California Demon by Julie Kenner Page A

freezer, would you? Nobody wants pancakes without bacon.”
    He did, but not until he’d shot me one more incredulous look. As soon as he was out of sight, I crouched down and tugged out the skillet. The book was still there, and I shifted a couple of frying pans to make sure it was well covered.
    And, yes, I was probably being paranoid. After all, it’s not like the book actually said anything. But it would raise questions I’d rather not answer. Which meant I either acted like a spazz and retrieved the skillet for Stuart, or I shooed him out of the kitchen and did the cooking myself.
    Since Stuart offered to cook with about the same frequency as Haley’s Comet, I wasn’t about to choose door number two.
    While Stuart did the testosterone-in-an-apron routine, I got Timmy settled in the living room. We’d recently invested in TiVo—an invention worthy of the Nobel Prize, if you ask me—which meant that The Wiggles and The Backyardigans were always available.
    While Stuart poured batter onto the grill, I sat at the table nursing a cup of coffee and starting to come alive. He shot me a smug grin. “So, am I still in the doghouse?”
    “You’re almost out,” I said. “Especially if they taste as good as they smell.”
    “I’m making banana pancakes for you,” he said, then started peeling a banana as if to emphasize the point.
    “You are looking for redemption, aren’t you?”
    “What can I say? I know when to pay penance.”
    I nodded thoughtfully. “Okay. Take Timmy with you to the mall and then you’ll definitely be back in my good graces.”
    From the look on his face, I could tell he preferred the doghouse.
    “Stuart . . .”
    “I know, sweetheart, but you know how busy I am right now. I need to go into the office for a few hours this afternoon, and if I take Tim, it’s going to add at least two hours to my day.” He flipped four pancakes with an ease that I never seemed to manage. The big showoff.
    “Besides,” he added, “I won’t be spending as much quality time with Allie. And isn’t that the whole point?”
    I tell you, the man’s not a lawyer for nothing.
    “Will it screw up your morning that much if I leave Timmy at home with you?”
    I frowned, because what could I say? Yes, it would, because I need to head over to the cathedral to see about a new demon infestation in San Diablo? Not too likely. So instead, I just said, “Sure. Of course you can leave him with me. No problem.”
    “Great.” He checked the clock. “The mall opens at ten. Considering how long it takes her to get dressed, we better make sure she’s awake.”
    “I’ll go roust her,” I said. “The promise of bacon should do the trick.” Allie had recently announced her intention to eat only fat-free foods and organic produce. I, however, had yet to see that plan implemented. And I seriously doubted she’d be starting this morning.
    I’d just crossed the threshold into the living room when Stuart called me back. “I never did tell you why I was so late yesterday, did I?”
    I shook my head, trying not to tense up. I’d forgiven him, yes. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t still angry. “No,” I said, “you never did.”
    “Tabitha Danvers came in to see me,” he said in the same voice a little kid might use when he sees the pile of presents under the Christmas tree.
    “Danvers,” I said, trying to place the name. “Of the museum Danvers?” The Danvers Museum was to San Diablo what the Getty Museum was to Los Angeles. An amazing collection financed by a family so wealthy they could afford to open a museum here, a convention center there.
    “Exactly,” he said. “And, Kate, she’s thinking about contributing to my campaign!”
    “That’s wonderful!” I meant it, too. If Tabitha Danvers had taken an interest in Stuart’s campaign, then his scrounging-for-money days could be over.
    He kissed my head. “There are just a few little things,” he said, mumbling into my hair.
    I tilted my head up and