Quicksilver

TWENTY-THREE

“Congratulations, you found our missing clock maker,” Owen said. “But it appears that in addition to being a brilliant glasslight-talent, she is also highly intuitive.”

“She must have sensed that someone was closing in on her and her business,” Nick said.

They were standing in the shadows of the empty shop. Millicent Bridewell had disappeared, along with every trace of her clockwork curiosities.

Owen walked into the back room and studied the empty shelves and workbench. “Given her rather dangerous sideline, she no doubt made plans for just such an emergency departure.”

“Want me to keep looking for her?”

“No, we cannot afford the time. She is Arcane’s problem now. We must concentrate on our killer scientist. Are you free tonight?”

“I’m always free at night, you know that,” Nick said.

“Good. I want you to accompany me to a reception.”

“I detest social affairs,” Nick said. “You know that, as well. It is the primary reason why I spend most of my evenings with my books.”

Owen walked out of the back room and headed toward the front door of the shop. “I don’t enjoy such affairs any more than you do. But I need your help tonight.”

Nick followed him. “Receptions are boring.”

“I don’t think this one will be.”

“Why? Because it is being held at the Leybrook Institute? I don’t see how that makes it any more appealing.”

“We are not going to attend for the purpose of amusing ourselves. We will be hunting.”

“Huh. I suppose that might make it a bit more interesting. How do you expect to find your killer in a crowd?”

Owen opened the door and went out onto the fogbound street. “By now he will be obsessed with Miss Dean. I do not think that he can spend an entire evening in the same room with her without getting close to her at some point.”

“Obsession is a strange and powerful force,” Nick agreed. He closed the shop door. “It makes people do things that go against logic and reason.”

“Exactly.”

“Do you know, I have not seen you this intrigued by a case in a very long time.”

“It is the most interesting hunt that has come along in a while.”

“It came along thanks to J & J,” Nick pointed out.

“Yes,” Owen said. “I think the agency will become a regular, established client for us in the future.”

“Because J & J and Arcane hunt the same monsters?”

Owen smiled. “I predict a long and profitable partnership.”