22. CHAPTER
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
“It was the sweet nut of sharing our feelings,” Indy explained as they headed outside to the limo. “The climax of companionship. The release of romance. The, uh, dopamine of doing, uh, big emotional talks. That is what brought me such a moment of brilliance.”
“You only wanted to assign brilliance to something filthy,” Mr. Heiss grumbled as he opened the door for Indy to get in. “Tell me why you’re so sure.”
“The knocking! King said something weird about knock, knock, knock earlier and it made me think of it!” Indy crawled over the seat to make room for Mr. Heiss.
“When we first met Misingno, Nyp did all that weird knocking, right? To let Misingno know that we were coming! When we went back that second time—”
“He didn’t knock.” Mr. Heiss scoffed, getting settled next to Indy. “Son of a bitch.”
“The only reason he wouldn’t knock is because he knew Misingno was already dead. And the only reason he’d know that is if he killed him.”
“That is quite a conclusion to draw. There are other possibilities. He could have been impatient. Maybe he was feeling extra annoying.”
“Or maybe he didn’t kill Misingno himself, but he knew he was already dead because he’s working with the real murderers!” Indy declared.
Mr. Heiss was already on his phone, texting rapidly. “We shall see.”
The limo pulled off from the curb, and Gammy appeared on the adjacent seat. “Oh! Where are we off to now?” She eyed the two of them. “Is everyone getting along or do I need to start drawing? Hmm?”
Mr. Heiss pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead.
“Oops.” Indy shook his head, making his earrings swing around. “Sorry, but she’s along for the ride. Hey! You should be happy. We have a super powerful witch to help us!”
“Help you what?” Gammy asked curiously.
“Accuse a demon of murder.”
“Oh! How exciting!”
Mr. Heiss’s phone buzzed, and then he scowled angrily as he read over a new message. “Oh, we’re going to be doing a bit more than accusing.”
“We are?” Indy asked.
“Nyp has apparently opened up a club…”
“And that’s bad?”
“Oh, it’s very bad. For him.” Mr. Heiss actually smiled, and it was wicked and terrible and insanely hot.
“Because this we have evidence of. This we know that he didn’t ask for permission from the family, from me, and now I can tear him into little, teeny, tiny pieces, set those pieces on fire, grind them up into fucking dust, feed them to a dog, wait for the dog to shit them out, and then—”
“Easy, easy, baby. Maybe don’t involve a dog. That just seems cruel to the dog.”
“Fine. A cat then.”
“Why involve an animal at all?”
Mr. Heiss growled. “Something is going to shit him out! I don’t care what!”
“Is this a new kink? Because look, you’re sexy. Like, so sexy. But I do have limits.”
“Christ.”
Gammy giggled.
Mr. Heiss blinked them over to the club, no doubt uninterested in continuing this discussion for a second longer than he had to.
Indy peeked out the windows to try and discern where they were, but it was difficult to be sure.
Possibly still within the city limits, but maybe off the interstate judging by the clusters of woods and the skyline of Somerstown being a glowing blob peeking over the treeline.
The club looked to be an old truck stop, fairly large with two stories, though the gas pumps had been removed and the big windows were covered from the inside with thick black cloth.
The framework for the pumps remained, and each was covered in strings of multicolored lights shaped like stars, under which patrons clustered together to smoke and chat together.
The limo pulled right up to the front where a large bouncer stood between the front doors and the long line winding around the side of the building.
Even from out here, the bass from the music pumping away inside rattled the windows.
The patrons were dressed in an assortment of colorful nylon and spandex and covered in glitter and bright makeup.
Under different circumstances, Indy might actually enjoy coming here to party.
Everyone appeared human, but Indy had the very strong feeling they were not.
The door of the limo opened, and Azazel, also looking quite human, poked his head inside. “Hey, boss.” He looked at Indy. “Boss’s, uh… friend.”
“Tell me everything,” Mr. Heiss said, his own disguise firmly in place as he stepped out.
“This is one of two locations from the list of distributors that Nyp went off to investigate for us,” Azazel said with a soft scoff. “Thought it was kinda weird he wanted them specifically, and then he told us there was nothing there.”
Mr. Heiss offered Indy his hand to help him out, glaring at Azazel. “And you didn’t think to come check back sooner?”
Azazel took a step back as if expecting to get hit. “Not yet, but it was definitely on the list of shit to do. We’ve been pushing leads we found at the other locations, but—”
“Leads that haven’t gone anywhere.”
“Yes, boss.” Azazel cringed. “But look! After you told us he might not be exactly on the up and up, I decided to come check it out myself.”
“And found a fucking rave?” Indy nudged Mr. Heiss. “See? Why else would he lie about it? Guilty.”
“So guilty!” Gammy agreed, popping up beside Indy and hovering close.
Azazel blinked. “Is that…?”
“Hi!” Gammy waved. “Yes.”
“You should probably wait in the limo,” Mr. Heiss grumbled lightly.
“Not a chance!” Gammy vanished, but her voice was still audible as she taunted, “See? I can be incognito. Ha!”
Mr. Heiss rolled his eyes, but he was quick to get back on track.
“Nyp is in a world of shit for opening up his own club without permission or paying dues in my territory.” He narrowed his eyes to hateful slits.
“If we find proof of those drugs being delivered here, then he is going to have much, much bigger problems.”
“Like death.” Indy nodded firmly.
“Now, listen—”
“Newfound intolerance to oxygen?”
“Indy!”
“’Cause he’ll be dead.”
Mr. Heiss grunted. “You’re definitely staying in the limo.”
“What?” Indy flailed as Mr. Heiss steered him back to the open door. “No way!”
“Azazel. Go on and tell them we’re coming in. Make sure Tanze and Underwood are ready to go.” Mr. Heiss smiled with a sickening sweetness. “I have to get my adorable little flesh bag to safety.”
“On it, boss!” Azazel obediently stalked over to the entrance to speak to the bouncer.
“Fuck you!” Indy planted his feet firmly on the ground and locked his legs. “I am not letting you go without me! You know I can just call Dill and have him kick your ass!”
“So can I!” Gammy declared. “One banishment coming right up!”
“Get ’em, Gammy!”
“Indy. Sonnenschein,” Mr. Heiss pleaded with clear exasperation. “I am trying to protect you.”
“He has me and Dill and Aodnait to keep him safe!” Gammy challenged. “Why not let us help, hmm?”
“Absolutely not. I am not going to—”
“That is not Mr. Heiss!” the bouncer suddenly shouted, nearly doubling over in laughter. “That guy actually looks kinda cool. Mr. Heiss is a total douche!”
Mr. Heiss had a new target for his anger, and he slowly turned around. “Excuse me…?”
“Right.” Azazel grimaced. “So, uh, he doesn’t actually believe that you’re Mr. Heiss.”
“Please.” Mr. Heiss snarled, letting go of Indy and taking a step forward. “Allow me to make a proper introduction—”
“Oh! Indigo Summers!” the bouncer suddenly gushed, waving frantically. “Holy shit! Hi!”
Indy peeked out from around Mr. Heiss. “Oh! Hey!” He wiggled his fingers in a little wave. “Always so nice to meet a fan!”
“I loved your Dripping in Diamonds show! The way you popped out of the ceiling? All those flips?” The bouncer grinned. “I came back three times!”
“Hope you came too,” Indy purred playfully.
Mr. Heiss snarled.
“O-oh, well, I—” The bouncer scratched the back of his head and laughed nervously.
Indy strolled forward, brushing right by Mr. Heiss.
He bent at his hips to stick out his chest, asking coyly, “How about you let me and my friends in, hmm? I promise they’re cool even if they look like total narcs.
Come on…” He winked. “I’ll put in a good word with Nyp for you. He and I are such good friends.”
“Really? Wow! Yeah! Of course you are!” The bouncer beamed and immediately moved aside. “Come right on in! You’re gonna love it. Tell the bartender that Hops sent you and you’ll get a free drink!” He scowled at Mr. Heiss and Azazel. “Yeah, but hey, gonna be watching you two.”
Mr. Heiss huffed and then let out a small, angry grunt. “By all accounts, this should be my club. And you—” He pointed at the bouncer. “—should be answering to me, you foul, idiotic, little sack of skin.”
“Easy, kitten.” Indy petted Mr. Heiss’s chest. “You wanted inside and look at that! We can go inside now! Yay!”
“It shouldn’t even be up for fucking debate!”
“Shall we?”
Mr. Heiss made a frustrated sound, glared at the bouncer, and shouted, “Fine! Because killing all of you is too much fucking work!”
The patrons waiting in line stared.
The bouncer did not appear impressed.
“Come along, baby,” Indy cooed. “You can be my bodyguard.”
Mr. Heiss seethed and growled. “I’m going to guard your body right into a corner and fucking wreck you for this.”
“Later, baby. We’ve got work to do.” Indy preened as he strolled into the club on Mr. Heiss’s arm. He blew the bouncer a kiss as he opened the doors for them, swinging his hips as they strolled inside.
It was dark except for the flashing strobes and rainbow lights, the bass thumping through the floor powerful enough to rattle Indy’s teeth.
The dance floor was a single gyrating mass of bodies, and the whole space reeked of weed, sweat, and alcohol.
Indy could feel his thumb nail glowing and flickering as feverishly as the strobing lights, no doubt struggling with identifying so many inhuman creatures.
Because while everyone looked like normal people, Indy knew better.