Mo’Lock stepped over to the desk. “What do you mean when you say capture?” he said.

The ghoul sounded suddenly on edge. I raised my hand. He nodded and went back to the window.

Horn-rimmed took over. “Not really capture, but we believe we can bring a human soul into the physical world.”

I swigged out of the bottle, nodding, and then I threw my hands up. “So, the million dollar question stands. What the hell do you need me for?”

“We just need you to be there with us during the procedure,” said Ponytail.

I looked at Mo’Lock, then back at them. “What, as a fuckin’ good luck charm, a goddamn cheerleader?!”

Horn-rimmed pushed back his rims. “Well . . . yes, in a sense.”

I thought about it.

“What’s the pay?”

“A thousand for the day. In advance.”

“Whoa, for that I’ll bring my pom-poms.”

Everyone nodded and smiled. That is, except for Mo’Lock. He seemed none too pleased about the whole deal, but he knew enough not to say anything in front of the clients. He knew I needed that grand bad, so he just stood at the window while I made all the arrangements. The day was set for the day after tomorrow at a warehouse in South Central L.A. They gave me the cash and that was that.

Mo’Lock was quiet for awhile. I ignored him and concentrated on my drinking. He stood at the window, sighing heavily every minute or so, trying to get me to ask him what was wrong, but I wasn’t gonna. No way. If the fucking ghoul had something to say, come out and say it. I don’t play counselor. Besides, it was fun watching him pout.

After about an hour of hearing the ghoul breathe like a bulldog I was drunk and sick of the game. I slammed down the half-empty bottle of whiskey. “Okay, okay. What the hell’s wrong, Mo’? I give up. Tell me what’s wrong.”

Mo’Lock turned to me slowly like he was trying to play up the drama. “If they can do what they say they can do, the ramifications could be disastrous.”

“Ramifications?! Hoo, boy! You been reading the dictionary, dead boy, or what?”

“Cal, I’m serious.”

I nodded. He was serious. I curbed my dickheadedness. “Okay, but let’s say they can’t do what they say. That’s what I think’s most likely the case. I think I’m gonna pull a cool grand watching these jerks toot their horn.”

“But what if they can?

I shrugged. “What real harm could it do?”

Mo’Lock started to say something, but stopped himself and just shook his head, turning back to his window. I waited and watched him. Nothing.

Then he turned to me. “They’re messing with dangerous territory, even if they don’t get results this time,” he said.