” Yeah, he was a good cop.
Jude’s smile went a little wider. “Oh, a long time ago.” He let go of Jack’s hand and shook Freddy’s and Sexy Cindy’s. “Nice to meet you all.”
“We haven’t been introduced,” Jack almost growled.
Sexy Cindy coughed. “Dude’s an angel. Think he’s already done that whole fast read of the mind thing.”
Jude nodded. “You’re very bright. I’d always hoped you’d come in here…while you were alive, I mean. I’m certain you’ll make an excellent undead, both of you,” he added with another nod for Freddy.
“You dated an angel?” Jack muttered at me.
“Long story.” Very long. Did not want to go into it here, either. “Jude, you’re guarding the convergence point?”
“Yes. And yes, you’re right. They didn’t tell you because you were doing so well, they didn’t want me to mess you up in any way.”
“Stop doing the mind reading thing.”
He shrugged. “I can’t. Rules. Whoever’s guarding has to be reading at all times. It’s too dangerous otherwise.”
He was right and I knew it. It didn’t make it any easier to deal with.
Jude gave Jack a friendly smile. “You really don’t need to be jealous. I still love her, but we haven’t been an item for more than three of your lifetimes. Oh,” he added with a grin, “you don’t have to be jealous of Ken, either. They’re more done than she and I are.”
“You’re not helping,” I hissed.
Jude grinned. “Nice to see no one’s taught you to sit or stay.” I wanted to lunge at him, but a part of me asked if I wanted to so lunge to touch him again. I held myself in check. His smile widened. “Proud of you. Your self-restraint is much improved.”
“Thanks, I think. What’s going on?”
“As far as I know, exactly what you think. There’s a powerful witch or warlock involved, maybe more than one, because I didn’t feel any arrivals of the magnitude we’re talking about, and I have to assume Cotton didn’t, either, or he’d have alerted all of Necropolis Enforcement.”
Sexy Cindy was staring at Jude thoughtfully. “You know…you look familiar. I don’t know why…you ever been one of my johns?”
“Hardly,” Jude replied with a chuckle. “There aren’t a lot of pictures of me around, so maybe I just look like someone else you know.” He looked back at me. “I’m sure the convergence point helped. It might be why they did this now.”
“Cotton said it’s been here as long as he’s run Killjoy’s, and that’s been a lot longer than this plan’s been active, at least on these planes.”
“True. I’ve been here longer than you’ve been on undercover duty.”
“Nice of you or anyone else to mention it.”
He shook his head. “Wasn’t relevant. Still isn’t, really. The overlap between our assignments is the only reason you’re here. And when your case is done or this particular convergence point shifts, you’ll move on or I will. We’re both mature undeads. This isn’t any different than the rest of the time since we broke up has been.”
It was different, however, for a variety of reasons. Most of my reasons started and ended with Jack, but Jude and I had a lot of unresolved issues of our own and the middle of a case of end-of-all-the-worlds’ proportions wasn’t the best place to work through them. Not that, apparently, I was going to have a choice.
“So, Abaddon, Apollyon and an ancient Sumerian demon-thing all make it into the human plane and you, of all beings, don’t notice? Even though you’re here specifically to so notice?”
Jude shrugged. “Looks that way. Figure you’re looking for the witch or warlock, or however many of them are working on this, on the human plane as well.”
“What about the doppelgängers? As in do we have any, a bunch, an army’s worth?”
“No idea.” Jude looked thoughtful. “I know your team’s divided up all over the place, following a variety of leads. I’m just wondering….”
I waited for a few seconds, but he didn’t say anything else. “You’re wondering what, exactly?”
“If all those leads are there to prevent you from finding whoever’s mastermi
nding on this plane.”
“Um, wouldn’t that be either Abaddon or Apollyon or, more likely and how fun for us, both of them?”
Jude shook his head. “I’ve spent time down in the Depths, remember. Those two are excellent at following a complex plan and ensuring maximum mayhem. But they aren’t the brains of any operation. And this seems like a complex plan that’s got a variety of offensives, foot soldiers, generals, feints and mythic misdirection.”
The base of my tail got a really bad feeling going. I could tell by Jude’s expression his wings were tingling. Interestingly, however, the person who spoke up next wasn’t him or me, it was Sexy Cindy.
“You know, I do know you.” She was staring hard at Jude. “Only…you’re nothing like I was taught, are you?”
He smiled. “Well, that’s open to debate.”
“No, it’s not.” I looked at Sexy Cindy’s expression. I had a feeling she’d truly figured out who Jude was. “He’s one of the best undercover agents Yahweh’s ever had.”
She nodded. “Yeah, guess so. Doesn’t it bother you, to be considered the most evil man in history?”
Jude shook his head. “The beings whose opinions matter to me know the truth. Besides, there have been plenty of people more evil than even my worst detractors could say I was.”
Sexy Cindy snorted. “Yeah, too true. Start with Hitler and work up or down, right?”
The bad feeling at the base of my tail slammed into my stomach as Jude and I looked at each other. “Oh, please, tell me you know where he is.”
Jude shut his eyes and spread his wings. I knew this meant he was accessing the angel collective. He didn’t open his eyes for a good long while, but when he finally did I knew for certain we’d moved from bad to beyond worse.
“No one knows where he is. Our agents in the Levels haven’t seen him for the last few days. But he hasn’t come through as far as anyone on any other plane has been able to tell.”
“Because he traded places with Anthony Tomio.” I tried to swallow the bile but couldn’t.
Jack cleared his throat. “Am I hearing this right? You two mean Adolph Hitler, most evil man of the twentieth century? He’s an undead?”