I thought I saw a flash of respect in his eyes, but then it was gone and he was gesturing toward the keys on the island. I grabbed them up and snagged my coat off the back of a chair.
“Thanks, I don’t know when I’ll be back.”Or even if I’ll come back.
“Don’t you want something to eat?” Hobbs asked in mild surprise.
“No time.”
“Here, I made you a coffee to go,” he said, sitting a travel mug on the counter.
“Sweet,” I said, taking the coffee and then snatching a couple pieces of bacon right from the pan.
It was snowing when I pulled out of the garage and onto the street—big, fat flakes that were the purest shade of white. They seemed to attack the car in a frenzy, clinging to what parts it could and rushing at the windshield as I drove.
I remembered exactly how to get to G.R.’s. The Grim Reaper’s address wasn’t something I think anyone would forget. True, I hadn’t known at the time he was the Grim Reaper, but it had always been obvious he wasn’t just an ordinary rich guy in the suburbs. As I drove through the gate of the community where he lived, I wondered what all the residents in the neighborhood would think if they knew they lived next to the ultimate life stealer.
They’d never believe it.
I could hear the news interviews now… “He was always the most cheerful, friendly neighbor. He never caused any trouble and he always brought his trash cans in on time.”
I snorted. That was the thing about the Grim Reaper. He didn’t have to be scary. He didn’t have to walk around in a cloak carrying a scythe because all he had to do to take your life was touch you. His friendly, almost jolly personality was the ultimate weapon because it allowed him to get close enough to touch. Before you even knew what was happening, you were dead and G.R. claimed your body for his closet, your soul (for God only knew what), and then handed out your money or your abilities to his Escorts.
And he did it all in a matter of moments.
But I wasn’t going to help him. And I wasn’t going to let him have Piper.
His mansion came into view and I turned down the long, curving driveway and stopped haphazardly near the front of the house. I got out of the car and went to the front door and rang the bell. The door was opened by a man in a black coat and tails who bowed as I walked in.
To anyone who might be watching, it appeared I was just a guy visiting a friend and being welcomed by the butler. But I knew better.
This was the beginning of the end.
I followed the butler through a long hallway draped in art until we stopped in front of wide dark wood double doors. The butler motioned for me to stay and he let himself quietly into the room.
I wasn’t fool enough to think I could stop the Grim Reaper. I couldn’t. But I was hoping I could make some kind of deal to keep Piper alive.
“He will see you now,” the butler said when he came out of the door, holding it so I could enter the large office where I came when I was nothing but a ghost. The memory had me looking down at myself, half expecting to see my body was gone and I was nothing but purple mist. But I still had a body and nothing on me was purple.
I stopped in front of the desk and watched the massive black leather chair turn slowly around, revealing the bony frame of the Grim Reaper. Knowing now who he really was, I realized he had the perfect look for the taker of life.
“Ah, Dexter! I had a feeling you would be by today,” he said, actually with friendliness in his tone. Then his brow furrowed a bit and he said, “Where is my body?”
He meant Piper. He thought I’d come because I killed her and wanted to deliver her body. I figured Charming would’ve come running to tattle when I interrupted his plans to murder my Target.
“Were you aware that Charming tried to interfere with my assignment? That he tried to killmyTarget?”
“Yes.” G.R. smiled fondly. “He is a most impatient Escort, but that’s what makes him so good at what he does. He doesn’t play games.”
I ignored the last remark, which was no doubt a barb at me for taking so long in delivering my Target. Charming probably dispatched all his Targets with record speed.
“My Target. My rules,” I said with a hint of challenge to my tone.
G.R. steepled his fingers beneath his chin in a pose I was beginning to think of as his signature and he smiled. “Well, he did say you interrupted his attempt. So when I heard you were here I assumed it was because you hurried and finished the job before Charming could try again and take your victory away.”
Of course that’s what he thought. Dead bodies around here were almost like trophies.
“I came to tell you I won’t do it. I’m not going to kill her.”
He dropped his hands as his eyes widened. “No? Do you not remember the price for refusing my deal?”
