Wild Cards 14 - Marked Cards Read Online Free PDF Page A

in real jeopardy if we go poking around." Jay shrugged. "Besides which, you're holding out information on us. I just don't like the way it smells, Senator."
    Hartmann took the papers and tucked them back into his briefcase, then stood and gave Jay a tight smile. "I know your reputation, Mr. Ackroyd. You're not afraid of danger. Still, your reasons for refusing are your own. I trust you'll keep the nature of this meeting entirely confidential?"
    Jay nodded. "That goes without saying, Senator. Goodbye."
    Hartmann nodded and glanced over at Jerry. "Nice meeting you, Mr. Creighton." He brushed a piece of lint from his coat and walked imperiously from the office. If Hartmann was disappointed, it didn't register in his posture.
    "You must not care for politicians," Jerry said.
    Jay grinned. "Some I do, some I don't. Sascha?"
    An eyeless man stepped from behind a partition in the corner. Sascha was one of the agency's key operatives. He was a skimmer, could pick up on a person's surface thoughts, though the depths were as much a mystery to him as anyone else. He'd been a bartender at the Crystal Palace until it burned down. Like Ezili, he'd become one of Ti Malice's mounts. They'd both done some pretty twisted stuff while under the little monster's influence. Jerry hadn't even known Sascha was in the room.
    "Hartmann believes that the person who gave him this information is on the up-and-up. Her name is Hannah Davis, for what it's worth. I don't think he's convinced it's true, though." Sascha smoothed his moustache. "I don't think he likes you much either, Mr. Ackroyd."
    "Nobody likes me. That's why I had to get married." Jay rubbed the back of his neck. "That's all we need for now, Sascha."
    The eyeless joker walked in measured steps to the doorway, paused a second, then left.
    "I'm always afraid he's going to send me to the cornfield," Jerry said, exhaling.
    Jay laughed. "Yeah, he told me. You jumped a little high at Battle's name."
    "Yeah," Jerry said. "Well, since he almost got me killed, I think I'm entitled."
    It was true. When Jay was on Takis, Jerry had assumed his identity to get a little practical experience as a P.I. Battle had recruited him for a covert assault on the Rox, assuming he was the real Popinjay. Jerry managed to get caught in a flood in the caverns under the Rox, and had escaped by turning into the Creature from the Black Lagoon. He'd almost lost his mind, clawing and paddling his way through the dark waters under the Rox. The experience had terrified him on another level. Whenever he changed into something inhuman, he had to fight for control of his body. It had been a close thing as a gill-man; a slightly weaker will and he might be living in the East River, eating rotting fish.
    "He sounded like a typical spook to me, just took a few more chances than most." Jay put his feet up on his desk. "You're not thinking of going after him on your own, are you?"
    Jerry squirmed up from his chair and moved quickly to the door. "Of course not."
    "Never hold out on your partner. It's the fifth rule of detective work."
    "What are the first four rules?" Jerry asked from the doorway.
    Ackroyd grinned. "Tell me the truth and I'll clue you in."
    "You know I never lie," Jerry said. "Well, almost never."
    Jay shook his head "Have it your way."
    ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠
    Ezili was on top. Her cafe au lait skin was electric under his fingertips. Jerry looked into her red eyes. They were wild and unfocused, as if she were seeing some great truth far beyond either of them. He grabbed her shoulders hard and pushed upward. She leaned backward and bared her teeth. They were perfectly formed and perfectly white. Perfect, like every inch of her. Jerry closed his eyes and came. There was noise, almost inhuman. He thought Ezili must have made it, but wasn't sure. Ecstasy lingered a few moments, then passed, like the sun on a cloudy day.
    He felt Ezili roll off him and he opened his eyes. She looked down at him, the wildness gone from her. Jerry