But Constantine, master exorcist and divorce counselor, had no intention of acknowledging him. He dove through the doorway, stuck a hand back out to flip him off, then slammed the door shut.
Li Jie was in no hurry. Behind the stage was a dead end, with only a small room that served as both a dressing room and a changing room. Unless that bastard could walk through walls, he was trapped like a rat.
He rushed to the door in a few strides and kicked hard at the lock. The old wooden door flew inward, struck the wall, and bounced back. Holding his gun ready, Li Jie slipped sideways through the opening.
???
The room was barely ten square meters, small enough to take in at a glance. There was a dressing table covered in bottles and jars, and two rolling clothes racks hung with fancy fabrics and spare costumes. Apart from that, it was empty.
Constantine was gone. Like a drop of water swallowed by a desert, he had left no trace.
"What the fuck?"
Li Jie stood there dumbfounded for a moment, then refused to give up and lifted the drapes hanging on the walls. Behind them was solid concrete. He pulled open the drawers beneath the dressing table, too, but found only odds and ends and dust.
"Did this guy major in civil engineering?"
He walked out in bewilderment, gun in hand, and asked Satan, who stood there perfectly at ease, "How come he's gone?"
"Because he already left, Sheriff," the demon answered with a smile, as though enjoying an amusing play. "What that scumbag took out just now was the key to the House of Mystery. Wherever he is in the world, he can use that key to open any door and return straight to his