Chapter Seven Willy's Alibi Room


After the steak, I figured I needed some non-human rumble on the whole Giles situation and I might be able to pick up some leads on Oz's killer. I headed for the Alibi Room.

Must have been 2-for-1 at the blood bank. Willy's was packed with vampires, wall-to-wall. A good sign.
I sidled up to the bar between a Shedim and a bearded vampire in Hell's Angel regalia. The Shedim snarled out something that sounded like a rude remark about my mother. It coulda been true, so I just ignored him and got my beer. I glanced around the bar casually Just as I'd hoped, the platinum-maned vampire was sulking by himself in a corner booth by the jukebox. I grabbed my bottle and slid into the booth across from him.

Taking quite a chance, mate. We're not all toothless and tame, he rumbled low. Like to live dangerously, do you?

No more than you, friend. Just stopped by with a word to the wise. Giles is on to you.
Ripper sent you? he sneered, 'sides, nothing to know about. The Slayer isn't...

Look, Spike, let's cut the crap. He hired me to follow her. In fact, he gave me two large just to shoot some pictures. He didn't say why he wanted the buzz on you, but I figured you should know.

He hissed and grabbed the lapels of my seersucker jacket and yanked me across the table toward him. I got a real close-up look at the fangs and lumpies.

Listen to me, shamus, all she wants is to be left alone. Away from him, he spat. I'm going to help her do that and you're going to stay out of it. Understand?

I gulped and nodded, I get it, Spike, No one in the bar had moved or even glanced in our direction. Willy's is that kind of place. Besides, it was Saturday night and wrestling was on the big screen tv.
Spike turned me loose with the kind of look I reserve for cockroaches in my cereal. I pulled myself and my sorely abused jacket together. The seersucker had been getting quite a workout.

he closed his eyes and continued as though nothing had happened, I like her. Hell, I love her. But she deserves something better than him, or me, for that matter. Buggery bastid. May he rot in Hell.

He shook out two cigarettes and offered me one.
I talked to her last night and she told me some things, I said, He's paying me, but I have a feeling there's something fishy going on. I don't trust him. There must have been something wrong with me just then. Here I was, in a demon bar, swapping stories with a vampire that I had no real reason to trust, other than the fact that he seemed to be a straight shooter. His pale blue eyes swept my face guardedly.

I know you. You're Xander Harris. Osbourne's partner.. He stretched his arms a bit and had a drink from his beer,

I had a terrible feeling, just the way he'd said Oz's name. I wanted to slam a stake in his heart or rip him to pieces. He knew something.

Heard something about it. Nasty business, that. Didn't think anything but a silver bullet could take out a werewolf, he smiled casually, as though he were asking for sugar in his tea, What's it worth to you?

Damn all demons straight to hell. Calculating, out for the main chance, cold blooded monsters!
My partner was.....murdered. What do you think it's worth? I snarled.

Tell ya what, Harris. Since we're such good mates now, we'll make a trade. You help my lady friend get away from Giles, I get you your information. Deal?

What? Why should I? If Giles finds out I'm double-crossing him, we're both dead.
Either way, you're gonna be dead. He waved the bartender over for a refill, 'Sides, I'd like to see him try to take me on. Thinks he's so smart, with all his sorcery and his goon squad. Pssht.
I checked my watch. It was getting late and this vamp could probably keep on talking all night. I thought they were all broody immortals. This one didn't look like he'd ever shut up.

So, now Harris, what do you say? How about we meet up at my flop, real casual-like in an hour or so. D'ya know the big crypt in the Shady Rest, just past the Alpert monument?

I gotta see a lady.

Whenever. I've got to do some checking around. Bring whatever weapons you've got and watch your step. I keep at eye on things round there, but Giles might have his droppers on the lookout for both of us.

He polished off the last of his beer and glided out the back door. I kind of envy that cat-like grace vampires have. The waitress brought me the check. He'd stuck me with his bar tab. Big, evil cat.