Gone

“I suggest we share our findings with Ms. Kinsley before returning to the office,” Tibias said as the pair left the Council headquarters.  “I have a feeling that Mr. Holligan did a less than adequate job with that particular assignment.”

Kole nodded his assent.  “I assume that you would prefer to drive to the apartment.”

“I would prefer that,” Tibias replied with a slight grimace.  “However, your method of transportation would be much faster.”  As the two men walked into the shadow of a building, Kole grabbed Tibias’ arm and melted the pair into the darkness.  They rematerialized outside of the apartment.

“Dear Lord, man, you could give a fellow some warning.”  Tibias removed his glasses and cleaned them on his handkerchief.  He despised shadowporting at the best of times, but, when he was taken by surprise, it was intolerable.  Returning his glasses to their proper place, he gazed up at the ivy-covered building.  His eyes stopped on a window with the glass blasted out.  Tapping the reaper on the arm, he pointed to the window.  “Isn’t that Ms. Kinsley’s apartment?”  Kole immediately melted into the nearest shadow, leaving the older man standing on the sidewalk.  Tibias dashed into the building, took the stairs two at a time, and, finally, a bit out of breath, kicked in the apartment door.  He found Kole standing placidly in the middle of the room.

“She’s gone.”  The reaper turned to face his partner.  “The broken window was her own doing and there are no other signs of struggle.  This was on the table.”  Tibias took the object that Kole held out towards him.  It was Sherah’s badge, identifying her as a reaper of the Draelin Council.  It was roughly hewn in two, assumedly by a dragon claw.

“It would appear that Ms. Kinsley has resigned.”  Tibias tossed the destroyed badge onto a nearby table.

“I’ll send out some shadows to search for her.”  Sharpe stopped the reaper before he could begin.

“Do not be impractical, Mr. Tarrent.  There is no evidence to suggest that Ms. Kinsley left under duress and she is perfectly in her rights to resign.”

“But, what of Mammon?”

“That is what I was getting at.”  Tibias shifted his weight in growing impatience.  “All of our efforts should be focused on finding the demon and uncovering whatever group was responsible for Cathburn’s death.”  He raised an eyebrow at the reaper.  “Now, shall we return to the office, Mr. Tarrent?”  In a flash, Kole had grabbed his arms and they were shadowporting once again.  Tibias made a mental note to be more careful about standing in shadows.