* * *
Chicago Central was a hospital complex of disparate buildings and architecture, at least a third of the buildings under construction at any given time. But then again, most hospitals seemed constantly in the process of morphing from one style into another, wings sprouting here and there like mutant insects.
My grandfather, Catcher, and Jeff waited for us in the hospital’s bright and spacious lobby, which I guessed from the spotless floors and immaculate seating had been recently rehabbed.
“For you,” Catcher said, handing back my dagger.
My relief at having it in hand again was almost palpable. I tucked it into my boot as discreetly as possible, felt better for that simple act.
“What’s this I hear about Navarre?” my grandfather asked.
“We aren’t privy to the details,” Ethan said smoothly. “But a benefactor made an anonymous donation to address Navarre’s outstanding debt. We understand Reed considers the debt satisfied.”
My grandfather turned his cop’s eyes on me. “A benefactor?”
I kept my gaze straight, unwavering, and I bluffed like there was no tomorrow. “That’s what we hear.”
He stared at me, unblinking for another long moment before turning his gaze onto Ethan. “That’s all I’m going to get.”
“That’s it,” Ethan agreed.
“So Navarre’s debt is paid,” Catcher said. “But what about the vendetta against King?”
“Still not settled, any more than Reed’s interest in us, at any rate. But I suspect Reed is a patient man, and he’ll be willing to wait for King.”
“King will have to stay in witness protection until Reed’s under wraps,” my grandfather muttered almost to himself.
“Reed is rich, connected, and apparently has supernatural benefactors at his disposal,” Catcher pointed out. “He won’t be under wraps anytime soon. But for now, we’ve got Maguire. We bring down Reed one step at a time.”
“One minion at a time,” Jeff agreed.
“How is he?” Ethan asked.
“Conscious, under guard,” my grandfather said. “He’ll be arrested formally once he’s clear. Let’s go up and hear what he has to say.”
* * *
As a vampire, I didn’t have much use for hospitals, much need for them. But there was still something about the pale green walls, the antiseptic scent that made me nervous.
We followed a complicated trail from elevator to passageway to elevator, and finally through a gauntlet of nurses and cops before we reached Maguire’s room at the end of a hallway. Two uniforms stood by the door, and they nodded when my grandfather approached.
“Mr. Merit,” said the one on the left. “He’s awake. Watching COPS.”
“Ironic,” my grandfather said.
“I’d have to agree with that, sir. Three of you can go in at a time.”
“Me, Merit, Ethan,” my grandfather said, then gestured for Catcher and Jeff to wait.
“Let me talk to him first,” I said. “I think we have a rapport.” Mostly of the ass-kicking variety, but I think that still counted.
“Lead on,” my grandfather said, and we walked inside.
The room was small, as most hospital rooms were. A couple of counters, small bathroom, bed.
Maguire lay in the middle of it, looking weirdly small. Some of his hair had been shaved and his face was swollen, a thick pad of gauze around his head. He wore a blue hospital gown, his body covered by a thin white blanket with a waffle texture.
Maguire looked up when we entered, smiled at the sight of me, then winced at the pain the motion had apparently caused. “What do you want?”
“Answers, preferably,” I said. “And thanks for destroying the Ferrari. Are you going to write us a check for that, or . . . ?”
“Fuck you,” he said.
“Not interested. Tell us about Reed, Tommy.”
His eyes flashed. “My name’s Jude Maguire.” He lifted his wrist, the plastic bracelet snapped there. “Says so right here.”
“We’ve seen your picture with him, O’Malley. Reed didn’t destroy them all. He missed one.”
“Bullshit.”
I smiled. “Absolute truth. It was a college photo—both of you with popped collars and keg cups. Very charming. And since we’ve got that photo, this would be a perfect opportunity for you to cover your own ass by explaining Mr. Reed’s involvement in the Circle.”
“I don’t know anything about the Circle. Everything I know about Reed, I learned by watching television.”
“You’ll go to prison,” my grandfather said.
“It won’t be the first time, won’t be the last.” Maguire turned toward the window.
I thought of what Maguire had said about Balthasar on the island, his apparent distaste, decided to use it. “Balthasar attacked a woman last night.”
“What’s new?” he mumbled.
“She says he attacked her in her mind.”
Maguire’s eyes darkened. “You think I’m bad? I’m nothing compared to him. He’s the one you should be afraid of.”
“How so?” I asked.
“He hunts women. With no regret and no remorse. You ask me, he’s just an asshole.”
So there was dissention in Reed’s ranks. “I wouldn’t disagree with you.” I took a chance, offered my unsubstantiated theory. “We know he’s not the real Balthasar.” Behind me, my grandfather and Ethan stiffened. “Who is he? What’s his real name?”
Maguire smiled crookedly. “And spoil all the fun? No.”
Ethan’s magic flared behind me at the realization, the implicit confirmation, that the man who’d wreaked havoc in our House hadn’t just been a monster—he’d also been a fraud.
But we’d have to deal with that later. First, we had to find out who he was.
I walked closer to the bed. “Then tell me how he got the details right.”
Maguire coughed, winced again with pain. “Do your own work.”
“Why? I know you don’t respect him, Jude. And I’m guessing he’s not making things easy for you—doing magic tricks on Michigan Avenue, for God’s sake. That’s not exactly helping the Circle stay underground. We bring him in because he’s being an idiot, and I’d bet Reed reduces whatever percentage of the profits he’s getting.”