The Book of Death (Bourbon Kid 4)

their
friends,’ he said.
    ‘Oh shit.’

 
    Fifty

 
    Beth could feel Razor’s gun
pressed into the base of her spine. In front of her she could see the outline
of Jessica. The Vampire Queen was leading the way into the darkened main hall.
    By the time they had reached the
top of the staircase Beth’s eyes had gradually become accustomed to the dark.
She was able to make out the shapes of several statues and pillars in the hall
below. There was no sign of JD, but she knew he must be near. As if reading her
thoughts, Jessica spoke aloud.
    ‘He’s down here. I can smell the
bourbon on his breath.’ Raising her voice she called out into the darkness.
‘Show yourself! You can’t hide from me in the dark.’
    What followed was the sound of a
door opening at the far end of the hall, quite some distance away. Beth made
out the sound of some muffled voices and then suddenly all of the lights in the
hall came on at once, lighting up everything brightly. Her eyes darted around
her surroundings, looking for JD. All she saw at the end of the room was
Sanchez the bartender being shoved in the back towards the centre of the room
by one of the Panda vampires. It was a female wearing an all black outfit, with
the exception of the red baseball cap on her head. Under her left arm she was
carrying a large black hardback book.
    Jessica called out to her. ‘Is
that The Book of Death you’ve got there?’
    Panda Girl nodded. ‘Yeah. This
guy brought it with him.’
    Jessica reached the bottom of
the stairs and stepped onto the marble floor. She hissed at Sanchez. ‘So, you
found my book. How good of you, Sanchez.’
    Sanchez shrugged. ‘Well, it was
nothing really. Perhaps you could just give me the reward and I’ll be on my
way?’
    ‘Why the rush?’ Jessica asked, a
mischievous grin breaking out on her face. ‘Why don’t you stay a while? We’re
having a party. Your friend the Bourbon Kid is here too. He’s about to show
himself to us any second now.’
    Sanchez didn’t look too keen to
take her up on the invite. ‘It’s okay. I’ve got places to be,’ he said, turning
back towards the door through which he had come. Panda Girl wasn’t letting him
get away that easy. She grabbed his arm and yanked him back. Then she shoved
him hard, back toward the middle of the hall.
    Jessica walked towards him,
looking all around her, no doubt waiting for the reappearance of the Kid. Razor
pressed his gun harder into Beth’s back and then gave her a push to indicate
that she should follow Jessica.
    Panda Girl shoved Sanchez again,
a little more ferociously this time. She nodded at Jessica. ‘He wasn’t planning
on giving you the book at all,’ she said. ‘He found out you were a vampire and
had a change of heart. When I found him he was cowering in a bathroom and
trying to hide the book.’
    ‘That sounds like typical
Sanchez all right,’ said Jessica scornfully. ‘We’ll deal with him later. For
now I think it may be time to call out our mystery guest.’ She stared all
around the hall, looking once more for sign of the Kid, then she called out
loud. ‘Very well then. Razor, kill the girl .’
    Beth felt a lump in her throat.
Razor’s gun had been pressed against the small of her back but the pressure was
relieved as he pulled it away. Although he was behind her, she could see his
arm moving out of the corner of her eye. He was about to shoot her in the head.
She closed her eyes and waited for the moment of truth. Would JD make his move
and reveal himself before Razor pulled the trigger?
    She heard the safety click on
the gun as Razor released it, ready to fire.
    ‘WAIT!’ A gravelly voice called
out from behind them.
    Beth looked over her shoulder.
Razor too, twisted around pointing his gun in the direction of where the voice
had come from. Stepping out from within the shadows of one of the many statues
in the hall was the Bourbon Kid, his long dark robe identifying him to
everyone, the hood pulled up over his head.
    Razor pointed his pistol at him.
    The Kid raised his hands in
surrender. ‘Hey, don’t shoot,’ he said calmly. ‘I came here to make a deal.’
    Jessica swiftly appeared at
Beth’s side, her lightning dexterity making it seem as though she had appeared
out of thin air. This bitch was quick.
    ‘Drop your weapons!’ she hissed
at the Kid.
    The Kid ignored her and pointed
at Razor. ‘Put your gun down,’ he said.
    Razor had plans of his own. His
three best friends had all perished at