by Les Goodrich
Dan looked up.
“Amazing,” Brit said.
“Yeah. Kids these days,” Jordan said and she took Casey to the Crooked Cupboard to show her a book.
“So,” Brit said to Dan. “What’s got you so interested in this kid robbery thing?”
“Well, I’m not a big news watcher either. I saw the first article when a friend posted it but I just ignored it. Then I saw where someone else commented on another story about it and I read that one. This article is the third one I know about and I have friends in Jacksonville, so when I saw it was the FBI office there, it got my attention.
“I watched a video from one of the banks and it was so creepy. I don’t know. I just wanted to ask you guys about it and see what you thought.”
“Show me the video,” Brit said and she moved to the customer side of the counter while Dan searched his phone.
“Here it is,” he said and he held the phone for Brit to watch. She looked as the green-toned security camera footage flickered then steadied and showed an empty bank hallway with a safe door at the end. Seconds passed. A single figure moved into the frame. It was obviously a young child of perhaps ten years old and it seemed to be a boy. He was dressed in jeans and a light jacket and had a backpack over his shoulder. He walked up to the safe door and stood staring at it for a long time. He seemed to be motionless and could only be seen from the back. Brit looked to Dan.
“Watch,” Dan said and Brit returned to the video.
A second child of roughly the same size and maybe same age came into view. It looked like a girl from her long hair pulled into a pony tail. She too had a backpack on and she stood to the left of the boy and stared at the door as well. Another minute passed. The boy sat on the floor and the girl turned and walked out of frame. The boy took a notebook and pen from his pack and began writing something. He stood and turned the safe combination dial. He made more notes. He fixed a suction cup to the safe door and connected wires from it to earbuds he wore. He rotated the dial again and made more notes.
As he did the young girl appeared again and positioned a ladder at the left side of the safe door. She ascended it and removed a ceiling panel. She climbed into the ceiling structure. One minute later she descended the ladder uncoiling with her a bundle of wires. She sat on the floor and retrieved a laptop from her backpack. She attached plugs from the wires to plugs on a harness attached to the computer and began to execute some programming through the computer on her crossed legs.
The two never looked to each other and they never seemed to speak. In time the girl unplugged the wires from her machine, closed the screen, and returned the laptop to her backpack. As she did the boy made one last calculation in his notebook, turned the safe dial to its final position, then without struggle or fanfare opened the safe door. The two disappeared into the safe.
“Here,” Dan said and he fast-forwarded the video. “Okay there they are,” he said. Brit watched in astounded silence as the two kids emerged from the safe. This time they were both wearing what looked to be white sunscreen masks, sunglasses, and white hats. They each carried large duffel bags that were filled and apparently heavy. They shouldered the bags through the safe door and vanished under the security camera. The view was, once again, empty but for the open safe door, the remaining ladder, hanging wires, and a sense of indifferent violation.
Dan put his phone to sleep and Brit looked at him. Jordan and Casey were returning from the back.
“You guys have to see this,” Brit said to them.
Chapter 4
Darkness Spotted
With Dan and Casey gone Jordan and Brit worked the rest of the afternoon and all was smooth and easy. They brainstormed project ideas for Casey and Mims. They helped a few customers, counted the drawer, made the deposit, and locked up to leave.
“Let’s get a drink and talk about all this,” Jordan suggested.
“Martinis?” Brit asked.
“Why not,” Jordan said and they rode their bikes to the martini bar.
Tony was wiping the bar and, even though the night air was cool, a few customers were seated at tables outside. Inside the four small tables around the inviting fireplace were full. Brit and Jordan took seats at the vacant bar. Brit smiled at Tony and watched his strong arms as he reached to pull two martini glasses from the rack above. She kicked Jordan’s leg under the bar and Jordan shook her head.
“White chocolate espresso martini,” Brit said, then added, “I remembered.”
“And a cosmo,” Jordan said.
“You got it,” Tony said and began to make the drinks. He served the girls then went outside to check on the other customers.
“I’m really proud of you by the way. Taking care of yourself when you ran into Marshal.”
“Thanks.”
“We’ll figure out what his deal is somehow. You can’t go casting on him every time you run into the guy around town. But you did the right thing.”
“Yeah. So what did you think of that video with the kids?” Brit asked.
“I’ve been trying not to. It was creepy, I don’t know.”
“It looked like they were in a trance, right?”
“I thought so too.”
“But what, like a hex?”
“Maybe. But something’s different. A hexpawn usually acts normal. Like they’d be showing each other things they do, or acting more like kids. Those kids looked like robots.”
“They didn’t even talk.”
“No.”
“They just kind of went through these motions.”
“I know,”
“Like they were little puppets.”
“I saw it,” Jordan said and Brit realized the subject was bothersome but she felt compelled to persist.
“And you heard the story Dan read from the FBI guy.”
“They don’t know shit. I mean, I don’t think they know what they’re dealing with.”
“I keep wondering about the parents. Are the kids missing or do they come back home? You’d think we’d be seeing frantic parents in the news looking for the kids if they were kidnapped. Maybe the parents are the ones doing it.” Brit turned in her stool and leaned closer to Jordan. “What do you think this is?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Something’s wrong,” Brit said flatly.
“Kids robbing banks like old pros, yeah, I’d say something’s wrong.”
“I mean more than that. It’s just a bad feeling I have when I see them.”
“I know. Me too. But they got away, so whatever they’re doing, it’s working I guess. What, twice?” Jordan asked.
“Three times. The jewelry store, remember?”
“Oh yeah. Crazy.”
“But I don’t mean what they did. I mean the way they looked. The kids. It seems like someone is controlling them.”
“Obviously.”
“But how? Who could do that?”
Jordan sipped her cosmo. It was good. Strong. She took another big sip. “I Don’t know.”
Brit stared at her drink. “The way those kids acted. It’s just weird. You saw the pictures of the two kids in the paper. I think it’s a picture from the bank video.”
“What about it?” Jordan asked.
Brit shifted in her seat and drank her drink, becoming noticeably disturbed. “When I looked at the picture I fell into the one kid. The girl I think. Her energy.”
“Why’d you do that?”
“It was an accident. And it wasn’t like a full trip. Just a glance I guess. But it was bad. Fear and confusion. Abuse. Desperation. I felt it. I felt what the girl felt.”
“I know,” said Jordan. “But we can’t do anything about it tonight. I’m tired. Maybe one more drink then I’m going home to sleep.”
“So what about James?” Brit asked changing the subject. “You guys are still good?”
“We’re good. But I’m so used to doing whatever I want, whenever I want. Now I’ve got Casey and James. I’m glad to have both of them in my life, b
ut I’m not used to having so much of my time away from work involve other people. It’s fine. What about you? Any guys since that mess with Marshal?”
“One guy from the school I used to date who’s still around and we hung out a few times. We seem to always reconnect if we break up with someone else.”
“Just for sex?”
“Hey!”
“Well?”
“Basically. But every time I remember why I never stay.”
“The sex is no good?”
“Actually it’s great. But that’s all we have in common. I mean no connection at all. All he wants to do is play video games. And his only conversations are complaining about bands he hates. So boring. I do like being with a cool guy though. Doing stuff together.”
“What about girls?”
“Me?” Brit asked with shocked eyes. She loved Jordan for her directness but it was a bit much for her sometimes.
“Yeah,” Jordan said casually. “By now you should know you can tell me.”
“Some. A few amazing times. But not for dating. That’s a nightmare. All I need is another girl’s stuff in my bathroom.”
Both girls laughed and Brit went on.
“I guess it works for girls that really love each other. Just like any other couple.”
“Right,” Jordan sipped her drink.
“You really like girls don’t you,” Brit said knowingly and Jordan looked up.
“Just for the amazing times.”
“Does James know?”
“He knows.”
“What does he say about that?”
“I told him I like girls, and he said he likes Brazilian bikini models too, but he’s not gonna have sex with them if he and I are dating.”
“Good point. So that’s your deal? Agree to be faithful?”
“Pretty much.”
“Sounds fair.”
“I guess. We’ve only been together for a month. He might be taking it more seriously than I am. I guess he had a serious girlfriend for a long time before we met. I don’t know. If I really had to do it with a girl I’d have a talk with him. He’d probably let me.”
“If he could watch.”
“Or more.”
“Reow!” Brit said like a cat.
“If who could watch what?” Tony asked ducking back behind the bar.
The girls laughed. “Just two more drinks,” Brit said and Tony smiled and made the drinks.
***
Tuesday morning was still and cool and Tanner rowed to the docks through fog so heavy that he could see neither shore ahead nor sailboat behind. Dark water gurgled with each oar dip and he slid under the fog-damp dock and climbed the shoreline rocks like a brigand invader. He walked along the empty waterfront sidewalk and slipped through the apartment parking lot to Artillery Lane. The air in the alley was warmer and fog closed off each end like ghost walls and he opened the shop door and locked it behind him.
He set up the store, counted the drawer, and opened on time. He opened the purple bay window curtains, flipped the Open now, etc. sign around, and left most of the lights off for a long while. He lit incense in the areca palm outside and hung the flag. Inside the blue string lights in the window cast a cold atmosphere into the store. The warm table lamp at the back bookshelf created an inviting feeling, but otherwise the shop remained dim. He switched the crooked cupboard’s dark ambient soundtrack to also play in the main store and the first early regulars remarked on the mysterious mood of the shop.
By the time Brit came in the Sun had cleared the fog and the store lights were all on. Brit talked to Tanner about the article Dan had shared and about the conversation she had with Jordan the night before.
When Carol came in at ten, their chat had escalated into full-scale research. Both were hunched over the counter behind the line. Brit navigated between windows on the laptop as Tanner made notes on his tablet.
“Busy?” Carol asked and she looked for customers in the store but there were none.
“We’ve been steady. About the same as yesterday so far,” Tanner said standing up straight.
“What are the two of you up to?” Carol asked and she moved behind the counter and put her purse on the table.
“It’s these stories of the Klepto Kids. Have you seen them?” Brit asked.
“Klepto Kids? No,” Carol said and she leaned to look at the computer screen as Brit summarized the stories.
“Three robberies so far. Tanner and I’ve been reading all about them. They robbed two banks and a jewelry store.”
“A jewelry store?”
“Yeah. And according to some medical growth expert, the kids are all either eight, nine, or ten years old. They think it’s six kids so far, because both banks look like the same two kids, and the jewelry store looks like four others. According to the growth expert at least.”
“Fascinating, but what’s got you two so interested in it?”
“The way the kids act. We think it’s a hex.”
“A hex.”
“Yeah.”
“You read too many scary books.”
“Yeah but a hex can control people. We know that,” Brit said.
“It can. But so can a lot of things. Greed. Jealousy. For that matter so can MK Ultra and government mind control, according to Brenna anyway. Or these could just be bad kids.”
“Super advanced, genius, robotic-acting, master thief kids?” Tanner asked.
“Well it does make for good headlines,” Carol said.
“Okay, look at this,” Brit suggested and she pulled up one of the bank videos. Carol watched it.
“Interesting. It does look odd doesn’t it?”
“See,” said Brit.
“Well, anyway. Put that stuff away and let’s get back to work.”
Brit closed the laptop and Tanner put his tablet away.
“I have the register and Brit has been rearranging the books. All of the main displays are set for Yule. Jordan and Brit are closing again.”
“Very good. I like the front window. If you need me I’ll be in back.”
Carol worked in her back office and Brit and Tanner helped customers into the day. Jordan came in at noon with a tray of coffee cups.
“Basil iced coffee and banana mocha in the house.”
“You went to Monster, cool,” Brit said and she came up from the back as Jordan removed the drinks.
“Banana mocha for my little Light Tribe witch. Basil iced coffee for moi. And a French pressed Ethiopian Limu dark roast for our Ashenguild vitki.”
“Wow thanks,” Tanner said opening the cup lid and smelling the rich coffee. “Is there cream around here?”
“Whole milk in the back fridge, and maybe some stolen creamer cups in the drawer there,” Jordan pointed with a lift of her chin.
“I’ll use the milk,” Tanner said and he moved off to the back. “Thanks Jordan,” he said on his way.
“My pleasure.”
Jordan sipped her drink, then pulled a granola bar from her backpack, opened it with the scissors since they were right there, then began to eat it between iced coffee sips. Tanner returned with his cup from the back and Jordan spoke.
“So what are you guys doing?”
Brit looked toward the back to be sure Carol wasn’t coming, then nudged Tanner. “Get your notes.”
Tanner looked to the back also, then took his tablet from his bag, lit it up, and read. He told Jordan about the age and possible number of kids involved and he read some of the new statements from local law enforcement.
“So that’s really it so far. They don’t know who these kids are. They haven’t caught any of them. None of the stolen items have been found.”
“You guys told Carol?” Jordan asked between coffee sips.
“Yeah,” Brit said.
“What’d she think?”
“She said it could be anything from old fashioned greed to just high-tech bad kids. She didn’t seem too interested. I mean she was, but, I don’t know.”
�
��Okay. I just wondered.”
“We think it’s a hex” Tanner said.
“You mean Brit thinks it’s a hex and she convinced you.”
“If she did she did. I’m gonna count out,” Tanner said and he opened the register drawer.
“Do it,” Brit said. “I’ll count in after you, and Jordan, you can run the floor.”
“No problemo, man. And Casey can meet us any night this week if you and Mims wanna study together.”
“Oh good, I was gonna tell you. Thursday night’s good because my morning class on Friday got canceled, and Mims opens Thursday but she closes on Friday.”
“Okay cool. You two come to my place at Sunset. I was thinking they’ve been studying enough. We’ll all go up on the roof and we’ll cast a circle with them. A surprise.”
“They’ll love that. I think they need it too.”
“Yeah. Get them out of the books.”
“Right. I’ll text Mims and we’ll be there.”
***
Late in the day Jordan dusted along the counter on her way up from the back. She saw a flash in the visitor spell mirror and stopped to watch. Brit looked up from her book where she was reading at the register.
“What is it?” Brit asked.
“Brenna,” Jordan said and she watched Brenna move along in a pink dress with a pink jacket, pink bucket hat, opened pink umbrella, and her trademark white sunglasses. The door opened and Brenna bustled in closing the umbrella.
“Is it raining?” Jordan asked.
“No,” Brenna said and she shook the umbrella as if drying it and propped it behind the door. “Hi girls,” she said and moved into the shop. “Is anyone in here? I mean customers.”