Jack sits up straight and looks at me keenly. “What do you think this means?”
“I believe that Jason’s particular brand of magic was required to locate the amulet and that the man seeking the amulet had been looking for just such a power for a while. I think the interview was just one of several screening methods he used to search for a power that could be used to locate the amulet. When he saw Jason’s power displayed at the interviews, he knew he could use it to meet his ends, so he kidnapped him. I do not believe that someone participating in the interviews would have been in a position to see the powers of each individual because they were not called to perform together. They were called to perform one at a time with only one interviewee allowed on the island at a time. The only people who would have seen Jason’s power in action were the interviewers.”
I pause for a moment and watch as that fact settles over Gambino and Jack. Then I take one of the pieces of paper that Rubalia had given me earlier and flip it over on Jack’s desk.
I say, “This is Tobias Blackwater. As you can see, he is wearing a deep red cloak with a suit underneath in this photo. You can also see he has a blackish-brown beard, neatly trimmed. He fits the description of the man in the Cock and Bull Tap.”
Gambino doesn’t even look at the photo. I assume he knows what Tobias Blackwater looks like from seeing him at city meetings. He seems to play something in his head, and I see his eyes widen in recognition of the truth when he comes to it. He looks back at me with a grim expression.
I pause a moment, then I say, “He’s been watching me. I’ve seen him twice.”
At that Jack sits up and growls menacingly, and all pretenses of nonchalance flee. His eyes rake me up and down as if to make sure I have no new damage. He demands, “I saw him talking to you at the Gala. When was the other time?”
I tilt my chin up a bit and say, “On the day I found Varg. He was the man who grabbed me behind my building. I knew I recognized his soul at the Gala, but I didn’t recall from where until Chief Mack gave me the list of names. Then I started to put it together.”
Varg growls at this. There seem to be a lot of growling males in this office.
“I also have had the distinct feeling of being followed, but I can’t say for sure if Tobias or Schmidt was stalking me.”
I continue, “Tobias is a man of power, and we’re looking for a man who’s greedy for power. He’s a man who delights in power over others. I got that from him at the Gala as he looked at the Belladonna Necklace.” I shiver slightly at the memory.
Jack pounds his fist on the desk and says, “We still don’t have any evidence as to where he took Jason, or even that he did take him.”
“We do have the thread from his cloak. But I agree. We need more.” Then I frown and say, “But there is more. I’m just not sure that it will lead us to the evidence we need.”
Gambino says, “Well, let’s have it.”
I say, “LaRoche recalls him at the Pemberton Estates auction looking at a Truth Ring. Milton Goldberg ultimately won that. At the Lawrenson’s Estate Action, LaRoche saw that he was interested in a singular scrying mirror.”
I then explain for Gambino’s benefit, “Essentially a pair of mirrors is intended for agreed communication between two parties. One mirror not in a set could be a mirror intended for looking, not communicating—spying, if you will, or perhaps for finding. He was also at the Glenwood Charity Gala and Silent Auction looking at the Belladonna Necklace, as I’ve already mentioned.
“I had a conversation with Mrs. Glenwood, and she believes that Blackwater goes to auctions for the purpose of looking at items but not bidding. She provided me with an example of his bids. He bids so low that he’s sure not to win. He’s essentially combing auctions looking for the correct item but not buying it. I have a copy of her report.”
Gambino frowns and asks, “How does all this help us?”
I say, “I believe that he may not be winning the items in bid, but he’s still obtaining them. He peruses the auctions and selects the items he wants. He places a very low bid since he was obviously observed looking at the item. He watches to see who wins the item, then he uses his portal ability to obtain it. This single scrying mirror could possibly be the tool that, along with Jason’s magnification ability, allowed him to find the amulet that had been hidden for so many centuries. LaRoche has assured me that the amulet was so carefully guarded that it must have been heavily warded from scrying, but with Jason’s help, I believe Tobias finally found it.”
Gambino said, “That is a lot of conjecture with no basis.”
“Yes. I know.” Then I turn to Jack and ask, “Since these are all magical artifacts, if they were stolen would they have been reported with the Supernatural Investigation Bureau or the precinct?”
Jack says, “Unless there’s evidence of a Supernatural activity involved in the perpetration of the crime, they would be under jurisdiction of the precinct, though that should change. Clearly the precinct is not able to evaluate a pattern in the theft of magical items since they don’t have a good understanding of the items’ capabilities.”
Gambino nodded in agreement. “Let me call the precinct and ask for a list of all the magical items reported as stolen in the past few years.”
While we wait, Jack nods at Varg and says, “I wonder what he is exactly.”
I pat Varg on the head and say, “He is obviously a wolf.”
Jack scoffs, “He’s more than a wolf. He appeared out of nowhere just as Tobias was attacking you. He knew to keep Tobias away from you. He keeps you guarded at all times. He seems to actually understand at least some of what we say.”
I ponder this a moment. “This is true. But perhaps he is just exceptionally intelligent and protective.”
Jack continues to look thoughtful.
Then I say, at great risk of my reputation, “Then there is the fact that he grows when he fights.”
Jack swivels his gaze to me and raises his brow. I shrug my shoulders, neither able nor willing to explain more.
Rubalia comes in with the fax from the precinct. Gambino reads it, and it’s his turn to raise his eyebrows. He says, “Last September, a single scrying mirror was reported stolen. Last April, a lie detector ring was reported stolen. Yesterday, the Belladonna Necklace was reported stolen.”
We all sit there quietly for a moment. We now all know he’s our man, but we lack evidence for the torture.
Gambino says, “We’ll have to check with the owner of every item on this list that was reported stolen and determine if it was purchased at an auction of some sort or otherwise displayed publicly shortly before it was stolen. Then we’ll have to confirm that Blackwater was present at the public viewing. That is just to start.”
Then Gambino looks up sharply. “Is the amulet still safe now?”
“Yes,” I say. “It’s in the original location I placed it. It’s on holy ground so he cannot scry it or portal there.”
Gambino looks satisfied at this.
Jack says, “This corroborates what we suspect, but it doesn’t provide evidence for Jason’s capture or a clue to the location where he was held.”
I agree and lay out my next step. “Tomorrow I’m going to return to the scene of the crime to see if I can get any ideas.”
Gambino looks at me with a puzzled expression. “It happened a week ago. What evidence could still be there?”
“The location and the surrounding area. Can you run a search of any properties that Blackwater might own?”
Gambino says, “A search like that would set off too many alarms and might get back to him and get us shut down.”
Jack says, “I can have Rubalia run that search on our system. I’ll have her use stealth mode, though I highly doubt Blackwater has any insiders in the Supernatural Investigation Bureau.”
Gambino gets up. “I’ll get started on my part as well.”
I nod. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, then. Hopefully we’ll find something.”
I
get up to leave with Gambino, but Jack clears his throat and says, “A moment?”
I sit back down and face him as I hear the door swing shut behind Gambino.
Jack says, “You know, Blackwater has his eye on you. He thinks you have the amulet.”
I fidget with my hands in my lap. “I know.”
“What are you doing tonight?”
I look up at him. “I’m visiting Maud, and then I’m spending the rest of the night at home.”
Jack nods. “Good.”
I still don’t know what to say to him about last night. I think he doesn’t want me to say anything. So I don’t. I quietly get up to leave with him watching me all the while.
Chapter 52
Lemonade
Bluebell Kildare: June 1, 2022, Red Ages
As Varg and I walk up to Maud’s house, I notice the marigolds are still there. I sure miss the zinnia. Maud opens the door, still sporting her bright red hair. Instead of pairing it with black, though, she’s paired it with a bright pink dress with peek-a-boo shoulders and an A-line skirt. Her shoes are taupe strappy sandals, and she looks fantastic as usual.
I kiss her cheek and ask, “All ready for summer?”
Maud kisses me back. “The summer fun has already begun.”
We gather at the kitchen table as is our wont. Maud pours us each a glass of lemonade and sits down. Then she positions herself to watch out the glass patio door toward the wild jungle and beyond.
I look out to see what she’s watching. A car pulls up in front of Harry’s house. A person gets out and walks up to the front door. I see other people walking away from the house and getting in their car to drive away. A minute later, the person who just walked up walks back to their car. Another car pulls up.
“What’s happening over at Harry’s?”
Maud smiles deviously. “Yesterday someone knocked on my door with Chinese delivery. I never ordered it. It was from that stinking Harry.”
I say, “No!” and almost afraid to ask, I ask anyway. “So what did you do?”
Maud says, “I placed an ad in the classifieds. It gave Harry’s address and said there was a bottom dollar basement sale on items from a closed down electronics store with TVs, stereos, laptops, things like that.”
I laugh. ”Maud, you are a treasure and a terror!”
Maud nods distractedly, “Of course, dear. Now, hush, I’m enjoying the show.”
The two of us watch for a while. We see one man leaving with an old tube TV. Maud mutters, “I don’t believe it. He’s actually letting them have his stuff!” After a little while longer we see Harry go outside and pound a sign in his front yard.
The next people who drive up read the sign and drive away.
I turn to Maud and ask, “Hmm, what do you think the sign says?”
Maud raps her pink painted fingernails on the table. “I don’t know, but you’re going to find out for me.”
With that extremely subtle hint, I decide this is a nice time to take a hike around the block and scope it out. When I return, Maud ushers me in. With her eyes wide and excited she asks, “Well?”
I tell Maud with as straight of a face as I can, “The sign says ‘Sale over, all sold out.’” As soon as I see the twinkling in Maud’s eyes, we both burst out laughing.
“Smart man,” Maud says. “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”
“You know, Maud, maybe you should give him a chance.”
Maud sighs, a smile playing on the corners of her lips. “Maybe. He’s persistent, all right. I’ll give him that.”
Chapter 53
Bad Omen
Jack Tanner: June 2, 2022, Red Ages
I keep staring at the reports of Dark Vampire sightings, but by damned, the numbers are not changing no matter how hard I pierce the papers with my eyes. Dark Vampire sightings are reaching record highs. Ernesto has been busy non-stop for weeks. I’m going to have to get another Dark Vampire hunter on my team. But what I really want to know is why this is happening. I need to track down the source.
The phone rings and interrupts my thoughts. I look out my office window, wondering if it’s later than I thought. No, dawn is just breaking over the tree line. Well, whoever it is, it can’t be worse than these numbers.
“Hello?”
The voice on the other line says, “It’s Gambino. I’ve got news.”
“I’ve got ears.”
“I’ve had a guy tailing former officer Dean Schmidt since you told me about Blue. So far my guy has been planted outside his house. We hadn’t seen so much as a light switch flicker and were beginning to wonder if he moved his locale before we arrived—until this morning, that is.”
Gambino pauses and I prompt, “Well, what has changed?”
Gambino takes a deep breath, obviously not wanting to say what he’s about to say. “Well, about thirty minutes ago, Schmidt’s garage door opens and he takes a drive all the way across town. My man thought he was drunk with the way he was swerving all over the road. He finally parks in front of the Dilectus Deo headquarters, the Center for Enlightenment.” Gambino gives a bark of laughter at that.
“Well, then Schmidt emerges from his car, and my guy says he is like death warmed over. His arm is swollen to twice its normal size. He can hardly walk, but he makes it up to the Center. Then, just as they open the door, he collapses on the stoop. They end up dragging him in.”
“Gambino, that is the absolute worst place for that man to be. He is a viper now, but they will turn him into a monster.”
“I know. Anyway, I’m pulling my man off of him. Tailing a man who is protected by the Dilectus Deo would not be wise unless we had evidence he was committing more crimes. Are you sure Blue doesn’t want to press charges?”
I ponder this for a minute. “I don’t want to speak for her, Gambino. She said no. But it wouldn’t hurt you to ask again. Maybe a little time has changed her perspective.”
“Will do,” Gambino says with a bit more hope than I’d grant his cause.
I hang up and pound my fist on the desk. I look down at the report that I’d been staring at. I was wrong; this day, maybe even this entire decade, just got worse.
Chapter 54
Phantom Island
Bluebell Kildare: June 2, 2022, Red Ages
I drive deep into the Warehouse District and arrive at the Cock and Bull Tap on Industrial Drive. Varg is eager to get out of the car. We stand in front of the tavern and look across the street as I consider the warehouses on the opposite side. Could he have been held in a warehouse? I should have Rubalia do some research on all of the warehouses in the area.
I walk to the left until I arrive at the corner of Industrial Drive and River Road, then heading down River Road with Varg at my side. I stop at the alley where Jason’s body was found. I can picture where his body was lying and how his broken limbs were splayed across the asphalt. My gut wrenches at the image.
I think back to what I learned at the medical examiner’s office. He was found on the right side of the street, face up at the alley entrance with his head pointing toward the Half Moon River. Paul must have been driving the car down the alley and hit the boy as he tried to turn left on River Road. Jason must have been coming from down River Road.
I start walking further down the road toward Memorial Lane. Memorial Lane runs parallel to the river with Red Wood Cemetery on the other side. The cemetery is located on some high land that slopes down toward the river. It’s not visible from here, but the sound of rushing water is clear.
I wonder where a naked boy would be kept where he could be tortured and no one would know. Would the river noise hide his screams for help?
When I arrive at the corner of River Road and Memorial Lane, I see a dead end sign, quite appropriate for a road that ends in a cemetery. Varg and I cross the street, and the sounds of the river grow louder as we approach. At the edge of the cemetery, River Road terminates in a turnaround. Between the cemetery and the river is a strip of wild brush that dips down the b
ank.
I look at the cemetery again from this vantage point, and then I look down Half Moon River. As the crow flies, or as the river flows, it’s not that far from here to Phantom Island where Jason was last seen before his abduction. Varg and I walk back to the car. I think I need to visit Phantom Island.
A few minutes later I park my car at the library, and Varg and I walk over the lawn to the edge of Half Moon River, which borders the property. A steel and stone bridge crosses over from the manicured lawn of the library to Phantom Island in a tall arc. The island is a small mass of green land that sits in the middle of the river where it runs wide and shallow. The bank of the river all around the island and a large part of the front has been landscaped into a beautiful park, but the center of the island has been left wild with a dense forest and a thick canopy of leaves casting deep layers of shade. I imagine those shadows are how it gets its name. People can often be seen spread out on blankets on the manicured portion of the island, reading their books. But this morning the island is quiet and deserted.
I carefully examine the riverbank by the bridge on the mainland and walk up and down about one hundred yards each way. I’m not looking for anything in particular; I’m just hoping for a clue. The island bank on the other side is indistinct because the river is so wide here.
Grasping the steel handrails tightly, I climb the high, arcing bridge with Varg following close behind. The further I get from land, the more the dank air fills with the smell of muddy water and decaying vegetation. At the top, I look up the murky river toward Red Wood cemetery about a mile ahead and ponder its proximity again. A steady breeze carries the rich river scent up to us as we stand suspended over it on the bridge. I look up at the sky where large white clouds with heavy silver linings edge the sky with the foreboding of rain. We descend on the other side, and I walk the shaved lawn along the perimeter of the small island as Varg happily explores the landscaping, sniffing and marking his territory as he goes.
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