Free Demons are a Ghoul's Best Friend: Afterglow, Book 2 by Wynne Hayworth Page A

completing. No reason to tell Cheney that. In fact, she’d much prefer he shut up and drove.
    Deliberately, she turned her attention to Buck again. “I’m guessing you set up this appointment, Detective Shand. Thank you. I appreciate the help.”
    “Don’t thank me.” He leaned back comfortably. “My wife has the contacts. She pulled a few strings and called in a few favors.”
    “That’s very nice of her.” Pandora smiled politely. “Please pass my thanks along to her, then.” She glanced out the window. “Where are we going?” She realized they’d passed through the business district and were heading to one of the smaller and more ethnic parts of town.
    “The lab is in Chinatown.”
    “Really?” She blinked at Buck’s answer. “I had no idea there were labs in that area.”
    Cheney snorted. “That’s the whole idea. Private lab means just that. Private . As in nobody knows about it.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “Thank you for the clarification. I might have missed it.”
    “You’re welcome. Like I said. Nice shirt. Fits you to a tee.”
    Fighting down the urge to grind her teeth or lean over and whack him upside the head, Pandora merely clamped her lips together. There was no point in engaging in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. Her father had taught her that years ago.
    She watched the buildings change from solidly practical to decoratively ornamental, admiring the delicate carvings which began to appear around doorways. The colors seemed vibrant in the morning sun, and soon she was surrounded by a world that celebrated all things oriental.
    They pulled to a stop in front of a massive pair of Chinese Foo dog statues, sitting sedately on either side of a large doorway.
    She blinked as she got out of the car. “Wow. These look really old.”
    “I’m reassured they don’t bite.” Buck chuckled and patted one affectionately between its stone ears as he pushed the door open politely for Pandora and Cheney. “I think you’ll enjoy this.” He led them into the dark interior and then stood back so they could see what was there.
    “Oh.” She couldn’t stop the exclamation.
    It was a shop, of sorts, full of amazing things, statues, fans, jade pieces and jade jewelry, glittering stuff that caught the eye next to what might well have been a Ming dynasty vase. The air was rich with the fragrance of delicate incense, and Pandora would have given a lot to be left alone in it for a day or two just so that she could take a long look at everything.
    On one shelf, right about eye level, was a carving. A lovingly executed, smooth and glowing piece of wood shaped into a sleeping dragon.
    No gnarled beast here, but a gently whimsical portrayal of the mighty beast at rest, scales settled softly against its skin, eyelids closed, nostrils flared as if it snored where it rested on its front claws. The wings were furled down a portion of its back—Pandora held her breath, wondering for an instant if she might hear a tiny snuffling sound.
    Tentatively she reached out to stroke the noble head.
    “Aha. You find something.”
    She jumped. An elderly Chinese woman was observing her from a rocking chair deep in the shadows with what appeared to be a giant cat on her lap.
    “Go ahead. Touch. He is for all the senses, not just the eyes.”
    “Er, that’s okay. Thank you anyway. He’s very beautiful.”
    Buck stood from where he’d been leaning over the woman’s chair. “Old mother, this is my partner Cheney Fisher. And his—er—our friend, Pandora Jackson. We’re here to visit Karl.”
    The old woman nodded and Pandora caught a glimpse of her eyes. Pure white orbs stared out from beneath the almond-shaped lids. Not sure if she was blind or not, Pandora opted for courtesy. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. There are some wonderful treasures here.”
    “Fire head.”
    “Pardon?”
    “You have head like fire.” The old woman cackled. “Long man wants to warm himself. Burn his cock in your