Free Undeath and Taxes by Drew Hayes

help getting everything set up?”
    “The booth is done; all that’s left now is to shine and position the weaponry so it doesn’t throw a hissy-fit.” The distinct sound of clinking metal answered Krystal’s words, but it stopped immediately when she glared at the pile of blades. “Plus, I feel like I should talk to June, and that will be a little easier without you here. Just at first.”
    “I haven’t actually seen her since we arrived,” I said.
    “She’s been around, but keeping her distance. I’m not trying to brush you off, promise, but she is a friend. Just a complicated one.”
    “I understand.” I accepted the envelope from her, noting the floor and room number written on the outside. “How long do you want me to stay gone?”
    “Give me two movies, or until sunrise, whichever comes first.” Krystal leaned in and gave me a light, but unexpectedly tender kiss. “I know how you like those foreign snoozefests that run for half a day, and I don’t want to be down here by my lonesome for the entire morning.”
    “You might like one of those snoozefests if you paid attention, or bothered to stay awake through them.”
    “Maybe, but with those requirements, I don’t think we’ll ever find out.” She pulled back slightly and glanced over at Bubba. “As for you, seeing as you actually need things like sleep and food, take some downtime as well. Both my helpers are officially off duty for the rest of the night.”
    “Call if you need us,” Bubba said. This was more for form than anything else; the sorts of things Krystal couldn’t handle were the sorts of things we weren’t likely to be able to do more than die in front of.
    “Go. Sleep. Watch movies. Drink blood. Shoo.” Krystal gave us the brushing motion with her hand, which Bubba and I took as our cue to head upstairs.
    As we walked down the tile hallway, Bubba’s heavy-booted, thudding steps filled the hall with sound, and a thought struck me.
    “Bubba, you’ve known Krystal a long time, right?”
    “Years now,” Bubba confirmed.
    “Did you ever meet her former fiancé?”
    “Just once.”
    “What was he like?” We boarded our elevator, and Bubba pressed the number “13” on the panel. Somehow, I wasn’t surprised that a building the Agency had helped construct wouldn’t be bothered about having a thirteenth floor.
    “He was handsome, but most of his kind are. Strong, too. The sort of man who looks you in the eyes and you just inherently know he can take you down in two moves flat. Well-spoken, good dresser, more or less what you’d expect an agent to be.”
    The elevator came to a stop, and the doors opened.
    “I couldn’t stand the fucking guy,” Bubba continued as we exited.
    I twisted my head in surprise. Bubba usually managed to find the good in everyone he dealt with or spoke of.
    “Why not? He sounds amazing.”
    “It had nothing to do with him. At least, back before the break-up. I just hated the effect he had on Krystal. And that’s all I’m telling you, since you’re obviously digging for dirt.”
    “Nice to know I’m still awful at subterfuge.” I passed a familiar assortment of numbers and realized I was at my door. “My stop, it seems.”
    “I’m further down,” Bubba replied. “I’d offer to talk things over with you, but Krystal was right, I do have to sleep at least a little.”
    “Please, by all means. I’ll be fine.”
    “No, more likely you’ll keep being worried and a bit obsessive.” Despite his accusing words, Bubba’s tone was surprisingly gentle, and a soft smile spread across his wide face. “But nothing I can say will stop that anyway, so I won’t bother. Just remember: you’re the one she wants to be with. Try and hang on to that when the worry gets too strong.”
    “I’ll do my best,” I promised. It was the only response I could truthfully give him.
     
     

4.
    Two movies and a packet of blood later, I was heading back toward the main convention floor. As I passed