Only Eun stayed out of the group’s romantic entanglements, preferring to keep his homosexuality quiet. "Lazarus says that he had a brief fling with her a few months after coming to Sovereign. It didn’t last, partially because his amnesia put a wall between them. That’s all we need to know."
Samantha pursed her pretty lips. "You said that The Claw called her his lover. Present-tense."
"I don’t think they’re still together." Eun’s tone became a bit harsher now, as his temper gave way. "And what difference does it make anyway? He has the right to live his own life. All of us do!"
Samantha blinked in surprise, realizing she’d hit some sort of nerve. "Sorry, Eun. I didn’t mean anything, really. I was just jealous, that’s all."
Eun looked out the window and took a deep breath. "No. I’m the one who needs to apologize. It’s just… I’ve been keeping a relationship from the rest of you, too."
Samantha relaxed, feeling more at ease now. She reached out and patted Eun on the shoulder. "That’s wonderful, Eun. When can I meet her?"
"Him."
"What?"
Eun turned his head slightly, so that he could see her face. "Him. Not her."
Samantha’s mouth parted in surprise. "Oh." A second later, she recovered her usual sense of decorum. "Well, then. Him. When I do get to meet him?"
A faint smile played across Eun’s lips. "You don’t mind, do you?"
"Did you think that I would?"
"Not really. It’s just hard to share sometimes. You understand?"
Samantha paused and then nodded slowly. She knew what Eun was really saying: that there were things everyone kept hidden. Maybe this was one of those sorts of things for Lazarus.
Though Samantha had thought of Kelly Emerson as merely "the curator’s daughter," she was in fact much more. A graduate of Sovereign University, Kelly held doctorates in archaeology and anthropology. Standing nearly six feet tall and possessed of flowing red hair, she looked like a modern Amazon, with enough curves to unsettle even the most ardent of playboys. Her glittering green eyes and full lips had warmed Gray’s heart when he’d first met her and their love affair was still recent enough that both of them found it slightly uncomfortable to be in the same room.
Lazarus stood facing her cluttered desk, his eyes traveling over the familiar walls. Several tribal masks from Africa were placed above a crowded bookcase, while a mummified cat sat perched watchfully on a nearby table.
Kelly wore a long white dress that buttoned down the front. She normally hated to wear dresses or skirts but found that it eased dealings with men when she was at the museum. Given her druthers, she would have traipsed around in hiking boots, khaki shorts and a sensible shirt. Alas, it was still a man’s world, even in the modern era of 1935.
"You can sit down, you know," she said, opening a slim cigarette case. "You still don’t smoke?"
"No, I don’t." Gray picked up a stack of papers and set them on the floor, freeing up a chair for him sit down in. "You don’t seem to be taking this very seriously."
Kelly took a drag on her cigarette and leaned back in her chair. She crossed her legs, somewhat disappointed that Gray’s eyes didn’t take the bait. "Let me get this straight. The person who burned down the orphanage is actually a demon known as The God of Hate. This monster has threatened to take your lover hostage and so that’s why you’re here?" Kelly shrugged her shoulders. "We haven’t been lovers for a long time, Lazarus. You don’t think he meant anyone else?"
"I haven’t been with another woman."
Kelly dropped her gaze and sighed. "You’re a strange one, Mr. Gray. Ever get that memory of yours straightened out?"
"Somewhat. I know what my name used to be and I know a few details about my past. But most of it still seems like a dream; like it happened to someone else."
"What’s your real name?"
"Lazarus Gray."
Kelly laughed. "Okay. So the old you is dead and gone, then?"
"For all intents and purposes. There’s still an organization out there that I used to have ties to… but I hope to take care of that soon."
"Well, I’m happy for you." Kelly blew out a long stream of smoke, her lips pursed. "So what do you want me to do? Lock myself in my office until the danger’s passed?"
"No. I’d like to keep you at Assistance Unlimited headquarters."
"But you said The God of Hate managed to waltz right in there. What makes you think I’d be any safer there?"
"I’d feel better if you were closer to me."
The silence that followed was uncomfortable for them both. When Kelly decided to speak, her voice was much softer and the confidence she generally exuded seemed shaken. "Do you really think he’s going to come after me?"
"I’m positive of it."
Kelly ground out her cigarette in a small tray on her desk and stood up. "Okay. Let me go tell Daddy that I’m going to be going away for a few days. Then I’d like to go by my home and get some spare clothing and toiletries."
"I can drive you there," Gray said, getting to his feet.
"Okay." Kelly opened the door and offered him a brief smile. "Daddy’s office is just down the hall. Wait for me?"
Gray nodded quickly, watching her go. He moved to the door and kept his eyes on her as she moved to a nearby office and stepped inside. After hearing Eun’s description of The Claw’s visit, he’d become more unnerved than before. Threats to his friends and loved ones were the worst sort: they made him feel helpless and desperate.
A small chirruping sound emanated from the pocket of his coat and he reached inside, pulling out one of the small radio devices he used to keep in contact with his aides. To his surprise, the device was showing the numbered code that belonged to Morgan, along with the extension code for danger. Since Morgan was overseas, that meant his call had been relayed through a number of different circuits before finally arriving in the States. How long ago it had been sent was impossible to determine.
Lazarus was about to call Samantha and Eun when a loud crash came from the office of Kelly’s father, followed by a scream of terror that could only have belonged to Kelly herself.
Before anyone else on the floor had even poked their heads out of their own offices, Lazarus had reached the scene. When pressed, he was as fast as a cheetah and nearly as graceful.
Unfortunately, no human alive would have been fast enough to stop what was occurring. By the time he flung open the door, gun drawn, it was too late. The Claw had somehow walked straight through the walls, just as he had back at Gray’s Robeson Avenue home. He had kidnapped Kelly and left her father lying on the floor, a deep gash in his neck.
Gray crouched down at the man’s side, immediately applying pressure to the wound. He looked up as another museum employee looked inside. "Get an ambulance! Now!" Gray barked and the man jumped to follow the orders.
Even as he assured Mr. Emerson that everything was going to be all right, Gray was mentally berating himself for allowing her out of his sight.
The Claw was keeping his word so far and Gray knew that he had no choice but to play along if he wanted to ensure Kelly’s safety. His eyes caught sight of a paper hanging off the edge of the desk and, without losing the pressure he was applying to the man’s neck, he snatched it up with his other hand. The scrawled words matched those from the earlier letter he’d received: COME TO THE OLD ABANDONED CHURCH ON EISNER WAY, ALONE, AT NINE O’CLOCK TONIGHT. DO NOT IGNORE MY INSTRUCTIONS OR THE GIRL WILL SUFFER!
Lazarus tossed the paper aside and fished out his communication device. He began speaking at once, transmitting to Eun’s radio, knowing that Samantha would hear every word as well. "The Claw’s taken her. I’m going to take care of him but I need the two of you to board a plane and head to Paris right away. Morgan needs help."