68. Have A Cigar

‘Buttons’ came over to Mother and me, faking two pratfalls in the few yards between us. Not a single balloon escaped. He nodded at me, and addressed the nun.

‘Mother Innovación, is all going to plan?’

‘Yes, Master,’ she said. I felt a shiver in my furled wings. Maybe a feather was floating into the air behind me.

‘Oh, no, let’s not be formal. “Buttons” or Mr D, please.’ Señor Belcebú turned to me.’She’s only a minor demon, you won’t have heard of her, but my plan necessitated an inside man- I mean- woman, or demoness, if you must. Et voilá, Mother Innovación.’

‘Never mind that, how d’ya get past them?’ I threw a glance over at the Feds.

‘Careful, Gabe. I’m all for informality, but if the Lord of Hades cannot get respect, who can?’

I saw two flames flicker, deep behind his black pupils. My voice warbled like a pubescent boy’s,

‘I apologise, I’m a little stressed. You do know Uriel is in the back of that Command and Control Wagon, Sir?’

‘I’m counting on it, Gabe. There may be someone else interesting in there too.’

He turned to his acolyte again, ‘All set? Where are the others?’

‘The Feds looking around inside will have found them by now. They weren’t hiding. Like you said.’

Lucifer nodded. ‘You worked it out yet?’ he asked me.

‘Oh sure. I’ve been right on your tail all the way through...’

The eyes flashed again, ‘You-’ then he let out a guffaw, no clown’s fake hilarity, a real, honest-to-badness belly laugh. ‘Oh you are funny, Gabe. You don’t actually have a clue what’s next do you?’

He produced two large cigars from his pocket, and asked the nun for a light.

“Buttons” held up the stogies and said ‘Pick one, Gabe.’ I got the feeling I wouldn’t be allowed to refuse it this time.

I took the one to left as I looked at it.

‘Ah… the left-hand path for Gabriel.’ He smiled wide enough for two long canines to show up against the red greasepaint.

I took the cigar. He lit it with his breath whilst Necessity pretended to hold up the zippo to the end.

BANG!

I guessed my face had blackened. Mr D was smoking the other cigar, but I got the feeling it wouldn’t have mattered which one I’d chosen.