“A minor inconvenience.”
Simon decided to enter through Dr. White’s office, which was at the front and to the right of the outermost column. The doctor was most likely in his residence at this hour, which was at the back of the hospital. There shouldn’t be many guards, or keepers as they were called, since most patients were locked in at night. That would give them a better opportunity to explore and find out where the mushrooms were being stored, or if the wulsyl itself was here.
Street traffic was minimal, but they went down quieter Kennington Road before stealing over the thick wall. As they slipped across the deserted grounds, the dark windows showed little movement inside. The windows were set high so the patients could see nothing but the sky above.
“I hope you brought explosives or acid.” Malcolm tested the thick iron bars covering the window. They were set firm in the casement without even chips of concrete to show weakness.
Simon’s lips curved into an exasperating and knowing smile as he laid his hands on two bars. He whispered something that Kate vaguely recognized as ancient druidic.
“If you think praying will help, by all means,” growled Malcolm, his annoyance sparking dangerously.
The muscles in Simon’s shoulders bunched and his arms tightened. Kate noticed his chest bulging beneath his shirt. Suddenly the metal bars parted with a screech of bending iron, leaving a void large enough for a man to slip through. There was no way a slender man such as Simon Archer should have been able to do such a thing. He paused, listening for any reaction to the squeal of the bars. When he heard nothing, he breathed out heavily and regarded Malcolm.
“Then again maybe it will help,” the Scotsman remarked with surprise. “There’s more to you than meets the eye, sorcerer.”
Simon reached in and wedged his fingers under the window. With a quick push, the sash went up. He climbed up between the space in the bars.
Malcolm regarded him strangely as he helped Kate inside. The office was illuminated only by the moonlight outside, but it was enough to show that the room was empty. Simon was already at the door, listening with an ear to the wood. Then he grabbed a bottle of India ink from a bookcase. Dipping a finger in the neck of the bottle, he began to draw a series of symbols on the door. Part of the wood went transparent to show a clear hallway outside.
Malcolm’s eyes widened in amazement. “You’re a scribe.”
“Obviously.” Simon shot back a grin before his mouth twisted with distaste. “A sorcerer. How provincial.”
“I thought all your kind was dead.”
“You would be wrong again.” Simon smiled infuriatingly at the hunter.
“Gentlemen, let’s concentrate on finding the ghostbloom.” Kate lit a single candle and began to rifle through the papers on Dr. White’s desk.
Simon came to her side and picked up a journal. He flipped pages, scanning the notes. Malcolm continued to observe the hallway. No keepers passed, and were hopefully ensconced in their rooms, cozy by a fire.
“Here.” Kate brought a document closer to the candlelight. “There are rooms earmarked for special projects, and they’re under White’s lock and key.”
Simon’s expression was grim. “That’s the women’s criminal ward.”
“That doesn’t sound suspicious at all,” Malcolm muttered.
“Worth a look.” Simon set the open journal on the table and tapped it with his finger. “There are also notes here about patients receiving unique treatments in the basement level.”
“What sort of treatments?” Kate asked. Her stomach was a hard knot.
“Doesn’t say. The criminal wards are closer. We’ll look there first. If necessary, we’ll venture below and see what the good doctor has been up to.”
“Are we sure he’s involved?” Malcolm glanced over.
“No, we’re not sure, but the coincidences reek.”
“He’d better pray he isn’t involved.” Kate’s tone was ice-cold. It wasn’t an empty threat and both men knew it.
“Someone’s coming,” Malcolm hissed.
Simon doused the candle with his hand and they fell silent. Through the shimmering portal in the door, they saw a distant figure carrying a dim lantern. The gaslight in the hall was set low so the lantern came toward them like a wavering specter.
“Can he see us through the door?” Kate whispered.
“No,” Simon answered.