Chapter 17

(Four)

The man sat at the bar still wearing his cheap uniform, frankly I disliked him on sight but he would be useful so I suppressed my distaste.

I moved up to the bar a meter or so down from him, trying not to scratch at my face for fear of disturbing my disguise. Personal contact was risky so I did what I could to mitigate the risk.

The ex guard was pretty drunk and quite loud, it would make my job easier. Since half the pub could hear the guys ranting it wouldn't be a stretch to seem knowledgeable about his situation which would save a lot of time.

"I tell you," he slurred gesturing to the barman spilling most of his pint in the process, "I was just doing my job protecting the shop. I turned some freakish animal away and that damn bitch fired me for no reason! What's this country coming to, used to be an honest hard working man could get on okay in life, now everyone's being pushed out by these freaks and monsters. Should have shot the lot of 'em when we had the chance."

I sidled closer, "I hear that buddy, those things are evil, my brother lost his job welding because one of those freaks could spot weld with his fingertips," I said.

The man smiled at me thinking me a kindred spirit, I did my best to foster that impression. This sort of person who just complained about the demons but didn't have the strength of character to do something about it made me sick. They just expected someone else to fix their problems for them.

"Well fella, these things are a real problem, about time someone did something about them," he slurred.

"Indeed, let me get you another drink, and why don't we go somewhere more private to talk."

"Sure sounds good."

I ordered the guy another drink and guided him to a quiet corner of the pub where there was less chance of being overheard.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" the guard said.

"Well, I know a little more about your situation that I let on," I replied.

The man regarded me with suspicion, "Oh yeah, how's that?"

"Well, a friend of mine saw what happened to you and let me know. I work with a group of like minded individuals that watch out for this sort of thing. But first there is something I think you should see," I pulled out a small video player from my pocket, "My friend recorded this after you left."

I showed him a video of the manager talking with the demon, "They were in it together, the manager woman and this animal conspired to get you fired."

The man glowered at it, "I knew it!"

"I'm sorry to hear of another good man put down by one of these things."

"Damn beast, I'd like to wring it's bloody neck."

"Really? I could help you find it. This one's a school girl. I have contacts that could locate it and give you information on its movements. It would be up to you to deal with her as you wish."

"Why can't you deal with it?"

"My people's expertise lies in finding these things, we can't attack them, we could be too easily be linked with any attack, but by helping people like yourself we can continue."

"What about getting caught?"

"We'll tell you how to find them at a time and place where they are alone and vulnerable where there will be no witnesses, we leave what happens to you. If you're smart then you'll be able to dispense some justice and get away clean."

The man looked at me calculatingly weighing up the options, "Say I do want to get even with that animal, how would it work?"

"I would have one of my associates watch the subject, once we know enough about her habits to tell when she is vulnerable we would call you and give you the details. It's then up to you, we offer you one chance to do with as you will. After that you will never hear from us again. So what do you say?"

The man looked thoughtfully into his beer then knocked the rest of it back in one swallow, "Yeah, I'll do it."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a cheap pay as you go mobile, it was paid for in cash and had no contract so would lead any possible investigators nowhere, "We will call you on this, be ready, you get only one shot at this."

I handed the man the phone and left the bar quickly, using a variety of methods to ensure I wasn't being followed, I doubled back, jumped on and off buses and trains, swapped my appearance and so on. I was pretty sure no one had even noticed me but it paid to be careful.

The next part of our plan was in place now we just needed an opportunity to test the demon once more.