"And in love with," I said. "For Lord Raith it's a win-win situation. If they kill the fianc§?, it will destabilize Genosa and hamper his ability to produce films. Hell, maybe Raith planned to wait until he fell into a depression afterward, and then send one of the ex-wives after a while to offer comfort, seduce him, and leave him vulnerable to Lara's control. If they don't manage to kill the fianc§?, they might still create enough havoc and confusion to derail Genosa's work."
"And even if someone on the spooky end of the block figures out whodunit, Raith has it set it up so that they can't be traced back to him."
"Yeah," I said. "Meanwhile, Arturo is back in the fold and Raith has reconsolidated his power base. End of problem."
"But not if you interfere and stop him."
"Not if I interfere and stop him," I agreed. "So once Raith gets word that I'm sticking my nose into his business, he brings in Lara to keep an eye on me and take me out if she can."
"Or just take you," Murphy said. "If this guy is a schemer, maybe he thought it would be great to have this Lara get hooks into you."
The puppy stirred, disturbed. I shivered and petted him. "Ugh," I said. "But it didn't work, and I'm close to blowing the whole thing wide open. Now he'll have to take a swing at me and get me out of the picture."
Murphy made a growling sound. "Gutless bastard. Going through other people like that."
"It's smart," I said. "If he really has been weakened, he wouldn't want to take on anyone from the White Council directly. Only a fool goes toe to toe with a stronger enemy. That's why Thomas did the same thing as his father-recruiting me to go up against him."
Murphy whistled. "You're right. How the hell did you get this bag of snakes?"
"Clean living," I said.
"You should tell Thomas to get lost," Murphy said.
"Can't."
"Why not?"
I looked at her in silence.
Her eyes widened. She understood. "It's him. He's family."
"Half brother," I said. "Our mother used to hang around with Lord Raith."
She nodded. "So what are you going to do?"
"Survive."
"I mean about Thomas."
"I'll burn that bridge when I come to it."
"Fair enough," Murphy said. "But what is your next move?"
"Go to Thomas," I said. "Make him help." I looked down at my bandaged hand. "I need a car. And a driver."
"Done," said Murphy.
I frowned, thinking. "And I might need something else from you tonight. Something tough."
"What?"
I told her.
She stared silently past me for a moment and then said, "God, Harry."
"I know. I hate to ask it. But it's our only shot. I don't think we can win this one with simple firepower."
She shivered. "Okay."
"You sure? You don't have to do it."
"I'm with you," she said.
"Thank you, Karrin."
She gave me a small smile. "At least this way I feel like I get to do something to help."
"Don't be silly," I said. "The image of you gunfighting in your panties is going to boost my morale for years."
She kicked my leg gently with hers, but her smile was somewhat wooden. She looked down to focus on the puppy, who promptly rolled over on his back, chewing at her fingers.
"You okay?" I asked. "You got kinda quiet."
"I'm fine," she said. "Mostly. It's just..."
"Just?"
She shook her head. "It's been sort of a stressful day for me, relationship-wise."
I know what you mean, I thought.
"I mean, first that asshole Rich and Lisa. And..." She glanced at me, her cheeks pink. "And this thing with Kincaid."
"You mean him taking your pants off?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah. It's been... well, it's been a really, really long time since a good-looking man took my pants off. I sort of forgot how much I enjoyed it. I mean, I know this is just a reaction to the danger and adrenaline and so on, but still. I've never reacted that strongly to a simple touch."
"Oh," I said.
She sighed. "Well, you asked. It's got me a little distracted. That's all."
"Just so you know," I said, "I don't think he's human. I think he's pretty major bad news."
"Yeah," Murphy said, her voice annoyed. "It's never the nice guys who get a girl worked up."
Apparently not. "Oh," I said again.
"I'll call a cab," Murphy said. "Get some clothes and my bike. The car's still back at the park, and there might still be family there. Give me about an hour, and I'll be ready to take you where you need to go, if you're able."
"I have to be," I said.
Murphy called the cab, and just as it got there Ebenezar opened the door, carrying a brown paper grocery sack. I looked up at him, feeling a sudden blend of emotions-relief, affection, suspicion, disappointment, betrayal. It was a mess.
He saw the look. He stopped in the doorway and said, "Hoss. How's the hand?"
"Starting to feel things again," I said. "But I figure I'll pass out before it comes all the way back."
"I might be able to help a little, if you want me to."
"Let's talk about that."
Murphy had pretty obviously picked up on the tension between us back at the shelter. She kept her tone and expression neutral and said, "My cab's here, Harry. See you in an hour."
"Thanks, Murph," I said.
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Murphy," Ebenezar said. He corrected himself almost instantly. "Lieutenant Murphy."
She almost smiled. Then she gave me a look, as if to ask me if it was all right to leave me with the old man. I nodded and she left.
"Close the door," I told Ebenezar.
He did, and turned to face me. "So. What do you want me to tell you?"
"The truth," I said. "I want the truth."
"No, you don't," Ebenezar said. "Or at least not now. Harry, you have to trust me on this one."
"No. I don't," I responded. My voice sounded rough and raw. "I've trusted you for years. Completely. I've built up some credit. You owe me."
Ebenezar looked away.
"I want answers. I want the truth."
"It will hurt," he said.
"The truth does that sometimes. I don't care."
"I do," he said. "Boy, there is no one, no one, I would hate to hurt as much as you. And this is too much to lay on your shoulders, especially right now. It could get you killed, Harry."
"That isn't your decision to make," I said quietly. It surprised me how calm I sounded. "I want the truth. Give it to me. Or get out of my home and never come back."
Frustration, even true anger flickered across the old man's face. He took a deep breath, then nodded. He put the grocery sack down on my coffee table and folded his arms, facing my fireplace. The lines on his face looked deeper. His eyes focused into the fire, or through it, and they were hard, somehow frightening.
"All right," he said. "Ask. I'll answer. But this could change things for you, Harry. It could change the way you think and feel."
"About what?"
"About yourself. About me. About the White Council. About everything."
"I can take it."
Ebenezar nodded. "All right, Hoss. Don't say I didn't warn you.