by Jayne Castle
“Ah, yes.” Marlowe nodded. “Of course.”
“Like I said, he’s a natural-born crime fighter.”
The office door opened. Rick Pratt, Marlowe’s administrative assistant, put his head around the corner.
“Don’t forget your appointment with the wedding planner, boss,” Rick said. “You and Mr. Winters are due in her office in twenty minutes. Big decision today regarding the flowers.”
Adam groaned. “You know, this would be so much simpler if we just eloped.”
Rick gave him a stern look. “You can’t elope. You’re a Guild boss and this is a full Covenant Marriage ceremony. Your wedding to Marlowe is going to be the social event of the season here in Frequency.”
“I’ve heard that,” Adam said.
Marlowe laughed. “Come on, how hard can it be to choose a few flowers?”
Adam looked at her and fell in love all over again, just as he had the first time she rode into his life on the back of a motorcycle. Marlowe’s love for him glowed in her eyes. He knew it would be like this all the days of their lives.
“I will do whatever it takes to marry you,” he vowed. “Bring on the flowers.”
Chapter 28
CHARLOTTE WAS PERCHED ON A STOOL BEHIND THE sales counter, working on her computerized inventory, when the shop bell chimed. She was expecting Slade but it was Devin and Nate who blew into the shop.
They brought a rush of energy from the oncoming storm. The full force of the wind and rain wasn’t expected for several hours but the sky was darkening rapidly. White, foamy crests had appeared on the choppy waves of the deep waters that surrounded the island.
“Miss Enright, we need you to help us pick out a birthday present for someone,” Devin said. “A really cool present like the compass you gave me.”
“Devin says you’ll know just what he wants,” Nate added. “But it can’t be too expensive because we don’t have much money. We can go as high as eight dollars and forty-three cents.”
“Also, it’s a secret,” Devin added. “You can’t tell him.” The boys crashed to a halt in front of the counter. They were aglow with urgent excitement.
“Okay, slow down,” Charlotte said. “First, who is this birthday present for?”
“Chief Attridge,” Devin said. “We’re going to give him a birthday party.”
“To thank him for getting us out of the Preserve,” Nate added. “My mom says it would be a good idea because the chief doesn’t have any family of his own here on the island to help him celebrate his birthday.”
“My grandma said she’d help,” Devin said. “She’s going to make the cake.”
“I see.” Charlotte folded her arms on the glass counter. “And when is the chief’s birthday?”
“Friday,” Nate said.
“So soon?” Charlotte said. “How did you find out the date?”
It was oddly disconcerting to discover that she didn’t know the date of Slade’s birthday. Surely a woman should know that much about a man before she went to bed with him. But things like that weren’t supposed to matter when you were just having a short-term fling. He didn’t know her birthday, either. Well, maybe he did. For all she knew, he had done a background check on her after Jeremy’s body had shown up in her back room. They said the person who found the body was automatically a suspect.
“Grandma told me his birthday,” Devin said.
Charlotte wondered how Myrna had discovered the date. Then it occurred to her that dates of birth were everywhere, from driver’s licenses to job applications. Slade’s birthday no doubt appeared on some of the forms he had filled out when he had taken the job as chief.
“Not much time to plan a party,” Charlotte said.
“We’ve got a lot of things to get organized,” Devin said. “But first we wanted to make sure that we get the chief a really good present.”
“One that doesn’t cost any more than eight dollars and forty-three cents,” Nate emphasized.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Charlotte promised.
Devin grinned. “Thanks, Miss Enright. I knew you would help us.”
The boys dashed out of the shop. Charlotte waited until they were gone before she got up off the stool. Heightening her talent, she walked slowly across the shop, feeling her way through the sea of low-level psi currents that flooded Looking Glass. There had to be some object in the vast collection that suited Slade and his unique aura.
She stopped in front of the glass case that contained a display of objects set with crystals and amber. Something about the watch on the bottom stirred her energy.
She opened the door of the display case, reached inside, and took out the watch. The timepiece was an early Second Century antique, designed by an Arcane watchmaker. It would be a clever reminder of the case that Slade had just worked here on the island, and, perhaps, a memento of their time together.
She touched the pendant at her throat. The dark energy in the watch sang to her senses. She knew she could tune it for Slade.
THE FULL FORCE OF THE STORM STRUCK SHORTLY AFTER ten o’clock that night. Lightning danced in the skies. The fiercely gusting wind whipped the trees and rattled the windows. Rain pounded on the roof.
Slade stood with his arm around Charlotte. Together they watched nature’s special effects through her living room window. They were both jacked. The energy of the storm had stirred their senses. He was aroused in more elemental ways as well, but he didn’t think that he could blame that condition on the storm. Just being close to Charlotte had that effect. Just thinking about her was enough to make him rock hard.
Rex sat on the windowsill. He ignored the storm. He was occupied with the task of taking the gold pocket watch out of the clutch and putting it back inside. He repeated the process over and over as if it were a new game.
“I love storms,” Charlotte said. She folded her arms beneath her breasts and snuggled against Slade, her head resting on his shoulder. “It’s the energy. So thrilling.”
He tightened his arm around her. They had turned the lights off inside the cottage. The strobelike flashes of lightning illuminated Charlotte’s features in all the compelling hues and shades of feminine mystery.
He turned her slowly to face him.
“Thrilling,” he said.
She smiled in the flaring shadows and he was suddenly on fire for her. He picked her up and carried her across the living room and down the hall to the darkened bedroom. There he stood her on her feet.
He used both hands to remove her glasses and set them carefully aside on the end table. He cradled her face between his palms and kissed her.
She responded, as she always did, with a passion that warmed his very soul. She wrapped her arms around his neck and opened her mouth for him.
He stripped her clothes from her and bundled her into bed. It took him only seconds to get out of his trousers, boots, and shirt. He lowered himself slowly down on top of her, braced himself on his elbows, and bracketed her head with his arms. He kissed her deeply until she was breathless and twisting beneath him.
He made his way slowly down her soft, sleek body, glorying in the sensual curves of her breasts and the womanly fullness of her thighs. By the time he tangled his fingers in the triangle of soft hair below her belly he was desperate for her. But he wanted her to come first.
He used his hand and then his mouth on her, letting her spicy, damp heat intoxicate his senses. She was full and wet and tight. Her fingers clenched in his hair.
“Slade,” she gasped.
Moments later he felt her release cascade through her. She was still pulsing when he climbed back up her body and thrust into her. He stroked once, twice and then his climax tore through him.
Outside the storm raged, setting fire to the night.
Chapter 29
CHARLOTTE WAS ON THE FRONT PORCH, HEADING toward her car, when she heard her phone ring. She fished it out and glanced at the screen. She smiled when she saw the caller’s name.
“Good morning, T
helma,” she said. “Is everything okay at your place?”
“Actually, it’s not, dear.”
“Are you all right?” Charlotte asked quickly.
“Yes, yes, of course. I didn’t mean to alarm you. There was a good deal of damage to my garden and the high winds took off a section of the greenhouse roof. The power is off, of course.”
“Same here. Slade said it’s off in town, too.”
“There’s nothing that can’t be repaired here at my place,” Thelma said. “The problem is that there’s a tree down in my front yard. It’s blocking the driveway. I can’t get my car out and I need to go into town to pick up a few things. I wondered if you could give me a ride?”
“Of course. I’m just about to leave to check up on Looking Glass. Slade did a quick drive-by early this morning when he went into town to assess the damage. He said everything looked fine at the shop but he didn’t have time to go inside. I want to make sure that there were no leaks. I’ll pick you up in about five minutes. How’s that?”
“Perfect. I’ll walk out to the road and meet you. There is so much debris down in the drive that I don’t think you could get anywhere near the house.”
Charlotte opened the car door. “I’m on my way.”
“Thank you, dear.”
“It’s the least I can do after all the fabulous zucchini bread and the basil and tomatoes you’ve given me.”
Thelma chuckled. “I’m just grateful to have a neighbor who appreciates good veggies. See you in a few minutes.”
The phone went silent. Charlotte dropped it back into her purse and drove cautiously out to the main road. Branches, limbs, and windblown debris littered the drive and the narrow strip of pavement that wound along the top of the cliffs.
Slade had left early to organize his small staff and an assortment of volunteers. By now they were all out identifying hazards such as downed power lines and making sure those who lived alone were all right. When he had phoned earlier he had advised her that the road into town was reasonably clear.
Thelma was waiting at the junction of her drive and the road. She was bundled up in a faded windbreaker and carried a covered basket on her arm. She opened the door on the passenger side and got into the car.
“Good morning, dear,” she said. She settled the basket on her lap. “My goodness, that was quite the storm, wasn’t it?”
“They predicted seventy-mile-an-hour winds and I think we got them,” Charlotte said.
“I expect Slade will be very busy for the rest of the day.”
“Looks like it. When he called a while ago he was on his way out to Zeke Hodson’s house to make sure everything was okay.”
“Good. Zeke is getting on in years. He must be eighty-five or eighty-six by now and he has always kept to himself. Never had a phone. He could collapse in his house and no one would know it for weeks.”
Charlotte’s phone rang again. She braked to a stop to answer it. A glance at the screen showed Slade’s name.
“Hi,” she said. “How’s the recon going?”
“So far nothing serious,” Slade said. “You okay?”
The urgency in his voice surprised her.
“I’m fine,” she said. “I’m on the way into town. Thelma is with me. She called a few minutes ago to ask for a lift.”
“Is she all right?”
“Yes, but there’s a tree blocking her driveway so she couldn’t get her car out.”
“All right,” he said. “Drive carefully. There are broken tree limbs hanging everywhere. Some of them are big. If one comes down on a windshield it would do some major damage.”
“I know. I’ll be careful.”
“Power is out all over the island and there’s some damage to the ferry dock and the marina. We won’t be getting any ferry service for at least forty-eight hours. Willis said some of the B&B guests are not happy about being trapped on the island. The visitors out at the lodge don’t like it, either. But aside from the whining, it shouldn’t be a major problem. I’ll check back with you later.”
“Okay,” she said. She closed the phone and dropped it into her purse.
Thelma smiled knowingly. “I do believe the town’s cunning strategy to keep Chief Attridge on the job is working nicely. He seems quite concerned about you, Charlotte.”
Charlotte felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “Slade and I are dating but that’s all. I am not a part of the local conspiracy.”
“I understand, dear,” Thelma said. “But that fact only makes it all the more romantic, don’t you think?”
Charlotte laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”
“I’ve lived alone for a long time but I haven’t forgotten what romance and passion feel like,” Thelma said. “I doubt if anyone ever forgets those things.”
“No,” Charlotte said. For better or worse, she was certainly going to remember Slade for the rest of her life.
The town’s small central core had come through the gale in remarkably good shape. The tourist-oriented shops were all closed but the grocery, hardware, and gardening supply stores were open and doing a brisk business.
“Shall I drop you off at Spindler’s Garden Supply?” Charlotte asked.
“No need for that. I’ll get out at Looking Glass and walk down the street to Spindler’s.”
“Are you sure? It’s no trouble, really.”
“I’m sure.”
“I’ll just take a few minutes to make sure everything is okay inside my shop. Then I need to pick up a few things at the grocery store. After that I’ll drive you home.”
“Perfect,” Thelma said. “I do appreciate this.”
“You’re more than welcome,” Charlotte said.
She drove down the lane behind the row of shops and parked at the back door of Looking Glass. She and Thelma got out of the car. Thelma waved and started off toward the walkway that separated Looking Glass from the neighboring shop.
Charlotte went up the back steps and rezzed the lock on the door. She really was going to have to get a new lock, she reminded herself.
She opened the door and stepped inside. The interior of the shop was heavily shadowed. Automatically she rezzed the wall switch. Ice shivered down her spine when the lights did not come on.
Thelma spoke behind her. “The power is out, remember, dear?”
Charlotte turned quickly in the doorway. Thelma was coming up the steps. She held a Baroque silver-and-gold hand mirror, the glass face aimed at Charlotte. Dark crystals glittered on the frame and handle of the old looking glass. Strange alchemical markings were etched into the metal. It was impossible to focus on the face of the mirror. It was like looking into a pool of mercury. The surface seethed with energy.
“The Quicksilver Mirror,” Charlotte whispered. The antiques dealer in her asked the first question that came to mind. “That’s supposed to be in an Arcane museum. How did you get it?”
“This isn’t the place to chitchat about such things.” Thelma reached the top step. “Inside with you now. Wouldn’t want anyone to see us.”
“Forget it.”
Charlotte moved forward, intending to shove Thelma off the step. But the Quicksilver Mirror flashed with a shocking radiance. The force of the short blast of energy jolted through Charlotte. For a heartbeat the world around her exploded with eerie ultralight lightning.
She gripped the doorjamb to steady herself and intuitively shut down her senses. It was the only move she could think of that might offer some protection. In the hands of a powerful talent, the mirror was a lethal weapon.
“That’s better,” Thelma said, her voice hardening. “Now go back into the shop.”
Still dazed from the stunning shock, Charlotte turned slowly and moved a short distance into the darkened room. Thelma followed quickly. She closed and locked the door.
“What is this about?” Charlotte asked. It took everything she had to keep her own voice calm.
“It’s about the Bridewell Engine,” Thelma snapped. “What did you think it was abo
ut, you silly woman?”
“What engine?”
“According to the old lab notebook, it looks something like a snow globe.”
Events came together with sickening clarity.
“You and Jeremy Gaines were working together,” Charlotte said.
“We were partners for more than three years until he decided to cut me out of the biggest deal of all.”
“You killed Jeremy?”
“We were going to split the profits from the Bridewell Engine. But Gaines got greedy.”
“I trust that didn’t come as a huge surprise,” Charlotte said.
“No, but I made the mistake of thinking that he understood that he needed me as much as I needed him.” Thelma snorted. “Unfortunately, he was too shortsighted to see that. He planned to grab the engine and sell it on his own.”
“Did you murder him with the Sylvester device?”
“Oh, no, I used the mirror on Gaines,” Thelma said. “I had to work quickly that night, you see.”
“I understand now. When I set out to find the snow globe for Jeremy I inadvertently led him to Mrs. Lambert. He realized that she was the collector who refused to sell.”
“He broke into her house one night but he couldn’t find the engine.”
“He wouldn’t have been able to find it even if he had known what it looks like because she kept it in a special vault.”
“He was going to break in again to look for it but by then Lambert had already made arrangements to give her glass collection to the Arcane museum,” Thelma said. “The staff packed up what we assumed were all of the objects. The glassware was taken away and stored in the museum’s vaults.”
“Then Mrs. Lambert suffered a heart attack and later died in the hospital,” Charlotte said.
“We tried to come up with a plan to break into the museum vaults but it looked impossible. J&J recently tightened security there. Then Gaines found a copy of the inventory of the items that Mrs. Lambert had given to the museum. There was no object resembling the Bridewell Engine on it. But he learned that some additional items had been bequeathed to you.”