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Omar poured another stout one into his water glass and knocked half the liquid back. He didn’t like scotch much, but that was all Frank had on hand as it was his drink of choice. He took the other half and wiped his lips with the back of his hand. Then he was ready to glare at his ex-partner and hear his explanation. Frank remained silent, clutching his own glass.
“Why, man?” Omar prompted. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“There wasn’t time. She was moving fast.”
“What about immediately after, Frank? She was in a coma!”
“Well, I didn’t know that then. She always bounced right back in the past. I didn’t see any reason to think different.”
“That is not the point! You know how I feel about her. How are you as my friend, not going to call me when you witness her catching on fire?” Omar rose from the kitchen table, rubbing the top of his head. It occurred to him Velvet could have died and he was only finding out about the battle two days later- thanks to Frank going along with the PD to suppress regular news coverage of the incident.
“How did you find out I was there,” Frank asked.
“Video footage and commentary on some kid’s youtube channel.”
“Must’ve been one of those fellas she brought as backup.”
“What fellas?”
“A couple of students. I told her not to involve kids and wait for her people to show up. She did whatever she saw fit, as usual. You know how she is! I tried to help her, Omar. You know, I wouldn’t just stand there watching. Damn it, Omar!” Frank pushed out from the table so fast the chair fell flat to the floor. “I am your friend! I didn’t want you on the scene because I know you’d try to protect her and get yourself killed. Hell, I was only going through the motions and almost bit it a few times! Maybe I was wrong for that but I ain’t going to apologize for trying to look out for you! She doesn’t love you, son. Don’t keep being a fool.”
“Whatever, Frank. In fact, forget you.” Omar marched out the back door and around the house to his car parked in the driveway.
Frank strolled off the front porch in his bare feet to meet Omar before he climbed into his car. “If you’d seen the way she looked when she fought that girl. She looked like a demon herself. You are a good decent fella. All loving her is going to get you is killed and she’ll move on to the next poor soul unfortunate to fall under her spell.” Frank wiped his lips with his fingers, then wiped his whole face with both hands. “Son, there’s stuff going down in the streets. Those Avaricites are just the beginning, and again, it’s all your girlfriend’s fault. All these damn demons parading around town is because she couldn’t leave Jerome alone.”
“How the hell do you figure that?”
“She and Troy Tanaka killed Jerome. I’m sure you’ve heard that much.”
“Rumors and speculation. You are a detective, stop acting like you believe it.”
“All right, answer me this. Why is she suddenly working with demons? Ain’t it every witch’s motto, never trust a demon? And who is the main employer of demons these days? Velvet and Troy!”
“So?”
“You can’t see the bigger picture yet?”
“Afraid I can’t.”
“What does she love most next to family and friends?”
“This city. Fairlight.”
“Bingo.”
“What?”
“She loves Fairlight and she wants it. And the wolfman at her side.”
“You are way off the mark on this, Frank.”
“Then how come she’s not banished any demons?”
“The same reason she hasn’t banished anybody else. Most of the demonic activity can be taken care of with the police. We have trained personnel now. Velvet believes the surplus numbers will balance out soon enough.”
“You believe everything she tells you.”
“Why wouldn’t I? She isn’t a liar like somebody else I know. Check this out, Frank. Fairlight is changing. City Hall can’t control the underworld unless the city is willing to sacrifice parts of its self, and we already know what parts are being sacrificed. It’s not the monsters destroying the city, Frank. It’s people like you and Buster Zennith who can’t stand to see the old establishment replaced with hope.”
“Hope? From witches and beasties? Are you insane?”
“Not insane. I’m am seeing the light though. Because of Velvet, I am seeing the light.”
“Lord have mercy. I don’t know what else to say to you.”
“I’m done with you, Frank.”
“What?” Omar got behind the wheel of his car. “Omar?” Frank followed the car to the end of his driveway. “You are making the mistake of your life!”