Acolyte by Seth Patrick

private case, or can he just take on any job he chooses?’ Bob paused and took a long breath. ‘Me and Ray will be in Richmond tomorrow, on police business. Any chance we could meet up? We have a favour to ask Jonah, a
big
favour. But I think we’ll need to explain in person.’
    *
    â€˜And you have no idea what this is about?’ asked Jonah.
    It was lunchtime the next day, Never having met with Jonah around the corner from the cafe where they’d arranged to meet the detectives. ‘I just know they want a reviver,’ Never said, shrugging.‘Bob approached me first to see if it was even possible, and to make sure you’d not be offended.’ A thought struck him and he smiled. ‘It’s like I’m your pimp.’
    Bob Crenner and Ray Johnson were already there when they entered; in a secluded corner, burger and fries in front of Bob, a salad in front of Ray. ‘What’ll it be, gentlemen?’ asked Bob. ‘Lunch is on me.’
    They both went for the burger option. Bob caught the eye of the waitress and ordered himself a triple espresso as well. ‘I live on coffee,’ said Bob. ‘Keeps me going. Three years back, my wife started to worry I was drinking too much caffeine so she got decaf for home. Didn’t tell me. I spent a week falling asleep in the office every morning before she confessed.’
    Jonah turned to Ray Johnson. It was a year and a half since Jonah had first met him, on what had only been Ray’s second revival as a detective. ‘Good to see you, Ray,’ said Jonah. ‘So how many revivals have you attended now?’
    â€˜Not that many. I’d say maybe an even dozen.’
    â€˜Eighteen,’ said Bob, with a certainty that put a wry smile on Ray’s face.
    â€˜Eighteen,’ said Ray. ‘Time flies, huh? How about you?’
    Jonah smiled. ‘I don’t keep count.’ Even so, he wondered how many it had been. Daniel Harker had been his last official revival before the Reese-Farthing fire, when his injuries had put him out of action for four months. He guessed at forty or so revivals since then. If he’d still been going at the rate he’d averaged before Reese-Farthing, it would have been well over a hundred by now.
    Bob looked at him. ‘So how’s your health?’ Both Bob and Ray had sent messages of support to Jonah while he was in hospital.
    â€˜As good as it could be, I think. Still hurts sometimes.’
    â€˜I hear getting shot does that,’ said Bob. ‘I don’t ever intend to find out myself.’
    â€˜Anybody ever shot
at
you, Bob?’ said Never. ‘Ray, maybe?’
    Ray laughed. ‘I’ve been tempted.’
    They caught up a little and swapped tales, Never grossing Bob out with Stacy’s lung effluent experience from the previous day. When they finally got to the story of David Leith’s revival, the mood darkened.
    â€˜Yes,’ said Bob. ‘It’s not just you that’s been having trouble with the Afterlifers.’ He avoided eye contact and shifted his position in his seat. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve been stalling. You know how it is. I feel bad putting you in this position, but I have to ask. And don’t think you have to say yes. I’ll understand.’
    Here it comes
, thought Jonah. Because whatever Bob wanted from him, it surely boiled down to a very simple question.
    Jonah caught Never’s eye, then asked it: ‘Who, Bob?’ he said. ‘Who do you want me to revive?’

12
    â€˜Two weeks ago,’ said Bob, ‘the body of a woman called Mary Connart was discovered in an alley in the north east of DC. Me and Ray were on the scene within fifteen minutes. Her injuries were …’ He shared a look with Ray, who shook his head grimly. ‘Unusual. We requested a revival, but we had some trouble. The same trouble you had with the teenage boy.’
    â€˜Afterlifers?’ said