Live and Let Drood

sisters,” said Molly, in her best Yes, I know, but don’t argue with me tone of voice. “We need Isabella and Louisa. They might not know who’s behind all this, but they have contacts in places I wouldn’t even dare show my face. And they’d be more than happy to kick the crap out of people on our behalf. Well, on my behalf. I don’t think they’ve quite made up their minds about you yet. But they’d do it for me.”
    “Sisters, sisters, such devoted sisters…”
    “ Shut up , Eddie. No one would suspect anything if Isabella and Louisa were to go looking for information about the Hall and your family. They’re always looking into things they’re not supposed to know about.”
    “I hate to say it,” I said. “But you may be right.”
    Molly frowned dangerously. “What’s wrong with getting my sisters involved?”
    “Since you ask, everything. Isabella, no problem. Arrogant and a pain in the arse, but she gets the job done. The Indiana Jones of the supernatural world, always sticking her nose in where it’s not wanted, digging up ancient history, hidden truths and things the world is not ready to know yet…while sneaking off with as much historical loot asshe can carry. Isabella, I can deal with. But Louisa? She’s got a worse reputation than you. Or me. Or Mr. Stab, the as-yet-uncaught immortal serial killer of Old London Town. Everyone’s scared of Louisa Metcalf, and with good reason.”
    “Exactly!” said Molly. “Who’s going to say no to her when she starts asking questions?”
    “All right,” I said. “I just know I’m going to regret this, but…go ahead and contact them.”
    “Ah,” said Molly. “I already tried. They’re not answering. They’ve both got their auras turned off. Why would they do that?”
    “They’re your sisters,” I said.
    I could think of any number of reasons why the infamous Metcalf sisters would want to be off the radar, just off the top of my head…but I had enough sense not to say so. Every now and again I think I’m getting the hang of this relationship thing.
    “But if both my sisters are out of touch, for the time being we’re right back where we started,” said Molly. “Who can we turn to for help? Most of our old friends and allies are dead or missing in action and presumed dead or just in hiding, after all the heavy dramas we’ve been through recently.”
    “That’s what comes of dragging them into our wars,” I agreed. “We are not safe to be around.…I think we’re going to have to go looking for the few Droods we know are still left alive in this world. I’m pretty sure there aren’t any agents left out in the field; we called in absolutely everyone for our last few wars.”
    “Including the ones who didn’t want to come?” said Molly.
    “Oh, those most of all,” I said. “No, I’m talking about the rogues. Those members of the family who ran away or were kicked out or went to ground to escape our justice. Our punishment for their crimes against Humanity.”
    “You’re being a bit hard on the rogues, aren’t you?” said Molly. “Considering you were one.” She looked distinctly amused.
    “That was different,” I said with some dignity. “I was only on the run because I’d been falsely accused.”
    “And because your grandmother wanted you dead.”
    “Well, yes, in a complicated sort of way. The point is, some of the rogues are more dangerous than others. When Droods go bad, we go really bad.”
    “You really think the rogues would talk to you if you could find them?” said Molly, wrinkling her perfect nose. “I mean, I hate to be the one to point this out, Eddie, but you have killed rogue Droods in your time. Arnold Drood, the Bloody Man, and Tiger Tim…”
    “I didn’t kill them,” I said. “I executed them. Because they earned it.”
    “And yet, strangely, I don’t see that argument going down terribly well with the other rogues when you catch up with them. If I were one and I saw you walking up my front path, I think I’d set fire to my own house and shoot myself in the head, just to get it over with. On the other hand…I know a few rogue Droods. Sort of. They might be willing to talk to me, where they wouldn’t want anything to do with you.”
    “You know everyone, don’t you?” I said admiringly. “And mostly not in a good way. You’ve done deals with rogue Droods in the past, haven’t you?”
    “I was at war with your family,” said Molly. “And when you’re at war, you go