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I walked past the railing to the bar on the far wall Most of the va They tended to like Goth clubs like this one because the patrons were easily seduced

I eased my way into an open space and waited for service A few of the valances nored thened to notice me "What’ll it be?"

"A-pos with a shot of vodka," I said

He paused "What?"

"A-positive," I enunciated, "with a shot of vodka"

"We don’t serve blood here" He said it like it was theis the world

"Why not?" I asked "You used to"

"So the passwords so hed "Just the vodka then"

When the drink finally arrived, I spotted a couple of free chairs near the railing I settled back into one, which gave ood view of both the VIP area and the dance floor below A few other va out potentialfor company to arrive

"So you’re the notorious Sabina Kane" Despite the concussive ht accent He wore a silk shirt open at the throat to reveal a thin gold chain A ht earlobe Combined with the accent, the full effect screamed Eurotrash

I took a sip from my vodka "Look, if I killed one of your fa to have to take a nu like that Allow heri, at your service," he said with a slight bow The ne to drift in rimaced, overcome by the scent of musk

I crossed one booted foot over et serviced tonight"

He grimaced at my use of the Americanized version of his name, but didn’t correct me "You misunderstand I represent a certain party ould like to contract your services" He ed Inside, I did a little happy dance If my hunch was correct, Frankie Boy worked for Clovis

He sat in the club chair across from me I waited as a waitress came to take his drink order He asked for a martini, which left me in serious doubt about his character After she left, I sipped on an

"And ould that be?"

He s in friendliness "I ae his identity at this ti off"Well, Frank, I aers"

He nodded "Would it help if I mentioned my employer and you shared a friend in common?"

"Depends on the friend"

"David Ducha about David until now I didn’t enjoy the reminder

"My employer would like to extend his condolences on Mr Ducha howDavid’s death

"My employer would also like you to know that he is aware that you wereout orders He does not hold you responsible for Mr Duchamp’s death"

Well, that answered that question

"Boy, that’s a relief," I said "But I didn’t kill David"

Frank sentwe both knew that was bullshit "Nevertheless, my employer would like to offer you his friendship"

"How does your eood friend to have?" Normally, this kind of verbal poker aht, I’d be on my way to San Francisco to kill Clovis in no time

The waitress came back then with Frank’s ain