Kate and
the other three dripped despite the towels I provided. The man and the woman,
both of whom looked familiar, had deposited the unconscious man on the floor
unceremoniously. I thought it best not to ask.
“I haven’t
asked anything,” Kate said.
“The answer
is still no,” I said, pulling my feet off and slamming the seat on the
“No. The
last time you were in town, you threatened to eviscerate me with lightning.”
“I
apologized. I offered you a most profuse apology, but you refused.” She gave me
an exaggerated wink.
Normally I
might have flushed at the inference, but I was too angry, so I managed to keep
my stare flat. “No.”
“You can at
least hear us out,” The guy said.
“No, I
don’t have to do anything of the kind.”
“This is
stupid. We should move directly to the threat phase,” the other woman said.
“Let’s not
be hasty,” Kate said.
I slowly
pulled at the drawer with my gun in it. I didn’t like resorting to violence,
but the powers of the storm riders may not leave me much choice.
The other
woman closed her eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long couple of weeks.”
I relaxed
after Kate’s nod.
“Apology
accepted. You guys can go. I guess I don’t need to validate parking.”
“Oh, for
fuck’s sake.” The guy—Reilly?—said. “We’re not asking you to tag long or
anything dangerous. We just want you to talk to our friend here.” He gestured
to the unconscious man.
“What’s
wrong with him?” My curiosity got the better of me.
“He’s not
right in the head.”
“I’m not a
shrink.”
“No, but
you have come to terms with the existence of Storm Riders,” Kate said.
“Not
really. You guys freak the hell out of me.”
“Nearly
everything freaks the hell out of you, Matt. But you’re at least not screaming
at the top of your lungs all the time.”
“Just most
of the time,” I said.
“I
threatened bodily violence to you with lightning when we first met, and you
only freaked out a little. You’re cool.”
“So what’s
his deal?”
“He’s
having reality adjustment issues.”
“What kind
of reality?”
“He’s a
storm rider and can’t accept it,” Reilly kicked the other man’s leg, not
gently.
“And you’re
bringing him to me because?”
“We’re out
of ideas. We’ve tried it all.”
Not likely. Kate and company tend to be very
direct in their approach to life, sledgehammer blunt.
“Not
interested.”
“We’ll give
you five thousand dollars.”
“And if I
refuse, you threaten bodily harm. Fine, we’re negotiating.”