Blood Rites by Jim Butcher Page B

responsible for sending them into that kind of mess? Expose them to that?"
    Murphy looked at several of the men around the gym and grimaced. "You know I don't want that. But my point is that I'm as vulnerable as they are."
    "Maybe. But you know the score. They don't. Not really. You know enough to be careful and smart."
    "What about the White Council?" Murphy asked. "Shouldn't they be willing to help you? I mean, you're one of their own."
    I shrugged. "By and large they don't like me. I need their help like I need a sword in the neck."
    "Gee. Someone actually resisted your charm and finesse."
    "What can I say. They have no taste."
    Murphy nodded. "So who else are you going to get?"
    "You and one more will do for coffin patrol," I said. "I know a guy who is good with vampires. And I'm going to have a driver standing by when it goes down."
    "How many laws are you planning on breaking?"
    "None," I said. "If I can help it."
    "What if these vampires have human goons?"
    "We disable them. I'm only gunning for Black Court. But if you want to pull double duty as conscience officer, that's fine by me."
    We finished the sequence, backed a step away, and bowed to each other. Murphy walked with me to the edge of the mat, frowning and mulling things over. "I don't want to sidestep any laws. Vampire hunting is one thing. Going vigilante is another."
    "Done," I said.
    She frowned. "And I'd really, really like it if we did it on Saturday."
    I snorted. "If we go early, maybe you can get laid up in the hospital or something, at least."
    "Ha-ha," Murphy said.
    "Do me a favor and keep an eye on missing persons for a few days. It might help tip us off to their location. I want every bit of information I can get."
    "Gotcha," Murphy said. "You want to work on some hand-to-hand?"
    I picked up my duster. "Can't. Got to be on the new job in half an hour."
    "Harry, aikido is a demanding discipline. If you don't practice every day, you're going to lose what you've learned."
    "I know, I know. But it isn't like I can depend on a routine from day to day."
    "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing," Murphy said. She held my staff for me while I put on my coat and abruptly frowned as she handed it back.
    "What?" I asked her.
    Her mouth twisted into the shape it got when she tried to hold back laughter. "Is that a puppy in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?"
    I looked down. The puppy had woken from his nap and poked its head out of my duster's pocket, and was panting happily. "Oh. Right."
    Murphy plucked the puppy out of my pocket, turned him belly up, and started rubbing his tummy. "What's his name?"
    "No name. I'm not keeping him."
    "Ah," Murphy said.
    "Want a dog?"
    She shook her head. "They take too much attention, and I'm gone at all hours."
    "Tell me about it. Know anyone who does?"
    "Not really."
    "Do me a favor. Keep him for a day."
    Murphy blinked. "Why me?"
    "Because I have to go on a new job this morning and I haven't had time to get him settled with someone. Come on, Murph. He's friendly. He's quiet. You'll never know he's there. Just for the day."
    Murphy glowered at me. "I'm not keeping him."
    "I know, I know."
    "I'm not keeping him."
    "You just said that, Murph."
    "Just so long as you understand that I'm not keeping him."
    "I get it already."
    She nodded. "Just this once, then. I'm doing paperwork at my desk today. But you'd better be there to pick him up by five."
    "You're an angel, Murph. Thank you."
    She rolled her eyes and settled the pup in the curl of her arm. "Yeah, yeah. What's the new job?"
    I sighed and told her.
    Murphy burst out laughing. "You're a pig, Dresden."
    "I didn't know," I protested.
    "Oink. Oink, oink."
    I glowered at her. "Don't you have some paperwork to do?"
    "Get there by five, pig."
    "By five." I sighed. I grumbled to myself as I walked out to my car and left for my first day on the set.
     

Chapter Seven

    Chicago is a business town. Entrepreneurs of every stripe duke it out ferociously in pursuit of the