27
Simon Kilgore’s office was located in a strip mall over a dry cleaner in a rough part of town.
“Are you sure you want to go visible this time?” Kim asked as they sat in the car a block away from Kilgore’s office.
Manus turned his head to her and nodded. “I want to question him myself. Besides, I couldn’t detect anybody following you when we went to the museum. It doesn’t look like the demons have you under twenty-four-hour surveillance.” Or if they did, they were very good, better than they’d been in the past. And maybe at this stage, letting the demons know that he was onto them wasn’t all bad. It wouldn’t be the first time a demon screwed up because he was under pressure. It could provide him and his brethren with a lead in the process.
“I must admit, seeing you makes me feel more comfortable than not knowing where you are,” Kim admitted now. “I know this whole invisibility thing is cool and all, but it’s also a little annoying for those who’re not invisible.”
“Well, then maybe next time I’ll make you invisible too,” he said casually.
“What?”
“Guess I forgot to mention that I can make others invisible, either by touch or with my mind.”
“Really? I mean, we’d both be invisible?” She shook her head. “But then you wouldn’t know where I was, and I wouldn’t know where you were. That sounds a bit chaotic.”
“It’s not, because you’d be able to see me, and I’d be able to see you.”
Her mouth dropped open. “And nobody else would?”
“That’s right.” He grinned and leaned toward her. “We could even make love in public and nobody would see us.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh my God, that’s your first thought? You’re impossible!” Despite her words, mischief sparkled in her eyes.
Manus chuckled. “Don’t tell me you wouldn’t enjoy that.” He slid his hand behind her nape and pulled her face to him. “I could take you right here, and nobody would be the wiser.” He slanted his mouth over hers and kissed her, deep and hard, before releasing her. “Unfortunately, we’ve got work to do.”
Kim’s face was flushed, and she blew out a big breath. “You’re such a tease.”
“Don’t tempt me.” He pressed another quick kiss on her lips, then reached for the handle of the car door. “Let’s do this.”
Moments later they reached the entry to the lobby leading to Kilgore’s office. The door was unlocked, as was to be expected during business hours. On the first floor, there were several doors, one marked Mechanical Closet, one without any inscription, and the last one saying Employees Only. This one appeared to be a secondary entrance into the dry-cleaning business.
Manus climbed the stairs, Kim by his side. On the landing, a sign directed them to the left, where three doors were located. The second one was Kilgore’s. Manus knocked.
“Come in,” a male voice answered.
Manus opened the door and entered. Kim followed close behind. The office was stuffed with books, magazines, and other papers. Bookcases lined the walls. Boxes stood waist-high off to one side of the room. Behind a desk with papers piled high on one side, a skinny man in his fifties pored over a book. A computer monitor took up the other side of the desk, and on the floor, an old desktop tower hugged the desk.
“Mr. Kilgore?” Manus asked. “Simon Kilgore?”
The man looked over his reading glasses. “Yes. How can I help you?”
Manus took a few steps closer. “I got your name from a friend, Mrs. Britton, Nancy Britton.”
Recognition flickered in the man’s eyes. “Uh, Britton, hmm, yes, I think I may have done some work for her.”
Clearly, Kilgore wasn’t searching his memory. He knew exactly what kind of work he’d done for Nancy.
“A Celtic translation, I believe she mentioned to me,” Manus said, fishing for more information.
“Hmm, that’s quite possible. Yes, yes, now I remember. I reviewed a short text for her.” Kilgore glanced past Manus to where Kim stood, then back to him. “Do you need any translation work done?”
“Not exactly.”
Kilgore raised an eyebrow. “Then, if it’s not a translation you’re after, I’m not sure…”
“You said you reviewed a text for her. You didn’t translate it?”