A/N: Thanks for reading! As usual don't own 'em, wish I did!
Part 23
Vicki and Amar left Coreen scanning the television, trying to find anything about the break in, while they grabbed a cab and headed to the FedEx building. They paid what Vicki called an obscene amount of money for a box big enough to hold everything and headed for Henry's. The ride was tense, with Vicki trying to think of a way to get out of this one, coming up with plans, one after the other and discarding them the same way. She was so busy thinking, she barely noticed Amar, or his death grip on the door handle. Apparently he hadn't adjusted to riding in a cab any better than he had to riding in Henry's car. When she finally noticed how tense he was, she leaned over and spoke quietly, "When we get to Henry's you can get back in your bottle if you like, Amar."
"That would be most appreciated. I do not like this transportation. It has the smell of old camels who are long past their time of service."
She burst out into a full bodied laugh. When she finally managed to get enough air back into her lungs, she said, "That has got to be the best description of a cab I have ever heard, Amar."
"It was not meant to amusing, Henryvicki." His expression was a mix of hurt feelings, and disapproval.
"I know it wasn't, and I'm sorry. I wasn't laughing at you, I swear. But for the last couple of years I've taken more than my fair share of cab rides and that's the first time I've ever heard it described so perfectly."
"As you say."
They got to Henry's, said hello to the day guy, and headed upstairs to get the books. When they reached the door, Amar placed an arm in front of Vicki, stopping her from putting the key in the lock. He frowned, "There is someone inside. It is the unpleasant man from this morning."
"Shit! How did he get in there?" She shook her head. "Never mind, can you transport us to where he is exactly? I want to appear right behind him."
"Of course. Take my hand."
She didn't know what she expected exactly, but somehow she expected something different. Jeanie had always just folded her arms and blinked. Amar didn't. She placed her hand, palm down, into his hand with his palm up. He raised his other hand and before Vicki could think, a curtain dropped in front of her eyes. When it was raised, she was standing right behind one Detective Sergeant Michael Celluci, who was trying to conduct a search of the darkened place with only a flashlight and a look of determination.
"Should I make a citizen's arrest or just have Amar send you straight to the seventh level of hell?"
Mike dropped the flashlight and spun around. "Jesus, Vicki, are you trying to kill me?" He bent down to pick up the flashlight.
"No, because we both know if I was trying to, you'd be dead already." She punched him in the chest. "What the fuck are you doing creeping around Henry's place?"
"What do you think I'm doing." He bent down to retrieve the flashlight. "Looking for evidence that the two of you were behind last night's break in." As he stood back up, it hit him, "What do you mean, have Amar send me to the seventh level of hell?"
"Don't change the subject, Celluci! We both know if you did find anything, which you wouldn't, it couldn't be used in court, being fruit from the poisoned tree." She shook her head, "We both also know why you're really here, and it has nothing to do with Grimm's break in."
"Don't flatter yourself, Vicki. I'm just trying to do my job. I saw the video, and if that wasn't you and Fitzroy traipsing across the lawn in the middle of the night, I'll be dancing the lead in Swan Lake next time it comes to town."
"Now that I would pay to see." She raised a hand pointed at the door. "Get out, Mike. We didn't do anything wrong (she hoped he didn't see her fingers crossed behind her back), so you need to leave. If we do come up with anything, I'll let you know." Celluci walked to the door, turned the handle, then looked at Vicki, took in a deep breath, "Please. Vicki. Don't let Fitzroy talk you into anything crazy."
"We've known each other for more than ten years Celluci. When has anyone ever been able to talk me into anything I didn't want to do?"
He didn't speak, he just left, pulling the door closed behind him. She heard Amar's voice behind her.
"Are you certain you do not wish me to send him to the seventh level of hell as you suggested?"
That snapped Vicki's head around, "You can actually do that?
"Yes." Amar nodded. "However, to be accurate there are more than 1000 levels of hell. Each level designated for a specific sin."
"Of course they are. You can tell me about them later, we've got stuff to do." She paused, "Before, you knew Mike was here before we went inside. Can you still sense him?"
"Yes." He nodded.
"Where is he?"
"Just outside the door."
"Stay right here and be quiet." She snuck over to the door, yanked it open and laughed darkly as Mike jumped. You wouldn't think someone that big could be so quick, but apparently years of dodging bullets comes in handy.
"Thought you were leaving." She stood there with her hands on her hips.
"I am. I was just thinking."
"About?"
"How you've changed." And walked away, shoulders drooping. Before, she had been furious with Mike for going into Henry's. Now, as she watched him walk down the hall to the elevator, she just felt bad. He was a good man, and she knew it. She also knew he was in over his head with all the supernatural stuff. Catholic or no, he still struggled with the idea of demons and the like. And he loved her. She knew it. She loved him too. She just loved Henry more. She wanted to call after him, to reassure him things would be all right, but until they managed to get rid of the tapes and get Mike the books, she couldn't make that promise. For all she knew, tomorrow would see Amar back in Grimm's clutches, her in jail, and Henry waiting for sunrise in a room with a view.
By three that afternoon, Amar and Vicki had packed up the books and the CD's. Amar balked at getting in another cab, so before they got to the lobby, he got back in his bottle and Vicki stuffed him into her purse. She carted everything to Constance McCoy's office at the other end of Bloor, setting them down with a thud just inside the door and asked her to take a look at them. The tiny red head practically salivated over the ledgers. A cursory examination made "Mac" whistle. "This is a work of art. But it does not, as far as I can tell, anyway, have anything to do with the reality of bookkeeping." Mac had been fascinated by the whole Enron scam, or any scam that had to do with deep fried cooked books. She'd figured it out long before federal authorities did, and had been unbearably smug about outdoing the 'Yanks'. She also had a knack for finding exactly the point that would bring down a house of cards, and that's what Vicki needed. And she needed it fast.
"How long, Mac?"
"Vicki, you just handed me these five minutes ago. I need at least 45." She grinned.
"Hey, no problem, I'll give you 24 hours. By then, Celluci will probably have arrested Henry and me and you can bring your notes to me at my new address. City Jail."
"What are you into, Vicki?"
"Short version. I'm trying to bring the murderer of two children to justice. One way or the other." She pointed to the books. "This is the quickest route to get to him. Please, Mac, I need your help."
"You've got it." She stood up from her desk. "Can you leave them here?"
"Actually, I was hoping you'd say that. I don't want them to be anywhere anybody else can get their hands on them. Guard them with your life, Mac. It could be the only thing that will put a killer behind bars." She pulled her bag up onto her shoulder.
"Vicki? One question." Vicki turned to face her.
"Yeah."
"Why are you carrying around that bottle?"
"Long story. Trust me. I'll buy you a drink when this is over and explain the whole thing. Unless I'm in prison."
VvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvvvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvVvV
Vicki made it back to Henry's just as the sun was setting with a sense of relief. As she got in the elevator, she let Amar out, "Henry should be awake soon, and boy do we need to talk."
"Thank you for not making me riding in the cab, Henryvicki."
"You're welcome, Amar." She let them into the apartment, and reached for her phone.
"Coreen, it's me. Anything new?"
"Just the same tape playing over and over along with the big ugly talking about how the citizens of Toronto couldn't let such heinous criminals run free."
"Has Mike been by or called?"
"Haven't seen hide nor hair. Should I be worried?"
"Maybe. I'm not sure. He was sneaking around Henry's when we got here earlier."
"What?!" Vicki had to hold the phone away from her ear. "He didn't find anything did he?"
"No. There was nothing to find."
"Where's Amar?"
"He was in his bottle. Now he's standing next to me." She started to turn as she heard the bedroom door open and by the time she completed it, Henry stood in front of her, touching her hair, cupping her face in his hands like he'd never seen anything so beautiful. His eyes searched her face. "Let me call you back, Coreen."
"Hello, love. Miss me?" He leaned in to kiss her and she felt, like she always did, every hair of her body stand on end from the electricity of his touch.
Vicki Nelson, Private Investigator, all around kick your ass if you mess with her, chick, blushed.
"Henry. Not in front of the d-j-i-n-n."
"You're spelling again. Why?" He grinned as she blushed. "He knows we're in love. He can sense it. Can't you Amar?" He turned to face the tall man.
"Yes." He nodded. "It is obvious to all who see you."
Vicki snorted, "I wouldn't say obvious to all."
"Then you're not paying enough attention." He kissed the corner of her mouth. "Where are we with the case?"
"The sudden change of subject snapped Vicki back to reality. "Well, let's see. We made the morning news. You and me, sneaking across the lawn of Grimm's house in the middle of the night."
Henry stood there, stunned. "How?"
"Security cameras mounted on light poles outside the house. You can't tell it's us. Yet. But Mike saw the footage and he says knows it's us." She paused. "You're going to hate what I'm about to say, but you need to know. When Amar and I came back here to get the books, Mike was here. Inside. Searching."
She was right. He hated it. She watched his eyes go black and his fangs descend as his upper lip pulled back. "Celluci was in here. Going through my things." His voice wasn't much more than growl. Celluci invaded his territory. That was not be tolerated.
"He was looking for evidence. He thinks-" She stopped as Henry held up his fingers to cover her mouth.
"I hear something."
"What?" She looked around.
"I'm not sure. Let me listen for a minute." He slowly moved around the room, cocking his head. He moved to the fireplace, the picture above it. Motioned to Amar to step to the other side, and together they lifted it off the wall. When they laid it against coffee table, Vicki sucked in her breath. There, big as life, was an e bug. Nestled on the canvas, peeking through a tiny hole, it was there recording everything that was being said and done.
"Oh, Crap."
