Page 56 of Fortune's Ashes
‘Well,’ he continued, ‘they were worse before. A lot of supes never left Soho or Lisson Grove because they didn’t feel safe anywhere else. But we were on each other’s doorsteps, so we all knew each other’s business. You couldn’t take a shit without somebody else hearing about it. Part of Quincy’s plan for his dating agency was to provide somewhere couples could get away to for a day or two. He made a big deal about offering a confidential service that covered all bases. He said it allowed lovers to get to know one another and have a few test shags – his words, not mine – without the pressure of every other supe in London knowing what they were up to.’
Actually, that wasn’t a bad idea.
Phileas noted my expression. ‘Quincy wasn’t stupid. He had a knack for finding gaps in the market and exploiting them. There was a time I thought the dating agency idea was the one that would make it. He was more enthusiastic about it than anything he’d done before.’
He ran a hand through his hair. ‘But it eventually fell by the wayside like all his other projects. He came to me for a loan to keep it going, but by that point I was tired of bailing him out so I said no. Three weeks later, he’d abandoned the agency in favour of fake-blood products for vampires.’
He looked away. ‘We had a big blow-up about it. I told him that the reason he never succeeded at anything was because he jumped from idea to idea. He always gave up too easily, never worked through the tough times to see something through to the other side. For all his clever ideas, Quincy was a quitter at heart.’ He pulled a face. ‘He almost punched me when I pointed that out to him.’
His eyes filled with sudden tears. ‘He’s dead. He’s actually dead. All these years…’ Phileas buried his head in his hands, his grief getting the better of him.
‘Is there someone I can call for you?’ I asked.
‘No. I’ll do all that,’ he said, his words muffled. He pulled his hands away. ‘But you will look for the bastard who did this to him, won’t you?’
‘I will, Phileas.’
‘I’m sorry about Alan Cobain, I truly am. I’ll call the police and tell them it wasn’t you.’
I smiled sadly. ‘It won’t make any difference, but I appreciate the thought.’
‘The other two from Supe Squad?’ he asked. ‘Will they be okay?’
It was my turn to look away. ‘I don’t know. I really don’t know.’
* * *
It tooka few attempts but I eventually dredged up Liza’s phone number from my memory. When she answered, she sounded exhausted. ‘I’m going home for a few hours to get some sleep and pick up some bits and pieces for Owen. There’s no change,’ she said. ‘Not in either of them.’ Her voice caught and I felt a stab of pain in my heart.
‘The pair of them are tough buggers,’ I said. ‘They’ll pull through.’ My stomach churned. God, I wished I could trust my own words.
Liza gave a teary sniff. ‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘I’m going to kill Owen when he wakes up for putting me through the wringer like this. And I’m never making another cake for Fred. Not ever. He doesn’t deserve it.’
I laughed weakly. We were both putting on a brave face – and we were both aware of the true gravity of the situation. ‘I’m going to be using this phone number for the time being,’ I told her. ‘If you need anything, or if anything changes at all, you call me.’
‘I will.’
‘I mean it, Liza. Whatever I can do, I will do. For all of you.’
There was a beat of silence. ‘A policeman was round earlier, some young fresh-faced bloke who’d barely heard of Supe Squad. He said that they were looking at the car, that it seems somebody deliberately sabotaged Owen’s vehicle.’
‘Yeah,’ I whispered. ‘I know.’
‘You’re looking for the fucker who did this, right?’
‘You bet your arse I am. And I’m going to find them.’
She sniffed again. ‘Good.’
The faith she injected into that single word almost derailed me. ‘Do you have help at the hospital? Did Lukas’s vampires arrive?’
‘Yes – and a dozen werewolves from all four clans, as well. Nobody’s going to get to Owen or Fred. If anyone tries, they’ll be ripped apart. These guys aren’t playing.’
That was what I wanted to hear. ‘If you or Catherine or Fred’s parents have any trouble with them—’ I began.
‘They’re being very respectful. Fred’s mum and dad are shocked but grateful. Some pixies dropped by earlier with some food, and the ghouls have sent a note. So have the goblins. Everyone wants to help.’
Go the supe community; they were on our side after all. ‘I’m glad. You’d better get home and get that rest, Liza.’
