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Austin stopped in his tracks and did as he was told He sensed rather than saw so up behind him and felt his pistol slip from its holster

“That’s better,” said the voice “Turn aroundreal slow I’uys call themselves Ghost Devils, and they mean it I wouldn’t screith them”

At least a half dozen other figures had materialized from the shadows

“Are you a ghost or a devil?” Austin asked

The man stepped closer

“Just a guy doing his job The naht bea his droopy smile into a Halloween et close without being picked up We’ve been watching you ever since you showed up at the front door Thanks formy work so easy”

“My pleasure But how do you know I didn’t let ht on purpose?”

“I don’t, which is e’re being real careful handling you”

“Where’s Joe?” Austin asked

Phelps pointed his flashlight at the loading-dock door

“That way,” he said

The door slid up Phelps led the way up the stairs to the dock and herded Austin through the door into the dark warehouse Phelps hit a switch, and the interior was flooded with light The big space was eainst one wall and two chairs side by side facing a screen

“Fortune cookie business ood,” Austin said

“That’s a cover,” Phelps said “Place is used al aliens Besides, you don’t want to know your fortune The folks I work for aren’t too happy with you”

Austin would have agreed that his prospects for a long and happy life were slih-faced Asians, allsuits and shoes They had red bandannas tied around their heads They looked dangerously unpredictable, but from the cocky way they slouched around with their weapons they appeared undisciplined as well