The Serpent's Kiss

89

Michael Church didn’t want to admit it, but he was relieved when his mother called. He was getting increasingly freaked out by this. There were so many people! And that was just on the walkway around The Palace. There were people milling around outside and the arena itself was slowly starting to fill up, and there were luxury suites that he didn’t have access to.

She’d asked where he was and he’d told her he was by the north entrance and she’d told him to stay put, she was on her way. She’d asked where Ray was and he’d told her about missing him. She hadn’t responded to that, and—

It took a minute for his brain to consciously lock onto what he was seeing. He blinked. That guy…

A guy who looked just like Kevin Matsumoto was moving toward him. Michael thought he was staring and didn’t want to attract the guy’s attention, so he turned, glanced at his cell phone to verify the picture, then put the phone to his ear, pretending to listen to someone on the other end.

The guy walked by him, not three feet away. He wore black pants and a red shirt that said Palace Staff on the left breast and he carried what looked like a tool kit of some sort in a bag he carried over one shoulder. He was tall, with narrow shoulders, long arms and a brisk, aggressive stride.

For a moment Matsumoto’s gaze flicked over him, then he moved on.

Michael felt a chill. There was something about the guy’s expression, so cold, that gave him the creeps.

And yes, it was Kevin Matsumoto.

When Matsumoto was past him, Michael turned to follow, punching up his mom’s number.