Skulduggery’s gun leaped into his hand, and Sanguine laughed and backed away, hands up.

“Don’t shoot!” he cried in mock horror. “I’m unarmed!”

Skulduggery didn’t say anything. The gun didn’t waver.

Sanguine lost the laugh. “Hey, I’m serious now. Don’t you shoot me.”

“You’re under arrest,” Skulduggery said.

“Sanctuary agents have no jurisdiction in the Midnight Hotel,” Sanguine said. “Ain’t that right? I checked the rules before I came.”

“That is correct,” said Shudder.

“Makes no difference to me,” Skulduggery said coldly. “I can throw you out of here and arrest you then just as easily.”

“You can’t lay a finger on me,” Sanguine smiled. “You’re Shudder, right? Mr Shudder, I believe I have a reservation at this fine establishment for one whole night. The name’s William-Raymond Sanguine. Billy-Ray to my friends.”

Shudder went to his desk and looked in the book, then raised his eyes to Valkyrie and Skulduggery. “He is a guest,” he confirmed.

“Not yet he isn’t,” Skulduggery said, moving to Sanguine. Shudder stepped between them.

“Skulduggery, this man is a guest of the Midnight Hotel. As such he is under my protection. Please put away your gun.”

Skulduggery didn’t move for a moment then, slowly, his gun slid back into its holster.

Shudder turned to Sanguine. “Do you have any bags, Mr Sanguine?”

“Just this one,” the Texan answered, nudging a small case at his feet.

“Is that where you’re keeping the Soul Catcher?” Valkyrie asked.

“Valkyrie, I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. All I’ve got in my case is a change of underwear and a good book to read.” He turned to Shudder. “Now then, let’s make this official. Where do I sign in?”

29 THE SIT-DOWN

29
THE SIT-DOWN

The common room was empty except for Valkyrie and Skulduggery, who were sitting at the round table. Most of the hotel’s guests were gone for the day, leaving the place quiet. That changed when Sanguine came downstairs, whistling a tune. He saw them, waved and came over.

“May I?” he asked, indicating one of the empty chairs. When they didn’t object, he sat. Valkyrie saw her darkened reflection in his sunglasses.

“Well, now that we’re sittin’ here,” he said with a flash of white teeth, “I can’t think of anythin’ interestin’ to say.”

“How about you tell us where you’re keeping Kenspeckle Grouse and Tanith Low?” Skulduggery suggested. “And then where exactly you plan to detonate the Desolation Engine, assuming you manage to get it repaired? After that, we can go wherever the conversation takes us.”

“And if I don’t? Will you beat it out of me?”

“With pleasure.”