After getting off the phone with
Collins, I made one of my own.
“Dumpling, what a surprise,” came
Nikki’s musical voice.
“I need you tonight.” As soon as the
words were out of my mouth, I winced.
“I’ve waited so long, knowing that
you would one day acknowledge your need for me. And I sahll bring to you a
night of pleasures that has not been experienced since the harems of old. I—”
“I hate to interrupt what I’m sure
has been a long-prepared speech on wowing me with your feminine charms, but I
need backup on a stakeout.”
The line went silent.
“Nikki?”
“Your romantic skills need much
polish, Matthew. This is hardly my idea of a date?”
“Okay, I call BS on that one. This
is exactly your idea of a date.”
“Sitting in a car or van for hours
on end simply watching a residence is hardly a proper use of time.”
“Yeah, well, if it was an ordinary
stakeout, I wouldn’t need you.”
“What are you implying?”
“There’s a very good chance that I’m
going to run into a faerie.”
“Truly?”
“Yeah. That amulet, well, I think
it’s being manufactured, at least in part, by faeries.”
“And what of the other part.”
“My best guess is Daniels. So, yeah,
that should be enough excitement for you, a faerie woman and a wight.”
“You have captured my interest,
Matthew. I daresay it will change my wardrobe for the evening’s activities.”
“Right. Meet me at 1753 South
Shoreside Drive.” I crumpled the paper and put it in my pocket.
“I think not.”
“Why not?”
“It’s impractical for us to take two
cars on a stakeout. I would have expected an investigator of your caliber to
understand that.”
“Fine, I’ll come pick you up. Less
than an hour.”
“Until
then, sweetling. And we shall take up the other offer anon.”