Veil of Civility: A Black Shuck Thriller (Declan McIver Series) by Ian Graham Read Free Book Online

front, I can deal with that," said Declan.
    "Dr. Kafni wanted to make sure you had the best seats in the house," said Levitt, as he motioned them forward. "You'll be seated with Dr. Coulson, the Barton Center's dean, and Chancellor Falwell, once he arrives. But for now, let me show you to where Dr. Kafni is."
    Declan and Constance followed as Levitt led them past the last row of tables to the side of the stage, on either side of which a blue velvet curtain had been hung from the ceiling to create a backstage area. Levitt pulled back the curtain and held it open as Declan and Constance entered.
    Standing in the center of the space were two men, both dressed in suits. Declan immediately recognized Dr. Abaddon Kafni, known to anyone who had the honor of calling him friend as “Abe”, but had no idea who the second man was.
    Dressed in a black and gray pinstriped suit that seemed to hang off his lanky appendages, and with a broad brow, a face that closely followed the contours of the skull beneath his flesh, and large ears that seemed to sit just a little lower than normal, Kafni looked the part of educated pundit. He smiled broadly as he saw Levitt returning, followed closely by Declan.
    “I found him harassing the security,” Levitt announced with a grin as he stopped mid-way between the curtain and the two men.
    “My friend, I'm glad you could come," said Kafni, in perfect but accented English. He extended his hand as the McIvers walked past Levitt.
    Grabbing Kafni's hand firmly, Declan said, “Well, I've never been one to disappoint.”
    “No, you haven't. You, my friend, have always been very consistent, and that is something of value." Kafni turned back towards the man he'd been standing with. “This is Dr. Michael Coulson. He is the dean of the new programs here at Liberty and a man I'll be working closely with as we attempt to win the hearts and minds of this nation's youth. Michael, this is Declan McIver, a close friend, and his wife, Constance.”
    “Hi. How are you?” Declan asked, as his right hand left Kafni's and moved towards the hand of the tall, dark haired man. With a lined face and a bell-shaped nose that stood atop a bushy mustache, rather like a five and dime disguise, Coulson fit the academic persona perfectly. His well-tailored suit swished as he extended his hand; it was as if the polyester dreaded the movement for fear of a wrinkle.
    “Let me guess, East Belfast?” he said, shaking Declan's hand, a toothy smile giving him the air of a politician or used car salesman.
    “Galway, actually; close though.”
    “Oh well. What can I say…I never was any good at telling the difference in the accents, even after seven years at Queen's,” Coulson said, referencing time he had apparently spent studying or teaching at Queen's University in Belfast. Declan didn't care enough to ask which.
    “No, you did well. I'm surprised you picked up on it at all. It's been a long time.” Declan knew it was more likely that Coulson had picked up on his name rather than his accent. With the “Mc” prefix it was obviously British as opposed to the more Irish sounding names that often began with an “O”. East Belfast was home to the majority British Protestant population of Northern Ireland's largest city and Coulson apparently knew that much.
    Conscious that the past held events that neither of them cared to discuss at any length with Coulson, Kafni clasped his hands together loudly and said, “So, this is your wife? She's more beautiful than you described, Declan, you should be ashamed."
    Constance blushed as Kafni took her hand lightly. "Hi, Dr. Kafni, it's a pleasure to meet you."
    "Abe, please call me Abe. I'm delighted to meet you."
    Constance smiled and said, "Okay, Abe then."
    "Did your husband ever tell you about the time he saved my life?"
    "No, he didn't," Constance said, rolling her eyes towards Declan. "That must be quite a story."
    "It is and I can't wait to tell you about it. I'm looking forward