"Yes, that carjacking ring you fell into. I bet your brother had a lot to say about that, didn't he? Oh-I don't mean the one you did the stealing with. I'm talking about the law abider in the family. The clean one. Richard, isn't it?"
Van frowned. "Tell you what. You don't bring my family into this, I won't drop a dime and turn in these houses you use to the CPD. I mean, cops would love to come for Sunday dinner, I'm damn sure. Wouldn't need to ask 'em over twice."
As Xavier's face became remote, Van thought, Gotcha.
But then the man just smiled. "And I'll tell you what. I can give you something no one else can."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Undoubtedly."
Van shook his head, unimpressed. "Isn't this a little early to invite me in? What if I'm not trustworthy?"
"You will be."
"Your faith in me is so fucking sweet. But the answer's no. Sorry."
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He expected argument. All he got was a nod.
"As you wish." Xavier turned and walked back to the mini-van.
Weird, Van thought as he got into his truck. These boys were definitely weird.
But at least they paid on time. And well.
Across town, Vishous took form on the side lawn of a nicely kept apartment building. Rhage was right behind him, materializing into flesh and blood in the shadows.
Shit, V thought. He wished he'd taken a moment for another smoke before he'd come here. He needed a cigarette. He needed... something.
"V, my brother, you okay?"
"Yeah. Perfect. Let's do this."
After pulling a little mind bend with the lock system, they walked in the front door. The inside of the place smelled like air freshener, a fake orange stench that coated the nostrils like paint.
They skipped the elevator because it was in use and hit the stairwell. When they got to the second floor, they headed past apartments C1 and C2 and C3. V kept his hand under his jacket and on his Glock, although he had a feeling the worst thing that could come at them would be a hall monitor. The place was neat as a pin and QVC cutesy-pie: Fake flower bouquets hung on doors. Welcome mats with hearts or ivy on them were on the floor outside each apartment. Framed inspirational pictures of pink and peach sunsets alternated with ones of fuzzy puppies and clueless kitties.
"Man," Rhage muttered, "someone hit this place with the Hallmark stick."
"Until it broke."
V stopped in front of the door marked C4 and willed the locks to shift.
"What are you doing?"
He and Rhage wheeled around.
Holy shit, it was one of the frickin' Golden Girls: Three feet high with a crown of kinky white on her head, the old lady was decked out in a bunchy quilted robe, like she was wearing her bed.
Trouble was, she had the eyes of a pit bull. "I asked you young men a question."
Rhage took over, which was good. He was better with the charm. "Ma'am, we're just here visiting a friend."
"You know Dottie's grandson?"
"Ah, yes, ma'am. We do."
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"Well, you look like you would." Which was evidently not a compliment. "I think he should move out, by the way. Dottie died four months ago and he doesn't fit in here."
And neither do you, those eyes tacked on.
"Oh, he's moving out." Rhage smiled pleasantly while keeping his lips together. "Moved out, really. Yeah, tonight."
V cut in, " 'Scuse me, I'll be right back."
As Rhage shot him a don't-you-dare-leave-me-with-this-hot-potato glare, V stepped inside and shut the door on his brother's face. If Rhage couldn't handle the biddy, he could just swipe her memories, although that would be a last resort. Older humans sometimes didn't deal well with the erasing, their brains no longer resilient enough to withstand the invasion.
So yeah, Hollywood and Dottie's neighbor were going to get tight while V cased the place.
With a sneer, he glanced around. Man, everything smelled of lesser. Sickly sweet. Like Butch.
Shit. Do not think about that.
He forced himself to focus on the apartment. Unlike most lesser pads, this one was furnished, though obviously by its former occupant. And Dottie's taste had run toward flower prints, doilies, and cat figurines.
She fit right in with this building.
Chances were good the lessers had read about her passing in the paper and had copped her identity. Hell, maybe it even was her grandson camping out here after he'd been inducted into the Society.
V walked through the kitchen and out again, not surprised there was no