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After a few more brutally uncomfortable minutes, Brigitte tells Allegra that she’s leaving. Candy tells her the same thing. She’s not stupid. I’m sorry to abandon Allegra, but there’s no way we’re staying alone with this situation.

Outside, we say good-bye to Brigitte and head home.

Neither of us says anything. As Candy and I walk, I wonder what’s a stranger life, fighting monsters or trying to figure out how people work? One is a lot more dangerous than the other and it sure as hell isn’t monsters.

AFTER YESTERDAY’S DRINKING, I don’t wake up until the crack of whatever-the-hell o’clock. All I know is that I hear people downstairs and Apocalypse Now cranked up loud. It’s our special alternate-universe version with Harvey Keitel instead of Martin Sheen. It’s crack to our kind of customers.

I check my phone and find a message from Abbot. I don’t bother listening to it, just sit on the sofa with coffee and call him back.

“Stark. Did you get my message?”

“Yes. But I didn’t listen. What was it?”

“Why do you have voice mail if you don’t use it?”

“I don’t like talking to machines and I figure that if it’s important people will call me back.”

“That’s actually a more rational explanation than I expected.”

“I’m full of surprises. I once ate a salad.”

“That’s more the answer I was expecting. What I called you about was Nick.”

“What about him?”

“He’s all right. From all reports, he’s back at home with his mother.”

I take out a Malediction. Stick it behind my ear for later.

“Did you find out why Burgess had him in the first place?”

“It was a family situation that got out of hand. Apparently, the father was making demands and everyone thought it would be better if Nick spent some time away from home.”

“That’s very tidy. Do you believe any of it?”

“As far as I can trust my source—which I do—yes.”

“I don’t know. Burgess doesn’t do anything without an angle.”

“But what proof do you have? You’re obsessed with the Burgess family because Lucius was involved with the ghost-abuse situation last year.”

“For good reason. But that’s another thing that bugs me. The Golden Vigil shuts the thing down, but it never goes public. Then daddy Burgess has a heart attack and Geoff takes over the family business.”

Abbot doesn’t say anything for a second.

“Are you actually accusing Geoffrey of killing his father?”

“Not necessarily. I’m just saying I think he’s capable of anything.”

“Listen to me. You need to leave the Burgess family alone. I appreciate you finding Nick, but that’s enough for now. I want you to come back to council meetings for a while. At least until we can think of a new course of action.”

I get up and walk the room.

“I’ll do it, but I want one more night.”

“To do what?”

“Charlie Anpu. I want to follow him again.”