Page 88 of Dead Heat

“Only a sensor. Not everyone has a multinational evil organization to worry about.”

“Lucky everyone else.”

Gunther skirted in front of me on the walkway and pounded on the door.

The door opened half an inch. “What are you doing here, Gun? Poker isn’t until next week.”

“My friend is in need of your assistance.”

Tristan’s nose was the only thing visible through the small gap. “What kind of assistance?”

“I’ll tell you more inside,” Gun replied. “It’s of a delicate nature.”

Tristan snorted. “Since when is anything delicate in your eyes?”

I was beginning to understand Camryn’s concern.

“Open the door, and I promise not to use the Seven of Swords I currently have in my pocket.”

I heard the bolt slide as Tristan unlocked the door.

“You have five minutes,” our host said.

“Why do all the houses on your street have red doors?” I asked.

“Well spotted,” Tristan said. “Historically, it indicated your house was mortgage-free.”

“And here I thought it was to protect the occupants from death,” Gun remarked.

Tristan cast him a wary glance. “That too.”

“I didn’t notice a single brick on the entire street,” I said. “I always associate red bricks with the Colonial style.”

“You’re wasting your five minutes,” Gun pointed out.

“It’s never a waste to talk about history,” Tristan said. “Ignoring it means you’re more likely to repeat it.” He shifted his gaze to me. “Red bricks meant you were poor. Even if your house was made with bricks, the builders would cover them with stucco or another layer to hide them.”

“It’s like wearing pleather,” Gun added.

“Except I think some people wear pleather on principle,” Tristan countered. “Nobody’s avoiding bricks on principle.”

Gun gave him a look of dismay. “You have to turn everything into an argument, don’t you?”

Tristan’s nostrils flared. “How can I help your friend?”

“I’m planning a trip and Gun seems to think you can help get me there without attracting any unwanted attention.”

Tristan folded his arms. “I see. And where is your destination?”

“Helheim.”

He started to choke, prompting Gun to slap him between the shoulder blades with a look of fiendish delight. “Helheim, as in the land of the dead?”

I nodded. “Yes, that’s the one.”

Tristan’s gaze slid to Gunther. “And you told her I can accomplish this?”

“I know you can.”

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