Guild Boss (Ghost Hunters #14)(54)

Otis seized the paper plate with two of his paws and bustled down to the far end of the table.

“Not for Otis, apparently,” Jared said. “Why order cheese and olive if you have had enough of it?”

“I do it for Otis. Pizza is the only paycheck he gets. He does a lot of work on the tours. I figure he deserves his favorite treat for lunch. It’s the least I can do. But given my budget, it means that I end up eating it, too.”

She removed another slice of pizza, put it on a plate, and gave it to Jared.

“Thanks.” Jared grinned. “Cheese and olive is fine with me.”

Lucy served herself and sat down across from Jared. She took a bite and munched while she considered the mini-confrontation in the parking lot.

“Why did you ask how long I’ve known the Roxbys?” she said.

He shrugged, but his eyes sharpened. There was a new intensity about him that reminded her a little of Gabriel. Another man on a mission.

“It’s pretty clear they’re not thrilled that you won’t join their crew,” he said.

“Obviously they want to add me to their team because they think I’ve got an inside track to future Guild work.”

Jared nodded a little too politely and ate some pizza.

Lucy groaned. “Okay, you don’t have to say it. I know everyone thinks Gabriel and I have a personal relationship.”

Which was, she reflected, nothing less than the truth. It was a startling thought. She never slept with clients. Oh. Wait.

“The boss’s personal life is none of my business, but it’s obvious the Roxbys think you could be very useful to them,” Jared said. “If you’re on their team, the Guild will be hiring a Weather Wizard channeler and, therefore, will be likely to hire more Wizards when security work ramps up. That will be happening soon.”

“It’s certainly one logical explanation for the Roxbys’ sudden interest in recruiting me. But you’re wondering if there might be another reason, aren’t you?”

“Crossed my mind,” Jared said. He ate some more pizza. “Apparently it crossed yours, too.”

“I’m a little paranoid these days.”

“We are not alone in our paranoia and suspicion,” Jared said. “At least, we won’t be for long. I can guarantee you the possibility that the Roxbys were involved in your kidnapping will occur to Mr. Jones, too.”

“Motive? It’s not like I’m the only channeler in town.”

“No, but you’re good,” Jared said. “I watched you handle that storm we ran into on the last tour. It was the real deal, wasn’t it? Not just a pesky whirlwind or a small dust storm. It wasn’t big, but it was hot, and it was highly charged. I’ve never seen an energy storm aboveground.”

“Welcome to Illusion Town. Like the sign says, the thrills are real.”

“I think I’m going to like it here.”

“The weather is amazing,” Lucy said.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE





Gabriel stopped midway along the sidewalk and checked the directions Aiden had given him. According to the map on his phone, they were only half a block from the tuner’s shop.

“Almost there,” he said.

It was late afternoon. He and Lucy were in a shabby neighborhood deep in the eternally gray Shadow Zone. Otis was riding shotgun on his shoulder, evidently having concluded the position gave him a better view.

The neighborhood was run-down even by Shadow Zone standards. The fog seemed heavier in the narrow streets and alleys. There were no sleazy casinos, no cheap motels; just a scattering of empty shops, most of which had FOR LEASE signs in the windows. Several were boarded up.

Half an hour ago, Aiden had come through with a name and an address for a very specialized tuner named Stewart Pitney. Pitney was no longer among the living, having died in a suspicious fire that destroyed his shop.

Gabriel had called Lucy to tell her he was going to be late because he wanted to take a look around the burned-out shop. She had insisted on joining him. Jared had delivered her to the front door of Guild headquarters and briefed Gabriel on the Roxby encounter. Gabriel had immediately gotten a ping that told him something was off.

He dropped the phone into his jacket and started walking again. He resumed the conversation he and Lucy were having.

“I don’t like the way the Roxbys are suddenly pressuring you to join their organization,” he said.

“Relax.” Lucy adjusted her pack. “I’m sure it’s just a business maneuver. Can’t blame them. They know I’ve got a Guild contract. They want in on the action.”

“Got a feeling there’s more to it than that.”

“Jared and I discussed possibilities, but we couldn’t come up with any reasonable explanation.”

“What if they’ve made a discovery in the Underworld but can’t get to it because of bad weather?”

Lucy shook her head. “It’s hard to believe they’re up against something they can’t take care of on their own. They’re both very, very good, Gabriel. What’s more, they can combine their talents and work as a team.”

“Maybe they don’t want to take the risk of tackling whatever it is that they are after,” he said.

“I just can’t see them hiring a bunch of thugs to kidnap me.”