34. Tuvid

34

TUVID

M y burner phone rang the next morning while I sat in Angie's office. As I pulled it from my pocket, her eyes widened with excitement.

"Hello," I said.

"Vestalon," Jasper said jovially. "I've got a chocolate chili stout for you. I had to make numerous calls, and I tapped some of the breweries farther afield, and I struck out there. But I found just what you're looking for from a, shall we say, local source. Kegs of chocolate chili stout, exactly what you requested."

"Who's the brewer?" I asked.

"I'm afraid I can't say. They'd prefer to remain anonymous. I'm sure you understand."

Oh, yes, I sure did. That thief. I bet the kegs were sitting in his own personal chiller, waiting to be sold to just the right buyer—me. "How many kegs do you have?"

"Three. Will that be enough for your Hollywood buyer?"

"That's exactly how many they need." And the number that was stolen from Angie. "I'd like to sample them first if you don't mind. Some from each of the three kegs, that is, to make sure they're all the same and to ensure the purity of the brew."

"Naturally. I'd be surprised if you didn't. Can you stop by my microbrewery this afternoon around two? I can meet with you out back in my VIP lounge. I'll have everything set up."

"I can be there."

"Now, I hate to turn to the business side of things." He barked out a laugh. "But you know how it is."

"I sure do." Slime. He was pure slime.

"Since this is such short notice, and my sellers are top-notch, they can command a higher price than I'd normally ask. But if you make this deal, I assure you the next time you reach out, I'll give you a sweet price."

"I appreciate it. Honestly, my buyers aren't going to quibble. They want that beer, and they don't care what they have to pay."

"Love working with customers like that, right?"

"Don't you know it."

He deepened his voice and named a price for the kegs that astounded even me, but at this point, I wanted Angie's kegs back. It wasn't about the money. Long before gargoyles emerged into human society, they were the miners of precious stones. Diamonds. Rubies. Sapphires. You name it. There wasn't a single gargoyle family that didn't have more money than they could ever spend in banks throughout the world. I could easily afford this.

"That sounds reasonable," I said. "Is cash alright?"

He coughed delicately. "Cash is always best. "

Yes, yes, it was. It was untraceable, which was why I'd offered it.

He named an address. "I'll see you a little before two, then?"

My gaze met Angie's and seeing the hope there made my heart flip over. I'd do anything for this woman. Anything. "Two it is. I'll be there."

"Will there be anyone with you?"

I thought about it a second before replying. "No, I'll be alone."