needs in mind.” The archangel looked at Eve, but she already understood that he was talking to her as much as to them.
“I’m impressed that you would take time out of your schedule for a class,” Roger said. “The waiting list for that course must be years long. Maybe I could get my brother on it? I forgot his birthday last month.”
“It is a private class, given to select employees.”
“Lucky employees.” Linda smiled. “So . . . would you be interested in roughly thirty minutes of fame? It’s an hour-long show, but commercials and setup eat up time. We would love to have you along. We’ve never had a celebrity guest before.”
“I am hardly a celebrity,” Gadara protested, but Eve sensed he enjoyed the thought.
“You’re very nearly a household name,” Roger countered. “As well known as Donald Trump.”
“Your presence would boost our ratings,” Linda cajoled. “Plus, it’s fun.”
Gadara smiled boyishly. “Where are you investigating?”
“Anytown.”
If Eve hadn’t been looking for his surprise, she might have missed it.
Archangels are brilliant actors.
Startled by the new voice, Eve’s gaze darted to find the source. A deep bark brought her attention to the Great Dane leaping from the passenger seat of the red pickup. A pretty redhead exited from the driver’s side and called out, “Don’t bark at the neighbors, Freddy.”
Freddy rolled his eyes, then dipped his large head in a bow to Gadara.
“You have a dog,” Eve said.
“Yeah.” Roger snapped his fingers, and Freddy padded over. “Animals have keener senses. When the viewers see that Freddy is bored, they know nothing paranormal is at work.”
Obviously, I’m a brilliant actor, too.
Eve winked at him.
Gadara cleared his throat and looked suitably regretful. “We are utilizing Anytown at the moment.”
“No worries,” Roger assured. “The commandant warned us. We film at night, so we won’t get in your way.”
Curious to see how he would maneuver his way through this new curve, Eve watched the archangel closely.
“Hang on.” Linda pulled away from Roger and ran back to the van. She dug into a duffel bag resting on the threshold of the open sliding rear door, then returned with a DVD case that she extended to Gadara. “Here’s the episode of Paranormal Territory that was filmed here at McCroskey. Take a look at it. We won’t start filming until midnight. Hopefully that will give you plenty of time to consider it.”
Gadara accepted the video, then made their excuses. Eve waved to Freddy before falling into step beside the archangel.
“We can’t leave them here alone,” she said.
“Clean-up is progressing as we speak, and I will speak with the lieutenant colonel again.”
“Going to put the persuasive whammy on her?”
“I will simply suggest that she delay them until we are completely cleared out.”
“Shouldn’t we catch whoever killed Molenaar before we say we’re done here? We can clean up and go, but that doesn’t mean the killer won’t be left behind.”
“You no longer believe the culprit is one of your classmates, Ms. Hollis? Or me?”
She also had concerns about the Infernals working for him, but she’d keep that to herself for now. “I never said it was any of you.”
“Not directly, but the implication—the suspicion—is there.”
“Okay. That mind-pillaging thing is just plain creepy. If I have something to say to you, I’ll say it. Please don’t dig around in my brain.”
“It is concern for you that motivates me.”
“Really? And that’s why you decided to ignore the Novium that’s tearing me up?”
Stopping by the Porsche, the archangel faced her with narrowed eyes. “Tell me how you think I can best help you.”
Eve’s fingers touched the trunk, seeking a connection with the vehicle in lieu of Reed. The car was sleek, expensive, and dangerously fast. Just like the man who drove it. “They invited us to go with them. I think we should. We could protect them.”
The archangel shook his head and handed her the DVD. “Let me speak with the colonel before we consider that. In the interim, go inside with the others and help them pack. Make sure that we are prepared to go.”
She took the video. “The girls’ side is done and ready to load.”
“Excellent. Now concentrate on the provisions and equipment.”
With two guards still in Anytown and two always on point with Gadara, that left only the Marks to do the grunt work. “All right, I’ll play along,” she said, disgruntled. “For now.”
“And stay away from Abel,” he added. “He needs to cool down some, as do you.”
Eve shot him a wry glance. “So you finally admit I’m running a fever?”
His mouth