"An old friend has come to visit" sounded like it carried a double meaning.
For ordinary people, it meant a reunion worth celebrating. But for a Beyonder detective with plenty of friends and no shortage of enemies, it could mean a deadly "friend" had come seeking revenge.
The young man, who appeared to be Isengard Stanton's new assistant, had clearly thought of this as well. His expression shifted, and he took his hand off the door and reached toward his belt, saying cautiously:
"I don't recall you having an appointment."
"I was just passing by and thought I'd drop in. He still owes me at least a thousand pounds."
Angel deliberately let a trace of dissatisfaction show. The young man froze for a moment, then blurted out as though something had occurred to him:
"Are you Miss Irene Watson?"
He must have come here after the Great Smog, yet he knows me? Isengard must mention me quite often. Perhaps the Desire Apostle case left a deep impression on him too... Angel mused to herself and nodded slightly, acknowledging her identity.
She also noticed that the man, whose gray-blue eyes and high cheekbones were characteristic of people from Lenburg, had no pistol concealed at his waist. She guessed he had been reaching for a charm and concluded that he was also a Beyonder, though probably not of a high Sequence.
He's very likely from the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom. Given Isengard's years in Lenburg, perhaps the Church of Knowledge, which isn't allowed to establish churches or related institutions in Loen, has turned his place into a secret foothold, continuously sending believers here to integrate into Backlund...
While she pondered this, the assistant, having confirmed Angel's identity, relaxed, stepped aside from the doorway, and gestured for her to