Part 11 (2/2)
”Move in?”
”I want you around all the time.”
”What would the neighbors think?”
”Whatever they like, I don't care.”
”Bobbi, I don't want to say no-”
”But that's your answer.”
”It has to be.”
”Why?”
”Because of what I am.”
”Because you have to be up to your eyeb.a.l.l.s in some cemetery by dawn, right?”
”Something like that. I'd be very dull company during the day. I just don't want you to see me like that. You don't let me see you in curlers.”
”Listen, if I can get used to your not breathing- ”This is different, it's different for me. What I've been through, what I've become-I'm still trying to get used to it. I don't know how else to explain why. This is nothing against you.”
”I know. You've had a lot of things happen to you all at once.”
”I need some time.”She signed. ”Then don't worry about it. If it's no, it's no.”
”You can be pretty d.a.m.n terrific.”
”Yeah, and I just realized what sort of commotion would happen if someone like the maid happened to find you while she was dusting. Having a coffin lying around with a body in it might upset the hotel staff.”
I laughed. ”Good grief, I don't use a coffin.'”
”I thought all vampires did.”
”Maybe they do, but not me-I have a more modern steamer trunk. It's smaller, just as light proof, and a lot less conspicuous.”
”Very clever.”
”I have to lay low for a while, anyway.”
”What's wrong? Is it Gordy?”
”No, nothing like that.”
We lay comfortably tangled together in the dark, and I told her about my trip and in particular about Braxton and Webber. ”They can travel during the day, so they're probably in Chicago by now and looking around. I just want you to watch out for them, or for anyone asking after me.”
”You're the one who needs to watch out if they're trying to kill you.”
”They won't. I can lose myself in a city this big.”
”Forever?”
”Until I can figure out what to do about them or until they run out of money.”
”Look, I can call up Gordy. He and some of the boys can throw a scare into them- Bobbi, my sweet, they are determined to track down a hideous, bloodthirsty vampire; a demonic creature of the night. Do you think they'll be intimidated by a couple of gangsters with guns and bra.s.s knuckles?”
”Who said anything about intimidation? Gordy can just have their legs broken.”
”I can do that myself,” I said dryly. ”Just promise me you'll be careful. They may try to save you from my evil clutches.”
”But I like being clutched by you.”
”I doubt if they could understand that.””Got any idea what to do about them?”
”I don't know, I'd like to talk it over with Charles first and see what he thinks.”
”I'm glad you mentioned him. He called today, but I'd forgotten all about it because of the party. He wanted you to drop by when you got back, no matter how late.”
”Even this late?”
”He said if the lights were on to come in.”
”I hate to leave you...”
”Oh, pooh, you'll have to go sooner or later, so come on.
I'm hungry now, anyway.” She rustled her way out from the sheets, and I obediently followed her to the kitchen.
What with our reluctant good-byes and some unexpected early traffic, it was close to six before I got to Escort's. My rear-view mirror was clear all the way over, which was encouraging, and when I arrived, there were welcoming lights in the windows. He must have heard me pull up, for the door opened before I knocked and a cloud of stale pipe smoke and white dust billowed out along with his greeting.
”I finally got your message. Sorry I'm so late.”
”Not at all. Do come in.” He was dressed uncharacteristically in some ancient paint-spattered overalls and his hair was full of plaster dust. ”Please excuse my appearance, I started the job today and it turned out to be more involved than I thought.” He ushered me into the parlor.
”What are you doing?”
”At the moment, taking a well-deserved break. It seems the previous owners subdivided all the bedrooms so they could accommodate more customers at one time. I've been upstairs knocking down a wall.”
”You've been at it all night?”
”It's a very stubborn wall, if I may anthropomorphize it.”
”When do you sleep?”
”Hardly ever,” he said in an indifferent tone.
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