The light changed, and Diesel got on the gas and rammed Munch, knocking him off the road, onto the shoulder, pinning the black SUV against the guardrail.

Munch looked over at Diesel and me and raced the engine. He threw the SUV into reverse, but the car couldn't move. Diesel's door was smashed against the pa.s.senger-side door of the SUV. I was out of the Subaru, rounding the nose of the SUV, when Munch abandoned ship. He hit the ground running and didn't look back.

I ran him down, tackled him, and punched him in the face. Diesel grabbed Munch by the back of his shirt and dragged him to his feet.

"I could have outrun you," Diesel said to me, "but I didn't want to ruin your fun. I figured your day wasn't complete if you didn't shove some poor slob's nuts halfway up his throat. As it was, you broke his nose instead. I'm pretty d.a.m.n impressed."

"You guys are in big trouble now," Munch said. "Wulf is going to be really mad. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't give you that Dragon's Claw thing."

"Where were you going?" Diesel asked Munch.

"We weren't sure. We were just going anywhere. We wanted to make sure we we didn't get the Dragon's Claw." didn't get the Dragon's Claw."

I looked back at the black SUV. It was empty. "What happened to the other guys?"

"Took off like roaches when the lights go on," Diesel said.

TWENTY-FIVE

VINNIE WAS SAVED, I thought. I'd captured his big-ticket bond. My only outstanding was Gordo Bollo, and I'd go back to the produce ware house wearing a raincoat tomorrow. I had Munch's body receipt in my bag, my monkey hanging on to my leg, and in three minutes, I'd be in my apartment and headed for a nice hot shower. I thought. I'd captured his big-ticket bond. My only outstanding was Gordo Bollo, and I'd go back to the produce ware house wearing a raincoat tomorrow. I had Munch's body receipt in my bag, my monkey hanging on to my leg, and in three minutes, I'd be in my apartment and headed for a nice hot shower.

"I could make that shower a lot more fun," Diesel said, opening the door to my apartment.

"Stop reading my mind."

He reached around me, flipped the light on, and we stared into the black eyes and eerie pale face of Gerwulf Grimoire. There was a moment where anger flashed white-hot fire in Wulf's eyes, and then it was gone, the transformation so fast and so complete, I wasn't sure I'd actually seen the flare of emotion.

"h.e.l.lo, cousin," Wulf said, his voice perfectly composed. "Ms. Plum."

"This is risky," Diesel said to Wulf. "If I lay my hand on you, you're mine."

"Ah, but you won't. I've acquired a new skill, as I'm sure you've noticed."

"Why are you here?"

"I thought I'd spare you the task of dealing with Solomon Cuddles. I no longer need the barium. And I hated to leave without saying good-bye. Having you following me to the ends of the earth is the only real amus.e.m.e.nt in my life."

"Jeez," Diesel said, "that's pathetic."

"Perhaps, but the stakes in this game are high enough to keep it interesting."

"It's not a game," Diesel said.

"It is to me," me," Wulf said. "Isn't it ironic that I was always the serious child, and now you're burdened with your unpleasant job while I'm free to play." Wulf said. "Isn't it ironic that I was always the serious child, and now you're burdened with your unpleasant job while I'm free to play."

"What's next?" Diesel asked him.

"I have a date with a witch," Wulf said. "See you in Salem, cousin."

Wulf did his fire-and-smoke thing, and when the smoke cleared, he was gone.

"d.a.m.n," Diesel said. "I wish I knew how he did that."

I fanned the smoke away. "My cousin Jessica lives in Salem. Actually, she's next door in Marblehead. I haven't seen her in a couple years, not since she moved from Trenton."

There was a knock at my door, and for a moment, I thought it might be Wulf returning. Diesel opened the door, and Susan St.i.tch stood there.

"I've come back for my baby," Susan said. "I knew I could count on you to take good care of him. I hope he was a good boy."

"Yeah, he was an angel," I said. "No problemo."

Carl jumped at Susan and wrapped his arms around her neck.

"Kiss, kiss," Susan said. "Mommy loves Carl!"

Diesel took Carl's leash off the kitchen counter and gave it to Susan.

"Oh, yum," Susan said, eyeballing Diesel. "Are there any more of you on the shelf?"

"How was your honeymoon?" I asked Susan.

"Excellent," she said. "Really excellent."

I closed the door on Susan and rolled my eyes at Diesel. "Yum?"

"Hey, I'm yum. yum. Deal with it." Deal with it."

I bent to unlace my wet sneakers. "Can a monkey be, you know, special?"

"Unmentionable?"

"Yeah."

"Good question," Diesel said.

I felt his hand on my a.s.s, and I stood and turned to face him, but he was gone.