The Lost Heir

by Allison Whitmore

  "Thanks, Archie!" She pulled a card out from her jacket. "Here's your ID."

  Archie lifted his eyebrows but said nothing. The car roared to life, and he switched it into gear.

  By the time they arrived at the jail, Isabella had pulled her hair into a ponytail, stuck a soft green skullcap on her head, and secured a pair of glasses atop her nose. She and Archie walked up the front steps as a little bird flew overhead. It was Mimi. Isabella would have to thank her after all of this was over. She still had no idea how the little morphling was able to get everything she needed so quickly, but she was certainly happy she'd helped Mimi out of those boxes. Wow, had that been just last week? It seemed like months ago.

  Isabella heard Mimi's voice in her head. I don't really know if Theophilus knows you're coming.

  "What do you mean, you don't know?"

  Archie looked at Isabella strangely. "Sorry, dear?"

  Isabella shook her head, trying to focus on Mimi's voice. He wasn't responding when I tried to contact him this morning.

  "You said that I had to get his approval," Isabella whispered under her breath.

  My contact said that's only if you're a minor over twelve and under eighteen, going in alone. You have Archie. You're fine, said Mimi, flying lower. Wait. Are you sure that's Archie?

  Now what was Mimi talking about? Who was her contact if not Theophilus? And of course it was Archie. Isabella felt a twitch at her temples and her body warm as she looked at Archie. She felt a bit dizzy.

  That's not him, said Mimi. That's a morphling. Talk in your mind. I can hear you. Don't talk out loud.

  How can he be a morphling?" Isabella asked in her mind.

  Do you remember him being that short? And look at his wrist. All morphlings have two red stripes on the inside of their wrists.

  What do I do?

  Find Theophilus.

  The guard checked them in. Down a drab corridor they went, through a metal detector and then down another set of stairs. They were sent to a thick line in a sweaty room. Archie didn't speak much. Maybe he'd been a morphling all along. No, Mimi was right. He was much shorter than she remembered him being. And, wait a minute. Archie never had a wife.

  "You said you were married," she remarked as they reached the front of the line.

  "Name of inmate?"

  "Theophilus Dodge," Isabella said.

  The woman looked over a list fastened to a clipboard. "Sorry, ma'am, but he's been released."

  "What? When?"

  The woman looked down at her sheet. "Seven a.m. this morning."

  Isabella turned around, and Archie was nowhere to be found.

  "Aren't you that lost Foxworthy girl?" asked the woman.

  Isabella shook her head. "No. People keep saying that, but no."

  "I think it is you," she insisted, eyes squinted.

  "Really, ma'am. It's not. I have to go."

  Isabella turned to walk briskly down the corridor, head high. Before she could get too far, a female guard pulled her to the side. "Theophilus wanted me to give you this." Isabella started to tear open the envelope, but the guard stopped her. "I'd read that elsewhere if I were you." She nodded toward two serious-looking guards coming from the direction she'd just left. "Walk fast, but don't run. I'll distract them," she said with a wink. Isabella knew instantly that she was an empath, too, and a good one at that.

  She exited the building and rounded the corner to see the hotel's town car still parked where Archie had left it. Something told her to go the other way. But it was too late: The car drove toward her.

  "Why did I come down here by myself?" She started to run, but the car kept coming. "Mimi! Where are you?"

  The car swooped across the street, and the passenger window rolled down. "Izzy! Get in!" Xander shouted.

  "What the hell?"

  "Seth's driving," he explained.

  "Oh, uh, that's a little scary," said Isabella.

  "I can hear, you know." Seth leaned toward the passenger window. "What the heck were you thinking, going off on your own? Do you know that the police are looking for us? Hello?"

  "How did you guys get down here?" Isabella asked as she opened the back door.

  "We followed you in a taxi," Micah said excitedly from the backseat. "Like in an old cop show. We snuck out without Elyse or the others even knowing!"

  "You sound like Xander with the TV shows." She slid in next to Micah.

  "Some of the best climaxes in film history involve taxis on the hunt," said Xander. "Not just corny cop shows."

  Micah ignored him and went on. "Then we saw the driver guy come out, hide in that bush over there, and then just disappear!"

  "He didn't disappear. He's a morphling."

  "A what?" Seth asked, pulling the car from the curb when Mimi's rust-colored curls appeared alongside the car.

  "Can I come?"

  "Now you show up," Isabella said. "Hurry up. Get in."

  "I've always wanted to ride in one of these things." She slammed the door behind her.

  "Seriously, Izzy, you need to think sometimes," Seth commented.

  "I think I'm very... profound, thank you very much," she snapped.

  "You two certainly like to squabble," said Mimi with a short giggle before extending her hand to Micah. "I'm Mimi, by the way. I don't think we were formally introduced the other day."

  "Nice to meet you officially then, Mimi," said Micah.

  "Hi," Xander and Cleo said in unison.

  Mimi smiled, showing all of her half-sized teeth. "Twins? I love twins. I can feel your twin energy. It's amazing with empaths, you know."

  "Really?" Cleo and Xander both asked.

  "Sure," said Mimi. The twins waited for her to go on, but she did not. Instead, she turned her attention to the others, much to Cleo's obvious annoyance. "So, did I hear someone ask about morphlings?"

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Back to Brightwood

  Sandwiched between Micah and Mimi, Isabella ripped open Theophilus' envelope and began to read aloud. “Merry Christmas, my dear. I hope the holiday found you well. I have been released, thanks to your grandmother. I am sorry that we have not been around for you these past few days—”

  “He makes it sound like he's been off in Cancun or something,” said Micah.

  “Your grandmother and the other children's parents are safe and sound, as the Brotherhood has likely explained. But there is still the business of the Violet Fire. We must, at all costs, protect you, the hotel, and the Flame. I will not go into grave detail here, but there is a lockbox in my shop that contains a map that leads to the vault. The problem is that the key has been lost to the Council. But the Antonellis have traced it to the Landry House at Brightwood Studios. Unfortunately, they cannot leave their location. If you had been trained as I had hoped, I would not have such trepidation upon asking you to do this. Catherine does not approve at all, but you must go to the Landry House and find this key. You will know it when you see it. After that, meet me at my shop. I cannot be seen sky-side at this time; otherwise I would take this task on myself. The best thing to do would be to befriend a morphling, but I don't suppose you've had a chance to do such a thing. Pesky little creatures, but loyal until the end. Perhaps one day I'll introduce you to Mimi and her mother, Bren. Lovely creatures.”

  Isabella looked up to see Mimi's cheeks turn pinch-pink. “Lucky us, huh, Mimi?”

  “Yeah,” she said, looking out the window. “Why are there so many big, yellow Ms everywhere? And stores named after that guy in Moby Dick?” Isabella suspected Mimi did not hear compliments often.

  “You know about Moby Dick but nothing about fast food?” Cleo asked. “Maybe we need to take a lesson from these morphlings.”

  “What I want to know is how we're supposed to know this random key when we see it?” Seth asked.

  “There's still more to the letter,” said Cleo, “and watch the road.”

  Isabella went on. “Keep your cohort close. I will remain in my shop on the lower level, w
here I keep the pianos and harpsichords. I have a small living quarters down there, in addition to the apartment above the shop. To contact me, go around the side of the shop and down the wind-warped steps in the back. Knock swiftly thrice and then slowly twice. Then I will know that it is you. Best of luck, dear. See you soon.”

  “All right. I guess our next stop is Brightwood Studios,” said Seth, swooping into the right lane, jarring the car and making the guy behind him blare his horn.

  “I told you you couldn't drive!” shouted Isabella, as Seth made a sharp right turn and took them back toward Culver Hills.

  ***

  Johnna Johnson's mother had not been home, so Cleo had to resort to asking Johnna to get her sour-dispositioned father to secure them a free-access pass inside Brightwood again. Mimi had asked to get out of the car about halfway to the studio. Seth had been only too happy to let her go, but Isabella had been worried about her roaming around sky-side alone. About a minute after she exited, Isabella saw a little gray catbird flying off in the distance. Mimi was off to talk to Theophilus.

  They hid out on a quiet tree-lined street beside the studio until they got the okay from Johnna, hoping no one would recognize them since they were so close to the hotel. Isabella was worried that Johnna's father would be aware they had been reported missing and turn them in, but Johnna reassured them that he was too busy working through the holiday break to even turn a television on. That wasn't too comforting, but it was better than nothing.

  ***

  About an hour later, Johnna and her father met them at the gate and walked them to an old coin fountain at the center of the studio. “This is the fountain that they built the studio around,” Xander said. “It's one of the largest fountains in Los Angeles. It's said part of the water comes from a natural spring. Is that true, Mr. Johnson?”

  Johnna's father ignored Xander, turned to Johnna, and said curtly, ”I have work to do in my office, Johnna. Stay out of trouble, and call my car service to take you home when you're ready.”

  Johnna nodded, quieter and more humble than Isabella had ever seen her. “I can't believe you guys are here. Alive,” said Johnna after her father walked away.

  “Yeah, well, we really shouldn't be here, but we kind of don't have a choice,” said Isabella.

  “Why? What's going on?”

  “Nothing,” said Cleo innocently. “Like I told you on the phone, we just want to lie low until our parents are found. We're staying at the hotel, and we're fine there. We just hope no one recognizes us here.”

  “People are too into themselves to notice you, and besides, most everyone's still on vacation,” said Xander. “Right, Johnna?”

  “Yeah, he's sorta right,” said Johnna, as if this was a very hard thing for her to admit, given her past disdain for Xander.

  At that moment, Mimi, who'd been flying above them for about a minute, flapped her little wings and then fluttered down toward Isabella. I found Theophilus. He says not to worry and that he hopes to see you soon. I will explain it later, but he wanted me to give you this message: Face of a Clock, A Boat with No Water, Behind It Rests, The Key's Secret Nest. He said that's where you'll find the key in the Landry House.” The small catbird flew off in a hurry, her last words lingering in the air.

  “Why couldn't he just tell me where it is?” Isabella shouted. The others looked at her confused. “Sorry. I was just. Never mind...”

  “Okay,” said Johnna, eyebrows high, before turning her back on Isabella to look directly at Seth. “I thought we could have lunch at the commissary. It's super nice.”

  “We've had the food here,” said Isabella. “You're not impressing us.”

  “We could always have it again. I liked it,” said Xander, grinning at Johnna, who ignored him in favor of slinking closer to Seth.

  “Well, I didn't know you'd been here before,” Johnna said to only Seth.

  Seth shrugged and answered without looking at her, “Yeah, about a week ago, I guess. Who knows?”

  “Oh.” Johnna stuffed her hands in her coat pockets.

  “But we ate in that saloon place, not the commissary,” he amended, seeming as if he'd just realized he was being a bit of a jerk to her.

  “Oh, that dusty old place! That's such a tourist thing to do. Let's go up to the commissary. Brightwood has the best one in the city. So much better than those cafeteria-style ones at the other studios.”

  “How would you know what the other studios have? Your dad moonlighting at Universal?” Isabella asked.

  “No, I act a little here and there.” She took Seth's arm and walked ahead. “It's just over this little bridge, then up that hill.”

  “What's with this place and hills?” asked Micah as the rest of them followed along, letting Johnna and Seth walk a good distance ahead.

  Isabella sighed. “Does anybody know what time it is?”

  “Skin thirty,” Micah joked.

  “I'm serious. We have to get away from her,” she whispered to the others as Johnna pulled Seth toward the entrance of the commissary. Seth stopped when he noticed how far behind the others were. He waved his hand, motioning for the rest of them to speed it up.

  “We'll be there in a sec!” Isabella called out.

  “Sure thing!” Johnna said, hustling Seth inside with a large grin. He laughed at something she said.

  What was so funny? She wasn't funny. Across the road, Isabella spotted an open-topped van parked next to the building marked Stage 2. “Do you think that guy Dago is here?” Isabella asked the others.

  “What good could Dago do us?” asked Cleo.

  “Did I hear someone utter my name?” Dago suddenly appeared, wearing his fez cap and eating a large sandwich. “Well, if it isn't my little friends from the earthquake. Aren't you supposed to be MIA?” He swallowed the rest of the sandwich with a large gulp.

  “Hi, Dago,” Cleo said drily. “Your fez cap looks cleaner today. Took it to the dry cleaners over the holiday?”

  “I see you've got more sensible shoes on this time, missy,” he said with a sharp laugh. “Maybe I should call the police and tell them you're all right.”

  “NO!” they all shouted.

  “They know we're okay,” said Isabella. “It's just that they're keeping it out of the media and all.” Dago looked between them skeptically.

  “Well, that sounds reasonable, I suppose. People have been right worried, ya know?”

  “We need to get to that place you took us after lunch on our tour,” said Cleo, changing the subject impatiently.

  “The Landry House,” added Xander with authority. Dago started across the street toward his van, waving his hand for the kids to follow.

  “Come on. We won't have to walk as much if we go with him,” said Xander.

  “All right, let's go,” Isabella agreed.

  “Hop on then,” Dago said after climbing behind the wheel.

  “Wait,” said Micah as Isabella and Cleo got inside and Xander was following. “What about Seth?” His hands clutched the side of the open-topped van.

  “He'll be okay,” Isabella assured him, putting her hand on top of his.

  Micah seemed to understand, but he didn't look too happy about it. After Cleo cleared her throat loudly, Micah climbed in beside Xander, and off they went.

  ***

  Dago parked in front of the narrow road that led to the Landry House. “Time to climb the hill, kiddies,” he said. They filed out of the car and faced the same narrow road they had the other day.

  “You don't have to come with us,” Isabella said to Dago after they'd gone a few paces.

  “I can't let you walk 'round alone, can I?”

  Isabella had no clever retort or excuse at the moment, so the conversation faded. They climbed in silence until they reached the top of the hill.

  The front of the Landry House was as dilapidated as on the day of their decoy tour to find Jack. The ravens still sat there on the roof, watching, but something was odd about them, Isabella realized. Their eyes seem
ed knowing. Not like regular birds. Were they morphlings like Mimi? Isabella decided to keep her guard up, just in case. The sound of a vehicle caused them all to turn around.

  A narrow-faced man with a sharp chin puttered up the hill behind them in a small white cart. “Mr. Peck!” Dago shouted down to him. “Everything's A-okay here, boss,” he said loudly. ”Go on inside, kids.” Dago shooed them quickly. “I'll be right after ya.”

  “Why didn't we ride in one of those?” Xander complained.

  “Who cares?” said Isabella. “He's distracted. Let's go.” Mr. Peck, she thought to herself. That name sounded familiar. Of course, it had been on one of the chairs in the Light Council. She looked over her shoulder briefly. Dago had run a few meters down the hill to meet him.

  Isabella decided that looking at someone who might be a part of the Council but was not with her grandmother could be either a good thing or a bad thing. Right now, she didn't want to find out. They just needed to find that key using Theophilus' clue from Mimi. Of course, Isabella had already figured it out. It was behind the big clock in the ocean-liner room. She remembered it from before.

  Micah, Cleo, and Xander fell in line behind her, crossing the foyer to enter the ocean-liner room.

  “It's right behind this clock,” said Isabella. A large and very old grandfather clock stood against one wall, covered in spider webs and dust.

  “How do you know that?” asked Cleo.

  “Theophilus sent a message by Mimi.”

  “We didn't see Mimi. When?” demanded Cleo.

  “Look—see?” Isabella slid the clock away from the wall, and, with one flick of her wrist, a brief clicking noise was heard then a small key fell into her hand.

  The wall opened. ”I love you, Theophilus!” Isabella gripped the key and smiled. “Now let's get back to the hotel then find our way back underground.”

  “But first we gotta get Seth,” said Micah.

  “Of course...” Isabella’s mind created a picture of Seth and Johnna laughing over some overpriced steak in the commissary. She didn't like the way that image made her feel one bit. “Let's go find him.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Lost and Found