The Demon and the City

Prior to that, Sung had been one of those fierce northern steppe people, with a low tolerance rating for bullshit. Now, he was all about ballparks and blue sky thinking. How did they do it? Did they brainwash attendees?
    "Miss Qi is here as part of a team," Sung said. "The governor would like you to go to Hell as part of a fact-finding mission, work closely with the Ministry of War. The original invitation came through them, for Miss Qi, but Heaven's insisting that she be escorted and the Ministry has been really very helpful, extending the invitation at once." He nodded at Zhu Irzh. "Seneschal? How do you feel about a trip home?"
    Zhu Irzh shrugged. "I can cope. As long as we don't have to visit my relatives."
    "Family is most important," Miss Qi said, in a little disapproving breath.
    "Exactly. My family is most important. Just not to me."
    A faint frown creased the denizen of Heaven's brow. "But—"
    "Miss Qi will be coming with us, then?" Chen asked, more to stave off yet another difficult discussion than out of any real attempt to clarify matters.
    "She will indeed."
    "What, to Hell?" Zhu Irzh said. It was the demon's turn to look disapproving. "She'll be eaten alive."
    Miss Qi's frown deepened. Sung said, "No, she won't. Not if she has you to look after her. You'll be leaving at ten P.M. tomorrow; I've sorted out your papers. Chen, any loose ends will be passed on to Ma."
    "Hang on," Zhu Irzh said. "What about my loose ends? I'm in the middle of a case, you know."
    "I'll get someone to handle it. Leave the paperwork on your desk and I'll pass it on."
    "But—"
    "Governor's orders, Zhu Irzh. Although it's nice to see you being conscientious about things."
    Chen, rather to his shame, became instantly suspicious. It might be nice, but "nice" did not adequately describe Zhu Irzh's usual modus operandi, which during previous cases had included sleeping with suspects, taking bribes, intimidating witnesses, and generally behaving like the vice cop from Hell. Chen did not blame the demon, he knew no better, he was what he was. But nice?
    Zhu Irzh subsided, with conspicuous reluctance. Chen sighed.
    "What time tomorrow? And why are we going under the aegis of the Ministry of War?"
    "You'll need to be at the Night Harbor by ten in the evening. As for War, I'm not sure. I think it has to do with someone's governmental contacts. In the meantime, I'd appreciate it if you could see Miss Qi safely back to her hotel."
    Chen thought of an innocent of Heaven wandering the streets of Singapore Three—one step removed from Hell itself, after all—and mentally quailed. "Of course we will," he said.
    Outside, it was still hot. Miss Qi took a deep breath and staggered slightly. Chen took her arm. "Careful. It can hit you like a hammer when you're not used to it."
    "If it's this hot here," Miss Qi said, faintly, "whatever will it be like in Hell?"
    "Hotter," Zhu Irzh said, not without a trace of satisfaction.
    Chen looked at the address given to him by the captain and saw that the hotel was very close to the Opera House. The merest prickle of engineered coincidence stirred his cerebral cortex: that was where the rent-boy came from, and the missing girl. No more had come of this and that was typical enough, in this sprawl where young people went missing every day, but somehow he still didn't like it and that in itself was worrying. He had, long ago, learned to listen to disturbing instincts.
    "It's too far to walk," he said. "We'll get a taxi. Zhu Irzh, are you coming, or do you have things to do?" Forget the beer. He'd have enough to cope with during the trip, because Zhu Irzh was bound to get a rise out of needling Miss Qi, so Chen was hoping that the demon would cry off and head home on his own. Then Chen could see Miss Qi to her hotel and go back to Inari, who might—rightfully—be feeling somewhat neglected. Inari never complained, however, and would deny any feelings of neglect if charged, so it was hard to tell. Anyway, Zhu Irzh had a girlfriend of his own to placate these days.
    But the demon disappointed him. "I'll come along. Why not?"
    "I thought you might want to spend the evening with Jhai," Chen said.
    "Jhai—let's just say that a break won't do either of us any harm," Zhu Irzh said. "She's taking a bit too much for granted."
    "I see." Chen did not add: rather you than me . He did not like the thought of playing games with Jhai Tserai, but presumably the demon knew her better. He glanced at Miss Qi. The inhabitants