“I give you my word, if this all goes up in flames, we won’t have started it.”
He studied my face-they both did-and then Sonny nodded, as if he’d decided something. He offered me his hand. I took it. “Shake on it.”
We shook on it, and Sonny was old enough and guy enough that the handshake meant more than it would have to, say, Spider or Bernardo-or maybe Vegas Metro SWAT was all like this. Your word meant something, and you could still pledge your life to someone’s decision with just a handshake. It was like an echo of a time when words like loyalty and honor really meant something. Since they still meant something to me, that was just dandy.
25
I MADE TWO calls from the car as Edward drove us out of the industrial/ business area where the coroner’s office was located, through businesses that were Anywhere, USA. One was to Chang-Bibi, to the personal line that Max had made sure Jean-Claude had. A cultured female voice answered on the first ring. I said, “Chang-Bibi, this is Anita Blake…”
“Anita Blake, we are glad that you have called, but I am not Chang-Bibi. My name is Ava; I am Chang-Bibi’s administrative assistant.”
“Sorry, I thought this was the private number.”
“It is, but”-she made a small laugh-“a queen does not answer her own phone.”
Oh. “Sure,” I said, “my mistake. I’m in Vegas, and I was wanting to speak with Bibiana.”
“We are aware of the tragedy that has befallen our police. Is this official police business, Marshal Blake?”
“I would like to talk to you all about the murders, yes.”
“Is this official police business, Marshal Blake?” she asked again, in a voice that was a little less pleasant.
“I am in Vegas on official police business, yes,” I said.
“Do you have a warrant that forces us to let you into our home or business establishments?”
I hated to say it, but… “No, I don’t.”
“Then it’s a social call,” and her voice was much happier.
“Yes, from one master’s… mate to another,” I said.
“Then Chang-Bibi will be happy to receive you.”
“I do need to talk to her about the murders, though, in an unofficial capacity.”
“You are extending us the courtesy of speaking off the record to us?” Ava asked.
“I’m trying to.”
“I will explain that to Chang-Bibi.” The way she said it made it sound like Bibiana might have trouble with the concept.
“Thank you, Ava,” I said.
“My pleasure, Anita. Chang-Bibi will prepare a welcome for you. We hoped you would visit us, if you had time in all your crime-fighting.”
“What kind of welcome is she preparing?” I asked, and I couldn’t keep the suspicion out of my voice. Years of hanging out with shapeshifters had taught me that their society could have some odd ideas on welcoming guests.
Ava laughed again. “Now, now, that would spoil the surprise.”
“I don’t really like surprises,” I said.
“But Chang-Bibi does, and you are visiting her house and asking for her help.”
“Maybe I’m offering to help her.”
“Are you?”
“I could have come with a warrant, but I’m not,” I said.
“You could not get a warrant on the evidence of smelling weretiger, Anita,” and there was nothing friendly in the voice now.
“You have a mole in the department, or is your spy more federal?” I said.
“We have our sources.”
“Fine, I couldn’t get a warrant, but I still need to talk to the weretigers.”
“Our clan did not do this.”
“Of course not.”
“You do not believe we are innocent.”
“I believe everyone is guilty of something; it saves time.”
She laughed again. “I will go and help prepare. I assume you are coming alone, since this is a social visit of one master’s mate to another.” There was the slightest edge of humor, as if she knew she was making fun of me.
“Actually I have some other U.S. Marshals with me.”
“Now, Anita, that’s not very friendly.”
“I’m allowed attendants when I visit another Master of the City; in fact, denying my attendants entrance would be a grave insult.”
“Oh, good,” Ava said, “you do know how to play the game. Some of the younger, human wives don’t understand the old rules.”
I didn’t correct her on the “wives” comment. If they treated me like a wife, I’d have more status, and it wasn’t like I could ever “divorce” Jean-Claude. Vampire marks between servant and master were a hell of a lot more binding than any legal document. “Jean-Claude made sure I’d be able to do proper honor if I visit Chang-Bibiana.”