Page 12 of Demons Dig Donuts

Mr. Heiss glared.

“I don’t do charity, but I’m sure Mr. Kalt will give you a nice discount.” Indy tilted his head. “Has he said anything to you about my job? I’m supposed to work tomorrow. Like, you know, for the rest of forever and all that.”

“Don’t worry yourself over such trivial things. I’ll have you back to Mr. Kalt as soon as possible. But the ring is the priority here.”

“Really?” Indy tried to glance back at the leshy. “Tree boy over there is that important to you?”

“You have no idea what it is, do you?”

“Guessing he’s not a normal, uh, undead leshy?”

“No.”

“All right, I’ll bite. Gently.” Indy winked. “What is he?”

“There was once a great wizard called Norbert,” Mr. Heiss replied, steepling his long fingers. “It is said he traveled from this world and beyond, gathering spirits and trapping them within various objects. Whoever holds them, these Artifacts, will wield the power of the spirits inside. The ring you hold is the Memento Mori, a—”

“Yeah, yeah, remember that you’re gonna die or whatever. I know what it means.” Indy huffed. “You know, you could have asked my Gammy about this. I bet she knows a lot more than you.”

“Was that the ghost in your apartment?”

“Yup. She’s a pretty badass witch.”

“Noted.” Mr. Heiss leaned back in his chair. “Now, the exact number of Artifacts is unknown, but there are at least two others in the city right now. It is vital I take possession of the one you currently hold.”

Indy considered that for a moment. “Can’t bring a knife to a gun fight?”

“Pardon?”

“You said there’s at least two more of these things kickin’ around, right? You’re clearly worried about them, which means you probably don’t have them, so you want one for yourself.” Indy would have wiggled the ring at him, but his arms were still stuck. “Even the playing field or whatever.”

“The reason is not important.”

“Which means I’m right and you don’t want to admit it.” Indy batted his lashes.

“I like you, lad. I like people who’re right. Like me.” King cackled.

“Okay, that’s enough of that.” Mr. Heiss grabbed King. “Night night.”

“Hey! Let me go! I get at least ten minutes! Ten—” King yelped as he was promptly shoved back in the drawer. He sighed. “You shitebag fuck face.”

“Gotta agree with the skull.” Indy grunted as the invisible holds squeezed but then released him. “Definitely a fuck face.” He stood up to stretch, turning back to eyeball the leshy.

The leshy remained in the corner, his dark eyes fixed on Mr. Heiss.

“Hey, doin’ okay, babe?” Indy asked. “Need anything? Water? Miracle Gro?”

The leshy tilted his big head, and he seemed excited. “Grow?”

“Uh, no. You don’t need to grow. You’re good just like that. Doing great, sweetie.” Indy turned back to Mr. Heiss. “So. I can’t leave—”

Mr. Heiss scowled. Again. “No.”

“Right. I can’t go anywhere until I get this ring off, right?” Indy grabbed the edge of the desk and leaned forward.

“Correct.”

Indy smiled wide. “What if I want to get you off? Or you get me off? Really, I’m fine either way, but—”