XXVII

Kiss of Death

The burly C-Sec officer wrapped the e-cuffs tight around Lady Bow's wrists. He gave her a shove in a vain attempt to assert control. She laughed and shook her head. His hand tightened on her shoulder as he guided her off the landing platform. She slowly lolled her head towards Daisy as she passed, maintaining eye contact with a lazy and disaffected gaze. "That's some boy you've got there," she said. Daisy covered her mouth with her hand and the ghost bared her fangs in a wide grin. She clicked her heels to a halt, annoying the arresting officer. They held each other's gaze for a long moment, neither backing down. Daisy's hand balled into a tight fist.

"Don't worry, love," said Lady Bow, removing her hood. "He was a perfect gentleman." She broke from the officer's grip and threw herself at Daisy, planting a soft kiss on her plump, pink lips. She thrust her tongue down Daisy's throat and massaged in rhythmic flicks. Daisy's head whirled and she felt faint. What was she playing at? What could she have to gain other than embarrassing her? And she was embarrassed. She could feel the hot flush of her cheeks. But the ghost's kiss was cool like a winter's breath, like sucking on a peppermint. The world left her feet and spun out. She shut her eyes to it as it tumbled over and over. Everything else seemed to melt away and she surprised herself to find that she was kissing her back!

The officer pulled Lady Bow away from Daisy, leaving a line of drool connecting their lips. She wheezed, now out of breath, and quickly reactivated the hood on her containment suit. Her lungs were like fire from being exposed to the atmosphere for even just a few moments but the shocked look on their faces was worth the discomfort. The officer barked at her and shuffled her away towards the jail at C-Sec in the lower decks.

Daisy looked back to Luigi, who shook his head. He didn't know what to make of it but he knew it wasn't her fault. And he knew he wasn't mad. She wrapped herself around his arm and laid her head on his shoulder. He smelled the sweet perfume of her hair and kissed the top of her head.

"Maniac," said Falco, watching after her with narrowed eyes.

"No she's not," said Toad, lighting a cigar and taking a long drag. "Working in the shadows of back alleys, you come across people like her. She knows exactly what she's doing. And that's what makes her so scary."

"We have to report this to the council," Mario said with a clap of his hands. It was time to get back on track.

"Are we relieved of our service yet?" asked Falco, suddenly annoyed. "We have places to be, you know."

"That can wait, Falco," said Fox. His junior officer still didn't know what time it was and it was working his nerves. When was he going to wise up? There was no way the council would let them off the hook, not with stakes this big. He tried to clarify his point and said, "We just captured the top Spectre agent for going AWOL and attacking a federal unit."

"She mentioned that I am going to help the koopa king," whispered Luigi.

Falco turned on his heel to face him. "What? When?"

"When I was alone with her in the brig."

Mario placed a hand on his shoulder. "Why didn't you say something?"

"She, umm, she embarrassed me," he stammered before turning to Daisy and holding her hands in his. "I'm sorry."

"I don't blame you," she said. "I saw just how good she is at embarrassing people."

"Nothing happened. I promise."

"I believe you," she said with a reassuring smile and kissed him. His kiss was warm and sweet and full of life, a comforting palette cleanser from the cold kiss of death.

Falco folded his arms and scoffed. "Now that that's settled, what do we do now?"

"Uh, listen," Toad started slowly. "We brought the ghost back alive, or as alive as a ghost can be. That means the broker owes me. I just don't want to be the one to tell him. Last time, I barely escaped with my mushroom cap. He's a mean sonuvabitch."

There was a long silence and they traded awkward glances between them before they all settled on one: Mario. McCloud was the first to speak up. "What's your decision, Mario?"

He exhaled slowly as he formed his thoughts aloud. "I think it would be best if just Fox and I went to the council. Falco, Luigi and Daisy, go with Toad to collect from the Shadow Broker. Don't take no for an answer. Toad, I assume there was an agreement?"

"Yep, I've got it in the holonet. Digital fingerprint from both myself and that hulking bastard."

"Then you've got him by the balls. Even the Shadow Broker has to honor his agreements. Reputation is all there is in his line of work."

"What about me?" asked Peach. Her eyes were bright and expectant as she awaited his order.

His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. Her eyes were as blue as the clearest skies in Fossil Falls. He shook his head to regain his composure. "Do you have that sample from Pinna?" She pulled out the vial, which was three quarters full of the amber syrup.

"I want you to take it down to Processing and find out what did that to Luigi. We meet back at the Great Fox before the Lunar Rotation. I don't want anyone roaming the streets after dark. Understood?" They nodded in agreement and they each headed their own way. Fox and Mario held back. Fox watched Peach walk down the long corridor to Processing all on her own and his brow knitted and his teeth clenched, baring his pointy fangs. Mario noticed the look, which sent his heart racing. What was it again that Fox had told him on Pinna?

"What?" he asked, breaking the tense silence. "Did I do something wrong?"