Chapter 6
I, Spy
Connor had disguised himself in the everyday street clothes that helped him blend in with the lunchtime crowds. He sat on the ground in the park directly across from the Grill. With him were two other brothers, similarly dressed, Nathan, an older, serious man and Hans, a newcomer like Connor and about his age. Connor squirmed restlessly in the unfamiliar attire. The jeans felt rough on his skin and the sweat on his back stuck the t-shirt into uncomfortable creases. He loathed having to dress in this manner, he felt almost naked. Hans looked slightly bored, having sat out in the sun for the better part of the day, whilst Nathan might well have been a stone for all the indications he gave away thought Connor wryly. Well, he'd have their attention soon enough, he reasoned. Suddenly Connor tensed and sat up straight, pushing back his sunglasses as he spotted his quarry. Surreptiously he pointed them out as they walked hand in hand down the street towards the diner. Connor breathed a sigh of relief. They were exactly the same as when he had seen them a few nights ago. He was unaware of how much this new sighting meant to him. At least he hadn't imagined the whole episode. The priests watched as the couple went in the side entrance and within minutes they could easily be seen taking up their waiting duties.
Connor had brought a small pair of binoculars and he focussed them on his main source of interest, the male demon. As before, there were no outward clues as to the creatures' true nature, but he observed that the demon wore a long old fashioned type of frock coat which hid his rear regions quite effectively. He saw that the creature was smiling easily at his customers and workmates, yet no one seemed alarmed, so Connor had to assume that the huge teeth he had seen were somehow concealed.
The demons' customers practically fawned over him, he could see. They consisted mostly of young woman with not a few elderly ladies amongst them. A few young men as well. Connor saw that many seemed entranced, seduced almost by the (Connor had to admit it) beauty of the man. He was tall, well built and had a confident, charming manner. He wondered if the demon ever took advantage of his natural attractiveness, but he observed that even though he laughed and flirted and joked with his clients, his eyes were ever on his companion and he touched her many times when he thought them unobserved.
Whilst his brother companions took photographs and scribbled in their notepads, Connor began to feel as rising desire to get closer to the thing, but he didn't dare move an inch closer. The demon had discovered him easily although he had kept a prudent distance that night. Connor shivered as he remembered the sniffing of the creature and the absolute horror when he had found himself discovered. He did not wish to find out if the demon could smell him out again. Well, not at least he was safely under lock and key. But that was another part of the brothers' plans and things were being swiftly prepared even as he sat surveilling. This parish was a wealthy one with many handy connections that were being put to good use, lay people and the like being sworn to the uttmost secrecy. Connor found it strangely thrilling to be a part of this conspiracy, knowing that he had been the one charged by God with the knowledge and the will to attempt such a thing.
After their shift had finished the couple stayed back a while to help clean up, before leaving again through the side entrance. The priests quickly packed up their things and followed at a distance, shielded in part by the ever present large crowds going home for the evening. Connor watched as the couple drew near to a small shopping mall, the woman leaving the man outside on the street whilst she went into a butchery. Judging by the greetings and smiles from the shopkeeper, Connor surmised that they were valued customers, and regulars. She came out presently with a large paper wrapped package, declining the offered help from the demon to carry it for her. Together they continued up the street and after a few turns entered a small nondescript building which faced the park.
How odd that two wait staff could afford the rent on such a place, Connor thought.
Connor sent Hans in to follow them and discover their door by pretending to be lost. When he returned, Connor led his brethren, excited and chattering away now, back up the sidewalk to their church, a plan already forming in his mind.