Page 65 of In the Nick of Time
“So, you think I can see her for the same reason The Undertaker’s drug and Velvet Elvis’s voice don’t affect me the way they do others?”
“Something like that.”
The bartender returned with their drinks, setting them in front of them.
“Is Lady Luck a subpowered person?” Nick asked.
Doug sipped at his drink; it was watered down just as he’d thought it would be.
“It’s Francois’s opinion that she is different from us. Not human or humanoid. Maybe a demon. There are a few of those still kicking around. They are mostly immortal, after all.”
“Did you say…” Nick paused eyes wide, then mouthed,“Demon?”
“Most are harmless to humans,” Doug continued. “But there are a few who aren’t. They pop up every once in a while, do some harm, then go back to wherever they hide for a few decades—or eons.”
“I just don’t know how to process this.”
“Like I said, just be yourself, Nick.”
“Do we go back in and pretend we don’t know anything? What’s the plan?”
“Don’t you think it’s interesting that we’ve come across not one, or two, but three powered entities here at The Ace of Clubs?”
“Do you think they are… colluding to take advantage of people? Working together?” Nick asked.
“I’m still not convinced that The Undertaker was working with anyone. He doesn’t seem like the type who plays well with others. Maybe taking advantage of the situation. But the other two? I think it’s possible. Elvis could be in Lady Luck’s thrall. But,” he said thoughtfully, “I’ve never heard of Luck working with anyone. She is more of a winner-take-all demon.”
“Um, I have to be honest here. Less than a week ago, I was the only one I knew who could do something no one else could. And now”—Nick lifted one hand and raised his thumb— “there’s a talking tortoise” —index finger straightened— “you and SPAM” —middle finger—“a guy who can tell how people die—except, apparently, for me” —his ring finger extended—“and also Velvet Elvis, who can put people to sleep with his voice but also maybe he’s just boring. I’m almost out of fingers. Oh, and let’s not forget magnetic Agent Schoenhut, the SPAM agent who can smell lies, and now a possible demon who feeds on gamblers’ emotions. What I’m trying to say is, it’s a lot for me to take in.”
Nick’s eyes darted between the interconnecting door and Doug. “Don’t look now—I guess you can’t anyway—but she’s coming out of the room.”
“What does she look like right now? Try not to be obvious about it.”
“Duh.” Nick quickly glanced toward the doorway and then back at Doug. “She looks like she should be playing shuffleboard on a cruise ship. She’s wearing a sequined pink tracksuit today and white tennis shoes. White hair, too much makeup. She’s about parallel with us now, fifteen feet away. What do we do?”
Doug tossed back the rest of his drink. “Let’s get going back to the hotel.”
Thankfully, Nick didn’t argue. He also didn’t finish his drink. Going out on a limb, Doug was going to assume the demon was aware that Nick could see her. And now she was on the hunt.
“Pretend you’re a bit drunk,” Doug said, pulling Nick from the stool.
“That will be easy because I’m tired enough to lie down and sleep right here.”
“I want to find out where she goes. Do your best to keep her in sight.”
“Right, boss. Oh, crap.”
“What?”
“One second.”
Abruptly, Doug’s glass was full again.
“I lost her,” Nick whispered. “She just disappeared on me. Here she comes again.”
This time, Doug left his drink where it was.
“Let’s get back to the hotel.”
