“Not when you make a habit of dismissing demons so they can walk Cincy freely,” I said. “And don’t think you’re going to saddle me with the bill for that charm shop. You summoned him. You’re paying for it.”

Tom laughed and came farther in, glancing at the wall before taking an aggressive stance between us and the stairs. I felt him tap a line, and I swung my purse around and brought out my splat gun to casually check the hopper. David shifted his weight and loosened his tie. From the top of the stairway, Sampson’s barks grew frenzied.

“Mr. Bansen,” Betty said, eyes on the cherry-red gun as she moaned, “I didn’t know about the demon investigation. It doesn’t say that in the policy!”

“Go upstairs,” Tom growled, shoving her hand off him again. “It’s not in the policy because she was lying.”

David sighed, and I beamed.

“But they know it was a demon!” she wailed.

Tom spun, shouting, “I told you not to put in a claim, you stupid cow. Go upstairs and take that ridiculous costume off. You look like my mother!”

The poor woman fled, her red heels clacking so fast up the stairs I almost felt sorry for her. Sampson went with her, and the tension in the basement eased.

“Having trouble with your neophytes?” I said when an upstairs door slammed. “Jeez, Tom, no wonder you wanted me in your club. That’s pathetic.”

Tom’s lips twisted. Clearly feeling a sting, he gave his head a shake to get the hair from his eyes. “A splat gun? Real witches don’t need guns.”

“Real witches use all their available resources.” David shifted in agitation, and before he could say anything, I said, “Look. I know you’ve been summoning Al and letting him go to kill me.”

“Moi?” he said coyly.

That was just stupid. “Knock it off,” I said, taking a step toward him. “You’ll live longer.”

Tom watched Jenks hovering beside me and backed up. “I know what I’m doing,” he said loftily. “He has yet to break my control.”

“Really.” I sent my gaze to the wall. “What was that from?”

The witch went slightly green, and the scent of bleach seemed to grow stronger. “Someone got careless,” he said, not dropping his eyes.

“And you got a promotion?” I guessed. Pity came from nowhere. God! It was right in front of him, and he still didn’t get it. “Tom, you are so stupid.”

“I’m a visionary,” he countered.