Jekyll & Hyde Inc.

“Let’s just say . . . I hoped. Come on, it’s a long walk back to civilization.”

Tina smiled. “Then let’s take the scenic route this time.”

Chapter Seven

VOICES FROM THE DUST

Daniel and Tina spent the next few days at Tina’s place, celebrating not dying after all, and only returned to the Jekyll & Hyde building because they didn’t want Edward sending someone to bang on their door. As always, there was no one in the lobby. Daniel was beginning to wonder about that. Given that the whole building only existed to house Jekyll & Hyde Inc., why did he never bump into anyone else going about Edward Hyde’s business?

When they entered Edward’s outer office, the rather more glamorous than she should be secretary gave them her best professional smile.

“Go right on in. Edward has something he wants to share with you.”

Daniel looked at Tina. “Is that good?”

“As long as it’s not another tiger.”

“Beware Hydes bearing gifts,” said Daniel.

He barged into Edward’s office without knocking, just to make it clear what kind of a visit it was going to be, and then stopped short as the smell of roast meat hit him in the face. Marvelous and mouth-watering, it was like nothing he’d ever encountered before. Tina made a loud appreciative noise. Set on an antique silver platter, the steaming meat was so rare that blood was still seeping out of it. Edward smiled at Daniel and Tina from behind his desk, tore a piece off the large joint, and stuffed it into his mouth. He chewed with uncomplicated enjoyment, already reaching for another piece. Daniel couldn’t help remembering how he’d attacked his pizza the night before, as though nothing mattered but satisfying his appetite. Daniel took a deep breath, and the amazing smell filled his head till he couldn’t think of anything else. Edward smiled knowingly, and waved them forward.

“This is a haunch off the tiger I killed yesterday. Waste not, want not. Go ahead, help yourselves.”

Daniel felt he should object, on behalf of the tiger. What had been done to it was cruel as well as wrong. But he just had to know whether the meat would taste as good as it smelled. Tina had already pushed past him, to rip a piece off the joint and jam it into her mouth. She made ecstatic noises, her eyes closing to slits as blood and juices ran unheeded down her chin. Daniel took a smaller piece for himself, and did his best to eat it in a more civilized manner. The taste was incredible, and before he realized what he was doing he’d emptied his mouth and was reaching out for more.

He stopped himself, with an effort. He remembered Tina saying that Hydes could indulge themselves however they wanted, but he had to believe there was more to him than just his appetites.

He turned away from the meat on the table, looking for something to take his mind off temptation, and his eye was caught by a mirror on the opposite wall. His reflection smiled and nodded to him, and Daniel remembered that there was no mirror in Edward’s office. He moved over to stand before his reflection. It was chewing on a really large piece of meat, while blood dripped thickly from its chin. The reflection winked cheerfully at Daniel, and spoke without bothering to empty its mouth first.

“Told you you’d like being a Hyde.” It looked past Daniel at Tina, and he glanced back to see her unself-consciously licking blood and juices from her fingers. The reflection sniggered loudly. “She is something, isn’t she? No conscience, and no restraint. Ready and willing to do absolutely anything, and never give a damn about the consequences. The only trouble is, eventually you have to get out of bed. How long will it be, do you think, before you’re just like her . . . and loving it?”

Daniel started to turn away, and the reflection raised its voice.

“You have to listen to me!”

“No I don’t,” said Daniel, facing his reflection steadily. “You’re nothing but a voice in my head.”

The reflection thrust an arm out of the mirror, grabbed Daniel by the shoulder, and pulled him in close.

“How long before I’m the Hyde . . . and you’re just a voice that no one listens to?”

Daniel punched his reflection in the face, but all he hit was the office wall, hard enough to leave a large dent and a lot of cracks. The impact should have broken every bone in his hand, but he barely felt it. Action, without consequences . . . just what he was most afraid of. He turned away to find Edward and Tina staring at him.

“Just putting down a minor rebellion in my head,” said Daniel.

Tina nodded briefly, as though that kind of thing happened every day. Edward started to reach for more meat, and Daniel cleared his throat loudly.

“Maybe I should come back when you’re done.”

Edward sat back in his chair, smiling easily. “I do so admire a practical man. By all means, let us get down to business.”