19 Chapter 19

On her desk, Afton made a display of sorts. She stood up three of Volkes' books as a backdrop and then added large honey-wax candles on tall brass holders. It looks almost like an altar, she thought wryly, although of the occult variety. All she needed was her bowl of crystals and a few amulets. Instead, she added a tray of appetizers, smoked salmon spread with thinly sliced cucumber and dill sprigs on bruschetta bread, and baby shrimp and pineapple spears wrapped in apple-smoked bacon. She also offered tooth-picked cocktail onions and Spanish olives stuffed with red peppers and feta cheese on a dessert platter, everything very tasty and benign magic-wise.

Five wide-mouthed martini glasses awaited the pitcher of the featured cocktail. But Afton preferred to wait until all the guests arrived before she gently stirred together the gin and vermouth-not too overwhelming and not too bland.