“I like how you stuck the word try in there.” The Hunter had a confident smile. Franks wanted to wipe it off his face. “But yes, that’s fundamentally correct. From what I’ve gathered so far, there’s more going on than just what the MCB has let slip. A large number of the Fallen seem to be congregating here. From what I’ve seen, you still seem to be fighting against them. Is that correct?”

Franks nodded. “The Deal is still on.”

“Good. You’ll understand there’s no offense intended if I keep an eye on you long enough to make sure that’s true. When you struck your bargain, my order was the only organization around capable of dealing with you should you go back on your word. The head of our order made a solemn vow that we would deal with you, and though we’re a shadow of what we once were, we still honor our oaths. We’ve been monitoring you ever since.”

“I know,” Franks said. He’d dealt with these self-righteous types before.

“Mr. Harbinger was nice enough to let me in. Turns out he was tutored on how to master lycanthropy by one of our exiles in Cuba a long time ago.”

“Santiago. Met him once.”

“It’s easy to forget how long you’ve been around. Is there anybody you don’t know?” Gutterres asked, seeming genuinely curious. “Never mind, they warned me you weren’t big on talking. I believe you’re planning on destroying an infestation of greater demons. That’s sort of my thing, so I’d like to offer my help.”

Franks snorted. “You and what army?”

“No army. Just some highly trained professionals who are deniable and expendable, and who’ve taken an oath to sacrifice their lives in righteous battle against the forces of evil. I can have two combat exorcists and a platoon of Swiss Guard on the ground anywhere in the eastern US within the next few hours. Will that do?”

“It’s a start.”

Luckily Franks knew where to get more.

* * *

The prepaid cell phone they’d picked up at 7-Eleven rang. MCB-agent-turned-wanted-fugitive Henry Archer stared at the phone for a few seconds, secretly hoping that it would quit making noise. The only person who had the number was Franks, who had sucked them along into his vortex of shit and ruined their lives, so part of him really hoped it was a wrong number, because if it was Franks then it was probably even more bad news.