Free Killing a Cold One by Joseph Heywood Page B

those entities you mentioned,” she said. “What do they have in common, Grady?”
    â€œThey’re not real, and only kids, assholes, and jerks believe in them.”
    â€œYou skipped over the fact that they are all animal forms.”
    â€œThe Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus?”
    â€œDon’t quibble and don’t patronize.”
    â€œI repeat: None of them are real, Governor.”
    â€œPeople think they’re real, and perceptions matter. You’re not listening to me, Officer Service.”
    â€œBecause you’re not making any goddamn sense, Governor. Your political advisors feeding you the dogman tidbits? Or did your people do a damn poll?”
    â€œI did not call to debate or argue with you, Grady. I’ve talked to Chief Waco. You are to hunt down this creature, whatever and wherever it might be. And having located it, you will do whatever is necessary. Am I clear?”
    â€œBecause you and your crack political team have surgically parsed the situation and concluded a little crime might hurt your party’s chances against the Republican candidate?”
    The Republican candidate was a filthy-rich, squeaky-voiced man who had started chasing the office years before the election, spending millions of his own dollars, which disgusted Service. “Have you been drinking?” he jabbed for good measure. More and more it was becoming clear that buying political office was the route to power for some rich people.
    â€œYou fight dirty, Grady. You always go right for the throat. But this time that’s good: I want you to go right for the throat of this damn thing, whatever it is. Find out who killed those women, and make it go away.”
    There was no turning her down if Chief Waco had already been pressured to sign on. “All right, but here’s the deal: I pick who I need and want to help. And it’s all on your budget bucks, not Chief Waco’s.”
    â€œAll right. Who are you thinking of?” she asked.
    â€œMy call, not yours,” he told her.
    â€œI’m just curious.”
    â€œTreebone, Glenn Noonan, and Allerdyce. Tree and Noonan used to be top detectives, and Limpy’s the best man in the woods I know. Tree and Noonan will help Friday. Limpy and I will work our own angles. I shouldn’t have to pull any other law enforcement,” he added.
    â€œYou need more, you call them,” she said. “You amaze me. You analyzed this and decided on a course in an instant. Your talents are wasted in the woods, Grady.”
    â€œEspecially in a fricking, horseshit wild goose chase like this,” he said. “My team, your budget, Governor.”
    â€œCarte blanche,” she said. “Whatever and whoever you need. Just get that damn thing, fast. You have your orders,” she concluded, and hung up.
    Little Maridly was back beside him. “Was that Lori?” she asked
    â€œIt was.”
    â€œIs she coming to breakfast with us?”
    â€œShe’d like to, but she’s busy ruining the state and forcing individual citizens to dive into trashbins.”
    â€œIs Lori the boss of me?” the girl asked.
    â€œShe thinks so.”
    The little girl’s face hardened into a grimace. “I’m my own boss, Bampy.”
    â€œGood for you, hon. Your mum awake?”
    â€œYep, I jump-ed on her and tickle-ed her.”
    â€œDid she laugh?”
    â€œNo, she said a real bad word. Wanna hear me say it?”
    â€œNo.” Grady Service smiled as Shigun came running from the bedroom, arms outstretched, and jumped to be caught. “Was Maridly nice to you when she woke you up?”
    The boy smiled.
    I’ve got the Mosquito Wilderness back and a great start on a patched-together family. Why the hell can’t the governor mind her own damn business? Fucking dogman!
    Karylanne and Friday padded in at the same time, both in long fuzzy robes and slippers, neither fully awake. Friday mumbled,