Monster - A. Lee Martinez [59]
“It knows the future?”
Lotus chuckled. “Nobody knows the future. It hasn’t happened yet. But anything that has happened or is happening now is observed and recorded within the stone. Of course, for that very reason, it’s also largely incomprehensible. Imagine everything within the universe placed within a single, disorganized volume.”
Judy scanned the incomprehensible writing. It shifted and stirred, and the more she concentrated on it, the more it seemed to react. She thought she could almost read it. Almost…
“This is God?” asked Judy. “I thought He’d be taller.”
Lotus offered an insincere smile. “Yes, very amusing. I’ve never cared for flippancy, you know.”
“Sorry if I offended you,” said Judy. “I’m usually more polite to my kidnappers, but so far my week’s been really shitty.”
“Oh, is that what you think? Kidnapped? Really, how absurd.” Lotus laughed. “You aren’t a prisoner. In fact, you’re free to go whenever you please.”
“Right. I’m supposed to believe that? After Muscles over there dragged me across town against my will and threw me in a locked room?”
“Ferdinand can be a bit heavy-handed, I agree,” said Lotus, “but I assure you that this wasn’t an abduction, merely an invitation. Perhaps more forceful than decorum permits, but that was only because it was so important for us to finally meet.”
“You could’ve just sent a letter,” said Judy.
“Far too impersonal. Plus, I needed to talk to you. But by no means are you forced to remain here against your wishes.”
“So you’re saying I can just leave? Walk out the door?”
“That’s right.”
“And you won’t have Muscles or the fire-breathing cat get in my way?”
“Heavens, no. Although I do hope you’ll stay just a little longer to hear the nature of my proposal.”
“And what if I’m not interested?”
“That’s a bit hasty considering you haven’t even heard what I have to say. But what I plan to do can’t be done without your cooperation, so it’s entirely up to you.”
She turned her back on Judy, and rinsed the stone in the sink.
Judy glanced over her shoulder. Ferdinand had stepped aside, and Pendragon was under the kitchen table, more interested in cleaning his paws than watching Judy.
“But ask yourself,” said Lotus, “is there anything out there that you want to have? You can leave, go back to your life of confusion, frustration, and disappointment, never really understanding all the little things that will continue to happen to you. Ignorance is bliss, I suppose. But you won’t be ignorant. You’ll know. Somewhere, in the back of your mind, you’ll know. And every day, you’ll find yourself asking questions you can’t answer. But if that’s the life you wish, far be it from me to deprive you of it.”
She dried the stone with a towel and put it back in its place. Judy could feel the stone from across the room. That subtle vibration remained in her palm as if she still held it.
She leaned against the counter. “Okay, let’s say I’m interested. What exactly do you need my help for?”
“With your help, I’m going to fix a few things.”
“What things?”
“Everything. We’re going to correct the universe, ensure that everything remains as it should.” Lotus smiled, this time quite sincerely and in a manner that Judy found a touch unsettling, though she couldn’t say why. “Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”
15
It was always hard dealing with the regular police and the Arcane Commission at the same time. Technically, the Reds were just a special division of the regular force, the way Cryptobiological Containment and Rescue Service was a subdivision of Animal Control. There were liaisons between the departments meant to keep things running smoothly between the cognizants and incogs. But it complicated things when both were involved. Reports had to be filed for both offices, doubling the paperwork. All the magical details only confused the Blues, who were eventually happy to pass Monster off to the Reds, where he gave his statement again to a commission detective.
Detective York had an angular body and a face that was mostly beard and eyebrows. He