Wild Cards V by George R. R. Martin Page B

the big names are still on that WHO tour.” Rosemary nodded, more enthusiastic about this plan than she had been about anything in some time. “Good. Can you pull in anyone?”
    â€œTo be honest, I already have. We’ve got a detective named Croyd doing some checking for us and a heavy name of Bludgeon who’ll come in handy in a fight. ’Course they won’t be as ‘high quality’ coming from the criminal element like me.” Chris straightened and looked down his nose at her, trying to hide his grin.
    â€œThey’ll do. The criminal element isn’t all bad.” Rosemary reached up and pulled him down to her to kiss him.

    Bagabond walked down the crowded East Village street trying not to be impatient with C.C. Ryder’s window-shopping. It seemed as though every ten feet the spike-haired redhead saw something she just had to have—as long as she didn’t actually have to go in and talk to anyone about it. Bagabond was about to suggest going back to the songwriter’s loft when she heard a bayou-accented voice behind her.
    â€œHey, y’all, qué pasa? ” The teenage hyperactive body encased in a tiger-striped leotard with gold-lamé sneakers belonged to Jack’s niece Cordelia. She bounced out of the restaurant she had been about to enter and grabbed both Bagabond and C.C. Ryder by the elbows to guide them into the Riviera with her before either could muster a protest. C.C. quickly shrugged her off when they were inside, but neither woman put up a struggle when Cordelia immediately got them a table. Bagabond had learned it was useless to resist unless one wanted an excessively hurt teenager on her hands.
    â€œSo, y’all seen Rosemary’s television appeal to aces yet?” Cordelia opened and shut her menu with the same movement. “Gonna join up, Bagabond?”
    â€œHaven’t been asked.” Bagabond chose to take her time with the menu. “What about you?”
    Glancing up over the top of her oversize menu, Bagabond was surprised to catch the expression of revulsion on Cordelia’s face. For possibly the first time she had stopped Cordelia cold in her tracks.
    â€œI, uh, don’t do that anymore.” Cordelia opened her menu again and stared at it fixedly. “I could hurt somebody, y’know. I’m never going to do that again. It’s not right.”
    â€œI’m not sure it’s a good idea. Ace vigilantes are not what we need in this city.” C.C. looked from Cordelia to Bagabond before excusing herself.
    â€œSo, you seen Jack lately?” Cordelia followed C.C.’s progress to the rear of the restaurant intently before turning to Bagabond with wide, innocent eyes.
    â€œYeah. He asked if I’d seen you. Ever think of calling your uncle once in a while?” Bagabond’s irritation was evident in her rough voice.
    â€œI’ve been so busy, what with working for Global Fun and Games an’ all—”
    â€œAnd you haven’t wanted to talk to him anyway, right?”
    â€œI don’t know what to say…” Cordelia blushed. “I mean, it’s like I don’ know him anymore. You don’ understand. I was raised in the Church. I was taught that bein’ a homo—what Jack is, is one of the worst sins.”
    â€œIt’s not catching and he’s your uncle. He’s risked his life for you and you won’t even give him a call. I’m glad you’re so strong on right and wrong.” Bagabond looked disgusted and unconsciously flicked her wrist at the girl. “Michael’s good for him. I’ve never seen Jack so happy.”
    â€œYeah, well, Michael’s a son of a bitch! I saw him in a club in the Village last week. He was with someone and it wasn’t Uncle Jack.” Cordelia was furious.
    â€œEverything okay here?” C.C. seated herself and looked at each woman in turn.
    â€œHey, no prob.” Cordelia waved