Nightside 05 - Paths Not Taken

someone's using you, in all your many versions, to get at me."
    "But why use me?" said Eamonn plaintively.
    "Good question," I said.
    I led him over to a table in the furthest corner of the bar, and we sat down. Tommy Oblivion sat down with us. I gave him a thoughtful look, and he laughed a little nervously.
    "We did seem to work rather well together, old man. I thought perhaps I could help you out on this case of yours. It does seem to be my sort of thing. For a reasonable percentage of the fee, of course."
    "Oh, of course," I said. "This is business, after all. Tell you what; you can have half of what I'm getting. How's that?"
    "More than reasonable, my dear sir! Never let it be said that John Taylor is not a prince among men!"
    Since I wasn't expecting to make a penny out of this case, I was quite happy to share the penny I wasn't getting with Tommy Oblivion. I could be existential, too, when it suited me. He smiled happily at me, and I smiled back.
    "Look, is it over now?" said Eamonn. "Can I go home now? I really don't like it here."
    "I'm afraid not," I said. "I could escort you safely out of the Nightside, but the odds are our mutual enemy would find some way to bring you back and start this up all over again."
    "Oh God ..." Eamonn sat slumped in his chair, a small ordinary man struggling to cope with problems he should never have had to face. I felt sorry for him. The Nightside is hard enough to deal with when you choose to come here.
    "Don't worry," I said. "I'm on the case. I will find out who's doing this to you, and I will make them stop."
    "And if Taylor says that, you can take it to the bank," said Tommy, unexpectedly.
    "Talk to me, Eamonn," I said. "Tell me about yourself, about your life. There must be a clue in it somewhere."
    But Eamonn was already shaking his head. "I'm nobody. Or at least, nobody important. Just a minor cog in the great machinery of a big corporation. I do the necessary, everyday work that keeps the wheels turning."
    "All right," I said. "Who do you work for?"
    "The Widow's Mite Investment Corporation. It's a big company, with branches and offices worldwide. I've worked in the London branch almost twenty years now, man and boy. It's interesting work. We're a fund-raising company, persuading other companies to invest their money in worthy and charitable ventures. That's organized charities, of course, along with small start-up businesses that show promise, and some lobbying groups, for recognized Good Causes. We raise a lot of money, and take a reasonable percentage for ourselves along the way. I say ourselves, but of course I don't see any of the money. It's just when you work for a company for twenty years ... Anyway, mine may not be a particularly challenging job, not what I expected my life would be, but... that's life. Few people ever really achieve their dreams or ambitions. We also serve, who keep the wheels of civilization turning. Because the world couldn't get by without us. And anyway, all I've ever cared about is providing for my family. They are my dreams and ambitions now."
    And nothing would do but that he get his photos of the wife and children out again, to show to Tommy. He made all the correct polite noises while I frowned, thinking. I was still pretty sure Eamonn was bait in a trap for me, but I was beginning to think there was rather more to it than that.
    "What made you come to John Taylor for help?" said Tommy, as Eamonn carefully put away his photos again.
    "I found his business card in my hand when I arrived in the Nightside."
    "That's how I knew someone had to be playing us," I said. "I don't have a business card. Never saw the need. Everyone here knows who I am."
    "I have a card," said Tommy. "Or, at least sometimes I do. It depends."
    I knew better than to pursue that. "What matters," I said firmly, "is that someone is interfering in Eamonn's life, and mine. And I won't have that. Anyone wants to come after me, they can do it to my face. I'm used to it. I won't have them attacking me through innocents."
    "I've heard of the Widow's Mite company," said Tommy. "They have a branch here in the Nightside."
    Eamonn looked at us with something very like horror. "My company has a branch in this ... hellhole?"
    I shrugged. "Most big companies do. Can't say I've heard anything particularly good or bad about the Widow's Mite ... What say we go and pay them a visit?"
    "What if they won't let us in?" said Eamonn.
    Tommy and I shared a smile. "We'll get in," I