Dane Curse (12 page)

Chapter 22

Lynchpin lived in a landed house to the southeast way past the Foothills, and finding my way there at night wasn’t the easiest task. When I pulled up to the gate a team of very serious security guards surrounded Jane. One asked for my name and checked my credentials, while the others swept my ride for explosives.

Once I was confirmed legit they waved me through, and I cruised to the end of the driveway where a group of valets waited. I hopped out of my sled, tossed the nearest one my keys, and took in the house and grounds. Lynchpin’s stately white mansion was three stories high and about as wide as a football field. The steps leading up to it looked imported from ancient Greece, as did the four mighty columns at the top. To my left sat a garden filled with statues, well-trimmed bushes, and two tennis courts. To the right was a field of green grass that kept going until it disappeared into the darkness. I don’t know how much Lynchpin had to lie, steal, and kill to afford a place like this, but it had to be a lot. Fortunes aren’t seized by men of conscience.

I walked to the top of the steps where a butler greeted me. “Welcome Mr. Curse. May I take your coat?”

“Sure thing.” I slipped it off, and handed it over along with my hat.

“If you’d like me to hold anything else I’d be happy to, sir,” he said, glancing down at my chest.

“I’m good with what I got.”

“Very well then, may I offer you a refreshment?” He motioned to a pretty young tomato with a tray of pink champagne, and I took a glass. “Now sir, if you’ll follow me?”

He led me through the foyer, underneath twin staircases, and into an atrium so large you’d have to catch a bus to make it to the far end by morning. It had palm tree lined walls, a floor made of marble, and on the high vaulted ceiling there was a chandelier that looked like it was more than I could lift. Beneath it the subtle smell of fresh cut roses, and beautiful music from a full piece band, filled the air around the hundred plus people in attendance. Each man wore a tux as precise as Hong Kong math, and the ladies had rocks on their necks and wrists as big as their smiles, except those weren’t fake.

Though the throng was made up of mostly regs every fifth person was clearly a black cape, which was a strange thing to see. Watching a ten foot man with ape DNA spliced into his body rip a bank vault off its hinges is more natural than seeing him in black tie, sipping a martini from a glass the size of a fish bowl.

Off to the side, with the Deputy Mayor, was my pal Gravel. I threw him a nod, and Old Stony gave me one of his own before whispering something to his date, a cute blond doxy who was no doubt in for a rocky time later tonight.

“Have a pleasant evening, Mr. Curse. If there’s anything you require please don’t hesitate to ask.” The butler bowed, turned on his heels, and left.

I lifted the flute of champagne, but before I could get a sip I was interrupted by a soft, light voice that said, “Mr. Curse?”

I spun around. “Hey Skip.”

He was wearing a tux that made it look like he stepped out of a wedding magazine. “I was instructed to bring you to Lynchpin the moment you arrived.”

“Lead the way,” I said.

Skip took me around the fringe of the party. “May I ask about your head?”

“Still there. How’s the pinky?”

He lifted up his right hand. “Only half there. But just so I know, your concussion, it hasn’t returned?”

“Nope, all clear.”

“And there’s been no blindness, or depth perception problems? No reliving of painful childhood traumas?”

I stopped dead. “Should there be?”

“No.” He waved his hand, motioning me to follow. “Not usually. But occasionally after I accelerate a person through time there can be some residual effects. I’m glad you’re feeling well.”

“I was.” I finished my champagne, and grabbed another off a passing tray.

“That’s fortunate. Here we are.” We arrived at a door where a single dapper thug about half my size stood guard. Skip said, “Church Mouse, make sure it stays silent.”

He nodded, then stepped aside.

“Thanks Skip. I’m sure I’ll see you later.” I said, and walked in.

“I hope so.” Skip closed the door behind me.

The office was similar to the one in the Mountains, save for the lack of windows on my left, which were replaced by more bookcases. Lynchpin was in a tuxedo, sitting on the couch, engrossed in a file on his lap. He looked up and said, “Good evening Dane. How did it go today?”

I studied him. Everything I learned had me believing that someone on the Sindicate Board was behind Pinnacle’s murder. Maybe even the old man himself. In fact, I found it hard to accept that he didn’t know a lot more than he was letting on. But I knew he wouldn’t tell me anything outright, so I’d have to play this smart. Especially if I was going to get more information than I gave.

“I’m surprised you don’t know.” I took a seat on the couch, put my feet on the coffee table, and spread my arms out real wide. “Yesterday you could’ve made a better report about my moves than me.”

“Yes, well things don’t always go according to plan. But there’s always tomorrow.”

“Stick a bug on me again, and I’ll pluck it again.”

“Only if you’re aware of it,” Lynchpin said.

“I will be. Most people aren’t as subtle as they think. And everyone makes mistakes. Even guys like you.”

He closed the folder, and put it aside. “Is that blood?”

I looked down at my collar. “Tears, probably.”

“Anything I should be concerned with?”

“No.”

“Then make your report.”

“You sure it’s safe to talk?” I looked over my shoulder. “There are a few people out there with a gift for hearing.”

“Yes, of course. Church Mouse can absorb vibrations. So long as he touches the door no sounds will penetrate. Speak freely.”

“Well then,” I said, preparing to lie, “I didn’t find much.”

“That’s frustrating. I was expecting more.”

“But,” I said, preparing to tell the truth, “I’ve whittled down the suspects, and I’m getting closer.” I put my feet on the floor, and leaned in. “A lot closer. To getting the weapon, and the killer. But I’m still short on motive.” I looked for a response in Lynchpin’s eyes, but nothing changed.

“Really?” he said, matching my angle, his face a foot from mine. “Fill me in.”

And fill him in I did. Mostly I focused on the meeting with Humphries, and how he convinced me that he was clean. Then I talked about the Kaos rifle, and how it was the possible murder weapon. Lynchpin listened patiently, consuming each word politely, but clearly wanting me to increase my speed. I didn’t. I took my time.

When I finished he said, “So Humphries isn’t involved. It pleases me you think that, and it simplifies things. But you really believe you’ve discovered the murder weapon, these Kaos rifles you called them?” Lynchpin nodded slowly. “Who was the seller?”

“I’d rather not say just yet. But he’s someone I trust.”

“Well, that’s… good news. I didn’t imagine it would be so soon. Did your man tell you who the purchaser was?”

“No. But there aren’t too many men in Gold Coast City who have the money and the connections to do it.”

“You have someone in mind?”

I stared right at him. “No one specific.”

Lynchpin nodded. “And you’re sure it’s this weapon that killed Pinnacle?”

“No,” 
not the only weapon. 
“There wasn’t a bullet hole in the wall behind the body, and the wounds tell a slightly different story, but my gut tells me I’m on the right track. When I’m certain I’ll move.”

Lynchpin returned my gaze. “On who, precisely?”

“No one I want to reveal yet. But I think you know him.”

“Really? It’s a him, and you clearly think he’s on the Sindicate Board.” He inhaled sharply. “The men in my circle aren’t easily harmed. Do you really want to keep his identity to yourself? Being the sole possessor of this information could expose you. I can arrange assistance-”

“Don’t need it,” I said. “Don’t want it.”

“You’re sure?”

I nodded. Slow.

He leaned back, and passed his gaze over the bookshelves to the right. “I’ll admit I’m surprised you think this killer’s still in Gold Coast. I’ve heard from other avenues that he may have already fled.”

“Whoever told you that’s wrong. The killer’s still here. It’s the one thing I’m sure of.”

Lynchpin’s attention snapped back to me. “Why?”

“This wasn’t a crime of passion, it was a surgical strike, meticulously planned. The body and room were cleaned on the cellular level. People who kill accidentally, they run, and leave a trail, but the person who did what I saw, he wouldn’t have fled. He’d know it would make him look suspicious, so he’d have stayed right here.”

“You can’t be positive about that Dane. I mean I would’ve run. Had it been me.”

“I doubt that very much.”

“Maybe. But I’m not the average person.”

“Neither is the killer. But that won’t stop me. I don’t care what they’re packing or who they got protecting them, all I need is a few more days.”

“A few more days? You’re certain?” Lynchpin crossed his legs.

My throat went tight, like someone slipped a noose around it. I wasn’t sure if it was real or my imagination. I swallowed hard and said, “Count on it.”

Lynchpin finished his drink in a single tug, and motioned toward the door. “Thank you for the report.”

Chapter 23

When I rejoined the party the number of guests had grown. I grabbed another drink and walked the room, thinking about the reactions I had just seen, or more accurately the lack of them. There are marble busts that change expressions more than Lynchpin, which meant he could be innocent, but more likely it’s because he’s a great liar.

I was in the center of the party looking around when someone tapped my shoulder, and with a voice that had a pinch of static said, “Having a good time?”

I turned to see Sledge’s red cybernetic eye staring back at me. He was wrapped in a tailored tux that hid the fact he was more machine than man. From the neck down at least.

“I’ve had worse,” I said. “You?”

“Saw you leave Lynchpin’s office, making your report to the boss then?”

“He’s your boss, not mine.”

“Doesn’t look that way.”

“Looks can deceive. How you doing on your end?”

“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I’ve got some suspicions.”

“Tell any of it to Frosty?”

“Not a chance. She’s not the most experienced detective I’ve met.”

“How’d she land the gig, then?”

“Fresh eyes are always good,” he said, “that or someone on the board wants to see her icebox.”

I laughed, and so did Sledge. We both put the cape on around the same time, and though our paths didn’t cross in overly friendly ways, we never butted heads directly. Nowadays he was doing the thing for the company, and I was doing the thing on my own, and that was that.

I grabbed the nearest guy with a tray of champagne. “Hey, can I get two double whiskeys on the rocks?”

“Right away, sir.”

“Great,” I said. “Put them in the same glass.”

He gave me a queer look, and walked off.

“Does it help?” Sledge asked.

“It doesn’t hurt.”

“I meant with the loss.”

“You mean,” I looked around. “Of our crimson caped friend?”

“Yeah, I’m more touched over it than I let on. I owed that guy. He saved my pa a few years back.”

“Yeah, everyone in Gold Coast has a story like that.”

“Maybe, but I don’t like owing people, and now I can’t pay it back.”

“You can catch the mug who did it.”

“For that I think I’ll need some help.”

“And here I thought you worked alone.”

“I did. I do. But that was before I saw who was under the sheet. Now a little help wouldn’t kill me.”

“You flirting with me, Sledge?”

The tin man shrugged.

“That’s not a no. I’ll tell you what, if you need a hand you give me a call. If I find the killer first, and if he’s too much for me, I’ll give you a heads up. But finders keepers the cash.”

“Deal.” Sledge motioned towards Lynchpin’s office. “Anyway I got to go report to the cheese. See you around.”

Sledge walked off. On his way he passed Hoarfrost who looked every inch a woman in that silver sequined number she wore. It hugged all her soft edges in just the right way to make me forget how much I hated her, but then she opened her mouth. “Hey blunt skull, aren’t you dead yet?”

“Could be.” I put two fingers to my neck. “Mom always said I was slow on the uptake.”

“Then detective work is the right field for you.” Her laugh was like a cold front.

“What can I say, I got a gift.”

Hoarfrost smiled. “And how’s the car?”

“The tires are holding up.”

“I hope they last. Ta ta.”

As she walked off I stared at the spot between her shoulders. It was smooth, muscular, and probably felt really good to punch.

The guy with my drink finally showed and I took it to the outer rim of the revelers, close enough to see everything, but far enough to be out of the way. It was there I waited for Lynchpin to emerge. After the hints I was dropping in our discussion he had to know I suspected him. If I was right, and he was even a little guilty, then he’d have accomplices, and at some point he would reach out to them.

In the meantime though, I’d keep my peepers peeled. The one thing a detective has to be is observant, and not just in that dull, clinical way. A smile, a casual touch, a laugh too loud… all those reactions were happening constantly, and while some were innocent, others had meaning, and that’s what I was looking for, a thin slice of truth in a room full of lies.

When Lynchpin finally emerged he wasted no time cruising the room like a pro. The man moved effortlessly from group to group, pressing more flesh than an eight-armed masseuse, and I made a note of everyone he talked to, and how he talked to them. So far, it was all casual, but after a bit he went to the corner where three high-ranking members of the Sindicate Board were waiting; Black Orchid, Blood Angel, and Gravel. They snapped to when he arrived. I watched them, trying to get a read on the tone, but was interrupted when another partygoer hit me full force. He was young, and his pale skin was accented by slicked back chestnut hair. “Watch it,” he said, “you should be more careful.”

I grabbed his lapel, lifted him off the ground, and said through my teeth, “Hey Mindgame. I guess you didn’t notice, but I was standing still, maybe you should watch where you’re going.”

“Oh, Dane.” Suddenly he was grinning. “I’m afraid I didn’t see you there. It’s been too long a time.”

“It’s been a while, yeah. You always start conversations like this?”

“No, not habitually. I’m afraid that I’m a touch preoccupied this evening. I have more than one iron in some very lucrative fires presently. Just prestidigitating, you understand. Perhaps you might liberate me?”

“Sure.” I dropped him. “You expecting something big?”

His head snapped my way. “Why, what have you heard?”

“Nothing. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth hearing.”

“That’s true. But sadly I’m involved in nothing of note. Keeping it cool, so to speak.”

“What happened to the lucrative fires?” I asked.

Mindgame smoothed out his lapels. “Nothing we need to discuss.”

I nodded. “Hey, I saw your former boss the other night, he sends his regards.”

“Really? I find it hard to believe that Professor Varius has vacated his marked distaste for my skills since he terminated my employment.”

“No,” I said, “he has the highest respect for you.”

“That reeks of mendacity. It’s difficult, you know, having an idol who holds you so openly in disdain when you heap upon him nothing but adulation. And while I may have started as one of his techs my skills have grown. He really shouldn’t look on me as an inferior.”

“Aren’t you though?”

Mindgame sneered. “After seven decades he’s grown too long in the tooth to accurately gauge my abilities. If he possessed a fraction of the faculties he once did he’d show me more respect. I’m moving up in the world, higher than even his floating fortress can reach.”

“You think you’re that good, kid?”

“Better. I’m the new brainpower in Gold Coast. I’m the future.”

I looked him over top to bottom. “Can’t wait for it.”

“Dane my overgrown friend, you won’t have to.” Mindgame walked off, but didn’t get far before Hoarfrost called out to him. He cut a sharp turn and sidled up close to her. She whispered something in his ear and he laughed. I figured the joke was on her. If Hoarfrost wanted to team up with Mindgame it wouldn’t help. That kid’s always been long on talk. Though his words had gotten fancier since last we’d spoke.

I turned my focus back to the party, ready to start taking more mental notes, but my train of thought would have to wait to get back on track because Lynx had arrived. She was full of warm hues and dark curves, and actually looked better than the night before, but she moved the same way, swaying back and forth with a body that looked like it never heard of old man gravity. I drank in every step.

She caught me looking, and smiled, then made her way over and planted a kiss on my cheek. “Good evening, Dane. It’s wonderful to see you again.”

I sort of stared at her. “Yeah it is.”

“Have you seen my father yet?”

“Yes, and I want to speak with you about that.”

“You have news?” Her warm, party-going demeanor downshifted into serious business mode.

“Yeah, I think I’m closing in.”

Her eyes got wider. “That’s good. I don’t think you have much time.”

“No, I don’t either. I need help, you still in?”

“Of course. What’s it about?”

I looked around the room. “Not here, there are too many ears.”

“Well let’s take care of that.” Lynx closed her eyes tight, and the sounds of the room fell away like someone lowered a fish bowl over top of us.

“What did you do?” My voice had a small echo.

“I extended a telekinetic shield around us, it blocks out everything, even sounds. You can speak.”

And so I did. I ran though my day like I had with her father, but this time much faster and with more information. Also included was one very special request.

When I finished Lynx nodded. “If you’re sure about this thing then yes, I’ll set it up for tomorrow morning. I’ll call you when I’m on my way. Be ready early.”

“See you then.”

She lifted her field, and the noise from the room flooded into my ears like water over a dam. I looked around. If anyone was suspicious of our conversation I couldn’t tell, but I did see Lynchpin in the corner motioning toward us. “I think I’m being summoned,” Lynx said. “Until tomorrow.”

I watched her walk away, enjoying the experience until a metal hand wrapped around my shoulder, and yanked me off my feet. I expected to hit hard marble, but what I landed on was soft and warm like a waterbed, only wrapped in a tux. I looked up to see Smiley’s face staring down at me. I had sunk into his belly.

“Hi Smiley,” I said, “nice catch.”

“This is nothing, Dane. I can stop a whole lot more.” He swelled his stomach out pushing me back to my feet.

“Quiet you,” Knuckles said to his friend before turning to me. “Keep dreaming creep, you’ll never touch Ms. Lynx.”

“Hi Knuckles. Nice throw. Boss went that way.” I pointed to Lynx.

“We know where she is, and she’s the job, not the boss,” Knuckles said. “And mind your manners. That lady is a protected habitat, so don’t even think about drilling.”

“Yeah, no drilling,” Smiley added.

I raised my hands. “Stop it boys, you’re scaring me.”

Knuckles gave me a hard look, and Smiley tried to do the same, though it came across more charming than frightening. And with their warning declared they followed their charge as subtle as a leprechaun with metal hands and a pear shaped beanbag chair with legs could be.

#

The rest of the night passed pleasantly enough. People came and people went while the conversation swelled and dropped like the tide. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and even though I couldn’t glean any more information from the room, I had to admit I was having a nice time.

Then, around eleven pm, our host made an announcement.

“Please, stop the music.” Lynchpin was in the middle of the room with his hands held high. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, however there has just been a report on the news. I know it’s hard to believe, but it seems that Pinnacle’s whereabouts have been identified. I’m sorry to say, but his body has been found in a building downtown. He’s been shot. Pinnacle is dead.”

A few people giggled. Two laughed out loud.

“I assure you that I’m completely serious. Pinnacle is not on some covert assignment. He’s dead. Murdered by,” his eyes rested on me, “an unknown assailant.”

My heart dropped straight down as Lynchpin’s words sank in. The people around me froze. No one wanted to be the first person to say or do anything. I didn’t blame them.

“I’m sorry but the evening is over. Please accept my deepest apologies. Drive safely.” Lynchpin turned to Skip, and whispered some words that made the young man jump to. He moved around the room gathering up the executive board for what I’m sure would be the most interesting meeting in Sindicate history. I would love to be a fly on that wall, but I was being ushered out.

I was the first to step into the night with the rest of the party right behind me, and I moved to the side to watch everyone leave. I was hoping for an expression of guilt, or even pleasure, but the faces that passed by were all furrowed brows and tearing eyes. They were nervous, scared. They should be.

Nothing good would come of this.

Once they all left I called out to a young valet who went to fetch Jane, but he returned without my car. “Um, sir, it’s the black Jalopy, right?”

“Yeah,” I said, “what of it?”

“I don’t know how it happened, sir.” He was looking at the ground, fiddling with his hands. “But somehow all four of your tires have been slashed. We’ve called someone, they should be here soon. You won’t be charged of course, sorry for the delay.”

I shook my head thinking on Hoarfrost as he ran off. 
So much for puncture proof
.