“Thank you for the ride. It’s gotten colder out.”
Yago nodded. “It’s been years since we had such a cold winter.” He parked a few spaces down from the jewelry store.
The snooty young man behind the counter gave us a small smile and incline of his oh so regal head but otherwise ignored us which was fine by me. An older man with wispy white hair came forward to assist Yago and me. I liked his humbler demeanor.
“Welcome, how may I help you?”
Smiling, I said, “I want to get my father a gift.”
With his hands clasped behind his back and a kind smile on his lips, he asked, “What do you think he would most enjoy?”
Laughing, I answered, “To know exactly where I am every second of every day.”
Yago chuckled in agreement.
“Is this gentleman your father?”
I glanced at Yago. “No, sir. He is a family friend.”
“Please, allow me to show you this,” he said as he walked across plush red carpet to a display case in the back right corner. Yago and I followed. Inside of the case were tech bracelets. “These are personal global positioning system devices. In Cassini’s earliest years of settlement, attempts were made to map directions with compasses. Quickly, our ancestors discovered that the planet’s fluctuating magnetic fields disrupted the readouts. Cassini began using advanced satellites and ground stations. These devices can be programmed and synchronized so that you and your father always know where to find each other and in which direction is home.”
I felt my eyes filling up which made my cheeks burn. Having a home with Winks, even when he was a jerk and took my hover board, meant a lot to me. I had never really admitted to myself while growing up with Momma how much I wanted my own daddy. While I hurried to wipe at my eyes, Yago patted me gently on the back.
“That’s real nice. I think he’d like that.”
“Do you see any you like?” the man asked. There were flashy gold bracelets, silver ones, leather, and a type that looked like flattened and braided rope. I pointed to the black rope-style ones. “Aw, excellent choice. While soft against the skin, these are as strong as steel. The bands were created from the spiders’ silk of a distant planet.”
Yago made sounds of approval. Under my breath, I asked, “Have you looked for a girlfriend there?” Yago shushed me and looked around nervously.
The tech on the bands was also black. I held my palm open when he handed one to me. His eyes locked on my ring and then snapped to my face. “Shall I set home coordinates and synchronize the set, Miss Taylor?”
“Yes, thank you. How did you….”
“I would recognize that ring anywhere.”
“It is beautiful. Tadashi is so sweet. My friend’s fiancé just gave her a beautiful ring with a colored diamond. I think he got it here. He’s really tall with nice teeth….”
Nodding his head, he used a small scanner to input data for the devices to recognize each other. “Oh, yes. It was a canary diamond. He said the yellow stone would match her hair.” He looked at me and smiled. I smiled back. Cora had blonde hair, so the ring must be for her. “Shall I enter in a mutual address?” I nodded giving it to him.
While I waited, I looked at the displays. “Hey!” I pointed at a pretty pin that looked like a snowflake.
“Those are crystals,” the man informed me.
“How much is it?”
“For you, I can do fifty credits.”
“Awesome! It’s perfect for Mrs. Stone. She loves snowflakes. She’s got them dangling all over her living room.” Using all of the credits I had earned, I paid for my gifts and had them bagged. Then, Yago took me home.
I invited him inside where all hell had broken loose. Winks was pissed. He stood scowling with his hands on his hips. I heard clattering noises coming from the kitchen. Yago shook hands with Winks while I put my bag on the dining table. In the kitchen, Snappy sat in front of the open cold storage unit. Spilled juice bottles and bits of fruits and vegetables were scattered around him. Sighing at the mess I knew I would have to clean up, I knelt beside him and patted his back.
“Are you feeling better after your nap?” Turning to look at Winks, I asked, “Do you mind picking up a big dinner? I promise to have this all cleaned up by the time you get home.”
Grumbling, Winks took Yago with him. By the time they had returned with dinner, I had the kitchen cleaned, Snappy bathed and dressed in jogging pants and a T-shirt, and the gifts tucked away in the safe. Minutes after their arrival, Cosmo came home from work. Winks set the table, and I volunteered to sit on the kitchen counter and eat my dinner.
“What’s the reason for that big smile?” Winks asked.
I kicked my feet back and forth as I ate. “It’s nice is all, everybody being here.” I remembered that not that long ago, I had sat at that table all alone listening to the echo of my own voice. Someone sounding for entry at the front door had me jumping down from the counter. “I’ll get it.”
Lord Tanaka was on the other side. “Hey, come in. Want some chicken?” He followed me to the dining table where Winks rose and feigned a polite greeting. Cosmo did the same. Yago bowed and nervously fidgeted. “Snappy, can you smile for Lord Tanaka? He’s the nice man who paid for your surgery this morning.”
Snappy smiled and held out a piece of chicken to Lord Tanaka. I cringed worried at his response. However, Lord Tanaka surprised me by taking the chicken and eating it. I got him a sweet tea to wash it down. “Thank you,” Lord Tanaka said with an incline of his head.
Snappy stared at him and then in a quiet but deep rumbling voice responded, “Thank you.”
I went to Cosmo where he sat at the table, squeezed his arm, and exchanged surprised looks with him.
“I sure never expected him to talk,” Cosmo whispered.
“Me either,” I whispered back.
“On the contrary, sea dragons are of superior intelligence, bring good fortune, protect the innocent, and even ward off evil spirits. I can only surmise that after spending so much time trapped and without social interaction that he must reacquaint himself with human speech patterns,” Lord Tanaka explained.
“Ward off evil spirits?” Winks questioned. “So, keeping him around is added protection for my little girl?”
“Yes,” Lord Tanaka answered. Snappy smiled at the both of them.
“Have you heard from Tadashi? When will he be home?” I asked.
“Tadashi will return soon. He does not wish to be parted from you any longer than necessary.”
“Maybe I can train this overgrown lizard to whack Tadashi with his tail anytime he gets too close to my baby,” Winks speculated.
“That’s a great idea!” Cosmo said.
“Don’t listen to them, Snappy. You’ll love Tadashi. He’s kind, sweet, handsome….” Cosmo interrupted my list with gagging noises. Winks laughed.
Lord Tanaka narrowed his eyes at me. “Your spirit energy appears even weaker than it did this morning. Have you disobeyed me?”
Winks turned me to face him keeping his hands on my arms. He slipped taking me with him so he could examine me. I rolled my eyes. A white light emanated from Lord Tanaka. A soft blue surrounded Snappy. Then, Winks popped us firmly back into our own reality. I shot Yago a warning look that unfortunately wasn’t lost on either Winks or Lord Tanaka.
“Cosmo, take Clue and Snappy to the living room and put some wood on the fire.”
“Yes, sir. Come on, Snappy.”
I trudged after them. Once Yago and Lord Tanaka had gone, Winks informed me that Snappy and I would be spending the next morning at the Wisteria under Lord Tanaka’s supervision while he ran errands and shopped for enough food to keep Snappy and the rest of us full.
“So, what? You think I need a babysitter? Are you kidding me?” I asked with my hands on my hips and my face full of disgusted disbelief.
“You can either stay at the Wisteria or the both of you can come with me. However, until his arm heals, it would be best for Snappy to sta
y warm and still.”
Knowing he was right, I gave up.
The next morning, I woke up thinking about Cora’s missing man. Also, what had happened to Mr. Tavora’s ship and crewmen? Is that what he had been meeting about with Kiyohime? With questions spinning through my head, I dressed and went downstairs. Winks had made breakfast, and Snappy was seated at the table and eating like a normal person.
“Sit,” Winks said as he filled a plate and put it before me. For Snappy’s sake, I used my best table manners.
“Thank you for breakfast, father.”
With a chuckle, Winks said, “You’re welcome, daughter.”
Snappy smiled at us. Then, after breakfast, Winks and I managed to convince Snappy to get inside of our transport by keeping the windows down all of the way to the Wisteria. My teeth were chattering by the time Winks had personally escorted us inside to Lord Tanaka. “Thank you for keeping these two out of trouble while I stock up. I just fed Snappy, so he should be starving again in half an hour,” Winks grumbled.
“You are never satisfied. Are you?” Lord Tanaka asked imperiously.
“What do you mean?”
“First, you complained of her wolf. Now that he is away on business, you complain of her sea dragon.”
Incredulously, Winks gaped at Lord Tanaka. Then, he laughed at the Okami’s joke, gave him a jovial pat on the back, and left. I pondered the current amnesty between my dad and Lord Tanaka wondering how it might affect me.
“Clue, you and our guest may relax in the lounge where I can keep an eye on you. There are books and games with which you may amuse yourselves.”
Rolling my eyes at being treated like a child, I took Snappy by the hand and found the corner of the lounge obviously reserved for us. Instead of looking at picture books or playing a game with me, Snappy concentrated on the social interactions of the hotel’s patrons. The child-like innocence he had previously displayed was virtually non-existent in the amber eyes that observed everything and everyone with an intense and ancient wisdom. Suddenly, he seemed eons older even while inhabiting the body of a teenager. He seemed to be processing everything around him with the speed of a computer. Creeped out, I scooted to the other end of the couch leaving him alone. Bored, I started counting the flower petals woven so as to appear they blew across the carpet’s design.
“Whatever weather pattern or oceanic anomaly is causing this has cost me a small fortune. I can’t take another loss like this. That is why I’ve come to you.” The man’s voice contained a certain degree of desperation.
I scanned the room and found the speaker to be a business man in his fifties with dark hair and a navy suit. He was seated with another man who wore a white shirt and red tie under a practical brown jacket.
“The train can transport passengers and small parcels but not the heavy equipment you’ve got listed here,” the man in the brown jacket said as he shook his head.
“If we can work something out, I’ll make it worth your while,” the business man said in a quieter tone.
“Even with proper weight distribution, a load like this would compromise the integrity of the elevated rails. I can transport these parts for you but not the heavier ones.”
Frustrated, the business man agreed. “I may have one other option for the heavy pieces in Dorado. Thanks for your help.” They shook hands.
“Yes, sir. I wish I could be of more service,” the man in the brown jacket said before leaving.
The man in the blue suit went up in the lift. A short time later, he returned to the lobby, signed out on the hotel registry, and left. Curious, I rose to follow him. Through the hotel doors, I watched as he climbed inside of a transport, but before I could leave to hire a driver and follow him, a hand grabbed a hold of my jacket halting my progress.
“Clue, that is not the way to the lounge,” Lord Tanaka said from behind me.
I turned and looked up at his smug and uncompromising expression. On the way back to the lounge, I noticed a group of people in one of the private rooms that was usually reserved for parties and backed up a few steps when I saw Mr. Tavora. He was attempting to comfort an older woman who cried into a silk square. “What’s going on in there?”
“It is most unfortunate. A memorial service is being held for men lost at sea. It is best that we not intrude,” Lord Tanaka said as he escorted me to Snappy. Then, he was called away to deal with hotel business.
“Snappy, I have to find out what is happening to these ships and if it has anything to do with Cora’s boyfriend. I’ll be right back. I just need to check the registry.” Once I was sure that Lord Tanaka wasn’t watching, I headed over to the concierge’s counter. Unfortunately, Snappy had followed me.
“May I help you, Miss Taylor?” The man asked politely. I hadn’t thought this through and didn’t know what to say. Snappy saved me by walking to the end of the counter and trying to reach inside of the hotel room mail slots. “Young sir, please do not touch those.”
As soon as he moved toward Snappy, I turned the book around finding the last entry. Frederick Blox in room 202 had checked the box requesting fresh towels. Quickly, I turned the book around and went to rescue Snappy from the concierge.
“I’m sorry. We were just tired from sitting still. Since Lord Tanaka is busy, I just want to ask you if it is okay for me to show Snappy around the hotel.” I smiled sweetly at him.
“Of course, Miss Taylor. Should Lord Tanaka ask, I will let him know.”
“Thanks,” I said with a smile as I led Snappy into the lift and up to the second floor.
I found a maid’s cart in the supply closet and pushed it down to room 202. Conveniently, a master key card hung from one of the cart’s handles. Opening the door, I ushered Snappy inside pulling the cart in with us. Frederick Blox was a slob which made searching easier. I didn’t have to worry about leaving things out of place. Snappy stood still and looked around. Quickly, I changed out the towels just in case I needed a plausible excuse for being in his room. Then, I searched.
Frederick Blox worked as a distributor for a company that manufactured parts for machines of all sorts. Losing inventory on sunken ships was bad for business. He needed to find a reliable delivery system. That was all. It seemed Kiyohime was getting into the large transport business. She was who he had gone to see in Dorado. That must also have been the reason why Mr. Tavora had met with her. People had goods they couldn’t get to their buyers. How convenient for Kiyohime. Had she destroyed the ships to further her own business?
I was disgusted at myself for breaking her curse and unleashing her on Cassini. I was also disgusted with myself for making Frederick Blox’ bed while I thought.
“Come on, Snappy.” We left the room, locked the door, and returned the cart. I was no closer to finding Cora’s Ivan.
The good thing about being stuck at the Wisteria was that our waiter in the restaurant kept bringing Snappy food until he was stuffed. When Winks came for us, Lord Tanaka gave him a regal incline of his head in acknowledgement.
Chapter Seven
“Clue, have you been listening to me?”
“Huh?” Taking note of my surroundings, I placed my hand in Winks’ and let him help me from our transport. I’d been too deep in my own thoughts to notice our entrance into our garage.
“Let’s get him settled on the couch. Then, you can help me unload,” Winks said as he shut the transport door and waited for Snappy and me in the lift. After I had covered Snappy with a blanket on the couch, Winks and I started putting groceries away. “What’s on your mind, baby girl?” His green eyes looked concerned.
“Lots of things. I’m at a dead end on a missing person case.”
Winks raised both of his eyebrows at me. “What?” I explained about Cora. “So, that’s why you broke into that apartment.”
“I didn’t break anything. Well, what should I do?” I followed Winks into the kitchen with the handles of Big Bubba’s bags gripped in each of my hands.
“I agree with where your though
ts were leading you. Kiyohime has the most to gain. She also has a deep hatred of sailors. I say we pay her a visit.”
“And say what?”
My father winked at me and gave me a grin. “We bring Lady Kiyohime a Coldest Day gift and then casually inquire if she can get some tech to the land port at Monoceros. If she delivers, it saves me time. If her people get caught, she is weakened. It’s a win-win situation.”
With a blank expression, I stared at him. “That still doesn’t tell me what is happening to the ships or what happened to Ivan.”
Winks gave me a devilish smile. “Leave it to me, baby girl. I’ll charm it out of the snake.”
When Cosmo got home, Winks told him about our plan. Together, they made a necklace for Kiyohime. Blood-red garnets dangled from gold in a wave-like design. I whistled when I saw it. “That sure is extravagant.” They nodded proudly at me. Winks arranged their masterpiece in a black velvet box. “Cosmo, will you take Snappy to Dr. Benjamin in the morning and then watch him for me until we get home?”
Cosmo walked over to where I leaned against the kitchen counter, wrapped his arms around my waist, and stared into my eyes with his big brown ones. “I will. I’ll worry about you the entire time even though your dad is gonna be with you. Promise me you’ll be careful around her. Kiyohime is still a serpent demon. She still has that spirit box, too.”
Warmth from Cosmo’s arms seeped into me. He was so close that I could smell the faint scent of pine from the soap he had used. His inky black hair fell over his eyes. My heart thudded in my chest. Cosmo bent and lowered his lips to mine like the gentle touch of a feather.
“Hey! While we’re gone, get a haircut. Get that sea dragon one, too,” Winks said from less than a foot away. Reluctantly, Cosmo released me.
Snappy watched the interactions of the mortals with delight. One of the males, Cosmo, who had been crucially instrumental in his rescue, was enamored of Clue. However, the elder male, Winks, protected his progeny from the male even though she smelled mature enough to mate. Snappy huffed in amusement. His recovery was slow. While basking in the spirit energy of the girl, her father, and the many mortals in the hotel had strengthened him, it would take time. He could see the longing and disappointment on the young man’s face. Cosmo feared Snappy might pose as competition for the little female. Chortling to himself at the notion, he concentrated on his appearance making himself appear younger and less threatening as he slept.
Clue and the Sea Dragon (The Clue Taylor Series Book 2) Page 7