Nightside 08 - The Unnatural Inquirer

Taylor?”
    “I need a favour,” I said. “And you do owe me, Mark.”
    He looked at me for a long moment, but in the end he looked away first. He seemed suddenly older, and tired.
    “How much am I expected to pay for my sins against you?”
    I could sense Bettie’s ears pricking up, as she realised we were talking about secret, important things, but I didn’t feel like enlightening her.
    “Only you can answer that,” I said. “Just tell me what I need to know, and I’ll leave.”
    “I should kill you,” he said, almost casually.
    “You could try,” I said, easily.
    “This is about the Afterlife Recording, isn’t it? I haven’t got it. Heard about it, of course. The whole damned Nightside is buzzing with news of it, mostly inaccurate, and all the little collectors and speculators are driving themselves crazy running in circles, chasing down every rumour…”
    “But not you?” I said.
    “I want it. And when I’m good and ready, I’ll go and get it. But right now I’m busy with something…something important. I have yet to be convinced that the Recording is the genuine article. But whether it’s the real deal or not, I will have it, because it’s a unique item, and it belongs here with me, as someone who will appreciate it…What is that woman doing?”
    I looked around. Bettie had a small camera in her hands. I reached out and took it away from her.
    “Give that back!” she said hotly. “It belongs to the paper! I had to sign for it!”
    “Restrain yourself,” I said. “We’re guests here.”
    “Oh, but look at all the lovely things he’s got,” said Bettie, pouting in a very winning way. “The world deserves to know what’s here!”
    “No they don’t,” said the Collector. He gave me a thoughtful look. “Is she your latest?”
    “No,” I said. “I’m still with Suzie.”
    “Oh. Nice horns.” He gave me a hard look. “You always were more trouble than you were worth, Taylor. You know how long it took me to regrow my leg after those insects gnawed it off? All because of you? Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t have my lovely cat robots kill you, stuff you, and put you on display?”
    “Because I’m my father’s son.”
    “You always did fight dirty, John.” He smiled briefly. “The sins of the father…”
    “And the mother,” I said. “And the man who put them together.”
    “Walker had sons,” said the Collector. “Charles had you. And I…have my collection. Funny how things turn out. Get out of here, Taylor. I don’t have the Afterlife Recording, and I don’t know who has. Leave. And don’t come looking for me again. I won’t be here.”
    He turned and walked away, followed by his cat robots. Bettie looked at me.
    “What was that all about?”
    “The past,” I said. “And how it always ends up haunting the present. Let’s go.”
    “You’re sure he doesn’t have it, hidden away somewhere?”
    “He wouldn’t lie to me,” I said.
    We headed back to the door. Bettie was still frowning thoughtfully.
    “Once we’re back in the artificial jungle, we’ve still got to face one very pissed-off Tyrannosaurus rex. How are we going to get past it this time?”
    “Don’t worry,” I said. “I’ll think of something.”
    And I did.

FIVE
    The Devil’s in the Details

    B ack out on the Nightside streets again, we still carried the smell of the jungle with us. A harsh and murky mixture of sweat, rotting vegetation, and T. rex musk. It could have been my imagination, but people on the street seemed to be giving me even more room than usual. I felt like buying half a dozen air fresheners and hanging them round my neck. I did my best to rise above the situation, while debating what to do next with the delightful Bettie Divine.
    “I still don’t get it,” she said, a bit pettishly. She was holding my arm again. “Why isn’t the Collector out chasing round the Nightside, trying to grab the Afterlife Recording for himself? He said he wanted it.”
    “He also said he was busy with something,” I said. “Odd, that; he didn’t say what with. He’s never been bashful with me before; usually can’t wait to boast about what he’s up to…Still, he’s the Collector. Which means he’s always busy with something.”
    “Unless…he’s scared of someone else who’s after the Recording,” said Bettie. “You, perhaps?”
    “I’d like to think so, but no. It would have to be someone really bad, and really powerful. The Collector is a Major