Jekyll & Hyde Inc.

“This man betrayed his own family?” said Daniel.

“Never even hesitated. Being a Hyde is very addictive.”

“So,” Daniel said heavily. “Just the two of us, a bomb, and no backup. How dangerous is this going to be?”

“What do you care?” said Tina. “Only a few hours ago you were dying by inches.”

“How do you know that?”

“I’ve read your file. Edward passed it around.”

Daniel winced. “Has everyone read it?”

“Pretty much,” said Tina. “We all enjoy a good laugh. And we like to know who we might be fighting beside. Provided the subject survives the Elixir, of course.”

Daniel decided it was time to change the subject.

“Where are the Frankensteins holding their little jamboree? In a hospital, or an abattoir?”

“In a nice hotel,” said Tina. “Because they like to think of themselves as businessmen. Now pay attention. The whole point of this little get-together is so they can tell each other how successful they’ve been, and show off some of the awful new things they’ve created. The best of them are rewarded with higher status, and the least successful are eliminated. Right there, in front of everyone. It helps keep the rest of family on their toes—and besides, they enjoy it.”

“Do we know where to look for them?”

“They’ve taken the entire penthouse floor for themselves. So, no innocent bystanders to worry about. Not that I ever do.”

“And how long have we got, before this gathering begins?” said Daniel.

“Oh, hours,” said Tina. “More than enough time to get you ready.”

“I am ready,” said Daniel.

“Not even close,” said Tina. “To start with, you’re going to need a whole new outfit if we’re to look the part and infiltrate the hotel unchallenged.”

Daniel nodded reluctantly. “Edward said he owned every part of this building. Does he have his own personal tailors here?”

“Being this big means we always have trouble finding clothes,” said Tina. “So it only made sense to bring the rag trade in-house. They have their own little cubbyhole, down on the first floor.”

Daniel nodded. “I suppose it’ll make a nice change from plainclothes.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” said Tina.

The tailors turned out to be two grim-faced figures in long-tailed morning suits that made Daniel think of undertakers. Their long and gloomy office was packed full of cloth samples, rails of ready-made clothes, and dummies in half-finished suits standing shoulder to shoulder like watchful guardians. Daniel had barely stepped through the door before the tailors swarmed all over him, measuring everything with flying tape measures. Tina left them to it, disappearing into the rear of the office.

The tailors finally fell back and conferred briefly, before reaching into the rails and bringing out a tuxedo. They thrust it into Daniel’s arms, and then disappeared silently into the shadows. Daniel looked around. There didn’t seem to be any changing room, so he just stripped off his old clothes and dropped them self-consciously on the floor. He took a moment to admire his amazing new body, and then put on the tuxedo and studied himself in a standing mirror.

He couldn’t help but smile, as the James Bond theme played in his head. The tuxedo was stark black and white and fitted perfectly, with an almost indecent snugness. A blood-red bow tie added a touch of color. His reflection winked at him. Daniel pretended he hadn’t seen that. He was still struggling with the bow tie when Tina reappeared, wearing a long burgundy evening dress with wide slits in the sides, rising all the way to the hip. Daniel couldn’t help but stop and stare.

“Very elegant,” he said. “But perhaps just a bit drafty?”

“Sleek and stylish and yet and at the same time entirely suitable for mayhem,” Tina said briskly. “What are you doing with that tie?”

“It keeps fighting back,” said Daniel.

He stood very still as Tina moved in to tie it for him. He half expected her to try and strangle him with it, but her fingers were quick and surprisingly gentle. She finally stood back to look him over and nodded, satisfied.

“You’ll do.”

Daniel glowered at the shadows the tailors had vanished into. “How much is all of this going to cost us?”

“Edward pays for everything,” said Tina. “Though given the structure of Jekyll & Hyde Inc., I’m pretty sure a lot of the time he’s paying himself.”

“All right,” said Daniel. “Where now? To the armory, to pick up the bomb?”

“That’s already waiting for us, down in the lobby,” said Tina. “All we have to do is smuggle it into the gathering, hit the timer, and retire immediately to a safe distance. What could possibly go wrong?”

“I could make out a list, if you like.”

“I have done this before,” said Tina.

“I won’t ask,” said Daniel.

“Best not. Come on; once we’ve picked up the bomb we’ve time for a few drinks, at this nice little bar I know.”

Daniel looked at her. “You want to take a bomb into a bar?”

“Best way to get served,” said Tina.

Daniel considered his tuxedo, and her evening gown. “Won’t we seem a little overdressed?”

“Trust me,” said Tina. “Where we’re going, no one will give a damn.”