Page 137

“Same deal as before, Norris. Any tricks and you both die. Holly first.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Norris?” says Holly quietly.

“Relax, my dear. These champions of the oppressed will have what they want and we’ll be on our way soon.”

“If you say so.”

“I do, my dear. Now, let’s away, shall we?”

“Stop,” I say.

Everyone looks at me.

This whole thing might be the end of every human soul, but I have to know something and now.

“In case I have to shoot you later, tell me about Liliane. I get that she was working for you, but why sic her on Vidocq?”

Quay looks disappointed in the question.

“Do you think your friends are special? That they should be exempt from our work?”

“Is that all it was? Hurting my friends to get to me?”

“It was Liliane’s idea actually. We gave her Vidocq as a gift. Hurting you and your Merry Men was a bonus.”

“Wormwood should leave my other friends alone.”

He flicks something off his shirt.

“We’ll take that under advisement.”

QUAY LEADS US through the grandstands to where one of his black vans is parked. Holly walks with him. I hold my gun to his head. Candy, Bill, and Hesediel keep a lookout for an ambush. But nothing happens.

We make it to the van and everyone piles in, Norris behind the wheel while the others get in the back. I stay up front with my gun in his side. He starts the van and we drive back down Highland the way we came. Then we keep moving south.

We go all the way down Highland until it turns into South La Brea Avenue. Moving around the debris and burned-out cars, it’s a long, slow drive.

“Tell me, Norris. What’s black milk?”

“You’ll see soon enough.”

“Is this where it’s manufactured?”

“In one sense, yes. In another, no.”

“Don’t be cute. I can still shoot Holly Golightly.”

“And then you’ll end up with nothing but a heartbroken old man for your troubles.”

“You said you’d tell us, so tell us,” says Candy.

“Are any of you history buffs?” says Quay. “No? I didn’t think so. Then you won’t be acquainted with the term Panzerschokolade.”

I keep the gun in his side.

“I know the word ‘panzer.’ It’s German for tank.”