Round Trip Fare

by Barb Taub

  Carey handed him the box, but the imps didn’t move. After another exchanged look, the first one held out his hand again. “Bargain?”

  “I don’t have anything else to bargain with.”

  He shook his head. “Imps don’t work for anyone. But they brought their war to us and shot my brother. You saved us. We owe you a bargain.”

  “I can’t take you with me.”

  “We will come with you to rescue your brother as you have rescued our brother.” He rattled the keys. “First we will find the truck.”

  “Wait.” About to walk away, the imps turned back. At their stiff backs and wary looks, she reconsidered her automatic rejection of their offer. “Um…what are your names?” She tried a smile.

  The imp blinked. “I am Michelangelo. My brothers…” He waved a red paw. “El-Cid, Ben-Hur, and Moses.”

  She heard Zach choke behind her as Leigh Ann slapped a quick hand over his mouth, but Carey nodded. “Interesting names. My mother was a Charlton Heston fan.”

  All four imps flashed surprisingly feral smiles of their own, and for the first time she noticed how many teeth—really pointed teeth—they had in those teddy-bear faces. “Our mother too.”

  “Well, rather than picturing you as ninja turtles, would you mind if I call you Mike, Sid, Ben, and Moe?”

  “That is acceptable. We will name you Car.” Michelangelo came back to stand in front of her and held out a hand. “Bargain, Car?”

  She shook his hand. “Bargain, Mike.”

  The imps left the station, Ben and Moe supporting the Taser-victim Syd, as the whistle blew for the Metro’s departure. Anton jumped off the rolling train to the platform below, turning to meet Jacob’s eyes. He didn’t move until the train had left the station.

  Crossing the platform, Anton stared down at the last body being zipped into a bag. He raised flat black eyes to Carey and gave a slight wave to the row of bodies. “My House brothers. Before I left, I told them not to accept the contract from Narcorial. They weren’t ready to go against you or Samyaza, especially without me. But they made their choice, and I made mine. Now I will go with you to rescue your brother.”

  “Nobody is going with me. I don’t work with a team.”

  “Your permission does not matter to me. I need to help you kill my remaining brothers so that Jacob will be safe. Then I’ll go to Null City and wait for Jacob to decide if he will hate me.”

  Other people—those who hadn’t shared a room at the Academy with the woman for three years, for example—might have thought Claire was merely clearing her throat. But Carey whirled around, poking a stiff finger into Claire’s chest. “No way. You’re crap in the field, so you are absolutely not coming with me. Peter, talk some sense into your girlfriend.”

  Peter Oshiro, who had come in quietly with Kurt Jeffers, shook his head. “Here we go.”

  Claire merely leaned into that pointing finger and smiled. “Yellow bridesmaid’s dress. With ruffles. Lots.”

  Carey sucked in a breath.

  “And a bridal shower. Party games.” Claire drew out the words. “Wittttthhhhh…Toilet. Paper.”

  “You so don’t fight fair.” Carey bowed her head in defeat.

  Zach stood up. “I’m your cousin. Guess that makes me your brother’s cousin too. I’m coming.”

  Carey looked at Iax.

  “You already know it’s not even optional.” He held up Hell’s basket and a delighted Bain bounced to his side.

  Leigh Ann frowned. “The rest of you heroes are welcome to get yourselves killed. But now that you’ve made me come back here, I need a mani-pedi something fierce.”

  Carey sighed, and headed out of the Metro Station, followed by her army and a still complaining Leigh Ann.

  »»•««

  “Damn.” They all stood outside looking at the truck, an 18-wheeler tractor with its long trailer.

  “Does anyone know how to drive this thing?” Claire looked at Peter, then the rest of the group. Nobody answered.

  “Okay, fine. But this better count toward my Community Service hours.” Leigh Ann stepped forward, swung expertly up to the driver’s seat, and held out her hand for the keys. “What?” At the looks on their faces, she smirked. “I needed some career development credits to graduate, but I didn’t want to take Home Ec, and there was a little…misunderstanding…involving the shop teacher and a restraining order. I still say he was way overreacting, but I took Over-The-Road training and even got my CDL. Of course, I’m not supposed to drive a rig across state lines until I’m twenty-one.”

  In the ensuing silence, one of the imps—Carey thought it was Mike—held out some paperwork. “It was rented from an agency in a town called Whitman, Washington. Have you ever heard of it?”

  “Unh…” Carey took it like a blow to the stomach. Immediately, Iax’s hands were on her shoulders. Leaning back against him, she concentrated on breathing. Slowly. In and out. When she could talk, she didn’t recognize the flat voice that came out of her mouth. “That’s where the St. Helens Ranch is. It’s where I lost Conner. And Harry died. And everything changed.” Wait. There was something. The roaring in her ears made it hard to focus. But she was supposed to remember something. “It was…”

  “Where your path forked.” Anton’s low voice with that unplaceable accent came from behind her. “It’s the message from the seer.”

  »»•««

  “We’re going to need to stop for fuel. That sign says there’s a service plaza five miles ahead.” Leigh Ann didn’t take her eyes from the road. “Plus I’m hungry.”

  “Okay, pull in.” Carey pulled out her phone and dialed Claire. “How’s life in the trailer?”

  “I should have gone on the bike with Peter. You did NOT tell me your hellhound gets carsick. I hate you.”

  Carey heard Iax’s voice protest. “She’s just a baby. It’s not her fault. And I cleaned it up with some stuff from that big trunk.”

  “Hey!” The truck swerved, and Carey heard various complaints and shoutiness coming from her phone as Leigh Ann fought the truck back into her lane. “That’s my stuff. You better not be using it for dog puke.”

  “Wrong end.” Iax’s voice was smug.

  “Ewww. Somebody’s going to be paying for that.”

  Carey banged her head on the dashboard. “Just get us to the service plaza.” She looked at the phone with loathing. “We’re stopping for fuel. Does anybody want anything to eat?”

  »»•««

  “Need a hand with that?” The trucker looked at the dozen large cups she was carrying in a cardboard tray, as well as the three double-dozen boxes of donuts. Accepting the donuts, he fell into step with her as they crossed the parking lot to the section reserved for trucks. “What are you hauling?”

  “Pair of half-demons, a crabby witch, a sullen teenage succubus, one carsick hellhound, bunch of imps, and the world’s most annoying ex-Accords Warden. How about you?”

  “Furniture. Early American, mostly…”

  “We’re looking for a missing fallen angel. Irish accent. Seen one around here?”

  The other driver pursed his lips and held out the donuts. “Can’t say I have.” He seemed to remember something and nodded in relief at her truck. “Ah, cosplay costumes. Are you headed for SpoCon? I went as a Jedi last year, but I heard they’re moving away from Star Wars this time around. My girlfriend wanted to go as that girl from Firefly, but I told her to get a life. That show had one lousy season—it’s time to move on.” He shook his head. “What are you going as?”

  “That girl from Firefly.” She gave her most feral smile and watched him flinch. “So, how are the roads?”

  “Good, really. Speed trap up on WA-26. Clear otherwise.”

  “Gotcha.” She jerked her chin in farewell and crossed to her truck, juggling drinks and donuts until she could bang on the trailer. The door opened, and she handed up the food to Zach and Peter. “Come on Bain. Let’s go for a walk.”

  Bain shepherded Hell to the door of t
he truck, but before Carey could reach for her, Iax scooped the pup up and jumped to the ground. He fell into step beside her as she headed for the strip of grass at the far end of the truck lot. “How do you know the St. Helens Ranch is still there?” A stranger might have thought he was asking about the weather.

  “Because it’s mine.”

  He stared at her.

  “Harry set the trust up so that if he hadn’t checked in within five years, the St. Helens would revert to me and Connor. Or…whichever one of us had checked in within that time.” She shrugged. “Whatever.”

  “When was the last time you saw the ranch?”

  Her voice was low but steady. “I never went back. There was nothing left there for me.” Her eyes watched the two dogs race across the grass. No way was she remembering puppies playing in a barn.

  “Go on.”

  “It’s just—how many more times can I leave my life behind? First Null City when Connor and I were babies, then the island when Gaby left us, the St. Helens after Harry.” She sucked in air. “Then my house when Marley disappeared. Then…”

  “Then me.” He cleared his throat. “Carey, I’d give anything…”

  She didn’t look at him. “Bain! Time to go.”

  »»•««

  The town of Whitman still looked like a nostalgia print from the forties with pickups and older model cars pulled headfirst against the curb instead of parallel parking along its old storefronts. A closer look however, showed that the drugstore now had a sign advertising espresso drinks and free Wi-Fi, while the store she remembered as a candy shop was now devoted to cellphones.

  Iax came with her to the agency that had rented the semi, but the woman at the desk had no real information for them. The truck rental had been charged to a credit card that the Accords accountants said was a dead end, and the dealer had no idea who owned the trailer. Carey told the team to wait in the small square that served as town park, and headed up the street to what she was relieved to see was still Whitmore’s Feed Store. She didn’t comment as Iax joined her.

  Inside the store, the man at the counter looked vaguely familiar. “Jeremy?”

  Her former classmate looked up politely. “Jeremy Whitmore?” Unlike the boy she remembered, he had the powerful build of a man who was no stranger to heavy work. “It’s Carey Parker. We went to high school together?”

  His forehead creased in thought. “Connor’s sister?” He looked her over, and his polite smile widened into a grin. “You look…different.”

  Ignoring Iax’s glare, she smiled. “So do you. Is Mr. Whitmore around?”

  Jeremy waved at a bulletin board full of postcards. “My dad retired last year, and I took over. He and Mom bought an Airstream trailer and are trying to hit every national park. How have you been?” He seemed to remember something and went back to the forehead creases. “We all were so sorry to hear what happened at the ranch. People have wondered about you and Connor…”

  “Thank you.” She let the unspoken question drop. “I’d like to head out to the ranch with a group of friends, but the horses there are long gone. Do you know where we can rent about a dozen for a couple of days? Four of my friends are short, so ponies would be great for them. I’ll be happy to pay for the horses and the gear up front because I don’t know if…I mean when I can get them back to you.”

  He nodded. “My dad appreciated that money order you sent for the horses you borrowed that…day. I’ll see what I can do, but it probably won’t be until tomorrow that I could get that many together. Are you staying at the ranch?”

  She knew Iax felt her freeze, but her voice was steady. “No, I was thinking we’d stay in town tonight. Is there still a motel?”

  Jeremy laughed. “Hey, Whitman hit the big time when they built the new Walmart outside of town. They tore down the old motel and put up a fancy chain hotel just past the school. My sister had her wedding out there, and it was real nice.”

  He glanced at her ringless left hand, and looked more cheerful. “How about I take you to dinner, and we can catch up?”

  She felt Iax stiffen beside her, and rammed an elbow into his ribs before he could speak. “I’d like that, Jeremy. Let me get my friends settled in, and I’ll meet you. Does Arlen’s Diner still do those great burgers? Say around six o’clock?”

  He smiled. “Arlen’s is still the best. But I have to close up here first. Could we make it seven?”

  “I’ll meet you at Arlen’s at seven.”

  Fingers clamped around his arm, she dragged a glaring Iax from the store. “And you can just stop that pouting and think for one minute. I need to know if anyone’s been asking about me, and catch up on the news. Working at the feed store, Jeremy will hear everything.”

  “I’m coming with you. I don’t trust him.”

  “In your dreams.”

  He turned that glare on her. “I might not have my gift back, but I have a lot of dreams, Carey.” The air between them was a solid bar of heat. “You’re in every one of them. Usually naked. And your old high school buddy isn’t in any of those dreams.”

  She stared at him and opened her mouth. Nothing. She had nothing. Shaking her head, she turned away and headed back to the park.

  Claire produced her Agency credit card, and the motel found rooms for all of them, insisting that they had to double up because they were booked for a marching band competition they were having over at the high school. The imps shrugged when told they’d be sharing one room. But Leigh Ann groaned when that put her with Carey, who didn’t look any happier than Iax was to find himself sharing with both Zach and Anton. Carey was even more worried when Leigh Ann announced she would get Carey ready for her date, talking about a TCFW dress, whatever that meant.

  “Too cute for words.” Claire’s voice was, as always, serene.

  “If that thing is pink, I will make you suffer.” Carey’s own voice was low and mean as she muttered to a smirking Claire.

  Peter simply looped an arm around his fiancé, picked up their room keys, and led her away. As they left, Carey heard him whispering something about hotel sex. Over his shoulder, he smiled at Carey. “I like this mission so far.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  July 2011: Whitman, Washington

  “I cannot wear this dress.” Carey looked down at the only one of Leigh Ann’s dresses she had thought might work, a sweet little sundress. That was before she had a look in the mirror. Plastic wrap would be less revealing.

  “This from the woman who goes undercover as a party girl, pole dancer, hooker, or—correct me if I’m wrong about this one—NFL cheerleader.”

  “Exotic escort.”

  “Huh?”

  “Not a hooker. An exotic escort. And how do you know about the disguises?”

  “You do know there’s a Tumblr blog for your ARC captures? Very popular in Null City.”

  Mentally inventorying some of her past disguises, Carey was somewhat relieved about the ones Leigh Ann hadn’t mentioned. Still, she made a mental note to check out that Tumblr.

  “And anyway…” Leigh Ann stared. “You look hot. With those baggy tees and hoodies, who would ever guess you had those…” She gestured graphically. Since the items in question were currently straining against the boundaries imposed by the skintight halter bodice, Carey couldn’t argue with her.

  “Just keep your shoulders back and don’t…you know…lean forward suddenly,” Leigh Ann advised. “And whatever you do, don’t bend over.” They both stared at the little skirt, which would have been sweet and summery with its all-over cherries print—if there had been more of it, that was.

  Carey groaned and reached for her boots.

  “Are you serious?” Leigh Ann snatched the boots, and handed her a pair of high-heeled sandals.

  “Where will I put my knives? And how am I supposed to chase someone?”

  “You won’t.” Twisting Carey’s now chin-length dark curls, Leigh Ann secured the resultant knot with a pair of shuriken.

  “I haven’t
gone to the bathroom without a weapon since I was ten.”

  “Fine.” Leigh Ann held out a tiny purse, and laughed as Carey wedged in her little purple gun, leaving the bag with a decidedly Ruger-shaped bulge. “Yeah, that’s subtle.”

  As Carey stomped to the door, Leigh Ann raced to get ahead of her. “Hey, I want to see their faces.”

  When they got to the lobby, there was no sign of Claire and Peter. But other reactions were all Leigh Ann could have wished. The four imps stared. Zach’s mouth dropped open. Iax’s teeth ground audibly. Nobody said anything until she reached for the outside door. Then one of the imps offered, “For a human, she’s not that ugly.”

  With a longing glance at Peter’s bike, Carey headed for the gigantic club van, the only vehicle at the rental agency that could hold her army. She looked around cautiously, fairly sure the amount of flesh exposed as she climbed aboard would be grounds for arrest in some states. As she started the van, the passenger door opened. “Iax, you’re so not coming on my date.” She hit the gas, leaving him standing in the settling dust as the passenger door swung shut under its own weight.

  »»•««

  Jeremy’s face lit up when he spotted her outside Arlen’s Diner. “Wow, you’re really beautiful. How did I miss that back in the day?”

  She waved at her outfit. “Well, I wasn’t dressed by a soul-eating siren back then. I have to tell you that I’m not all that comfortable, but I didn’t bring any of my own dresses with me.” She grimaced. “Actually, the only dresses I own are for undercover work.”

  There was a brief struggle as he tried to open the door for her, followed by a scuffle over her chair, before she awkwardly allowed him to seat her. Minutes later, he had her smiling at the old yearbook he’d brought along. Carey tried to remember if she’d ever noticed Jeremy’s charm and humor in the old days. Somehow she was laughing at his stories of their former classmates, and even about things that now seemed a lot funnier than when she lived them in high school. He asked questions about her life, and seemed fascinated with her carefully-edited version of her job.