32. Tuvid

32

TUVID

T he next day, I flew above Main Street a short time before my appointment with Jasper Blane and landed in the lot across the street from the building.

Angie had shared the details regarding Gracie's hacked FaceSpace account, which crossed her off my list—for now. That left Jasper and Benjamin as my primary suspects, though Maureen and a few others were still in the running.

I crossed the road and walked down the sidewalk, pausing in front of the ice cream place, Creature Cones, that Melissa Brandt had recently opened. I should bring Angie here when this was all over. I was sure she'd enjoy a treat.

A man opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk, staring down at his cone with so much concentration, he nearly ran into me.

"Oh, excuse me," he said when I stepped out of his way.

"Good cone, huh?" I asked .

He continued to frown. "Maybe."

"What do you mean?"

"Can't say that I've ever had ice cream that tasted like dill pickles." He continued around me, strolling down the sidewalk.

Pickle ice cream? Maybe she was experimenting with new flavors.

Shrugging it off, I strode toward Jasper's building.

Since Jasper had seen me in Angie's office the other day, I opted for a simple disguise, details his assistant would dismiss as things he'd missed. Glasses now, when I could've been wearing contacts before. Wash-out hair dye taking my hair from black to medium brown, a similar enough color your average person would miss the difference. And contact lenses to turn my eyes light blue. I was a gargoyle. There was no hiding that detail. But I wasn't the only gargoyle in town, and I was prepared to bluff my way through that if Jasper suggested I looked familiar.

In fact, I met up with three other gargoyles before I reached Jasper's building.

The gargoyles gave me odd looks. Understandable since gargoyles never needed glasses. Few humans knew that, however.

Inside, I gave my name, and the assistant didn't blink. As I assumed, he fell for the disguise. Most people missed tiny details like that. I was banking on the fact that Jasper didn't remember much about Angie's new fiancé other than that he was a monster.

"He'll see you now," the man said, standing and gesturing toward the closed door.

I strode over and opened it, stepping inside .

Jasper stood and extended his hand, studying my face and body.

I lifted my voice to a nasal pitch and walked over to him, giving him a limp handshake. "I'm Vestalon Barkley of Barkley and Associates. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. I was in town to discuss a different business venture but before I headed back to California, I asked around, trying to discover who might be able to help me." I gave him a limp smile. "You came so recommended in this community that I had to make an appointment with you to discuss what I need. I was fortunate that your wonderful staff person was able to squeeze me in today."

"Nice to meet you, Vestalon. As you know, I'm Jasper Blane." His chest puffed with pride. "Blane Associates, though it's just me and a friend, and he's a silent partner. As for the recommendation, I'm not surprised. I'm well respected in this town." He waved to the chair. "Please, have a seat and let's see if I can help you."

I settled in the chair that unfortunately hadn't been constructed for gargoyles, hitching my wings up over the back.

"What are you looking for?" Jasper leaned back in his chair and steepled his long, thin fingers on his chest. "The appointment noted something about me obtaining specialty kegs for you? Blane Associates is known for their exclusive craft beer, which is why you were directed to my establishment, I assume."

"Oh, I'm completely sure of that. As you're probably aware, Barkley Associates are distributors of fine brews as well. And I don't mean the usual stuff on tap in your average bar across town, but exclusive beer we deliver to equally special clientele. The kind of customer who doesn't quibble about the price of a fine glass of beer. The kind who . . . How shall I say it? The kind who doesn't need to ask the price; they order it and enjoy the flavor, then have a case or two delivered to their yacht or villa."

"Yes, I know exactly the type of client you mean."

I loved how his voice was warming to me already and how he wasn't questioning my identity.

"One of my associates is looking for a particular stout," I said, getting right to the point.

He frowned. "What kind of stout? As you know, stouts take time to make. I'm sure my microbrewery could provide you with whatever your client might need, given the appropriate timeframe."

For the appropriate—and high—price, I was equally sure. "Something rather unusual."

"Naturally."

"Chocolate, which is common enough, though I'd want something smooth with coffee notes. Creamy, too, of course. Milky, as they say."

"Of course. That's the best kind of stout, in my opinion."

"I was thinking of one with a more unexpected note, however. Something with a bite. One that hits the back of the throat, though not harshly. We can't have that."

"No, no. Never." His frown reappeared. "Are you suggesting something like jalape?o? We've made some delicious jalape?o IPAs, but never a stout and certainly not chocolate."

"Oh, no, jalape?o would give it a bitter note. Perhaps . . . chili pepper? That's sharp and spicy, but it lacks the grassy flavor so common in jalape?os and other green hot peppers."

"Hmm." Jasper's finger steeple collapsed, flatlining on his chest. "Chili chocolate stout?"

"Yes, exactly. We'd want this as quickly as you could procure it, of course. My customer is prepared to pay whatever it takes to obtain it, say . . . within days."

"Days?" He leaned forward, his chair squeaking from the movement. "No one can make a stout within days. Not one you'd want to drink, that is. It's impossible."

"Ah, yes, I see." I stood. "I do thank you for your time. I'll look elsewhere." I strode around the chair, heading for the door.

As expected, he called out as I was reaching for the knob.

"There might be a way to obtain such a beer."

"Oh?" I didn't turn.

"Let me see what I can do. I'll need to make a few calls. Can I get your number?"

I gave him the one for my burner phone.

"How much beer would you need?" he asked, noting my number on a pad of paper.

"A few kegs should be enough. This is for an exclusive party. You know how those Hollywood types are. They get an idea in their head and nothing else will do. They plan to set sail on their yacht with a few friends on Saturday, hence the tight timeframe."

"I see. I see," he said, still writing. "I appreciate you stopping by." Glancing up, he gave me a slick smile. "I'm sure we can work out something that'll suit your client, Vestalon."

"I'm sure you can." I paused. "One other thing. My business is thinking of relocating to the area, but I haven't found any property that might fit. We're looking primarily for office space, perhaps exclusive rental units for when I have staff or clients in town."

"Where in town?"

"Something near the water, of course. A view would be perfect."

"Ah." His smile grew. "I might have something for you within a short time. I'm close to reaching an agreement with a local microbrewery who has a lovely spot across the road from the ocean. The view's amazing. Once we secure the deal, I have investors eager to buy in. We plan to demolish the microbrewery and put up an office building and adjacent condos. I'll be happy to reach out after we've begun construction." He wrote an address on the back of one of his business cards and handed it to me. "Drive by—or fly ," his low laugh rang out, "and check out the location. I'm sure you'll agree it would suit your needs."

"Awesome. Obviously, I chose the right person for my needs when I came to Blane Associates."

His slick smile widened. "You sure did."

"Thank you again for your time, Jasper." I left and it was only when I was in the stairwell and alone that I read the address.

Angie's microbrewery. So that was why Jasper was so eager to buy her out. It wasn't going to happen, but I'd picked up some valuable information—and solidified his motive. If he could drive Angie out of business, she'd be more eager to sell.

As for her stout, we just might have it back in time for the contest.

I had one other appointment to take care of before returning to Angie, though it wasn't related to her case. Taking flight, I soared over Main Street and angled along a side street, landing on the sidewalk in front of Monsters, PI.

ElrikNivalis, an ice lord, was coming by today for an interview with me. Katar had spoken with him on the phone, and the in-person interview was mostly a formality, but if I didn't think he'd fit in with our growing group, Katar wouldn't hire him.

Inside, I sat in Bailey's chair and waited. Elrik arrived promptly for his appointment, and I led him to my office.

"Tell me about yourself," I said. I'd already looked over his resume. He'd initially worked as a survival trainer with the military. His next job was as a wilderness ranger and guide, and then he managed a search-and-rescue business. He'd definitely bring some unusual and valuable experience to our team.

"I'm from northern Canada."He spoke with a polite reserve many of our clients would find soothing. "I wanted a change and . . ." His low laugh rang out. "Honestly, I did something spontaneous, which I never do. I closed my eyes and threw a dart at a map, hitting Massachusetts. I've applied for a few positions, but honestly, this one sounds the most appealing. I love the idea of working with other monsters. "

We talked a bit more about general things. His resume and references already checked out.

He was intelligent, articulate, and while his voice held a hint of melancholy, that shouldn't make a difference in his working abilities. We all had interesting pasts, and while his might still haunt him, I had a feeling he wouldn't allow that to interfere with doing his job.

We finished and I stood, extending my hand across my desk for a shake. "Katar will be back from the orc kingdom soon, and I'm sure he'll be reaching out. I appreciate you coming in to speak with me today."

"Thank you for your time. It was nice meeting you."

We walked outside, and he headed for the parking lot and his rental vehicle while I took flight.

I couldn't wait to see Angie and share what I'd learned during my meeting with Jasper.