Cid’s phone rang. “Excuse me,” he said and walked out of the common room and down the stairs into the workshop to take the call.
“Hello?”
“Cid, this is Audrey.”
“Your number didn’t come up.”
“That’s because I’m using a burner phone.”
“This is very cloak and dagger, Miss Moneypenny.”
“I’ve been warned to be very careful, Mr. Bond.”
“By whom?”
“Jake. He did a little favor for me.”
“I thought that he’s in Alsace with the Martins,” Cid said.
“He is, but he can still do a little investigating while he’s not needed. Evidently, ghosts don’t sleep.”
“So I hear.”
“Anyway, he suggested that if I’m going to do some digging, then I better not be using my home phone.”
“That’s smart.”
“Before we start, you should know that Kiki terminated my contract this afternoon as per an email sent to me and copied to Alan Jefferies. Between you and I, Alan is picking up my expenses and paying me. He’s concerned.”
“He should be. She’s acting very similarly to Burt when he had the flitch.”
“Father Santos says that should wear off the more distance and time she has between the last time she was exposed to the heritage demon. Jake found out its name.”
“Really, do tell.”
“Gadus. Jake said it’s been MIA for a little over a hundred years. Gadus’s gold hasn’t been touched. That’s not normal behavior for a demon. It’s not even traded a soul for gold during this time. If it was a heritage demon, according to my husband, then it would have taken the Atwaters to Hell as they expired. According to Father Santos, there is a possibility that Atwater is holding Gadus hostage. The question is how?”
“Jesse and I found…” Cid went on to tell her about the boxes and the meeting of Jon O’Connor and him telling them that his heart was contained in one of the boxes.
“What kind of magic is this?” Audrey asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
“I’m going to find out. You wouldn’t have a picture of one…”
“Sending it now.”
“I’ll have Orion look at it. Cid, until we have a grasp on what you’re dealing with there, play dumb but be smart.”
“You couldn’t be more vague.”
“It’s my specialty,” Audrey said. “Goodbye.”
Jesse watched Cid as he put his phone away. Cid looked over at him and said, “Lots to tell you but not here.”
“Understood. In the meanwhile, let’s work on that trim so we can contain the conduit. Upon further thought, let’s run it at floor level. There is no way Pete or Gary is going to want to drill into that limestone to hold the trim piece into place. I’m thinking they will attach it to the floor. It would be nice if we had a few pieces ready to go before we venture into the room with the demon summoning circle in it.”
“I had a few ideas,” Cid said, reaching for his tool belt. He stared at it a moment. Something was different. He pulled out a chisel. “I forgot I picked this up,” he said, handing it to Jesse.
“It’s a wood carving chisel,” Jesse identified. “Stone carvers normally use an all-metal-shaft chisel with teeth on the end. This is smooth. It has initials. D R F.”
“It’s a clue. I’ll have Audrey look…”
“Audrey doesn’t work for us anymore,” Kiki said, walking into the workshop.
“Why?” Jesse asked.
Cid started the video function on his phone, turning the camera towards his diminutive boss. He thought that if she were being influenced, there was an outside chance it could be picked up digitally.
“She’s not necessary,” Kiki said. “We need to concentrate on the job and leave investigating alone.”
“Whatever you say, Boss,” Jesse answered.
“Cid, a heads-up. Start looking for another job. I’m going to terminate your contract at the end of the week.”
“Fine,” Cid said. “I should be finished with my lists by then.”
“Kiki, start looking for another structure carpenter,” Jesse said. “I’m not working here without Cid. I need to protect myself.”
“You signed a contract.”
“Read it. I know what I signed. I put in a rider that stipulates that if I find I’m working in an unsafe environment, the contract is void. He leaves, I’m out. I’m not going to be sacrificed on the steps of your ambition, doll. Excuse me, Boss.”
Kiki picked up a hammer and tossed it at Jesse.
Jesse tried to move out of the way but was caught in the shoulder. Fortunately for him, he was hit by the cheek of the hammer. Had it been the face or the claw, it would have been debilitating.
“That’s it, Pickles. I’m calling the cops.” Jesse pulled off his shirt to see a very large contusion forming. “Cid, take a picture of this, please.”
Cid did so and left his phone on video to continue to record the ensuing conversation.
Kiki paled. “I don’t know what’s come over me. What’s happening here? I feel such anger!”
“I think maybe you need to take a drive to clear your head, or better yet, go back to Chicago,” Cid said. “I’ll arrange for Father Santos to look you over. Don’t worry, your precious client will have no clue,” Cid said. “We’ll just continue to work on the building. Leave your notes. Put Wayne in charge and leave everything to us.”
“What excuse do I give my client?” Kiki asked.
“You’re a managing contractor, Kiki. You don’t have to be here.”
“You’re right, I don’t. One week, Garrett. Scrub, I’ll hire your replacement when I’m in town. I expect you two…”
“Three,” Sally said from the bottom step. “I’m out if they’re out. Cook for yourself, Ms. Pickles.”
“Why?” Kiki asked.
“Basic survival skills. A smart soldier doesn’t stay if there is no one to have your back.
