05/14/2025 Snippet, TOM VARGAS AND THE CASE OF THE MEDDLING PRIEST.

Aftermath!

…

Mike showed up with a couple of cops in tow just as I was going through the third mook’s pockets, not to mention the motions. The first two hadn’t even a wallet filled with untraceable cash and/or an unflatteringly accurate picture of me. I was sure the third one would be similarly unburdened with clues, and lo! I was correct. I hate it when they’re inconsiderate like that.

“Watch out for that guy!” I yelled at the cops. “He was chewing a raisin.” They backed off as soon as they heard, and I didn’t blame them at all.

Mike frowned, though. “What’s a raisin?” he asked me, as sotto voce as a orc can manage.

“Alchemical junk,” I told him. “Short for Raising Cain. They say the recipe comes from Unholy Toledo. Chew it, you feel ten feet tall and fast as a cat. Right up to the point where you hit the wall, and maybe die.” Mike looked over, and I rolled my eyes. “Okay, not a literal wall. It’s not safe, though. You got any enemies that’d use it to get rid of you?”

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