Gilded Latten Bones

76

"Saucerhead came up with an original idea." I explained.

"That is an interesting angle. Somebody has been feeding him smart pills. Let's hope Mr. Salvation feels amenable." She brushed aside my suggestion that we send for him. "He'll ignore us if we appeal to him. He needs to think things are his idea. Wrangling him takes craft."

"Did Old Bones craft him into doing something for us?"

"He did. I don't know what. Certainly something the Dead Man told him only he could manage."

I shook my head. Jon Salvation. I couldn't get used to a Remora with airs.

Focused on her books, Singe told me, "You need to put your prejudices aside when you think about that man, Garrett. He is a near complete waste of flesh in ways you consider important, but he is also the best and most powerful playwright working. And, in his mind, he is one of your inner circle."

"I got you. But do you realize how ridiculous that is to anybody who knew Pilsuds Vilchik?"

Singe asked, "Answer the door. I still have entries to make and Dean's notes look like he kept them in code."

"The door?"

"Someone is knocking."

"Damn, your ears are better than mine."

"I'm young. I'm pretty. And I'm not human."

No way could I respond to that and have anything good come of it.

She snickered as I left the room.

John Stretch and two ratwomen were on the stoop. I figured his henchrats had witnessed the beer delivery.

The so well-to-do lord of the ratfolk underworld joined me in with the Dead Man. His women joined Morley. "This cool air is wonderful."

I had worked up a sweat doing porter work so I was in complete agreement. "I'm scared to ask Singe how much we pay for the heat exchange spells but on these warm days it seems worth it."

"There must be some kind of climate change going on. Ratpeople aren't usually bothered by hot weather but this much heat, this early, worries me. What will it be like when we hit the blazing heart of summer?"

"Blazing heart, eh?"

"Not original, I admit. It is from a street corner rant I heard the other day. Though he actually said, 'The blazing heat of summer. ' His point was, the hottest day of summer would seem refreshingly cool once we found ourselves in hell."

"A street theater guy. You got to love them. Life would be less fun without them."

"Too true."

He had a reason for being here beyond a hope for free beer. I put on an expression of eager curiosity. I drank some beer myself.

"The reason I came by-I wanted to let you know, I just launched a special operation."

I took a long sip. "I'm all ears."

"The stink of corruption in that warehouse had to be unique. And something like it would be strong wherever the zombie makers are building their monsters now."

He looked expectant.

"I imagine so." I looked expectant right back, sure he had a point to make. "Yes?"

"Ah." Pleased with himself. "I put out word to ratfolk across the city. Sniff out places that stink of death and chemicals."

"Brilliant!" How could the people who wanted the thing left alone object? "Everybody is thinking more clever than me."

"Everybody?"

"Saucerhead Tharpe came up with the notion of looking for the people who made the costumes, then to work back from them."

"That would be interesting, too. But my method has more promise."

"You're right. Find the monster manufactory and back-tracking won't be necessary."

He wanted more pats on the back. Some parts of his life must not have been going as well as he would like.

I said, "Enjoy your beer." Which must not have been the perfect sentiment at the moment. He looked puzzled.

The day went downhill from there. The world kept intruding.

All the folks sent out by the Dead Man would come back to plague me.