“A few more days,” Guild answered, sounding relieved to be given the opportunity to talk about something other than his future. “Most of the artefacts have been returned to the Repository and some departments have already resumed work. The inmates will be taken back to the Gaol tonight, under heavy security of course. Not that they mind. I expect they’re quite appreciative of any opportunity to be out of those cages. At least I won’t be in a cage when I’m in prison.”

“Good man,” Skulduggery said. “Keep looking on the bright side.”

Guild glared at him. “Why are you transporting me anyway? A feeble attempt to get in some last-minute taunts? It really is quite pathetic.”

Skulduggery’s head tilted. “We’re transporting you because you requested it.”

Guild laughed bitterly. “What is this nonsense? No, I didn’t.”

“I spoke to Detective Marr. She said you asked for us.”

“Why would I ask for you two? I don’t like you. I certainly have no wish to spend my last few moments outside of a prison cell with you.”

They turned the corner and a man passed them wearing a raincoat with the hood pulled up. Valkyrie glimpsed his face.

“Myron?” she said, but he didn’t turn.

“Myron Stray?” Skulduggery asked her.

“I’m pretty sure,” Valkyrie said.

“It can’t be,” Guild said as they watched the man walk on. “The only people allowed past the Cleavers are people on the list – and Stray would never be on the list.”

“I’m fairly certain that was him,” Valkyrie insisted.

“Myron,” Skulduggery called loudly.

Detective Pennant rounded the far corner, heard Skulduggery’s call and intercepted the man in the raincoat, yanking down the hood. Myron Stray had trails of dried blood around his ears and his mouth was tightly shut, even as his eyes bulged wildly.

“He’s punctured his eardrums,” Skulduggery said.

Valkyrie frowned. “Why?”

“Because someone told him to.”

Stray jerked away from Pennant’s grip and his hand came out of his pocket. Pennant saw the Desolation Engine with its churning red liquid and he immediately backed off.

“He’s being controlled,” Skulduggery said. “Run!” he roared. “Evacuate the building!”

Valkyrie could see the tears in Stray’s eyes and the bomb went off. It exploded with a soft whump. The liquid turned to a ball of red energy and the energy expanded. It seared the flesh from Stray’s bones and boiled his blood to steam. It travelled across his body, his bones turning to ash. The ground he had been standing on was now a carpet of dust. Pennant tried to run, but he was far too slow. He didn’t even have time to scream.