Page 44 of Brush with Death
The apartment opened in a living room that had seen better days.There was a pile of pizza boxes on the coffee table, surrounded by empty cans of beer and sodas and dirty tissues that made Vale wrinkle his nose in disgust.The TV was on, and a videogame was paused on its screen.The controller had been abandoned on the couch between a blanket and what looked like a dirty sock.The air smelled stale and of sweat and cheesy chips.
Was Vale’s presence necessary?Between John and Russell, they would get all the answers they needed.Vale and Cyril could wait outside, away from the smell.
But Cyril had a different idea.He let go of Vale’s hand and marched toward where John was standing behind a chair.John had his hands on the shoulders of the man sitting in it as if to keep him there.Considering the panicked way Angelo was looking around the room, it was a distinct possibility.Hell, he might even try to leave the apartment through a window like John had mentioned, even though they were on the fifth floor.
“You killed my friend,” Cyril accused.
Angelo looked exactly like Vale had imagined he would.He didn’t think the black color of Angelo’s hair was natural, but it accentuated the paleness of his skin.He was dressed in all black, and his feet were bare.The only thing that wasn’t how Vale had imagined was his age.Vale had thought he’d be in his twenties, but this guy had to be close to forty.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Angelo said.“If you leave now, I won’t call the cops.”
John snorted.“And if we don’t leave now?What will you do?”
Angelo swallowed heavily.He glanced at Vale and Cyril, then at Russel, who was still by the door.Vale wasn’t surprised when he moved.
Angelo elbowed John in the stomach and scrambled to his feet while John folded in two.He ran for the closest window, which was a mistake.He should’ve gone for the bathroom or the bedroom.He’d have died anyway, but it would have taken John more time to get to him.
Vale watched Angelo struggle to open the window.He had no intention of helping John.He’d insisted on being there, so he could deal with it.
John went after Angelo.He grabbed his arm and pulled him back, then had to duck to avoid a fist.
“You know, I’m happy we brought him with us,” Russell said.
He and Vale both watched John struggle with Angelo.It was kind of nice not to have to deal with that.“I’m not.I don’t like him.”
“I know, but at least we don’t have to deal withthat.We can make him do all the dirty work.We’re getting too old to get into fistfights.”
“Speak for yourself.”
“You’re telling me that you want to go and fight the guy?”
“I’m fine standing next to Cyril and keeping him safe.”
“Of course you are.I’m just saying that working with John might not be such a bad thing.”
Thankfully, Vale did have to answer that statement because John punched Angelo in the nose.Angelo cried out and reached up to cradle his face, and John took advantage of his distraction to grab him and push him back toward the chair.Angelo stumbled and almost fell, but no one moved to help him.
“You won’t like what happens if you try that again,” John threatened.
Vale was impressed, even though he’d never admit it to anyone, least of all John.He sounded serious now, and Angelo seemed to believe him.He stayed on the chair and let go of his nose, which was spurting blood.
Vale grimaced.He didn’t like dealing with blood.He’d leave that to John, too, since he was so eager to help.
“You better talk if you don’t want it to get worse,” Cyril said.He didn’t move closer to Angelo this time.
“What do you want to know?”Angelo asked.
“What you did to my friend Sam.”
* * * *
“INEEDED A SACRIFICEto summon a demon,” Angelo said.
Cyril hoped he’d never have to deal with anything like this again.It was taking all his self-control not to throw up in Angelo’s face—and not only because of the smell in the room.“Why Sam?”
“He was the new guy.”
“That’s it?You killed him because he was the new guy?”
