No Humans Involved
Page 85

Now, once again, I'd tipped my hand. I'd asked him to come outside, and he refused, an exchange that had probably been caught on the hidden cameras. So how suspicious would it look now, if I went outside and found the body?
"Jaime?"
Angelique was coming down the stairs. I darted into the back hall, hoping to avoid her.
"Jaime?" Her voice sounded right behind me.
I turned and flashed a wide smile. "There you are. I thought I heard you. What's up, hon?"
"I wanted to thank you for trying to keep the show going."
"The fight's not over. Now, I have a call to make-"
"One more thing. There's this huge revival meeting in Nebraska next month and I was wondering if you might go with me. I know it's not your thing, but it attracts thousands of people."
"Nebraska? Um, sure, why not? Now, if you'll excuse me." From her expression, she knew she was being brushed off, and I hated to do that, but told myself I'd make it up to her later.
I LOOKED across the patio for Jeremy. No sign. He'd probably overheard me with Angelique and slipped back to guard the burial site.
I was about to follow, then stopped. If I went back to that site, I had to be prepared to find the body. Was that wise? Or should I call Jeremy first and make sure we didn't have an alternative?
No. The more fussing we did now, the more likely we'd be caught trying to stage the discovery.
I headed into the garden.
"Jaime?"
Grady. I turned as he rounded the corner. I opened my mouth, then took one look at that gliding, almost feline gait and amended the greeting.
"Aratron."
He smiled, brilliant blue eyes twinkling. "I believe you wanted Bradford Grady. For a small matter of corpse discovery?"
I hesitated. "I'm not sure this-"
"-is a wise idea? Not the sort of thing to accuse me of, child. I am nothing, if not wise." He motioned for me to continue walking and joined me. "It is clear that these people you chase are patient-this magic is not something they could have mastered overnight. From Eric Botnick you learned how careful they are to avoid the limelight, and how decisive they will be in ridding themselves of a potential threat. If you are surrounded by attention"
"They'll stay clear until it dies down, then strike after I think
I'm no longer in danger. Which is why I wanted Grady to do the discovering."
"That is the obstacle, which I am generously offering to help you overcome."
JEREMY WAS back at the site, standing guard with Eve and Kristof. He heard-or smelled-me coming and rounded the corner.
"Had some trouble with Grady," I began.
"Aratron, I presume," Jeremy said. "Hello."
Aratron smiled. "I'd extend my hand, as I know is the propergreeting among humans, but not one so welcome among your breed, so I'll settle for a respectful 'well met' to the Alpha of the North American Pack."
No surprise that Aratron knew who Jeremy was. As for Jeremy recognizing the demon, I suspected it had to do with those extrasensory abilities he didn't like to discuss.
The demon turned to Eve and Kristof. "Eve. Mr. Nast, sir. Keeping out of trouble, I presume."
"Within reason," Eve replied.
As Aratron passed Eve, he reached out and gave her shoulder a fatherly squeeze, his fingers even seeming to make contact. Then he peered down the path on the far side.
"Speaking of trouble, I was hoping to meet Lucifer's daughter at this gathering. She's not here?"
"Lucifer's?" I began.
"The half-demon girl," Eve said. "Hope. No, she's not. We didn't see much use for her powers here."
"Then you're underestimating them," Aratron said. "Which is not only shortsighted, but a dangerous thing to do with an Espisco. The most fascinating subtype of the half-breeds. And exceedingly rare. Lucifer is most particular about where he spreads his seed. Her mother must be a remarkable woman." He turned to Eve. "I'd like to meet the girl sometime. You'll arrange it, I presume."
A look crossed Eve's face. If I didn't know her so well, I'd chalk it up to jealousy-having Aratron take an interest in a more interesting half-demon. More likely Eve just didn't like being ordered to do something, no matter who was doing the ordering.
Not waiting for an answer, Aratron stepped up into the garden and stood over the shallow grave.
"So the child lies here. We'd best get on with it, then, before Bradford Grady's woman begins to wonder about his protracted bathroom visit."
He crouched, cleared his throat and affected Grady's tone. "Here, Jaime? Is this where you sense it?"
He switched to an eerily accurate imitation of my voice. "Yes, Bradford. Don't you feel it?"
"Yes, I believe I do. Evil, great evil permeates this place." A dramatic shudder. "We must uncover the source of these demonic emanations. Only then will the tormented spirits be at rest."
"Enjoying yourself, Aratron?" Eve said.
He cast a haughty glower in her direction. "I'm a eudemon. We are incapable of enjoyment." Back to my voice. "It looks as if the dirt has been disturbed here, Grady, but I'm afraid to-"
"Never fear, sweet lady. I will dirty my hands for you."
He sifted his fingers through the dirt. "What's this? It looks like a finger." More digging. "A finger attached to a hand. Mother of God, Jaime, we've found a body. We must alert the authorities at once."