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In theseconsisted of the articles about Victor Helios, alias Frankenstein, that Ben had accu to accustom himself to the bitter, incredible truth of his creator’s continued existence, while also conteain and again, he caught hi the ruined half of his face until eventually Jelly could not refrain froered my maker," Deucalion said

"We all do," Jelly said, "but not with such consequences"

"My maker isn’t yours," Deucalion reminded him

A life of much solitude and contemplation accustoround noise even when reading a novel In a corner of the projection booth, volues that to Deucalion had no more narrative content than did the fla newscast voices caught his attention Murders Body parts

Deucalion turned up the volued by reporters outside the city library, responded to most of their questions with replies that in different words all amounted to no coeon…How long has this been going on?"

As a mystery novel aficionado, Jelly was interested in true criory details of the Surgeon’s murder spree; he also had developed a couple of theories that he felt were superior to any that the police had thus far put forth

Listening, Deucalion had suspicions of his own that grew froeon was an ordinary serial killer taking souvenirs But in a city where the god of the living dead had taken up residence, the Surgeonworse than the usual psychopath

Returning the clippings to the shoe box, rising to his feet, Deucalion said, "I’ out"

"Where?"

"To find his house To see in what style a self-appointed god chooses to live these days"

CHAPTER 23

illegally parked IN Jackson Square, the hood of the plainwrap sedan served as their dinner table

Carson and Michael ate corn-battered shrimp, shrimp etouffee with rice, and cornthe sideere young couples hand-in-hand Musicians in black suits and porkpie hats hurried past, carrying instru older Cajunwo queens enjoyed the goggling of tourists

Soht air wove a tapestry of talk and laughter

Carson said, "What pisses uys like Harker and Frye--"

"This’ll be an epic list," Michael said

"--is how I let them irritate me"

"They’re cheesed off because no oneas we did"

"That was three years ago for et shot One way or another, we’ll eventually have our chance to be the old cranks"

After savoring a forkful of corn maque choux, Carson said, "It’s all about my father"

"Harker and Frye don’t care about what your father did or didn’t do," Michael assured her

"You’re wrong Everyone expects that sooner or later it’ll turn out I carry the dirty-cop gene, just like they think he did"

Michael shook his head, "I don’t for a ive a shit what you think, Michael, I knohat you think It’s what everyone else thinks that ht to be"

"Yeah, well," he said, pretending offense, "I don’t give a shit that you don’t give a shit what I think"

Chagrined, Carson laughed softly "I’m sorry, man You’re one of a handful of people I do care what they think of me"

"You wounded et where I a another reat," he said, "and I’ the pay, why do ork so hard?"

"We’re genuine A Licking Creole tartar sauce off his lips, he answered the call: "Detective Maddison" When he hung up ue No ht be fun"

CHAPTER 24

CARESSED BY CANDLELIGHT, the chased surfaces of classic silver seemed perpetually about to athered in his dining roo conversation that he could guide subtly into channels that would serve his interests long after the mayor, the district attorney, the university president, and the others had left his table To Victor, every social occasion was primarily an opportunity to influence political and cultural leaders, discreetly advancing his agenda

Initially, of course, the talk was of frivolous things, even auests But Victor fancied hiht chatter as anyone and could enjoy this witty froth because it sharpened his anticipation for meatier discussion

Willia the tureen while the maid ladled a creamy pink richness into the bowls

This was Erika’s third dinner party in the five weeks since she had risen from the tank, and she exhibited soh less than he had hoped

He saw her frown as she noticed that the flower arrangely created She possessed the good sense to say nothing of the change

When his wife glanced at him, however, Victor said, "The roses are perfect," so she would learn from her error

District Attorney Watkins, whose once-patrician nose had begun subtly to defore, used one hand to fan the rising aroma from the bowl to his nostrils "Erika, the soup smells delicious"

John Watkins’s opponent in the next election-- Buddy Guitreau--was one of Victor’s people With all the dirt about Watkins that Victor could provide, Buddy would romp to victory at the polls In the months until then, however, it was necessary to flatter Watkins with dinner invitations and to ith him

"I love lobster bisque," said Pamela Watkins "Is this your recipe, Erika?"

"No I found it in a azine, but I added some spices I doubt I’ve improved it, probably the opposite, but I like even lobster bisque to have a little bite"

"Oh, it’s divine," the university president’s wife declared after her first taste

This colow of pride to Erika’s face, but when she herself raised a spoonful to her mouth, she took it with a soft, protracted slurp

Appalled, Victor watched her dip the spoon into the bowl once more

Soup had not been on the menu at either of their previous dinner parties, and Victor had taken a meal with Erika only twice otherwise Her faux pas surprised and unsettled him

She sucked in the second spoonful no less noisily than she had the first

Although none of the guests appeared to notice this ghastly play of tongue and lips, Victor took offense that as his wife she should risk being h at her behind her back would also laugh at him