The front doors to the El Carmen, the fake façade club that concealed the true Club Midnite, were unlocked, but the place was as dead as the morgue. John strode down the stairs and found the same Chicano standing behind the velvet rope that blocked entry. Seeing Constantine approach, he held up one of the oversized cards.
John drew absently on his energies. "Rat in a dress." The card was laid face up on the table and the velvet rope unhooked. Midnite wasn't turning people away this morning. Something must be up.
Descending the steps into the belly of the club, John found a few stragglers still keeping last night's party alive. Another round was called for and a human waitress set a tray of small glasses of water in front of an angel half-breed. Blowing gently over the rims of the glasses, the water instantly ran a deep red.
Turning water into wine was still considered a major party trick by the angels.
John passed through the mostly empty spaces and waited outside the hidden door, waiting for Midnite to grant him access. After a long moment, the door slowly cracked up. Constantine pushed it open the rest of the way and stalked into the office.
"How's the wife?" Midnite asked. He was consulting the brass orrery and didn't bother to look up at John.
"In a lot of pain, thanks for asking. You saw the storm last night, Midnite?" John reached into an inner pocket and pulled a Chiclet from the box.
"Yes."
"Have any idea who conjured it?" Midnite just looked at Constantine. "Oh come on! If I say it's for the wife, will that get me an answer?"
Midnite grinned wickedly, his teeth brilliant white in his dark face. "Word has it she has completed the last step of her training."
"Jesus, why do I bother coming here?"
"I wonder that sometimes myself."
John put his hands on the edge of the desk and leaned toward Midnite. "We were up on the roof of the hotel when lightening struck the cell tower on the building to our left. I can feel it, something's starting again."
"There is nothing showing yet, Constantine."
"But there is something starting!" John huffed, standing back up. "It's not like it's been entirely quiet this past year, there's been the usual possessions, but I was pretty sure both sides were licking their wounds still."
Midnite placed his elbows on the desktop, tenting his fingers together. "She is the White Queen now, yes?"
Constantine cut his gaze to the former witch doctor. "Elizabeth went through the Mercury rite, yes." Midnite canted his head a bit and sat back against the booth. "What are you getting at?"
"You already know, John."
"There's no one crazy enough to pull of the complete process! They'd have to be utterly insane!"
"Maybe, or maybe have help."
"Help from what?"
Midnite shrugged. "I'm neutral."
"God, not this bullshit again, Midnite!"
"Happy belated anniversary, Constantine." Midnite replied, keeping his gaze locked with John's while he slid a bone-white business card across the desk toward the exorcist. "Bring Elizabeth in some night. The first drinks will be on the house."
Constantine eyed the business card, looked sharply at Midnite. Quickly he snatched the card and pocketed it.
"Later, Midnite." John called back through the closing door.
