I straightened to swing my bag between my knees to try to burn off some irritation, and snuggled into my scarf, Jenks wiggled to life. Whats up, Rache? he asked, landing on my hands to get me to stop swinging my bag.
Nothing, I said shortly.
His brow rose, and he gave me a look. Then why did your pulse quicken and your temperature rise? He made a face. Your perfume stinks. God, what did you do, bathe in it?
I stared at the receptionist, avoiding Jenkss question. I couldnt tell him I was worried about his wife not making it through the winter. He buzzed his wings for my attention, and I tapped the banshee report on my knee. I had written it for Edden this morningwhich only made me madder. I was here to help, and they left me waiting with distraught parents and thugs cuffed to the walls? Nice.
Lookie here, Rache, Jenks said, not a speck of dust falling from him as he flew heavily two seats down and landed on a discarded paper. You made some print.
What? Expecting the worst, I leaned over and snatched it up. Jenks laboriously flew back and settled on my hand as I held the paper up, scanning the picture. This was all I needed, but my worry eased when I found it was just a shot of the Tilsons house with a crowd and a news van out front. The caption said YEAR-END BRIMSTONE BUST GONE WRONG, and you couldnt even tell it was me unless you knew it.
Gonna save it for your scrapbook? Jenks asked as I quickly read the article.
No. I tossed the paper back where it had been, then stretched to turn the picture side down. Drug bust, eh? Good for them. Keep it that way.
Hands on his hips, Jenks flew into my line of sight, but I was saved from whatever smart-ass remark he was going to gift me with when the doors cycled open and two uniformed FIB guys roughly escorted in a thin Santa. The man was shrieking about his reindeer. The cold draft hit us, and Jenks dove for my scarf.
Tinks titties, you think you could put a little more perfume on, Rache? he complained, and I shivered as his wings brushed my bare skin.
Its from Ivy, I said.
Oh.
I sighed as I settled in to wait. Id found the new bottle of citrusy scent on the kitchen table this morning. Id known what it meant and had immediately dabbed on a splash. Apparently, after yesterday, Ivy thought it prudent to reinstate our practice of trying to muddle the mixing of our natural scents. We hadnt had to resort to chemical warfare on her instincts for a while, but wed been trapped in the church with the windows closed for months.
The Santa broke from the officers and bolted for the door. I jerked upright, then relaxed as the two officers fell on him. All three slid into the doors with a thump. The guy was cuffed. How far was he going to get? Damn, I swore softly, wincing. Thats going to leave a mark.
A presence of old coffee tickled my nose, and I wasnt surprised when Edden appeared at my elbow. The one on the bottom is Chad. Hes new. I think hes trying to impress you.
My irritation at having to wait returned, and I looked up at the squat FIB captain. He was in his usual khakis and dress shirt. No tie, but his brown dress shoes were polished and he held himself with his familiar uprightness. His eyes, too, looked more determined. Tired, but the fear was gone. Glenn must be doing better.
Im impressed, I said, catching the drama out of the corner of my eye as Chad dragged Santa into the back. Cant you bring the loonies in the rear door?
Edden shrugged. Its too icy, and wed get sued.
From my scarf, Jenks said, And crashing into the door like that is so-o-o-o much safer.
Resisting arrest with lots of witnesses, he said. Id say thats safer. Then he tilted his head and peered at my scarf. Hi, Jenks. I didnt see you. Kind of cold, isnt it?
Enough to freeze my balls together, yeah, Jenks said, peeking out at the sound of Eddens louder voice. You got anyplace warmer? Between the cold and Rachels perfume, Id be more comfortable at a fairys bris.
The short man smiled, and he extended a hand to take the banshee essay that Id written for him in my copious spare time. Come on back. Sorry to make you wait here. New rules.
New rules, I thought sourly as I stood. New rules or new mistrust? Old mistrust, maybe given new life. At least Chad liked me. No problem, I said sourly, not wanting to let him know how much it bothered me. He knew it was there, I knew it was there. Why rub my nose in it? Hows Glenn doing? Has he regained consciousness yet?
Edden had a hand on the small of my back, and where Id usually take offense, he could get away with it. Edden was cool. No, he said, his eyes down with a thought. But hes doing better. More brain activity.
Once away from the cold draft, Jenks left my scarf, and I nodded, thinking I should go out and see Glenn tonight after dinner. Id be ready for some silent company by then. Maybe tickle his feet until he woke up or peed his sheets or something. I smiled at the thought, almost missing it when Edden made an unexpected left away from the interrogation rooms.
Arent we going to the interrogation rooms? I said, and Edden led me to his office.
No. We cant find Mia Harbor.
My pace didnt slow, but me cooling my heels in the lobby was making a lot more sense. So much for the truth amulet stuffed in my bag.
Jenks was starting to slip a thin trail of dust, telling me he was warm and in good form. She went AWOL? the small pixy said, flying backward to create a small commotion among the watching officers.
Edden wasnt impressed with Jenkss aerial display, and he held the door to his office open and gestured for me to enter. Yup, he said, but he didnt follow me in. She moved without filing her new address. Weve a warrant out for her arrest, so if you want her, shes all yours, Rachel.
A banshee? I said, laughing. Me? How much money you got, Edden? I dont do suicide runs.
Edden tossed my essay on his desk, hesitating as if trying to decide whether I was kidding. You want some coffee? he finally said. How about you, Jenks? I think I saw a honey packet from someones biscuits in the fridge.
Hell yes! he exclaimed before I could protest, and Edden nodded, leaving the door open as he went in search of it.
I gave Jenks a wry look as he buzzed over Eddens office to check out the new bowling trophy. Spinning the chair around, I plunked into it and set my bag at my feet. I was really hoping youd be sober for this, I said, and Jenks landed on Eddens cluttered desk with his hands on his hips.
Why? he said, unusually belligerent. You dont need me if the banshee isnt here. Give me a break. Like Ive been honey drunk any longer than five minutes.
I looked away in disapproval, and he buzzed a harsh flight to Eddens pencil cup to sulk. Crossing my knees, I bobbed my foot. I was waiting again, but it was warmer, quieter, and I had the promise of coffee.
Eddens office was a pleasant mix of organized clutter that I could identify with and was part of the reason I had taken to him so quickly last year. The man was ex-military, but youd never know it by the dust and stacks of files. Still, I bet he could put his finger on anything he wanted in three seconds flat. The pictures on the walls were few, but in one of them he was shaking hands with Denon, my old boss at the I.S. It would worry me if I hadnt once heard the pleasure Edden had taken in jerking a case out from under him. The smell of old coffee seemed embedded in the gray tiles and institutional-yellow walls. A new laptop sat open on his desk instead of a monitor, and the clock that had once been behind him was now behind me. Otherwise, it was the same as the last time I had sat here, waiting for Edden to bring me coffee.
I heard Eddens footsteps before his bulky silhouette showed through the blinds between his office and the rest of the other offices, all open. The man came in with two china mugs instead of the expected foam ones. New rules again? One was clearly his by the brown-stained rim. I got the clean one with rainbows. How sweet
Jenks rose up in a column of blue sparkles as Edden sat behind his desk, the pixy taking the packet almost as large as he was and retreating to a corner, out of my reach. Thanks, Edden, he said, wrestling with the plastic to tear it open.
I leaned to shut the door with my foot, and Edden eyed me. You have something to say in private, Rachel? he asked, and I shook my head. Taking the packet from Jenks, I tore it open and handed it back.
Trust me, I said, thinking that having the harried FIB officers deal with a drunk pixy was too much to ask for. My reputation was bad enough as it was.
So, I said to draw Eddens attention from Jenks, who was humming happily and starting to list already, one wing not fanning as fast as the other. Isnt a felony charge a little harsh for failure to register a new address?
Eddens gaze darted from me to Jenks, and then back. Its not for failure to register. Its because shes a suspect.
S good honey, Eddie, Jenks interrupted, and I set my coffee mug down loud enough to make his wings hum.
The banshee is a suspect? I questioned. Why? All she did was leave a tear.
Edden leaned back in his chair and sipped his coffee. Alex took her photo out to the neighbors to see if she had been near the scene recently. Babysitter, cosmetics lady, whatever. Every single person asked IDd Ms. Harbor as Mrs. Tilson.
What? I yelped, sitting up fast.
Holy crap, Jenks swore, almost crashing into the stack of files on Eddens desk as he took flight with his honey packet. The banshee took a humans name? What the hell for?
My first wash of surprise ebbed into an uneasy answer, and by looking at Eddens severe face, I knew he had the same idea. Mia had killed them and was trying to cover it up. Good God. Tom is trying to tag a banshee? By himself? Go for it, coffin bait. That might explain why Tom Bansen was under our kitchen floor yesterday, I said, and Edden started.
Under your
Kitchen floor, I finished. All dressed up like a military guy on urban-assault detail. Bis and one of my friends caught him trying to bug the church.
Why didnt you call me? Edden said, and I made a face while Jenks slurred something about the gargoyle.
Because Toms been, ah, shunned, I said, flushing. No Inderlander will hire him, the I.S. included. He has no choice but to go independent. Bringing in a banshee will probably earn him enough money to get himself set up somewhere he can live his life out in the wilds. He warned me off the case. Now that I think about it, he told me specifically to stay away from Mia. He probably knows at least as much as we do.
Then why bug you? he asked, and I shrugged.
Because if hes been shunned, he lacks the resources of both the FIB and the I.S. I guess he figured hed listen in to what we found and act on it before we did. Tom probably knows exactly where shes gone. Maybe I should try to bug him.
Edden looked grim, rubbing his mustache, when I finally looked back. Want a car at your house?
Immediately I shook my head. No, but one at my moms might be nice.
Within the hour, he promised, the pen almost lost in his grip as he made a note.
Jenks had started climbing Eddens desk files like a drunken mountaineer, and I blushed when I found out what happened on the tenth day of pixy Christmas. Shaking off the visual, I turned to Edden. If Mia is Mrs. Tilson, we need to find her fast. The man with her is in danger.
Edden made an ugly sound and just about threw the pen in the cup. I dont care.
Hes liable to wind up dead, I protested, then took a sip of my coffee now that Jenks wasnt hiding behind it. My eyes closed in bliss for a moment. Id give the FIB one thing: They knew how to make coffee. A banshees liveins never live long, I said. And if Mia has a baby, her emotion requirements will be almost triple. I paused in my motion to take another drink. That was probably why she had to put five years between her children.
Eddens mustache was bunched up, and his expression was hard. Im not concerned about Mias accomplice, he said. He was healthy enough to beat up my son. We pulled his record this morning by way of his fingerprints. His name is Remus, and we would never have found him this fast but hes got a file thicker than my fist, starting from high school with an attempted date rape, up to about three years ago when he spent time in a psychiatric jail for an especially foul animal-cruelty charge. They let him out, and he dropped off the face of the earth. No credit card activity, no rental history, no W-2 forms. Nothing until now. So you can understand if I dont rush out and try to find him for the sake of his own health.
My stomach hurt. God, the two of them had probably killed the Tilsons together. They had killed those happy faces that were in that yearbook and taken their names, their lives, everything. Shoved what they didnt want into boxes in their garage.
Jenks dropped the empty honey packet, staggering under the desk lamp and staring up at it. Realizing that he was singing to it to get it to turn on, I flicked the switch. Jenks exploded into gold sparkles and collapsed, giggling. My expression went blank. He was stuck on the tenth day of Christmas, but finally he gave up and started singing about four purple condoms.
I looked at Edden and shrugged. Maybe the little girl belongs to Remus, I said, and Edden jerked the topmost file out from under Jenks. The pixy rose three inches before falling down, mumbling as he pillowed his head on his folded arms and fell asleep in the artificial warmth of the light. Edden handed me the file, and I opened it. What is this?
He leaned back to lace his hands over his middle. Everything we have on Mia. That baby makes her a lot easier to track. Without her, Remus wouldnt exist. We found another licensed day care that Mia frequents, making four now and at least two more informal ones.
I leafed through the small packet to read the addresses, impressed again with the FIBs investigative techniques. The day cares were mostly in Ohio, on Cincys outskirts.
I called them all this morning, Edden said. Mia didnt show up anywhere yesterday, and the one she was scheduled for was concerned. Apparently she always stays to help instead of paying them for care, claiming that she wants Holly to have more socialization skills.
No kidding? I said, eyebrows high. I could buy that, but not if she was taking her daughter to five other day cares to do the same thing.
No, no, no, Jenks slurred from under the glaring light. His eyes werent open, and I was surprised he was conscious enough to listen, much less comment on the conversation. Kid isnt socializing. The kid is sucking down emotion like
His words trailed off in confusion, and I offered, A pixy with honey?
Jenks cracked an eye and gave me a thumbs-up. Yeah. His eyes closed, and he started to snore. I didnt know why, but I unwound my scarf and covered him. Embarrassment, maybe?
Edden was watching us with a questioning expression, and I lifted a shoulder and let it fall. Mias probably trying to spread her daughters damage around.
Edden made a noncommittal grunt, and I continued to leaf through the information. The neighbor kid who mowed their lawn said that Mia told his mom she wanted a lot of kids but had to space them out, five years apart, I said. That would go along with Holly being a banshee. You cant have two kids around like that. Hell, a banshee usually has a kid once every hundred years or so, so if Mia is thinking another one in five years, she must have a really good way to keep from killing people to support her daughters growth
My words drifted to nothing. Either that, or someone with her who knew how to abduct people in a way so that they never went reported as missing. Someone like a homicidal maniac capable of serial murders. Sort of like Remussomeone who would enjoy hunting people and bringing them back for his wife and darling baby to drain. That might be why Remus was in good enough health to beat up an FIB officer, feeding his two tigers well enough that Mia could plan on adding to her little family. This was really not good.
Edden was quietly waiting for me to come to just that conclusion, and I closed the file. Numb and feeling sick, I glanced at Jenks, out cold, then to Edden, silently waiting. Im not doing this, I said, dropping the packet on his desk. The draft shifted Jenkss hair, and the pixy grimaced in his drunken stupor. Banshees are dangerousapex predators. And I thought you didnt want myexcuse meour help.
At my blatant accusation, Edden reddened. Who is going to bring her in, then? The I.S.? I talked to them this morning. They dont care. His eyes went everywhere but to mine. If we dont bring her in, no one will, he muttered.
And he would want justice, seeing that she had something to do with his son being in the hospital. Frowning, I slid the file back off Eddens desk and onto my lap, but I didnt open it. Next question, I said, my tone clearly stating I wasnt taking the jobyet. What makes you so sure the I.S. isnt covering it up? I wasnt about to get on the I.S.s bad side for a paycheck. Id done that before, and was smarter now. Yeah, it had felt great showing up the I.S., but then Denon took my license and I was stuck riding the bus again.
Eddens expression went tight. What if they are?
My face scrunched up, and I fingered the file. Yeah, it left a bad taste in my mouth, too.
According to the woman I talked to at the I.S., Edden said, there should be a trail almost eighteen months long on this woman, starting with several simultaneous deaths at the time of Hollys conception and continuing on to today. Thats probably when the Tilsons were murdered. Ms. Harbor is devious, clever, and has a tremendous knowledge of the city. About the only thing going for us is that she wont leave Cincinnati. Banshees are highly territorial and dependent upon the people theyve been siphoning off for generations.
I bobbed my foot and looked at the essay I had written. Why did you ask me to write this if you already knew it? I asked, my feelings hurt.
I didnt know it yesterday. You were sleeping, Rachel, Edden said dryly, then hid his slight guilt behind a sip of coffee. I talked to Audrey something or other in records this morning. She was going to make me fill out a years worth of forms until I dropped your name. A faint smile replaced his concern, and I relaxed.
I know her, I said. You can trust what she said.
Edden laughed, making Jenks mumble in his sleep. Especially after I promised youd babysit for her. He ran a hand over his mustache to hide a smile. She was kind of cranky. You witches arent at your best before noon, are you?
No, I said, then my smile faded. Audrey had three kids last I checked. Crap. I was going to have to have Jenks help me; otherwise theyd railroad me into a closet or trick me into letting them eat candy.
Audrey said Mias net of people is probably so intricate that she cant risk leaving Cincy. If she does, the deaths to support the baby will be fast and easy to find, rather than the carefully chosen, hidden ones. He hesitated, and a flash of worry for his son crossed his face. Is that true? They already killed an FIB officer. That wasting disease was probably Mia, right?
He was too far away for me to reach out and touch his hand in support, but I wanted to. I really needed to visit Glenn and look at his aura. It wasnt as if I could help him, but Id like to know if thats why he was still unconscious. Edden, Im sorry, I finally said. Glenn will be okay, and we will find them. They wont be allowed to think they can do this with impunity.
The older mans jaw clenched, then relaxed. I know. I just wanted to hear from you that we have a chance and that they didnt hop a plane and are in Mexico, sucking the children there dry.
From under my scarf came a high-pitched sigh, and Jenks mumbled, On the eleventh day of Christmas, my lover gave to me
I nudged the stack of files. Hush, Jenks, I said, then pulled my eyes to Edden, softening my gaze. We will get them, Edden. Promise.
Jenkss mumbling grew loud, and I felt uneasy when I realized he was apologizing to Matalina. That was a hindsight better than what the drummers had been doing with the pipers pipes, but his heartfelt whining was almost worse.
Then youll help us? Edden asked, rather unnecessarily, I might add.
It was a banshee, but with Ivys helpand a lot of planningwe three could do it. Ill look into it, I said, trying to drown out Jenkss vow that he would never touch honey again if she would get better. This was getting depressing.
Edden, too, was glancing at my scarf as he rummaged around in a top drawer. He found what he was looking for, and extended his fist, palm down. Then you might need this, he said, and I reached for whatever it was.
The smooth feel of crystal fell into my palm, and I jerked back. Heart pounding, I stared at the opaque drop of nothing, warming fast against my skin. I waited for my hand to cramp up or the stone to feel fuzzy or move or something, but it just sat there, looking like a cheap, foggy crystal that earth witches sell ignorant humans down at Finley Market.
Where did you get this? I asked, feeling squeamish even as the tear did nothing. Is it one of Mias? It seemed to wiggle in my hand, and it was all I could do not to drop it, but then Id have to tell him why, and then he might take it back. So I blinked at him, my fingers going stiff in an open cradle.
We found a stash of them in a glass flower vase, disguised as decorative stones, Edden said. I thought you might be able to make one into a locator amulet.
It was a great idea, and I dropped the crystal into my coat pocket, deeming Id held the squirmy thing long enough. My held breath slipped from me, and the hesitant, almost belligerent embarrassment he was hiding gave me pause until I realized he had taken the tear from evidence.
Ill give it a try, I said, and he grimaced, eyes lowered. I had to pick up my brother at the airport, but I might be able to squeeze in a stop at the university library as well as a charm shop for Jenks before that. A locator charm was devilishly hard. I honestly didnt know if I could pull it off. The library would be the only place I could find the recipe. Well, besides the Internet, but that was asking for trouble.
My scarf was now spouting poetry, waxing lovingly about Matalinas charms in beautifully poetic to downright lustful terms. Giving the stack of papers a push, I flicked off the light. Jenks let out a long complaint, and I stood.
Come on, Mr. Honeypot, I said to Jenks. We gotta go.
I flicked my scarf off him, and the pixy didnt move apart from huddling into a ball. Edden stood up, and together we eyed him. I was starting to get a bad feeling about this. Usually when Jenks got honey drunk, he was a happy drunk. This looked depressed, and I felt my face lose its expression when I realized Jenks was saying Matalinas name over and over.
Oh crap, I whispered as he started making promises he couldnt keep, asking her to make one she couldnt. My own heart breaking, I carefully scooped him up, holding the unaware pixy in my hands, cupping him in a soothing darkness and warmth. Damn it, this wasnt fair. No wonder Jenks took the opportunity to get drunk. His wife was dying, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Is he going to be all right? Edden whispered as I stood in front of the desk, not knowing how I was going to get home with him like this. I couldnt just shove him in my bag and hope for the best.
Yes, I said absently, deep in thought.
Edden shifted from foot to foot. Is his wife okay?
I brought my eyes up, unshed tears for Jenks warming them as I found a deep understanding in Eddens gaze, the understanding of a man who had lost his wife. No, I said. Pixies live only twenty years.
I could feel Jenks light and warm in my hands, and I wished he was bigger so I could just help him into the car, take him home, and cry with him on the couch. But all I could do was carefully slide him into the masculine glove Edden was holding out to me. The lined leather would keep him warm, whereas my scarf wouldnt.
Jenks hardly noticed the move, and I could get him to the car safely and in a dignified manner. I tried to tell Edden thanks, but the words stuck in my throat. Instead, I picked up the folder. Thanks for the addresses, I said softly, and I turned to go. Ill give them to Ivy. She can make sense out of rat tails in the dust.
Edden opened the door, and the noise of the open offices hit me like a slap, jerking me back to reality. I wiped my eyes and tugged my bag higher up on my shoulder. I held Eddens glove carefully. Ivy and I would map out Mias network, starting with the day cares. Then move on to see if she worked at elderly day care centers or volunteered at the hospital. This could get really ugly.
There was a soft pull on my elbow as I rocked into motion, and I paused. Edden had his eyes on the tile, and I waited until he brought them to mine.
Tell me when Jenks needs someone to talk to, he said, and my throat closed. Recalling what Ford had told me about Eddens wife dying in a stab-and-grab, I mustered a smile and nodded. My boots clicked fast on the tile as I made for the door, head high and eyes unseeing.
I wondered if Edden would talk to me next year when we went through the same ordeal with Jenks.
Seven
The airport was noisy, and I leaned against a support beam and tried not to fidget as I waited. Jenks and I had been here for nearly an hour, but I was glad Id gotten here early when security stopped me at the spell-checker gate. It had either been my truth amulet or my lethal-spell detector interfering with theirs, because they were about the only invoked charms I had on me. Dumping out my bag for three uniformed stiffs to paw through was not my idea of how to meet guys. Jenks had thought it was hilarious. No one else was getting searched.
The pixy was currently down the hall at the flower cart, not a single indication that he had been honey drunk earlier. He was working a deal with the owner for some fern seed if he could entice a few people to buy roses for their departing loved ones. He had still been out cold when we passed the charm shop, and I hadnt stopped either there or the library. But if he could get the fern seed, hed be a happy pixy.
It was cool in the drafty terminal, but vastly warmer than the blue, white, and gray world outside the huge plate-glass windows. Plows kept the runways clear, and the mounds of snow at the outskirts just begged to be played on. The people around me were a mix of hurried harassment, bored irritation, and anxious expectation. I fell into the last, and as I waited for Robbies plane to clear checks and disembark, I felt a shiver of anticipationthough some of that might have been lingering anxiety from having been stopped at the heavy-magic detector.
Witches had always worked in aviation, both on the ground and in the air, but during the Turn theyd taken it over and hadnt given it back, changing the laws until there had to be at least one highly qualified witch on duty at each security checkpoint. Even before the Turn, witches had been using heavy-magic detectors right along with the mundane metal detectors. What had looked like a random check on a harmless-looking man or woman had often been a covert search for contraband magic. Why Id been stopped I didnt know. Bothered, I tried to smooth out my brow and relax. Unless Robbie was in first class, it would be a while.
A cloying, too-sweet scent of cinnamon and the rich aroma of coffee gave a glimmer of contentment to the rising excitement. The conversations grew loud when the door opened and the first yawning person pushed through, intent on reaching the rent-a-car stand, his eyes glazed and his pace fast. A few feet from me was a mom with three toddlers, like stair steps, probably waiting for their dad. The eldest wiggled from his mom and ran for the huge windows, and I jumped when the mom set a circle to stop the toddler dead in his tracks.