and dropped the heavy bolt into place on the iron-banded door, effectively locking that part of the chateau.
“Why the kitchens first?” James asked.
“Because of the weapons it offers,” Saint-Germain answered. “Knives, cleavers, forks, skewers, pokers. A kitchen is an armory on a smaller scale. If she has gone there, it will be touchy for us.”
They completed their search in fifteen minutes and were satisfied that wherever Madame Kunst was, she had not been there.
“This might not bode well. If she has panicked—which isn’t likely—it is merely a matter of finding her. But if she is acting with deliberation, it means she is already prepared and we must keep that in mind.”
“Does she know we’re looking for her, do you think?”
“Quite possibly. That is something else to keep in mind.” He was walking back toward the main hall and the barred door. “This may be somewhat more difficult. We can close off the wing, but it provides endless places to hide, to ambush.”
“Great,” James said with hearty sarcasm.
“Although some of the same advantages apply to us. I wish I knew what it was she is trying to do. If I did, then I could counteract it more effectively.” His hand was resting on the heavy bolt.
“And you won’t call the authorities,” James said.
“We’ve had this discussion already. You know the answer. We must settle this for ourselves. And for Madelaine, since she is the one who will have to live here when this is over.” He let James consider this. “You and I are transient. This is her native earth.”
“Okay, okay,” James said, then waved a hand at the door. “What do we do, once we get in there?”
“To begin with, we move very quietly. And we make every effort not to frighten her. Frightened people do foolish and dangerous things.” He lifted the bolt and drew back the door. “For the moment, keep behind me, James. If you see or hear anything, tap my shoulder. Don’t speak.”
“Right,” James said, feeling a bit silly. He had seen war and knew how great the risks were for those caught up in the deadly game, but skulking around the halls of an old chateau after a woman with a worn leather valise seemed like acting out a Grade-B movie from Universal. When the door was pulled closed behind him, he was disturbed by it. The hall was very dark, with five narrow shafts of light coming from the high, notched windows. James watched Saint-Germain start toward the muniment room, and for the first time noticed the power and grace of his movements—he was controlled and feral at once, beautiful and awesome.
At the entrance to the muniment room, Saint-Germain held up his hand to motion James to stillness. He slipped through the narrow opening, then returned several long moments later. “She is not here now, but has been here,” Saint-Germain told James in a whisper that was so quiet it was almost wholly inaudible. “One of the old plans of Montalia is missing.”
The two rooms below the muniment room were empty and apparently untouched. James was becoming strangely nervous, as if unknown wings had brushed the back of his neck. He found it difficult to be self-contained and was all for hurrying up the search so that he could bring his restlessness back under control. “She’s in the upper rooms if she’s anywhere in this part of the chateau,” James murmured, wanting to speak at a more normal level.
“Patience, James. You and I have much more time than she does.” He made a last check around the small salon, then gestured to James to follow him. “We’ll try the tower rooms next. Be careful of the steps.”
The narrow, circular stairwell was dark at all times, but Saint-Germain carried no light. James was growing accustomed to his improved dark vision, but was still not entirely confident of this to climb without watching his feet. For once, he was the one who lagged.
The first storeroom proved empty, but Saint-Germain indicated that he wanted to make a warning trap. “Nothing complicated; a few things that will make noise if knocked over. Should she be behind us, we will have a little time,” he whispered, and set about his work.
James stood on the landing, experiencing the same unpleasant sensation he had had in the lower room. On impulse, he decided to investigate the next room himself, thereby saving them time as well as giving himself the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile. He moved close to the door, as