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“That it might not be Charles and angels. That you were right and it’s Charlie and Wormwood.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course not. But unless Charlie has a secret life, he’s not going to know a lot of celestials. Wormwood has contacts in Hell. That means they believe in angels, and knowing how they work, it probably means they’re in business with some.”
I shut up and let Abbot take that in. This time he’s quiet for a long time. Then he laughs in a bleak sort of way.
“I don’t know what to think about any of this. Mysterious boxes. Angels. Hell.” He pauses, then says, “How do you know they’re in business with Hell?”
“Because Geoffrey Burgess told me. Norris Quay runs their office Downtown.”
“Norris Quay?” says Abbot. “Norris Quay is dead.”
“Naturally. How else is he going to have a day job in Hell?”
He shakes his head. “You’re telling me to think like the Red Queen.”
“Who?”
“From Through the Looking-Glass. ‘Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.’”
“She sounds like a smart lady.”
Abbot leans forward, looking intense.
“Let’s assume that everything you’ve said today is true. You were attacked by an angel. Charles is somehow connected to them and that proves he has ties to Wormwood, who also know angels and does business in Hell.”
“You’re right on the money so far.”
“Wonderful. The thing is: What are we supposed to do with this information? I admit, I’m a little lost.”
“I spent eleven years Downtown, so I know the feeling.”
I finish my drink and set my glass on a nearby table.
“Oops,” says Abbot. He reaches over and hands me a coaster.
I put it under the glass.
“Sorry.”
“No harm done.”
He says it nicely, but I know he’s going to check for damage when I’m gone. He probably had this one custom-made in the Amazon. He’ll send a flunky to Brazil tonight to pick out a new one.
I cross my legs and get a look at my boots. They’re filthy. In all this glamour that makes me happier than it probably should.
“What I think we do right now is what you wanted me to do before. Recon work. I poke around and see if I come up with any new Wormwood connections.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea to follow Charles? If something strange happens around him again, he’s not going to write it off as a coincidence.”
“Not Charlie. Someone else I know is connected to Wormwood. Geoff Burgess. Or Eva Sandoval. I met them with some of the other Wormwood heavyweights. I think I’d rather go for Burgess.”
“Why him?”
“I don’t like him. And why not? He’s as good a place to start as any. I’m just shooting in the dark here. If you have a better idea, tell me.”
