Unsympathetic Magic - Laura Resnick [82]
“Ritual?” I repeated.
“Yes.” As we reached the ground floor, she explained, “Mambo Celeste has decided it’s time to hold a community ritual. She came to see me today, shortly before you did, to schedule it. There’s far too much going on at the foundation tomorrow for it to take place then, but the day after should be fine.”
So evidently the mambo had heeded Puma’s request. I knew that Max would want to attend, and I thought the ritual would be a good opportunity to scope out the local Vodou community for suspects—or for the bokor’s potential victims.
“Shall we see you there?” Catherine asked.
“I look forward to it,” I said.
At the reception desk, Catherine accepted a small package from Henry, the nice man who greeted visitors and sorted the mail. He told me, before I could ask, that my purse still wasn’t here.
Catherine was obviously about to ask me what this exchange meant when, instead, her attention was attracted by a new arrival at the front door.
“Ah, your friend is here again,” she said without noticeable warmth. Frowning, she added, “And he seems to have brought a small horse with him.”
I turned to see Max and Nelli enter the building. Biko came in behind them, carrying his fencing gear.
“Ah, Esther!” Max smiled. “I hoped we would find you here.”
Upon seeing me, Nelli gave a little whoof! of pleasure and trotted forward to greet me, her tongue hanging out of her massive jaws and flicking bits of dog spittle around the floor as she crossed the lobby.
I patted Nelli’s head in greeting and said apologetically to Catherine, who was looking at her with an expression of mingled distaste and apprehension, “She’s very hot.”
“Indeed!” said Max, joining us. “The temperature outside is grueling. How do you do, Dr. Livingston? It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“Dr. Zadok. Biko.” Catherine glanced at the two men briefly, then returned to eyeing the dog.
“Allow me to introduce my canine companion,” Max said to the anthropologist. “This is Nelli.”
Catherine said, “I’m afraid we don’t really allow . . .”
Nelli slobbered on her in friendly greeting.
“Oh, dear,” said Max, gazing with dismay at the large smear of dog drool that now stained Catherine’s silk skirt. “My apologies. Will this help?” He produced a crumpled hanky.
Catherine regarded it with almost as much disgust as she’d just shown for Nelli’s saliva. She cleared her throat and, in an impressive display of self control said, “No. Thank you. Fortunately, I keep some spare clothing in my office. I think I’ll just go . . . change.” She beat a fast retreat and disappeared up the stairs.
Cheerfully oblivious to her sartorial solecism, Nelli panted happily as Biko scratched her ears. I realized he probably missed his dog.
Biko said to me, “Puma has convinced the mambo to hold a ritual. Day after tomorrow.”
“I know. Dr. Livingston just told me.” I moved away from Henry’s desk and, once we were out of earshot, I conferred with my companions in a low voice. “How’s Shondolyn?”
Max said, “Puma and I are both convinced the child has been targeted by the bokor—though the reason for this is currently a mystery to us. We are working on protective measures but, given the evident strength of our adversary, that may not be enough. Therefore, I consider it essential to her safety that she be removed from this vicinity. Fortunately, she has relatives in Maryland with whom she can stay. We have just come from walking her home, where she will speak to her mother about it.”
“Good,” I said with relief. At least that was one innocent we could get out of harm’s way. “Did you three find anything during your hunt last night?”
“Nelli picked up some scents that really excited her,” Biko said.
“Unfortunately,” said Max, “one of those scents turned out to be a young man delivering Chinese food to a residence.”
I said critically to Nelli, “Can’t you tell the difference between kung pao shrimp and a zombie?”
She wagged her tail.
“Hey, you want to keep your voice down?” Biko said to me as he glanced in Henry’s direction. “Anyhow, we did come across