Silver Master

Chapter 37

MISS ALLONBY FINALLY QUIT SHRIEKING. CELINDA EASED her down onto a client chair.

“Take it easy,” she said soothingly. “Would you like a glass of water?”

Miss Allonby looked up at her, bewildered and fearful. “What is this all about?”

“Dr. Kennington’s real name is Hollings, and I’m sorry to inform you that he is involved with stolen antiquities. The Guild hired Mr. Oakes to retrieve a relic that was taken from the Guild vault.”

“Dr. Kennington?” Miss Allonby was thunderstruck. “Dealing in stolen antiquities? Why, that’s impossible. His list of clients includes some of the most important people in Cadence.”

“Listen, Miss Allonby, I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but this is Guild business. There’s someone outside watching the front door of this office. He’ll know what to do. I’ll go get him.”

“It’s all right,” Miss Allonby said. She gazed into the middle distance and miraculously regained her composure. “I already know what to do. I have my instructions.”

There was no time to decipher that odd comment. Celinda gave her one last reassuring pat on the shoulder and then went through the second door into the building lobby.

The all-too-familiar waves of twisted energy flooded her senses just as she reached to open the front door.

“If you’re looking for the panhandler who was watching this place, don’t waste your time,” Benson Landry said behind her. “I took him out of the picture a few minutes ago.”