The Serpent's Kiss

91

Jill answered her phone. It was Michael. She could hear a babble of noise in the background — people talking, recorded music, the shuffle and clatter of people walking. Michael’s voice was an excited whisper. “I’ve got him.”

“Where?”

“He’s walking, we’re just past the north entrance.”

“Okay,” Jill said. “Okay, Michael. Good. Keep an eye on him, but stay back. Don’t let him know you’re back there, okay? Whatever you do, don’t engage with him.”

“Yeah, yeah… uh, he’s out of sight, he just headed into some sort of-”

Suddenly the connection dropped out.

“Michael? Michael!?” Jill stared at the phone. The readout said: CALL ENDED.

She punched the redial but got an OUT OF SERVICE message and was transferred to Michael’s voicemail.

Jill screeched to a halt next to a long white limousine and sprinted for the entrance.