Chapter Three The Ripper

Big and Burly returned, not so cocky this time. Boss'll see ya now. The pair of them led me past the stage and down a black painted corridor to a dark wooden door and halted.
I don't know what I was expecting, I just knew I wasn't going to like it much. I'd seen a lot of more demons than anyone should have to, here and in L.A. Some of them just hideous and some of them so far beyond horror that you hope you've lost your mind. I just wasn't looking forward to meeting whatever was behind the door.

Suddenly, I found myself inside and shaking hands with something large dressed in a tweedy suit like a mild-mannered college professor. Nearly human in form, except for the huge pair of curling horns and the big, fangy smile. He looked so jolly. Still, there was something about him. My gut told me those pale human eyes hid something, most probably a desire to kill and eat me. I was a bit disconcerted, to say the least.
He was ensconced behind a carved walnut desk, a smoldering briar pipe held loosely in one clawed hand. He looked me over again and seemed to come to a decision.
Mr. Harris. I am delighted you have decided to take me up on my offer. Please have a seat. I slipped into a leather club chair and glanced around his lair.

The room was hot, almost tropical, and scented with some spicy incense. Orchids teetered along full bookshelves overflowing with ancient texts and scrolls; polished antiques snuggled up on the Persian carpets and paintings of somebody's dead ancestors lined the walls. Nothing at all what I'd been expecting.

Drink, Mr. Harris? he smiled, I believe you prefer Kentucky bourbon. I heard a tension in the soft tenor voice. I nodded. Burly Vamp fixed my drink, then retreated along with his compadre, to the black corridor plainly with orders to be well out of earshot
I understand you are uniquely qualified to help me. I am gratified.
You mean L.A. ?
Yes. My friends in a certain law firm assure me you were unfairly dismissed. But their loss is my gain. I wanted to snarl at him for that crack, but I figured he'd just gotten the story the brass wanted to publicize.
I want you to do some photography, he continued,Confidential pictures of my wife. Divorces. I hate divorces. There's never any good there.
I nodded,Not a problem. She look anything like you? He cut a look sideways at me and growled a little. Sore point, evidently.
he said, pointing above his chair, That is my wife. It was a full length oil of a shapely young blonde looking coyly over her creamy bare shoulder. Good God, was this his wife?

I adore her, he breathed reverently gazing up at the painted features, We've been married for ten years now. We were so happy. He turned back to me and fat tears were rolling down the grainy gray flesh under his human eyes. Then one day, she said she needed some time apart. Away from me. His voice shook, I love her. But I won't ever lose her to anyone else! She belongs to me! Do you understand? He snarled and pounded the table, knocking books and papers onto the carpet.

Okay, I tried to mollify him quickly before this scene got ugly, So what you're wanting is for me to tail her, take some snaps...that about it?

Tomorrow. I want to know tomorrow. He pushed a stack of hundred dollar bills across the table at me. Her name is Anne.

Did I mention how much I hate demons? Sometimes you just have to make exceptions for a big honking gob of cash. I might not like this case, in fact, it stunk to high heaven, but my rent was due and the DeSoto was out of gas.

You'll find her at the Bronze. She's taken a little job there. She gets off at midnight.
I tipped my hat brim to him and headed out the back exit past Mutt and Jeff. If he had these beefy soldiers, why the hell did he need me to follow her? His money, though. I figured I'd be back another night for a longer look at Anyanka. Or maybe not.

tbc