by Livia Quinn
"Two and a half," she corrected.
And it would be here in a flash, I thought. "So will it embarrass you if I tell you how proud I am of you?" I asked.
"Nope, I can take it." She kissed me on the cheek and went to wash her plate. Turning suddenly, she said, "Oh! I forgot to tell you. Melissa said Mrs. Fortune said that Dr. Shone's vet tech said that Sir Lancelot had to be taken to LSU. He ate a golf club!"
I sighed, and wondered whether to correct her or not. "Mrs. Fortune" is the gossip columnist for the Destiny Tribune. She also works at the Cajun Market in Alliance, and is the local contractor for 1-900-Psychic. I have the sad fate of my daughter being best friends with Melissa Fortune, Jane's daughter, meaning I have to watch everything I tell Jordie. Sometimes, however, I can plant a tidbit I'd like to have circulated through their gossipy teenage network or get a teaser into Jane's column, Fortune's Telling, to reach a particular element or citizen.
"Ms. Fortune said Lancelot's condition was indeterminate." She smiled. "I think she meant undetermined, since it has nothing to do with botany."
Jane Fortune had a penchant for getting her words mixed up and apparently didn't see the importance, even though she was in journalism—if you could call it that—of proofing her work.
"I helped the Game Wardens load him for transport to Baton Rouge. Otherwise, I can't talk about it."
She nodded.
My phone rang. Ryan had picked up Will and was headed to New Orleans. "He says he's hungry so we're going to stop at Cracker Barrel on I-10 and fill him up for the long morning."
"Works for me. Keep him out of the way, and be sure you sit in on the session with the artist," I said.
"Roger that. I'll call you when we leave."
Jordie said, "I've got to run. See you tonight."
I pulled up to Crain's house thirty minutes later.
The locksmith was on standby but it turned out I didn't need him since the rickety door and the shifting gumbo under the foundation of the house combined to create the perfect walk-in scenario. A gentle push and I was inside. I nodded to my deputy to follow me. "You got the list of what we're looking for?"
Basile nodded. "Yes, sir. That green lid thingie and anything that might link Crain to River or the murder."
"Or Paige Whyte. Look for photos, too, though this guy doesn't look like the sentimental photo-sharing type. He must have been right at home at the Wasted Turtle." I pointed to the trays full of cigarette butts, ashes and burn marks on the furniture and carpet, empty liquor bottles, beer cans, and pizza boxes on the counter between the living room and kitchen. The next time I took a shower the water would probably run gray.
The kitchen sink was almost completely obscured by trash, molded food on plates, and as I got closer the smell rivaled the scene at the clubhouse. With my hands covered in latex I removed food-encrusted pots and dishes to find a half empty carton of curdled milk with a dead mouse floating inside. "Gah, what a slime bucket." But as my eyes traveled the counter above the sink they caught on a cheap chrome whiskey flask, with a mismatched green porcelain stopper. "Bingo."
I plucked the stopper from the flask and studied it. There was a crack running from the rubbery edge to the tip and it had been superglued. I guess it worked for a whiskey flask but what about for a genie bottle? "That can't be good."
I dropped the lid into a baggy, zipping it into my jacket pocket. "Basile, I've got the lid, a definite tie to the murder scene and the theft of the amphora. Let's rip this place apart, carefully and thoroughly. If we can find something on paper, an address, a connection to Paige, that might lead us to where River is. The way this guy lives, anything he wrote down, anywhere, could be a clue."
In the end, we found no clues, just more filth. But I counted the search successful because of finding the lid to River's amphora, though we were no closer to finding River. "Basile, I want you to go home and get your personal vehicle, put on street clothes and stakeout the Wasted Turtle. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
"This early?"
"Right now," I confirmed. "And take that folder with you that has the photos in it just in case. I'm headed back to the office to reunite this lid with its bottle."
* * *
Tempe
9am Good news, bad news
* * *
"I've got the lid," Jack said, as soon as I answered the phone. "To the amphora."
Earlier, he'd left me a text that merely said, "Found plug." I had no idea what he was talking about.
"Oh, good," I said, as I turned into Newcastle subdivision. I'd scheduled a substitute on my route for the rest of the week but Richard, the head clerk, had offered to let me do some package and special deliveries so I could salvage some of my vacation time.
"I expected more enthusiasm," Jack said. "I mean, you went to great lengths to find it, even risked going to jail."
I winced and could have kicked myself. The guy was really trying. He'd called it an amphora, instead of a vase. And he knew how important it was to me.
"That's not it, Jack. I'm sorry, I meant to tell you, I arranged for a new one. I was afraid we'd find River and wouldn't have a proper container for his force. It means a lot to me that you called though."
"Well, it's a good news bad news scenario again. The lid is cracked."
"Ah."
"So it's like I figured… wouldn't have been secure enough, right?"
I laughed. "You're really getting the hang of all this magical stuff, Jack."
"Yeah, don't get too excited yet."
"What did you find at Crain's? Anything?"
"No, but finding the lid ties him to the murder scene and River's amphora. I'm going to call Ryan and tell him to bring Crain back as soon as he meets with the sketch artist. No lolly-gagging around for lunch."
"Will's just going to lie to the artist, isn't he?"
Jack said, "You never know. I'll see you this afternoon. You don't want to tell me about Jordie's surprise do you?"
"Nah, what's the fun in that? Please keep me updated, okay?"
"I will."
So, it seemed we were finally getting somewhere. We knew he and Paige were connected. He'd been at the clubhouse and might've even killed Ray. If we could make the group mindlink work tomorrow night, we could find River. I just wanted this to be over. I wanted River to be safe and well. I wanted a chance to get to know my mother without all the lies between us.
And the biggie that stayed in the back of my mind… I wanted to see my father again. Zeus' colossal bolts! I wanted that. Almost as much as I wanted to kill him.
Chapter 9
Tempe
Wed. 3:30 pm 'Serene' isn't a word people associate with me
* * *
On the job stress wasn't nearly as much of a factor in the second week of certifications. I got it now.
My priorities had changed so much in the last ten days that I was no longer worried the big bosses at Universal Mail would let me go over some contrived excuse. I'd been doing my job, and doing it well, for nine years. I had never shirked my duty to my job, but right now, my family was more important.
I could feel the quickening approaching, even stronger since the ceremony Friday night. There was a simmering friction in the cells of my body like vibrating plates on a magician's pole. Any time now they would fly off and go in who knew what direction, cause unknown destruction, because I was unworthy, untrained, and had been… unwilling, but no more.
Jack said Phoebe's house had come back clean as a whistle. After he'd found me there last week, searching for some clue as to where she'd gone, I'd given in and allowed him to have the place processed for fingerprints or—whatever. I hadn't expected him to find anything. I was still hurt that Phoebe and her roomies had moved out and hadn't tried to call me or River, to let us know where they were taking her.
I dropped the last package off and drove back toward town. As soon as I checked in with Richard, I headed downtown to Aurora's. I found a parking spot two blocks away from the sho
p and grabbed the box out of the bed of my truck. I'd called Jack and told him to meet us early if he could.
When I entered the shop, a tall black woman stood in the center of the mirrored showcase decked out in a purple, green and gold sequined gown. She looked great in the off the shoulder dress but would probably need a fur coat for the frigid weather that was forecast for the weekend.
"Is she the queen or something?" I asked Aurora quietly.
"No, just a member of the Krewe." Another woman exited the dressing rooms, with Jordie holding the long flowing hem of the brilliant white gown. The bodice was covered in glittering stones that reflected light off every surface.
"There's the queen." Aurora turned toward her customer. "Now that is you, Selena. I can see why you wanted this style in particular. It's shows off your great figure. Jordie, grab the skirt and swing it around over here so she can step onto the block."
While they worked, I walked to the back room to pour myself a cup of Aurora's special blend. I was pretty sure she put some kind of soothing huju on it, because it always made me feel more serene, and "serene" is not a word most people associate with me. Oh, you figured that out.
On one pass through the workroom to get a pair of five-inch high rhinestoned silver heels, Jordie waved hello and returned to the front room. She really was a lovely girl.
Twenty minutes later, the women's purchases were rung up and Aurora asked Jordie to join us in the workroom.
I smiled at Jordie. "We have a surprise for you, young lady. I heard you and your dad are going to be in the Mardi Gras parade next Tuesday, so Aurora and I figured you needed something special to wear. What do you think…?" I removed the bag and revealed a gorgeous pale gold chiffon gown with a rhinestone covered bodice. The skirt fell in the soft rippling colors of the stones decorating the waist.
She gasped and her eyes lit up. "For real? I'm going to wear that?" She squealed something unintelligible. "Hold it right there. I've got to post this on Instagram and Snapshot. And Pinterest. And People Pages." She took several shots and texted to Cyberland while Aurora and I stood by, waiting for her to try it on.
The world was certainly changing, and I imagined our Paramortal society was already moving in that direction. How long would it be before the otherworldly beings would be tapping into the human social networks to accomplish tasks they'd used magic for? And what of our enemies? Were they already getting up to speed?
"Do I get to try it on?" Jordie asked.
Aurora said, "Well, yeah, when you get through plastering it all over the Internet. Just kidding, Sweetie. First let's do something with that hair."
Aurora had a mini-arsenal of hair products on standby. I hadn't even thought about Jordie's hairdo. Not surprising since I have no sense of fashion. Do the words delivery person and self-contractor impart any clues? My favorite uniform was shorts or jeans and my most indispensable hair item was a box of UMC #10 rubber bands. I was glad Aurora was on the job.
She finished curling the teenager's hair and sweeping it up into an elaborate style. "Now, let's get you into this gown."
Jordie's excitement was obvious as Aurora helped her into some pretty undies and zipped her into the dress. She shook her hands at her sides and jumped back and forth on her toes like an athlete loosening up prior to a game. "Hold still, Missie," said Aurora, as she fluffed and straightened the skirt of the gown. "Okay, now turn around. Slowly!"
We laughed as Jordie twirled in front of the vast expanse of mirrors, looking over her shoulder at the envious faces peering through the window at her, and grinning. I reached into the box and pulled out an intricate handmade mask of gold, black and red, decorated around the edges with luxurious plumes of red and gold feathers and a detachable gold satin wand.
Jordie squealed, "For me?" She reached out and took it, carefully, fingers trembling.
"It's pretty sturdy," I said. "I wanted something you could enjoy, without thinking about it breaking every time you turn around. Let's see how it looks."
"Wait!" Aurora took the mask from Jordie. "We don't want to mess up all the work I did on that hair or get makeup on the dress." She unhooked one corner of the mask from its elastic string and had me hold it in place while she reattached it. "Now. Let's see what we've got."
Aurora was putting the last touches on Jordie's hair, pulling down curls and straggles when a hiss of breath behind me made me smile. Jack had just gotten a look at his little girl in her first grown-up gown. Poor Daddy.
He appeared in the mirror towering over her, blinking several times. I saw what was obvious—pride, tenderness, fear, and a wealth of love. I'd been drawn to him physically that first day, but it seemed every day that followed revealed yet another surprise into the man's true character.
At first I'd only seen what he wanted me to see—the alpha male in charge, protective father and by-the-rules lawman, but gradually he was letting me in, allowing me glimpses of the vulnerability alongside the strength. It took my breath.
"Sweetheart, I don't think you'll ever be more beautiful than you are right now." He fluttered his hand lightly onto her shoulders. I could tell he needed to hug her but was afraid of messing up the dress, the hair or the mask. He drew back looking at her face, "What's this?" He raised his thumb to her bottom lip, but all three of us cried, "No," as Jordie jerked back out of reach.
"No, Daddy. It's part of the costume. See?" She pooched her bottom lip out. He craned his neck and squinted to look more closely.
Aurora had painted her lips with a satiny gold paint with four little ruby colored dots in the center of her bottom lip. It was made of some kind of waxy goo that would stay in place a few hours unless Jordie accidentally chewed it off. But it would only have to last through Tuesday's parade and then she could change.
Jack said, "Would you do me the honor, My Lady, of allowing me to escort you to your chariot and then to dinner?"
She giggled first then composed herself and said, "Thank you, kind sir. I would be delighted. But I'll have to change unless we eat out of town, because I can't let anyone see the dress until Tuesday."
"You choose then," said her father.
She turned, "Can Tempe come?"
He only hesitated a second, then identical silver green eyes turned to me, and I nodded. "That would be fun. But I'll need to run home and change."
Jack said, "We'll pick you up. I've got to touch base with Ryan and Peggy. It's 5:05. Is six okay?"
Tempe
5:10 pm Was that a lion chasing that Harley?
* * *
I'd been bombarded with revelations in the last twenty-four hours that normally would have set me back on my heels. Instead, I found myself with aspirations. The responsibility of raising River had consumed my time, my resources and my focus until he'd graduated from college and his business took off. Then, I'd gotten involved with Dylan.
How exactly had that happened?
It was difficult to remember my time with Dylan and be objective given what I'd learned. Would that new knowledge give me clarity or muddy the waters? I decided to imitate Scarlett O'Hara and think about the relationship later.
One thing was for sure. Without my responsibilities to River hanging over my head, I'd suddenly become aimless, my life without purpose, and feeling very… hollow. Burned out, Aurora had said.
So, thinking I needed a project, River and I began remodeling the Voracious Monster. We had a love-hate relationship with our home, Harmony Plantation. I'd felt a lot less harmony after the bills started rolling in, for sure. Especially after replacing the big picture window that over looked the Forge—twice.
Aurora had said working on the house was a way to re-center myself until my "true purpose came to me". Huh. I'd forgotten that conversation.
Well, that had changed. Now that I knew Dutch was alive and my mother wasn't guilty of abandoning us, I desperately wanted to see them again. Surely they'd show up soon and help me find River before it was too late.
After my brother was safe, cautious h
ope whispered, I might feel like I'd found my place in the world I'd been born into. I might even find real love, without lies or games, with someone who would accept me and my little Tempestaerie quirks. I thought of Jack's surprising, if hesitant, support.
We'd made some strides toward finding River. Maybe if I'd taken the risk and shocked Jack with the truth last week, we'd have found River by now.
As I made the last turn toward home, I caught a flash of silver in my side mirror, near the end of Boggy Bayou Road. Tucking my truck into a vacant driveway next to some hedges, I flipped my lights off and waited. Sure enough, the black and silver Harley roared past, its driver bent low over the bars.
I shivered, suddenly certain the driver of that bike had been following me. Did this have something to do with the disappearances? Was I next? Fear tightened the muscles in my shoulders but then, too late, curiosity took over. Who was behind all this? I should have at least thought to look for the tag number.
The bike disappeared around the curve and I drove down Harmony Lane and into my driveway.
I was surprised to find Katerina waiting for me on the porch. She caught me looking over my shoulder. "What is it, Tempe?" Her dark eyes searched the street behind me.
"Did you see a motorcycle? A big Harley?"
She nodded.
" I think it was following me."
"Let's go inside," Katerina said, and pushed me through the door as I unlocked it, reminding me with the strength of her push that she wasn't human.
"I'll be back," was all she said before she disappeared around the side of the house into the night.
Two minutes later Montana parked behind my truck and strode up the walkway. "Okay, what happened? I saw a puma disappear around the corner of the building and there's no circus in town. So, give."
"I was on my way home and noticed someone following me." Montana was suddenly in Dinnshencha mode. I could tell she was thinking about going after Katerina but her nature being the defender of women, naturally she'd babysit me.