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“Introduce me to Sam Fuller. That would be a good start.”

“Excuse me,” says Doris. “Are there animals here?”

“You mean animal Heaven? It’s right over the big red bridge. I’ll show you later,” says Alice.

Doris beams. “Then it was worth the storm. I’ve missed Tootsie, my cat, so much.”

Daja says, “I miss Oscar. He was my ferret.”

Wanuri makes a face. “You had a ferret? They’re just weasels who learned a few tricks.”

“Have you ever actually met one? They’re sweet. Lots of people have ferrets.”

“Lots of crazy people,” says Gisco.

Everybody stares at him. Of course. We’re in Heaven. Everybody can talk to everybody.

It’s nice to understand you, Gisco, but fucking hell. It’s already so fucking sweet here. Like being in Disneyland forever. And I already got off the only good ride.

Wanuri says, “Matilda, my ex, had a whole fish tank of scorpions. Those don’t count as pets, do they? Are there scorpions in Heaven?”

Alice thinks for a moment.

“Believe it or not, that’s the first time the subject has come up. But I can ask.”

“I hope not. And I hope they ate her.”

“What did I just say about a positive attitude?”

“Sorry.”

Daja walks away from the group. I follow her.

“Are you going to be okay with Raziel gone?”

“I guess. It’s just that between him and this, it’s a lot to take in all at once.”

“They probably have therapists in Heaven.”

“They better. Who’s that?”

I look at where she’s pointing. Someone in a suit sharp enough to cut a diamond is headed our way. I walk over to him.

“I see you made it,” says Samael. “And you brought some little friends. You always were sentimental.”

“Careful. It’s that attitude that got you the Lucifer gig. Do you want to go back to that?”

“Not for all the tea in China.”

I hand him the moldy drapes wrapped around the Light Killer.

“Hold this. I have to get something.”

“Why is it every time I see you my cleaning bill goes up?”

I take out the amber knife.

“I told you I’d get this back to you soon.”