“Ah, of course. I realize now that you are asking in a tactical rather than a philosophical manner. Though I do not intend to leave, I am not stupid. There’s a freight elevator back there. That is where I take my meals, usually a cow, sometimes a buffalo, or perhaps something exotic, like a giraffe, should the mood take me. I can fit up that shaft should I really wish to, but it is useless for your needs. It only goes up into the casino as well.”

“Aren’t you worried about the Nachtmar coming down here for you?”

“This is my home, Mr. Pitt. A dragon does not simply leave his home. I am far more concerned about the safety of my guests, and thus my bottom line, than I am about my own well-being. If you haven’t noticed, I am rather fearsome.” He lifted himself up onto his rear legs and puffed out his chest. Management was, indeed, pretty scary, but for the first time I realized that he seemed rather…flabby. “This creature of nightmares does not frighten me. As I believe you so eloquently told Mr. Jones earlier, and I quote, Motherfucker can’t handle what is in my brain.”

“Right on.” Even a flabby old dragon with hoarding issues was still not something to tangle with. “Mind if I use your phone?”

“Who would you like to call?”

“Holly Newcastle. I’ve got her number—”

The dragon held up one epic claw. “No need. Dial Newcastle, H. Put on speakerphone. Increase volume to normal human auditory levels.” There was a series of beeps as her number was dialed. “She was registered as a conference guest,” Management explained. “I have her email as well. I was going to add all of you to the newsletter to keep you appraised of special vacation offers. I have a property in Bermuda that I have been told is simply to die for.”

“Thank you. If we live I’ll take you up on that.” The phone rang several times before going to voice mail. “Damn it.” I’d really been hoping to talk to an actual person, but she was probably up to something right this minute. Holly was just that crafty. I hurried and left her a long message detailing our status. I really didn’t know if she would be able to accomplish this, but it was worth a shot. “Even though he knows how to beat the monster, Stricken is planning on letting us all die. What I need you to do is find a man named Dr. Blish. He’s got to be old. Old enough to have worked on this project in the forties. Stricken is holding him somewhere close. Blish knows all about this creature. Find out what you can from him…” I paused. How would she get that info back to us?

Management cut in. “Have her call back on this number. I will pass it along to you.”