CHAPTER ONE
“What do you mean, kidnapped?” I asked.
Corbel reached into a pocket and produced two medium-sized sausages. He tossed one to Peaches, who caught and inhaled it in one bite.
<Why didn’t you let me know he was there? I almost shot him.>
<He isn’t a bad man. He smells like home and he has meat.>
“He’s getting big.” Corbel rubbed Peaches’ head, as my Hellhound chomped on the second sausage he fed him.
“Who would kidnap Hades’ wife?”
Corbel stared at me. “That’s the first intelligent question you’ve asked,” he said, rubbing his face. “I don’t know who would be suicidal enough to make this move against Hades.”
“Where was she?” Monty asked. “You said she never made it to her scheduled pick up. Pick up from where?”
“At her home.”
“Not the Underworld?” I asked. “Isn’t that where she lives?”
“Persephone spends a large portion of her time on this plane,” Corbel answered. “Their relationship is complex.”
“She has a home here?” Monty asked. “In the city?”
Corbel nodded. “Midtown, off Central Park West. The Eldorado.”
“Does anyone know where this alleged kidnapping took place?” I asked. “Was she home?”
“No, security is too tight,” Corbel said with a shake of his head. “What do you mean alleged? She was taken.”
“Have you met Hades?” I said, giving a short laugh. “He is the god of the Underworld —not exactly Mr. Cheerful and Romance. Maybe she wanted something different in her life. Maybe a place with a little sun?”
“Are you implying she left him?” Corbel said more than asked. He flexed his jaw. “She would never leave him.”
“Wouldn’t leave him, or can’t leave him?” I asked, wiggling my fingers. “Maybe Hades worked some spell on her.”
“Their relationship is complex,” Corbel said again with a sigh. “No, she wasn’t compelled to remain with him.”
“Complex? Is that code for she can’t stand him?”
“Complex,” he said, glaring at me. “Like the kind of relationship an immortal detective might have with an ancient vampire.”
“Ouch, no need to get sensitive. Just asking the basic questions.”
“If you ask those questions, prepare for pain.”
“Just noting that they spent time apart,” I answered. “Did she care for him?”
Corbel glared at me again. “She and Hades have an understanding. They take regular time away from each other.”
“Does he love her? Or does he go around Zeusafying every woman he sees, making little demigods?”
“He loves her,” Corbel said with finality. “He wouldn’t subject me to the torture of speaking to you if he didn’t.”
I nodded. “Right, so she was kidnapped, or she ran away.”
“For your self-preservation, I’m going to suggest you refrain from expressing that opinion around Hades when you meet him.”
“Meet him? We literally just got home. Can you give us a moment to at least change clothes?”
“No. Hades wants you on this now.”
“Before we go to see your boss, we should see her place,” I said. “Maybe there’s something there that will let us know who’s behind this. Maybe a boyfriend?”
Corbel shook his head and looked at Monty. “How do you work with him?”
“Tea and patience,” Monty said, “copious amounts of both.”
