Chapter 2

Jane Farrar

When Farrar reached her djinn (Cleverly disguised as a Grey Back Policeman) she crossed her arms. "So," She stopped for a moment. "have you found anything?"

"Well, there's no traces of magic here. So this was an actual murder. Obviously, the criminal was very sick minded. Something caused him to bleed through every opening in his body. He might have died before he was stabbed."

"Oh come on Barloa. That's obvious enough." Farrar sighed. "Search the rest of the house. Leave no speck of dust unchecked."

The Grey back bowed. "Yes, master." It spat out master, as if forced to do her will. The Grey back left the room.

Farrar stole to the bookcase. She was alone in the room with Lizzie Temple. That was her false identity, of course. Everyone knew that. Her real name was Kathleen Jones. But because of what she had done five years before, she was excused.

Farrar choose a random book from the shelf, took it, and flipped through its pages. "So, Ms. Temple," Farrar looked up from her book and over to Kitty. Kitty looked up to Farrar. Farrar continued. "Your master was a magician?"

"Yes."

"Are you?"

"No." Farrar looked back to the book. She closed it, put it away, and skimmed the spines of the other books. All was silent for a moment.

"You know, Lizzie, being a magician is a powerful gift."

"So I've heard."

"From these books I see Mr. Button was a magician."

"I just told you he was." Farrar looked over to Kitty and gave her a cold stare. Kitty returned it with an even colder one. All those years working for the Resistance gave her a wide array of mean faces. Farrar went on.

"And you were his apprentice?"

"Where is this going?"

"Just answer the question." Kitty gave Farrar another stare for a moment, then answered.

"Part time."

"So, you're a magician?"

"No. You and I both know that. You know I'm a commoner. Why are you asking me this now?"

Farrar went on as though she hadn't heard. "But you were his apprentice."

"Only part time. I worked for him. I didn't learn anything."

"So you worked for him and got paid by him?"

"Yes. But what does this--?"

"And what did you do for him?"

Kitty gave another heavy sigh. Being interrogated by Farrar just didn't fit into her schedule. Not that she had one, but she needed an excuse to keep Farrar from learning anything. "I sorted through his books. Kept them neat and in the right places. But what does this--?"

"And how exactly did you come to meet Mr. Button?"

"I was doing an errand for a friend. Mr. Button was telling me how he needed a new apprentice, and I said I'd do it part time."

"And who was your friend?"

"He's dead and gone now." The cold tone to her voice shocked Farrar and Kitty both. Kitty did her best to keep her voice straight and continued. "No need to worry about him. He died about five years ago. He wouldn't be much of a help, now would he?" being interrogated by Farrar was taking its toll on Kitty's manners. She needed to get out before she let too much slip.

"Did Mr. Button ever summon anything with you present?"

"A few times, yes."

"And what did he do?"

"Asked them questions."

"About what?"

Kitty could feel her temper rising. It was none of Farrar's business. Farrar was just trying to find her weaknesses. "He was a scholar Jane. He asked questions about things like the past. He wanted to write his own book someday." Kitty had lied there. She wasn't exactly sure of Mr. Button's true intensions. Maybe he did want to write a book, maybe not. She'd never find out. Farrar broke her thoughts.

"He summoned demons to ask them questions?"

"Yes, if you heard correctly."

"No reason to forget your manners, Ms. Temple. I'm doing my job."

Doing your job of being a bitch. Kitty thought to herself. And you're pretty good at it, too. Farrar broke her thoughts…again.

"Why'd he summon the demons?"

"I just told you." Farrar gave a sigh of frustration.

"You've been very helpful Kitty. You can go for now."

A/n

Okay, hope this is good enough. Sorry about the name Baldova. It was the only thing I could think of that sounded Demonic. Oh well, next chapter coming soon.