don’t think I have to mention the importance of this one.”
“Yes you do,” Rev demanded. “Why is Petrovic so important? What is it about him?”
“He’s just—” Mahoney stammered. A new one for him. “He’s important, that’s all. Ask Morris. He’ll tell you.”
“Petrovic was and still is one of the most brilliant minds ever,” Morris could only agree with Mahoney. “His genius in the wrong hands could be devastating.”
Mahoney rammed it home. “And The Singulate is the wrong hands. Get my drift?”
“Yeah, we get it,” Rev smirked. “Petrovic is our next mark. Only one problem. The only one who knows where he’s located isn’t talking.”
“What do you mean?”
“He means Alexandra Petrovic. She’s too terrified to tell us where her husband is,” Morris said. “But we’re hopeful she’ll loosen up for us.”
“You’d better get her to. Petrovic needs to be rescued, and soon.”
“What’s the big hurry?” Abby’s internal alarms were going off. “Why all this excitement about a scientist who’s been dead for almost seventy years?”
Mahoney’s only answer was to repeat what he’d said about finding Petrovic. Everyone knew the key was somehow pacifying Alexandra and getting her to trust Ghost Guard.
Chapter 7
Alexandra Petrovic remained reluctant to talk, so the crew decided to conduct a bit of research on the enigmatic group known as The Singulate. Morris devoted himself to scouring the Ghost Guard database, an extensive electronic codex of information on all things supernatural. Ruby decided to go on one of her recon missions without telling anyone much of anything. Brutus kept to himself in his hermitage at Gasworks, the clock tower perched ominously over a strangely gabled, moss-covered slate roof. The old gothic building’s exterior was kept deteriorated, shattered windows and weatherworn brick and overgrown vegetation emerging from rusted gutters. All indications were the place was a dead, abandoned, ramshackle structure, a symbol of some lost and forgotten era. Only Ghost Guard knew the real truth, that inside, on the second floor, was an ultramodern para-scientific lab and a renovated, stylish office suite.
Abby was looking forward to retreating and relaxing in that luxurious and comfortable office. But she had something else in mind, and that something itched at her. After Ruby and Brutus left the lab, and with Morris engulfed in his investigation into The Singulate, Abby concluded her best course of action was to wait for the results. She hadn’t noticed Rev had gone, and when she looked for him she was surprised, almost hurt that he’d left without as much as saying goodbye. Then a hint of guilt emerged, and she was worried maybe something she’d said had angered him. She had been a bit on edge. Who could blame her? It really looked like the Alexandra was hitting on Rev. And Abby really thought Rev was manipulating Alexandra into acting so sex-starved.
However, all Abby wanted now was to see Rev, to talk to him and tell him she forgave him, and maybe, just maybe if he was lucky and nice, she’d ask for his forgiveness.
Exasperated, she retreated to her sanctum, the teak and travertine mecca. Her office. The one place in Gasworks where she felt a sense of peace. Everywhere else it was either Ruby’s John Wayne movies or Brutus hammering a punching bag or Morris trying out another of his gadgets. The day’s events were stressful and she relished the thought of some alone time.
Still, a word, a glance, a moment with Rev would have been nice.
When she opened the door, she knew right away something was amiss. Someone was waiting in there for her. She felt a cool touch on the small of her back and spun with deft expertise, facing him. Her first instinct was to fight. But one look, just a moment’s glance into his emerald eyes, and all of her inhibitions evaporated into a sudden and bold move toward his