Chapter 3
After the meeting broke up, the clean-up crew and Mick stayed behind as prearranged. They hashed out the details of the plan.
"Mick, this is going to be extremely dangerous. Are you sure you don't want my men to go with you?" the Cleaner asked.
"I'm sure. We have a better chance of drawing him in if there's just me. Just make sure your guys have everything in place."
"We will," she promised, and the clean-up crew left.
After pouring drinks and handing one to Mick, Josef said "We may not have to depend entirely on this crazy scheme. There is an alternative." He reached far back into the cabinet below the drink bar and brought out a steel lock box, which he then unlocked and opened for Mick to see. Mick stared in surprise.
"I've always liked that Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared," Josef said with a smile.
Mick picked up the black pistol and examined it. He hadn't held a gun in decades but the old familiar feel of a pistol grip came back almost instantly. The box held the semiautomatic pistol, several full magazines and a black leather shoulder holster.
Josef said "Don't touch the bullets. They're silver. And they're hollow points so they spread and don't exit the target body." Josef had obviously been prepared for some kind of attack, human or vampiric, for some time. "Whatever you do, don't shoot yourself in the foot."
Mick chuckled at the friendly jibe, then he strapped on the shoulder holster. His jacket concealed the gun completely. The spare clips went into his jacket pockets.
"If this doesn't work, you better pack your bags and leave L.A.," he said grimly. "I would join you, but I'll probably be dead."