Tearing The Shroud (45 page)

‘I should have done that at the start,’ Jimmy said as he moved through the destroyed room to the now empty window.

Jimmy raised a hand again.

Ignoring the pain, Vinni dove forward and to the left. A patio table behind him blasted into the night air, landing down the hillside. As he came up, Vinni changed his course and pushed into a high somersault. The ground where he’d stood erupted, leaving a long trench. He landed and spun in a tight circle, whipping a
wakizashi
around, releasing it in a sidearm throw. The weapon spun like a disk as Jimmy brought his hand toward Vinni; then the blade entered the center of his chest and knocked him off his feet, onto the couch.

He edged cautiously toward him, but there was no need. Jimmy clutched feebly at the hilt of the weapon, pinned to the furniture like an insect in a laboratory. Vinni drew his other blade.

‘How?’ Blood ran from his mouth, and he sputtered. ‘Who?’

‘You’ve been on a fool’s errand, Jimmy.’ Vinni raised the blade.

Jimmy coughed a wet laugh, blood pouring from his mouth. ‘Not over.’ He shook his head and smiled, his teeth garishly red. ‘No...Justus.’

Vinni’s blade arced around, and as the metal made contact with his neck, a yellowish light flashed. Jimmy’s severed head rolled onto the couch and came to rest against his arm, staring out the broken window.

Chapter 46

An Accounting

Vinni stepped from a shadow by the driveway as Mr Brown exited his car. ‘Ah, there you are, so what do we have here? You weren’t too specific earlier.’

How could he explain everything? ‘Let’s step inside. Things will be pretty clear then.’

They entered the house, and Mr Brown got his first good look at him. ‘That’s a lot of blood. Are you all right?’

‘Yeah, I’m fine, but...’ He motioned toward the living room and the large body on the floor.

Mr Brown carefully stepped around the pooled blood, checking the room. ‘How’d you get blood up there?’

He looked at the red spray across the ceiling. ‘I have no idea. Things were happening pretty fast. Maybe when I stabbed down into him?’ He pointed at his own neck.

Mr Brown nodded like a contractor inspecting a prospective job.
Nothing
fazes this guy. He’d ask him why, but it would have to wait.

‘Arterial spray would do it. Looks like quite a battle.’

‘It was. He wouldn’t quit. It’s a shame he chose his side poorly.’

‘Such are the way of these things.’ Mr Brown walked into the family room, looking at the bullet holes. ‘I take it you avoided these since you’re breathing, but what do we have here?’ They stood by the couch where Jimmy sat, headless. ‘You
do
know he’s dead. Right?’

Vinni shrugged. ‘He’s the Tearer, so I wasn’t taking any chances, even without a head.’

‘I appreciate your reasoning, but I assure you, he’s quite dead. As is this room.’ He indicated the destruction around them.

‘It’s been a busy night.’

‘You can retrieve the Fire Blade.’

‘Fire Blade?’

Mr Brown pointed. ‘Since the Frost Blade is on your hip...’

‘The
hamon
patterns, I understand.’ Vinni pulled the blade free from the body.

‘I wasn’t sure what to do about all this...and some other things.’

‘Besides the five very dead bodies on the campus?’

‘You know about that?’
And you still aren’t freaked?
The conversation he planned became a
long
one.

‘Knife informed me.’ He shook his head. ‘Hopefully no one will tie it to you.’

Vinni nodded wearily. ‘There’s a room you should see.’

Mr Brown raised his eyebrows.

Vinni led the way. ‘Here it is.’ He gestured at the shelves.

Mr Brown examined the shelves row by row as he sat on the stairs and waited patiently for the next half hour.

‘I find it odd that there’s no door,’ Mr Brown said.

‘There’s an afterimage on the wall.’

‘So, a magic seal, but why leave it open with this inside?’ Mr Brown looked at the big room.

‘What do we do about it?’

The pipe was suddenly in Mr Brown’s hand as he gestured. ‘None of the jewelry or gold is marked, beyond a simple carat rating or weight, and the currency I saw is before 1972.’ He pointed up the stairs. ‘It’s probably his, but why is it from that era? It bears investigation, but regardless, I’d call it spoils of war.’

‘You want to keep it? Shouldn’t the police get involved?’

‘While I respect the police, exactly how would you explain this?’

Vinni thought for a few moments and shook his head. ‘What’ll you do with it?’

‘It was your war, not mine. As they say, “To the victor go the spoils.” Ah, but what you do with it, that’s your choice.’

Goodbye

Mr Brown retrieved a white phone from his car. ‘Ever use a cellular phone?’ he asked.

‘I’ve never even seen one.’ Vinni examined the brick-sized handset.

‘Welcome to the future.’ He made several phone calls.

Vinni called Jule, letting her know he was fine. Afterward, they searched the house and found keys to the file cabinets. Mr Brown shook his head as he read the contents. ‘These are JCorp’s founding documents and the original stocks.’

‘That’s important?’

‘It could be very important. I’ll have everything in the house cataloged.’

They went upstairs, and a few minutes later two vans that advertised, ‘Brown’s — We clean anything!’ pulled into the driveway

Vinni cocked an eyebrow. ‘More investments?’

‘Diversification. It’s good business.’

Some of the men trundled treasure into the large van, while others dressed in protective suits, bagged the bodies and carried them to a smaller van, all of the men working as if it were routine. Vinni shook his head. Someday he’d get the scoop on Mr Brown. They walked to the backyard.

‘What happened to your ear?’ Mr Brown pointed with the pipe.

Vinni felt the small notch cut out near the tip, and his eyes widened. ‘It must have been a bullet.’

‘You are a blessed man, Vinni.’

They stood on the patio, lost in their own thoughts.

Mr Brown looked up and Vinni laughed. ‘It’s you.’

‘Pardon?’

‘Flea’s wizard figurine — it looks like you.’

Mr Brown arched an eyebrow. ‘Perhaps.’

Vinni shook his head and looked out over the valley. The city lights sparkled below and the stars shone brightly above. The weather had cleared.

‘Any thought on the items in the basement? If you wish, I’ll help you set up numbered accounts for the cash, and we’ll discuss what to do with the rest over time.’ Mr Brown poked the pipe at him. This felt like a test of some sort, but maybe he was just tired.

‘I…I don’t know. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be rich? But, if it belonged to the Tearer, I’d guess it wasn’t gotten honestly. Can you try to find out where the stuff came from?’

Mr Brown nodded. ‘It will take some effort, but yes.’

‘Okay. Depending on how that goes, I think I’ll try to make something good come out of it. I’ll pay the gang’s tuition, then set up charities and scholarships with the rest. I don’t know how any of that would work, but…’ He shrugged.

Mr Brown pursed his lips and stared at him. Vinni could see his wheels turning, but had no idea what his mind held. ‘Vincent, and yes, I am addressing him as I assume Coleman will depart shortly.’

Vinni’s eyebrows shot up. He hadn’t thought of that yet.

Mr Brown chuckled at his reaction. ‘It’s been a long night.’ He clapped Vinni’s shoulder. ‘Anyway, Vincent, yes I’ll help you do all those things. I must say I’m rather proud of your choice in the matter.’

Vinni looked down. ‘Umm, don’t be too proud. I saw this and thought, well, you know.’ He fished a ring with a large single diamond from his pocket.

Mr. Brown nodded. ‘A memento after surviving an ordeal like this is appropriate. And I’d say that’s putting it to good use, Vincent. It
is
Vincent that has the plan?’

He laughed. ‘Yeah, it is.’

‘However, good actions and decisions,’ Mr Brown waved the pipe, ‘also have good consequences. I’ve several investments that look to do grand things very soon. Real estate, stocks, several computer companies, things like that.’ The pipe continued to wave. ‘I’d like to let you in on them.’

‘Investments? But I don’t have — ’

‘Pish posh, don’t concern yourself. I’ll provide the start up and recover it from the profits. Is that agreeable?’

Agreeable?
How could he say no to an offer like that? ‘Computers, huh? Which company?’

‘Why, all of them, of course.’ Mr Brown tapped the pipe on his chin.

‘I’ve heard diversification is good business.’

Mr Brown smiled. “I’m glad you’ve been paying attention. So, gentlemen, it’s been a long night. Why don’t you head home?’

Vinni nodded. ‘It’s time. Mr Brown?’

‘Yes.’

‘It’s been an honor knowing you, sir.’ He extended his hand. ‘I’ll probably not see you again, at least as Vinni.’

‘You never know.’ Mr Brown shook his hand and then pulled him into an embrace. ‘It’s been an honor to know you, Coleman. Travel safely.’

‘I will, thank you.’

Home is Where

Vinni walked into the kitchen, filled a glass with water, and drank deeply. The clock on the stove read 3:23.

‘That you?’ Jule’s groggy voice came from the darkness.

‘Vinni?’ Knife asked.

‘It’s me.’ He heard a pillow strike something.

‘Wha...oh, is he home?’

Vinni smiled and turned on the kitchen light as his friends squinted from the couches where they’d been napping. Jule came to him, wrapping her arms around him tightly and he held her, never wanting to let go. ‘Thank you for coming back,’ she said. ‘After you called, we thought Coleman might want to get home.’

‘He does, but wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye.’ Vinni hugged each of them. ‘You are stalwart comrades and dear friends. No, that’s not right; you’re family. In this world or his, that’ll always be.’

Tears glistened on Jule’s cheeks.

‘We won’t forget you, either,’ Knife said, his voice thick with emotion.

‘Family,’ Flea repeated, hugging him.

Do you think we’ll see each other again?

Vincent agreed. In some ways, the Joining was permanent.

Then no need for goodbyes, I suppose.

Vinni looked at his family, who waited patiently.

‘Any idea how you’ll make it happen?’ Flea asked.

Vinni shrugged and held up the die. ‘Let’s try this.’ He tossed it on the table, and it started to spin.

Jule sat on the edge of the couch where Vincent lay. Her mind raced; a thousand thoughts, feelings, and worries vying for her attention. His eyes fluttered and opened. She leaned over, gazing into them.

‘Hi hon’,’ he said.

‘Hello, sweetie.’ She smiled, noticing that a couple of dark flecks still remained in his eyes.

Chapter 47

Hello

Someone gently touched her hair. Jolie stretched, enjoying the wonderful feeling of the dream. She rolled over, put a leg outside the covers, and eased her eyes open. The dream continued. Coleman looked at her from his bed.

‘Will you marry me?’ he asked.

‘What’s that?’

‘I’ll explain it over breakfast,’ he said, kissing her lightly.

She smiled and sighed then bolted up.

‘Coleman?’

He smiled warmly at her.

‘Coleman!’

Chapter 48

Four Hours Earlier
Callendel

Pae sat on the perch in Justus’ room. Laurence had moved it at his request. He looked at the immobile old man, chin angled upward, the soft flesh of his withered neck exposed, and clicked his powerful, hooked beak.

‘It would be so easy,’ Pae said clearly.

Justus’ mouth twitched, and his watery eyes opened. ‘No.’ He croaked weakly. ‘Twelve more years. No...’ His face reddened. ‘They will pay for what they’ve done. I will see them
burn
!’

The veins in his neck distended with rage. He reached to pull the covers back and suddenly grabbed his left arm, the look of anger turning to one of pain. ‘This can’t be happening, not now...’ he gasped. ‘You’ll not have me
.
’ Justus clutched his chest as his heart seized, a wheeze escaping his lips, and he turned to Pae.

‘Laurence...’

‘Get vial. Green...potion.’

‘Go.’

Time passed, and his breaths became shallow gasps.

‘Vial...’

‘Vile...bird.’

Death came for him, as with all men, and Justus exhaled, his eyes already glass

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