Karrde arrived in St Louis just after two-thirty in the morning. He didn't go straight to the Prince's apartment, but rather to Lafayette Park. Here he met up with the men he had called on the way to the city.
One was an incredibly large black man with a full bushy beard and dressed in a heavy leather jacket. He was incredibly intimidating, even to Karrde. This was Christopher Lushenko, also called Keeper-of-Gateways, the Glass Walker leader in St. Louis.
The other man had a runner's build, trim and fit but dressed in baggy, ratty clothes. Under the worn, faded army field jacket, Karrde caught sight of a well-maintained handgun in a shoulder rig. This was Slick Nicky, a Glass Walker Kinfolk who had managed to get himself into the vampire society, hiring out as a thug, a guy that could take care of Kindred business during the daylight hours. This made him a great source of information, which is why he had seen Alyx brought into town.
"Mike, good to see you again," Nicky said, taking Karrde's hand.
"The notorious WarCry, we meet at last," said Lushenko in an incredibly deep voice. He was obviously sizing up Karrde to see if he thought the reputation was warranted.
"Keeper-of-Gateways, it's an honor to be in your domain."
"I must admit, WarCry, I'm not thrilled to have someone with such… close…personal connections to the Kindred. But you are a Glass Walker, so I'll offer what help I can."
"Thank you, sir. I'll do my best to leave without you noticing my presence. All I ask is to let me do what I need to without interference."
"I'll issue the command to the Sept. I do have other obligations tonight, so I'll leave you in the capable hands of Nicholas here."
With a small nod of the head, Lushenko turned and left.
"I hate it when he calls me that," Nicky mumbled. "At least he turned his back on you. That shows a lot of trust for him."
"What do ya have for me, Nicky?"
Nicky gestured with his head and started walking, Karrde falling into step with him.
"They had Alyx in a place out in Kirkwood, but they've moved her. I'm expecting something more solid tomorrow, but I did find out who has her. It's Cynthia Fuckin' Deevers, the Tremere Primogen. I don't know who your lady pissed off, son, but she's got some high heat coming down on her."
"That's all right, Nicky. My next stop is to talk with the boss leech here in town. If he's got a Primogen playing games behind his back, it could get real sloppy."
"You're going to Geier? You're a ballsy man. How do you know this isn't all his game you're playing?"
"Oberlin up north got in touch with him, said he was on the up and up."
Nicky shook his head, disbelief and awe plain on his face.
"I don't know what you've done to get in so tight with the leeches, but I've been hanging around 'em for years and I'm barely trusted to walk into one of their bars."
"Well, save the life of a Prince or two and they'll let you in the door. I've got to run, Nicky. Geier's expecting me soon. You've got my number, so let me know if you've got any news. I won't call you, since I don't wanna blow your cover."
"Shoot straight, partner," Nicky said, grabbing Karrde's forearm, a sign reciprocated by Karrde. "Just remember to take off your shoes," he added, walking away laughing.