4. My Serpentine Valentine

"But are you sure he will be home?" I asked Veronica.

"He rarely leaves his home. Which – now that I think about it – is a very good thing for the common citizen."

"Come on, how bad can a guy with a silly name like that really be? Marty O'Sullivan sounds like it's taken from a cartoon."

We were leaning against a brick wall close to the entrance to a by American standards old apartment complex next to a considerably foul dumpster. We were pretending to be smoking while talking through the last details before our meeting with one of Veronicas former "friends". Smoking was such a good cover. If you saw someone just standing around doing nothing it was easy to imagine them being up to something, but if they had a cigarette in their hands you never would feel the need to ask them what they're doing and if they really were up to something you would never know.

It was getting darker and colder by the minute. Veronica and I had spent the last hours tracking down any possibly useful contacts that could bring them closer to Gabriel and had finally found the address to a man Veronica had worked together with quite a lot.

"He can be a bit rude but mostly he acts friendly, just don't think he won't crush you if he has to."

"I'm expecting a brute with a cute smile."

"He's short and skinny. From what I remember he looks like he's never been in a gym and his smile is far from cute."

"Oh. Maybe he's just not your type?" Veronica glared at me, irritated for what felt like the millionth time since we'd met in the morning.

"He looks like a rat." It hit me that I hadn't even asked Veronica if Marty was Wesen.

"Well? Is he a… rat?" Veronica chuckled.

"No. He is not like… what did you say her name was? Turi."

"What is he then?" A creeping smile made its way onto Veronica's lips. I did not interpret that as a good omen.

"You'll see. He can introduce himself."

"What? Why don't you just tell me?" People like Veronica who was so easy playing around with usually weren't the kind to play around with others.

"Because the chock might just teach you a lesson not to underestimate anyone in Gabriel's network. Also, it'll be a good revenge to see your face when you find out for yourself now that you've screwed up my day."

Maybe Marty was a Lebensauger. That would give anyone a chock. No, that wouldn't be menacing enough. Veronica knew I had a slight fear of the Verrat, could he be Hundjäger? No, after what happened to Quinn she would never agree to go see Marty if he was. He had a small build, was involved in organized crime and Veronica expected him to frighten me. He was most likely Geier and I had to admit to myself that the thought of being close to a Geier did not make me feel warm and relaxed. Being what I was most Geier saw me as a walking pharmacy ready to be exploited. The majority of the Falschdieb-parts that could be found in the spice shop I had visited earlier had probably been "collected" by Geier.

Whatever Marty was, another thing that concerned me was Veronica's change in mood. The entire day she'd been first helpful and a little submissive, then she'd gotten grumpier and grumpier and now I could almost see how she could have been a fearsome creature of the night once.

"Geez," I muttered, "you're starting to sound like me."

We put our unlit cigarettes pack in their package and I packed it away. I put my hand on the door and waited while Veronica took a few deep breaths.

"You know, some people would call you brave walking so fearlessly into dangerous situations," she said.

"Oh yeah?"

"I think you're just stupid." I just smiled as a response. Movies with Al Pacino had told me most of what I needed to know about voluntary risk-taking so smiling I found was the most sensible thing I could do.

"You ready yet?"

"Yes", Veronica said, "Let's do this. Just let me soften him up first before you screw us over, okay?"

I nodded. I knew I could be a bit intense and we didn't want to attract cops. Especially not if one of those cops was the renowned Grimm.

I opened the door. The inside was clean and the air smelled like soap but there were mould and water damaging in the walls. Marty lived on the second floor in the apartment to the right.

"You want to knock?" I asked Veronica. She knocked three times and stood back.

"Oh, right, by the way. Marty knows me as Valentine Boutroux. I had a name change when I quit." I raised an eyebrow.

"You're French? I knew there was something to your accent."

"Who is it?" a man's voice called from behind the door. He sounded busy, but not in a where-did-I-put-my-gun way. More like a grandmother-baking-three-different-cookies-at-once way.

"Come see for yourself, Marty", Veronica replied.

"Why would he do that?" I whispered, "That's totally not safe."

"Trust me", Veronica whispered back, "this guy does not need precautions." I could smell food from the apartment, maybe I wasn't so far off with the grandmother analogy.

The door was eventually unlocked and a man hardly taller than 160 cm peered out through it. His face was a bit sunken in but his eyes had a charming shine to them. He did not live up to my expectation of him being some sort of a body-builder-ninja-type. He looked more like a man who'd stopped using meth a while ago because he'd taken up a more interesting hobby. Marty first looked at me, examining me without appearing too impressed before he recognized Veronica.

"No way", he said wide-eyed and opened up the door, letting us into his neatly but practically furnished home. That's something I wouldn't have done if a scaly, sharp-toothed bone-breaker came to visit me after being away for two years but maybe just that's because I would not be able to defend myself against someone like that. Again I wondered what Marty was, besides what I could tell from the wonderful scent from the kitchen, a great chef.

"I thought you were dead", Marty said. I noticed this conversation could get awkward.

"That was the point. You think Gabriel would have let me go if I was alive?"

"Christ, Valentine, I mourned you." Valentine pursed her lips.

"Sure you did, Marty."

"You made me deal with all of those people alone. You know how they are!"

"Like it mattered for me. It's not like you were my friend. I didn't leave because I had to, I left because I wanted to." Marty snorted haughtily. He was not acting as goofy as I had been told he would.

"As rude as I remember. Those were good times."

"And then I decided dishonesty, violence and treason weren't something I should encourage." A little worried I glanced at Veronica. If she truly wasn't into hurting people I wondered how I'd managed to convince her to, maybe not trust, but at least listen to a literal devious thief. My paranoia told me to be careful.

"Right. Why are you even here after all this time? I thought Quinn was the only man fantastic enough to care about."

As I saw Veronica woge for a second time that day I made a mental note not to bring up Quinn in a conversation with her ever again in case the re-opened wounds one day would make her go berserk.

Then as a response to Veronica, Marty woged and when I saw what he was I could not help but do that too. I had not expected this. His thin hair turned white, his skin lost its colour and lustreless it tightened around his skull and wrinkled itself into a snarling grimace. His elongated teeth looked almost rotten but still sharper than Veronica's reptilic fangs. His voice had a higher pitch than normal when he spoke.

"I like you Valentine, but don't ever test my temper."

They both changed back. Veronica lowered her gaze to her feet. Yup, the smell from the kitchen was definitely meat boiling. I took a step towards the door but they both turned to me. I felt like a sparrow in a snake's nest.

"So what's with the Black-beak?" Marty asked Veronica.

"That's Laura. I don't… know your surname Laura, what is it?"

"It's Storm. Laura Storm", I managed to get out.

"She's a bit weird."

"Aren't they all? But yes, she's a bit freaked out. I didn't tell her about you."

"You're a naughty woman Valentine. Do you remember when I gave that old lady a heart attack?"

"That's not something you easily forget. Her face…"

Both Marty and Victoria burst out laughing. The embarrassment of the situation brought me back to my senses somewhat and I tried to laugh with them for my comfort.

I had only seen a Wendigo once before. He had been at a camping, slicing up pieces of "smoked ham" and giving samples to nearby kids. The next time I'd seen his face had been in a newspaper next to the words "serial" and "killer". If Veronica had been the one who threatened people into obeying Gabriel, Marty must have been the one who made people disappear if they still didn't listen.

Marty eventually stopped laughing, wiped a tear from his dry face and pulled out a stool from under a table.

"Hey. Laura. It's okay. Don't worry. Here, sit down."

"I'm fine", I said but accepted the seat. Marty turned to Victoria.

"Our differences aside, Valentine, it's good to have you back. Am I the first one you speak to?"

"What do you mean?"

"How many of the others have you told about your return from the dead?"

"Who do you mean with 'the others'?"

"What do you mean? You're back! You have to update your network!" I could see how close Veronica was to facepalm right then.

"I am not here to ask for a job. I've moved on. I let you think I was dead so you would accept the fact that I am never coming back to your stinking affairs." Marty pulled out another stool and sat down next to me. He seemed very confused.

"But then… Why are you here?"

"Actually it's Laura who wanted to speak to you." Marty glanced at me critically with raised eyebrows.

"She wouldn't last a–"

"She's not asking for a job either." Marty sighed. I felt a little offended for not being seen as someone who could take care of herself. Of course, I didn't think I could match the fighting skills of a trained predatory wesen.

"No wonder the unemployment rate is so high when no one accepts their offers."

"Very funny."

"I know, right? But seriously though." Marty licked his dry lips and stood up, "I guess I can hear what you have to say, Laura, but not before I have some of my meat stew. That recipe has been passed on for generations. Do you want some too?"

"It sure smells nice, but do you have enough for all of us?" Veronica asked.

"Yes, sure, I always make too much of it anyway."

I was not particularly thrilled with this. I was hungry, but not that hungry. Marty sensed my concern and smiled. As I had been warned it was not a cute smile, crooked with unnaturally white teeth.

"Again, don't worry. It's beef." I wondered if Marty even was a cannibal like general belief suggested. He was a little creepy at least and he had to be prone to some kind of violence to have worked with Veronica. Most likely was probably that it was hard to stay out of jail if you lived on a diet entirely consisting of human flesh.

Marty went into the kitchen and brought out plates with mashed potatoes, boiled peas and a wonderfully seasoned beef stew. It was the best meal I'd had in the country so far. Peppery and creamy, the hot stew made me relax and get comfortable enough to start being myself again. I was still a little bit suspicious of the pieces of meat but ate them anyway since they were irresistibly tender and anyone who would miss them was already dead.

"So Laura, how long have you known Valentine for?" Marty asked between the bites. He ate with two forks instead of one fork and one knife. It looked stupid but efficient when he scooped the stew down.

"Well… I met her this morning."

"I take it you're not friends then."

"No, that would be an exaggeration. I think she hates me a little."

"Just a tiny bit", said Victoria.

"It's fascinating that you manage to get Valentine to speak of her past when you haven't known each other for a full day. You must be very charismatic. How did you make her tell you about me?"

"My main strategy is to act like an asshole until people are so frustrated they give me what I want."

"Very interesting. I might try that out some day."

"Just be careful. It can sometimes get messy." Marty showed off his weird smile again.

"Still not as messy as my methods." I didn't know how to react to that. Should I share my favourite tips on how to remove bloodstains from white clothing? Veronica reacted like she would if I had been the one to insinuate brutal violence; she rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Could you stop pretending you are cooler than everyone else for just a few minutes?

"Details, details. Things have changed while you were gone."

"Changes? I didn't believe any of you people were capable of change."

"Aren't you yourself a perfect example to suggest otherwise?"

"That's not what I meant, I'm not like you."

"Don't be so sure."

"Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds but can I ask the things I'm here to ask soon?" I was getting a little impatient. I had planned to find Gabriel before it was so late it would be impossible for me to both sleep well and meet up with Seth. Veronica and Marty could wait with arguing like a married couple until I was done.

"Why of course! Sorry, it's not every day one of your old colleagues show up from the dead." Marty leaned back in his chair and ignored Veronica's viperous glare. I took a deep breath and tried to forget the nauseating fact that the teeth in Marty's deceiving smile probably had chewed through human flesh. I was no angel, but even I had my limits.

"Okay. You know Gabriel? Of course you know Gabriel."

"I'm assuming you mean that Gabriel. Yes, I've met him a few times."

"Right. I need to know where I can find him." Marty raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you weren't going to apply for a job."

"Can I please keep my motives to myself?"

A thin veil of suspicion suddenly clouded Marty's face. Shit.

"No… No you can't."

Veronica jumped in and saved me.

"I've checked her motives, it's nothing that'll harm you in any way."

"Says the woman who despises the network."

"Would you shut up about that? You can trust me when I say this because I am so done with lies." Marty nodded towards Veronica but I saw that he did not trust me. I didn't blame him, really.

"You want me to tell you where you can find Gabriel. First, that's not a good idea. If you don't approve of what my kind is doing you will hate what Gabriel and his family are going to do. Second, I don't tell anybody where Gabriel can be found unless I know he'll like to meet the people I send to him. Third, I don't know where he is. He's been lying low lately."

"Is he planning something big?" Veronica asked.

"His family?" I asked. Veronica looked up.

"His family?" she repeated. Marty regretted his slippery tongue. Veronica craved answers. Marty lowered his voice.

"As I've told you, things have changed. His family will be here for a few weeks I've heard. I don't think it's a good sign. Yes, they're up to something and I advise you two to stay out of it. It won't be pretty. New guys are turning up. Most Asian. Stay out of their way. Don't even think about talking to them." The last sentence Marty directed towards me and the smile I accidentally had let slip under my impulse radar. He had given us some information. It wasn't enough to draw any conclusions but it was something.

"Are you sure you don't know where Gabriel is?" Veronica asked.

"Yes I am."

"No you're not."

"I'm not talking to you."

The pair was comically childish.

"Are you talking to me then?" I asked.

"I've told you enough. Did you enjoy the stew?" I didn't dare defying Marty any more than I'd already done and Veronica and I nodded.

"Good. Valentine, consider this your 'last supper'."

"Why, am I going to mysteriously die anytime soon? I can sleep with a knife by my side for a while."

"No, no, no, I'm not threatening you. You are already gone, my serpentine Valentine, but it was nice to have a last meal with a former partner."

"Hey, I was just kidding when I called you lovebirds." Marty blushed ever so slightly and Veronica got up from her seat.

"Laura. It's time to leave."

"Already?"

Marty looked uncomfortable. Veronica looked like she wasn't compromising. Marty looked a little sad. Veronica looked irritated. Marty looked frustrated. Veronica looked like she was about to hit someone.

"Okay. Let's go." Maybe there was nothing else we could get out of Marty than a few rumours and a tasty meal. It was not worth to stay and see Veronica and Marty get along so badly so I just accepted defeat and followed Veronica out of the neatly furnished apartment.

Streetlight illuminated the night outside and a police car passed an adjacent road.

"Well that went surprisingly well", I said. I wasn't sure how much irony I should use so I used too much.

"I won't talk about him. I'm just glad it's over. If you don't mind, I have to get up early tomorrow." Veronica unlocked her bike. We weren't going to catch Gabriel tonight. Veronica did not seem too upset about that.

"Hey, at least give me your number." Veronica gave me her number.

"I guess I'll… See you around", she said before pedalling away into the darkness.

I waited in the street a while before I started walking back to my hotel room.

A billboard caught my attention. It was tagged by the same graffiti artist I'd seen work from yesterday. There was a familiar poster pinned to the billboard as well.

My jaw dropped. The poster for the Asian circus had a picture of the ringmaster on it and that ringmaster had tattoos that had an uncanny resemblance to Gabriel's. When I looked closer, their features were even more strikingly similar, but not identical. He wasn't even Asian. I threw my doubts aside and a sense of victory filled me.

I pulled out my phone and called Veronica. I had found Gabriel's family.