Wild Cards 17 - Death Draws Five

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Peaceable Kingdom: The Angels’ Bower

 

Ray knew where he would find the Angel. He went to Barnett’s headquarters as quickly as he could. The corridor leading to Barnett’s office sanctum was empty. Ray rushed into the reception area to see Sally Lou sitting behind her desk and the two Secret Service agents crowded around the door leading into Barnett’s office, looking in but afraid to enter.

 

Ray brushed by them as if they were children, and they didn’t even protest. He took in the room with a single glance. Barnett was on his knees, praying loudly. Angel was standing by him with her hands on her hips and a frown on her face. He also noted that a hole had been punched through one of the sanctum’s walls. The Witness lay in the corridor beyond. He didn’t look too good.

 

Ray rushed up to Angel. “You had me worried there—” he began.

 

“Sometimes,” Angel said, “you think too much. Kiss me.”

 

He did, with enthusiasm. He could have kept it up for a long time, but he realized that things weren’t finished, by any means.

 

“John Fortune—” he said, somewhat breathlessly as he pulled away from her.

 

She nodded. “He’s in Fortunato’s suite. There—something’s wrong with him,” she said with a concerned expression. “His temperature is rising. The Hand—Barnett said that it was out of control.”

 

Ray glanced at Barnett, who was loudly praying for guidance and forgiveness. He nodded. “Let’s go.”