Silver Master by Jayne Castle Read Free Book Online Page B

green hell six months ago. A lot of old clients had been unwilling to take a chance on him after the disaster. He was well aware that if he screwed up, it was a good bet they’d never see any more business from the Guild or any other high-profile corporation.
    Trig snorted. “Sounds like you’d better keep an eye on the matchmaker. If she didn’t know the relic was worth a lot to the Guild before she talked to you, she’ll know it now.”
    â€œDon’t worry, I’m going to put her under close surveillance tonight.”
    â€œStakeout?”
    â€œDinner date.”
    Trig’s heavy black brows bounced up and down a few times. “You’re dating someone who is involved in the case? You never do that. Thought it was one of your rules.”
    â€œComes under the heading of undercover work. Any messages?”
    â€œCooper Boone called while you were out. He wants you to call him back when you get a chance.”
    â€œDamn. I’ve been trying to duck him. He’s going to lean on me to attend his wedding in a couple of weeks.”
    â€œStop fighting it, boss. He’s an old friend. You have to go. There’s no way around it.”
    Trig was right. He had been friends with Cooper Boone for over a decade. They had some stuff in common when it came to weird talents. Boone was now the head of the Aurora Springs Guild. In a couple of weeks he was going to marry Elly St. Clair, the daughter of a prominent Aurora Springs Guild family. The wedding was certain to be a huge formal Covenant Marriage affair with all the trimmings. Davis would have preferred to go to the dentist.
    â€œI’m too old to be going to weddings,” he said. “You know how it is if you show up without a date at my age. Everyone immediately starts trying to set you up with their sister’s friend’s second cousin.”
    â€œTell me about it. Pressure city. Hey, I’m in the same boat, remember? I’ve got three invitations this week, so far. Face it, it’s the wedding season. What are ya gonna do?”
    Davis nodded glumly. “Anything else?”
    â€œYep, your brother called. Says to warn you that your mother is plotting to introduce you to another candidate.”
    A sense of gloom pressed down on him. “My lucky day.”
    â€œThe lady’s name is Nola Walters. According to your brother, her family’s third-generation Guild from Crystal City. Your mom met her through a friend.”
    Just what he did not need, Davis thought. Another attempt at matchmaking by his mother.
    â€œWhere’s the mail?” he asked.
    â€œThere wasn’t much today. Couple of bills.” Trig handed him a crisp white envelope. “And this.”
    Davis took the letter and glanced at the return address. He recognized it immediately. It was the third letter he’d had from the Glenfield Institute in the past three weeks.
    â€œI’ll be in my office.” He held out his hand to Max. “Let’s go, partner.”
    Max scurried up his arm and resumed his position on Davis’s shoulder.
    Davis went through the door of his office, dropped the briefcase beside the desk, and sat down. Max bounced down onto the desk and went straight to his favorite source of amusement, the green quartz vase that held a mound of paper clips. He settled down on the rim of the vase and began rummaging through the shiny heap.
    Davis leaned back in the chair and stacked his heels on the corner of the desk. He tapped the envelope against the arm of the chair a couple of times, debating whether to rip it up without reading it or read it first and then rip it up. Decisions, decisions.
    Eventually he reached for the letter opener, slashed the envelope, and removed the sheet of letterhead inside. The message was the same as the previous two letters.
    Dear Mr. Oakes:
    It has come to my attention that you have missed all of the follow-up appointments that were scheduled for you after