Fire Within - By Ally Shields Page 0,92

liked it when it worked for him. “Her aura is so lacking in color, I have trouble believing she has an ounce of intuition or magical ability. But that could be part of her demon cover. “

As they headed for their final interview, Ari considered whether the morning had been worth the time. Had they gained anything? So far, they hadn’t eliminated anyone. Freida Stanley had surfaced as a suspect, but her credentials had already been suspicious.

Ari gasped as a stab of hot malignancy hit her in front of Shale’s office. She leaped forward and threw the door open, catching four people in a heated argument. The raging magical energy blinked off. Amelia Binderman, Sarah Young, Harold Shale, and Freida Stanley stared at her intrusion.

Flashing a frown at Ari, Ryan recovered first. “Sorry, if we interrupted. We’re here for your interview, Mr. Shale. If you have the time?”

“Yeah, sorry to intrude,” Ari added lamely.

The agency owner frowned, picked up the sheet of questions from his desk, and handed it to Ryan. The answers were neatly typed. “I have an appointment to keep,” Shale said. “I’ve covered everything on this, but call Ms. Binderman if you need something more. I trust you have gotten what you needed from everyone else?” He made it a question.

“I understand your time crunch,” Ryan said. “I still need a couple minutes. It’ll be short.”

During this conversation, Ari watched the four counselors, reaching out with witch senses. Where had that revealing energy come from? She was sure the creature was in this room, and its blocking defenses had faltered for an instant, a second of lost control during an argument. Ari’s hasty response may have alerted the demon she was aware of its existence. She wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad thing, but it added a new dimension.

Shale gave in to Ryan’s insistence. Glaring at his employees until they hustled out the door, he returned to sit behind his imposing desk. Establishing a barrier this time, Ari thought, wondering if Shale’s attitude was more than normal irritation.

She paid little attention to the initial questions, allowing her gaze to wander around the room, as Ryan asked about Shale’s background and counseling experience prior to Riverdale. She heard Shale mention California, but her mind was still on that moment outside the door. “What was the argument about?” she popped in at the first pause in the conversation. “The one our arrival broke up.”

“I hardly think that concerns you.” When she frowned, Shale softened his response. “Our differences over office policy can’t be of much interest to you or your investigation.”

“I’m surprised you allow employee dissent. I mean, this is your agency. Doesn’t that mean your policies?” She was sure he was lying.

“We work as a team. Are we done?” He started to get up.

“Is this office locked when you’re not here?” she asked.

Shale’s frown was puzzled. “My personal office? Of course. There are confidential files in my cabinets.”

“Who has keys?”

His frown lines deepened. “Counselors, secretaries. I guess the janitorial staff. Why do you ask?”

Ari smiled. “Thanks.” She and Shale stared at one another for a moment.

“My appointment is waiting,” he finally said. “Ms. Binderman can help you with anything further.”

Ari got to her feet. Shale didn’t like them being there, or maybe it was just her, but she wasn’t picking up anything more disturbing. Excellent blocking or wrong suspect?

As she and Ryan stepped out of the agency’s front door, the early afternoon heat blasted their AC-chilled skin. Instant perspiration popped out and Ari blinked in the sun’s glare. “Wow. How high is the humidity?”

Ryan shed his jacket and slung it over one shoulder. “You want to tell me what happened outside Shale’s office?”

“Demon energy. I’m sure of it. But I don’t know which one.”

“Let’s arrest all four.”

Appalled, Ari spun to face him. “Good goddess, Ryan, you can’t arrest a demon. It would kill us and everything else in its path. We can’t make a move until we figure out how to contain it. I thought you understood that part.”

“When this is over, I’m demanding a transfer,” he growled. “I’m sick of this mystical shit.”

“Oh, yeah, and I’m going to take up knitting. It’ll get better, as soon as we figure out the magic.”

“What’s next?” he asked, still sounding gruff.

“Back to the research. Maybe I’ll catch a short nap first. I’m running low…” Ari stopped as Sarah Young exited the building and hurried toward them. Ari tensed, wary of a potential demon attack. Her witch