Nightside 09 - Just Another Judgement Day

know. I would have done this anyway.”
    “John, I didn’t—”
    “Not now, Walker,” I said. “Not now.”
    I fired up my gift, concentrating on my inner eye, opening it wide so that my Sight soared high above the Nightside. Bright lights shone amongst dark buildings, and hot neon blazed like bale-fires in the night that never ends. The streets turned slowly under me as I searched, until I spotted one single spark that shone so much more brightly than all the others. I plunged down, closing in on my target, until finally I found him, the Walking Man, strolling down a main street with laughter on his lips and cold, cold death in his eyes. And then he stopped, and turned, and looked right at me.
    “Well hello there! Come and find me, John Taylor. Before I find you.”

FOUR
    Justice, for All

    I have been hated and feared, loved and adored, but being looked on with sheer naked jealousy was a whole new experience to me. I decided to enjoy it while it lasted. It seemed like half the Membership of the Adventurers Club had crowded into the bar to watch Suzie and me descend the stairs from our meeting with the new Authorities. Some were trying to look without being seen to be looking, some just happened to be glancing in our direction, but most were glaring right at us with stares that could have punched holes through an elephant. I could see jealousy, curiosity, intrigue, and barely suppressed fury in the famous faces turned in our direction, and I loved every moment of it. All these heroes and adventurers, with their magnificent histories and legends, but it was Suzie and me who got to meet with the new Authorities first.
    It should have been me , all the faces said, and I gloried in it.
    I bestowed upon them all my most cheerful and enigmatic smile and walked through the bar without saying a single word. Let them wonder, let them marvel . . . I was the man on the spot, and they weren’t. It’s the little victories that keep me going. Suzie, as usual, gave no indication of giving a damn what anyone thought of her, good or bad. In fact, it was entirely possible she hadn’t noticed any of the jealousy around her. Such small things were beneath her.
    Walker followed us through the Club, and out on to the street again, also without saying a word to anyone. But then, Walker never says anything without a purpose. I like to think he escorted us out as a mark of respect, and not because he was afraid we might take offence and start something.
    Outside in the street, leaning quite casually against the Club’s oversized Doorman, Chandra Singh was waiting for us. He favoured us all with his great flashing smile and came forward, his every movement as smooth and lithe as a jungle cat scenting a kill.
    “I trust your meeting with our new Authorities went well, Mr. Taylor, and that you are now fully empowered to track down the infamous Walking Man.”
    Walker sighed. “You really cannot keep a secret in this place . . .”
    “You still want to help out on this?” I said to Chandra. “Knowing how dangerous the Walking Man can be?”
    “Of course!” Chandra said happily. “I love a good hunt.”
    I considered him thoughtfully. Chandra Singh had an excellent reputation as a tracker, fighter, and holy terror in trouble spots all over the world, and I could certainly use his expertise. But I had to wonder if his motives were quite as clear-cut as he made out. Whether he only wanted in on this . . . for a chance to go head to head with the Walking Man to test his faith, one holy warrior against another.
    What the hell, I could always use a good stalking horse. And someone big to hide behind. Suzie and I could always throw him to the wolves if necessary.
    “All right,” I said. “You’re in. Try not to get in our way.”
    Chandra laughed. “No, Mr. Taylor, you must try to keep out of mine.”
    “Men,” said Suzie. “Why don’t you just get them out and measure them?”
    Walker started talking over her before she’d even finished. He’d always had problems with Suzie’s directness.
    “You found the Walking Man with your gift, John. Can you tell us what he looked like? Most people only ever get to see the Walking Man if they’re about to die at his hands, which makes it very difficult to get a clear description.”
    Suzie and Chandra looked at me curiously, too, so I thought about it. “He’s tall and lean,” I said finally. “And he swaggered down the street like he owned it. He wore a long duster coat,