Nightside 07 - Hell to Pay

“Half of them probably turned up to dance before the Griffin’s mausoleum, or piss on it.”
    “There was quite a queue,” Walker admitted. “Some people waited for hours. And yet, a lot of the people who matter aren’t convinced the Griffin is really dead. They think that this is another of his intricate and underhanded schemes, and he’s still out there somewhere, plotting…”
    “No,” I said. “He’s gone.”
    Walker shrugged. “Even being dead doesn’t necessarily mean departed. Not in the Nightside. So everyone’s being very cautious.”
    “What did you think of him?” I said, honestly curious. “The Griffin?”
    “A man whose reach exceeded his grasp,” said Walker. “A lesson there for all of us, perhaps.”
    “Why are you here, Walker?” said Suzie. Her shotgun was still trained on his face, but he didn’t even look at it.
    “I’m here for you, John,” said Walker. “Suzie already works for me as one of my field operatives.”
    “Only when I feel like it,” Suzie growled. Walker ignored her, his calm gaze fixed on me.
    “I want you to work for me, John, full-time. Help me keep the peace in this ungodly cesspit, and ease the transition of power that will inevitably follow the Griffin’s death.”
    “No,” I said.
    “Well, thank you for thinking about it,” said Walker.
    “I don’t have to think about it.” I met his gaze steadily and did everything I could to make my voice as cold as the cemetery we were standing in. “You’re a political animal, Walker, always have been. You will do whatever you feel is necessary, or expedient, to maintain order and the status quo. And to hell with whoever might get hurt or killed in the process.”
    Walker smiled. “How well you know me, John. And that’s why I want you. Because like me, you’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
    “I’m nothing like you, Walker.”
    “Well, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me.” He started to turn away, then looked back at me. “Change is coming, John. Choose a side. While you still can.”
    He tipped his bowler hat to us and walked away, disappearing into the mists and the shadows. Suzie finally lowered her shotgun and put it away.
    “That man is such a drama queen…”
    “That man worries me,” I said. “He’s still running things in the Nightside, inasmuch as anyone does, or can, even though the Authorities are all dead and gone. So who’s backing him now? Where is he getting his power from? What kind of deal did he make to stay in charge?”
    “There are lots of other people who’d like to run things,” Suzie said carelessly. “He won’t have it all his own way.”
    “When the lions die, the jackals gather to feast,” I said.
    “I guess we’re in for some interesting times in the Nightside.”
    “Best kind,” said Suzie.
    We laughed, and arm in arm we walked out of the cemetery.
    “Not the most successful case I ever worked on,” I said.
    “You found the missing girl. That’s all that matters. Hey, you never did tell me how much the Griffin paid you?”
    I smiled.