A Demon's Work Is Never Done: Latter Day Demons, Book 2 by Connie Suttle Read Free Book Online Page B

wondered if they knew who'd been placed in Loftin's cell before the scheduled execution.
    For now, I was grateful Loftin hadn't gone on another killing spree. It made me wonder if his parents knew where he was, or whether he'd been squirreled away by those who'd facilitated his escape.
    If the latter were true, then Laurel and her Karathian counterparts had a torturing and killing machine at their disposal. Either way, it wasn't good.
    "Baby, we'll get through this," Kory's hand gripped mine as the jet descended toward Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
    * * *
    Kordevik
    On the drive to the Qualls' home outside Austin, I watched Lexsi's face. She wasn't talking, but I understood Loftin Qualls' attack on a women's shelter still disturbed her. I had no idea what his parents would be like—they had to know their son was a monster.
    Kell—he'd read about Qualls' conviction on the plane ride to Texas, which included files of material describing his victims. I'd discovered that Kell was a speed-reader—no surprise, since he was an old vampire.
    What did surprise me was the way he'd accepted English as another language in his repertoire. I'd had to fumble my way through slang, idioms and colloquialisms for three months or more before feeling comfortable.
    Kell had it already, and I could only salute his rapid adaptability.
    "We're here," Jorden announced as he steered the car through a tall, metal gate. It was open because we had an appointment.
    The wide, intricately carved front door opened before we could knock; a servant invited us into the massive home and asked if we wanted food or drink.
    Jorden declined for all of us; I didn't want anything from anyone named Qualls. I knew Lexsi didn't, either. If I'd had my way, I'd have gone in with Kell, only, and we'd have done the questioning rather than putting Lexsi through this.
    It's fine , Lexsi sent mindspeech. I want to know whether they're at the bottom of this and if they know where Loftin is, now. Off the record, remember?
    That had been Opal's stipulation—that any information given by Loftin's parents would remain secret—they believed we wanted to ask questions about a copycat killer.
    We were ushered into a downstairs sitting room, where Gerald and Anne were seated, waiting for us.
    Behind them hung a painting of Gerald's father, who'd served in the state legislature. They were arming themselves against any accusations that could come from us, by dressing regally, jewelry included.
    We were seated opposite them, much like an audience with royals. Frankly, I didn't care how much goddam money they had. Their son was a murderous lunatic, and they'd paid to get him out of jail.
    That's when Lexsi's hand touched mine. We'll get through this , she reminded me.
    Yeah. I wondered how long the royal couple's composure would last if my Thifilathi appeared and offered to take them to hell.
    * * *
    Lexsi
    "Why do you think someone would copy your son's crimes?" I asked. I wanted to feel them out. If they didn't believe Loftin guilty, it would come out now.
    It did.
    "Loftin was convicted on purely circumstantial evidence," Gerald Qualls said immediately.
    Lie .
    "Do you have any idea who the real culprit was, then?" I asked.
    "The police have files and files on possible suspects," Anne said.
    Partial truth .
    Her voice was rough—almost a gasp. She had emphysema, according to the reports. She'd chosen to meet us without her oxygen tank—it just didn't go well with her dress.
    "It's my guess that whoever did the original murders killed those women in that shelter," Gerald insisted.
    Lie .
    "Where is Loftin now?" Kell broke in.
    "Why, in Heaven," Anne snapped.
    Big lie .
    "Tell us the truth," Kell said, placing compulsion. "How much did you pay to get Loftin out of prison?"
    "Two-hundred million, disguised as an investment," Gerald said immediately while Anne nodded.
    "Where is Loftin now?" Kell asked.
    "They took him. We had him in a safe place on our ranch, and guarded day