Page 168 of Demons Dig Donuts

It was dark except for the flashing strobes and rainbow lights, the bass thumping through the floor powerful enough to rattle Indy’s teeth. The dance floor was a single gyrating mass of bodies, and the whole space reeked of weed, sweat, and alcohol. Indy could feel his thumb nail glowing and flickering as feverishly as the strobing lights, no doubt struggling with identifying so many inhuman creatures.

Because while everyone looked like normal people, Indy knew better.

It wasn’t just because of his nail either. After so long working with monsters, he could see the subtle signs that gave them away. Some were a little too quick, too graceful, and others moved in strange, unnatural angles as if they were actively struggling to keep their hidden forms at bay.

That gave Indy a moment of pause, thinking about the drug that could be out there right now.

What kind of panic would that create?

In a crowd like this?

Mr. Heiss led them over toward the bar where there was a bit of space, waiting for Azazel to join them before demanding, “Where are Tanze and Underwood?”

“They’re here.” Azazel glanced around the crowd. “Well, they said they were. Told me they were already—”

“Right here,” Underwood’s voice cut in, the rest of him materializing from nothing to appear beside Azazel.

Azazel flinched. “Oh, hey.”

Tanze popped up on the other side of Underwood, cozying right up to him. “We’re here, boss. Don’t worry. Came through the back door to do a little digging around.”

Indy grinned.

“And?” Mr. Heiss prompted.

“Pretty big space, but only three ways in or out,” Tanze replied. “Got the front, the door we came through, and one more that’s warded up. The offices upstairs and a few doors down here are warded to the teeth too. Will definitely set off an alarm if we break them.”

“Why not let me try, hmm?” Gammy’s disembodied voice asked. “I am quite handy with such things! Also. Ghost. I could have a little peek inside and see if anyone is hiding in there!”

“See?” Indy beamed. “Aren’t you glad she came?”

“Fine.” Mr. Heiss gritted his teeth. “Go ahead, madam. The office first. But please. Be quick.”

“Aye-aye, sir!” Gammy hummed to herself, the sound fading as she headed off.

“You three. Search the rest of the club,” Mr. Heiss ordered. “If Nyp or Mr. Mitternacht are hiding here somewhere, I want them found and alert me immediately. Do not engage. Tell me first. Do you understand?”

Tanze did not seem pleased, no doubt eager for some payback, but he nodded. “Yes, boss.”

“Yes, boss,” Azazel said dutifully. “Don’t worry. We’ll find ’em.”

“Go.” Mr. Heiss jerked his head. “Now.”

Azazel slipped off into the crowd with Tanze and Underwood following behind him. They split up and then vanished from sight.

“So.” Indy bounced on his heels. “Wanna dance?”

Mr. Heiss scoffed. “I am searching for a potential murderer, very likely about to raid an illegal club, and you want to dance?”

“Yeah!”

“No.” Mr. Heiss shook his head. “The only reason I’m here and not with them is that you have a terrible habit of getting into trouble when I’m not around.”

“That’s never happened.”

“It’s happened twice.”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s fine.” Indy looked out over the throng of dancing bodies. “You know, we could just pull the fire alarm.”