by Jayne Castle
“It’s been busy here on Rainshadow,” Harry said. “How did your week go?”
“How do you think it went? Charlotte has a huge family and I must have met every single one of her relatives. I endured a grilling by her father, who made it clear that if I didn’t treat his little girl right I would disappear permanently into the catacombs.”
“He could make that happen?”
“Evidently he has connections in the local Hunter’s Guild,” Slade said. “After that I made the mistake of accepting an invitation from Charlotte’s brother to go out for beer and a few rounds of rez-pool at a no-name tavern in the Quarter.”
Harry smiled. “What could go wrong?”
“My memories are foggy, but I think there may have been some intoxicated ghost hunters and a few broken bottles involved. I vaguely remember calling an old friend to bail us out of jail. Luckily, said friend was able to exert some influence to get all charges dropped, an act of kindness that puts me squarely in his debt.”
Harry raised his brows. “Your old friend must have some excellent connections.”
“He does. His name is Winters.”
“As in Adam Winters, the boss of the Frequency Guild?”
“One and the same. I will not go into the trauma of the big family reception at the hotel the night before last.” Slade’s chair squeaked again when he sat forward. “Let’s just say that I was more than ready to come home to my quiet little island and resume my small-town lifestyle. Instead, I find nothing but trouble, and it all seems to be revolving around the Preserve.”
“Yes,” Harry said, “it does.”
“What do you plan to do about it?”
“Funny you should ask. I’ve spent a lot of time lately developing a strategy to fix the problem.”
“Any good ideas short of evacuating Shadow Bay? Because I’ll tell you right now, an evacuation won’t work very well. The locals aren’t going to pull up stakes and leave just because the Foundation thinks the Preserve has gotten more dangerous. They’ll start inventing conspiracy theories instead.”
“Rachel warned me about that,” Harry said. “But the good news is that I think we’ve got some time. The psi-temp appears to have stabilized, at least temporarily, because we pulled one of the crystals out of the aquarium cave. Got to locate the other two stones.”
“How?”
“We start by finding the person who evidently stole them.”
“Got a name?” Slade asked.
“There was one other individual besides my great-grandfather who knew where the rocks were hidden—his pirate-hunting associate, Nicholas North. According to my great-grandfather, they both made psi-maps of the location.”
“North has been dead for decades.”
“That’s a fact,” Harry said. “And unlike my great-grandfather, North wasn’t very prolific. But there is one direct descendant of Nick North alive today, a great-granddaughter.”
“So? I’ve heard that the only person who can read a psi-map is the person who made it.”
Harry smiled slowly. “Or a blood relative who just happens to inherit a version of the mapmaker’s talent and, therefore, a similar para-psych profile. Psychic genetics is unpredictable. I’m the first person in the Sebastian family who was able to interpret my great-grandfather’s map.”
“Now you’re wondering if maybe North’s great-granddaughter got hold of his map and was able to decipher the psi-code?”
“It’s a place to start looking. My brother Drake is tracking her down now.”
“What if she isn’t cooperative?”
“She’s Drake’s problem.”
Chapter 33
Jilly was still not answering her phone.
Rachel drummed her fingers on the sales counter. She contemplated the empty bookshop and café. The Closed sign hung in the window. It was not quite nine, so, technically speaking, Jilly was not yet late. But Jilly was always early.
Rachel looked at Darwina, who was sitting on the window ledge with Amberella and playing with the tassel of the pull cord that was attached to the shade.
“I’m getting worried about Jilly,” Rachel said.
Darwina chortled and batted the tassel. Rachel opened her phone and punched in Harry’s number. She smiled to herself when he answered halfway through the first ring.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“You know, that’s not a very harmonically balanced way to answer the phone. It assumes a negative.”
“I’ll have to remember that. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, at least I don’t think there’s anything wrong. But I’m a little worried about Jilly. She hasn’t come in yet today and she isn’t answering her phone. She’s all alone out there on Cliff Road. If she’s ill or had an accident, she might not be able to call for help. I’m going to borrow a Vibe from Brett and go see if she’s okay. I didn’t want you to worry if you happened to notice that the shop was still closed.”
“Thanks, because I sure as hell would have worried if you had disappeared on me. Are you taking Darwina?”
“Naturally.” Rachel crossed the room as she spoke. She collected Darwina and Amberella off the window ledge. Darwina made enthusiastic little noises. “You know how she loves riding in cars.”
“A Vibe is a rezzed-up golf cart, not a car. Call me when you find out what’s up with Jilly.”
“Will do. Any news on your end?”
“Slade is a little annoyed because he missed all the excitement. But we had a long chat with Grant, who is talking as fast as he can before the FBPI agents arrive. He told us all about the Second Chance operation and he even offered to provide evidence that Lancaster murdered his wife. That’s the good news.”
“What’s the bad news?” Rachel asked.
“Now who’s being negative? The bad news is that because of the information about the murder, the authorities in Frequency City have opened an investigation. Evidently one of the detectives there was suspicious all along. He went to the Chapman Clinic an hour ago to take Lancaster into custody.”
“Why is that bad news?”
“Because the FBPI and the Frequency City cops are fighting over who has jurisdiction in this case. As the representative of Foundation security, I don’t have any clout. For all intents and purposes I’m just a private investigator. But Slade is working his connections at the Bureau. He thinks he can get me in to question Lancaster.”
“I suppose a murder investigation does take precedence.”
“Don’t worry, one way or another, we’re going to have a chat with Lancaster and soon.”
Rachel tucked Darwina under one arm, slung her tote over her shoulder, and let herself out the back door of the shop. “If Lancaster finds out that you’re trying to get at him, expect more delays. He’s a very, very talented con artist.”
“I’m not in the mood for delays. I want answers.”
“So do I. Bye for now. I’ll check in as soon as I make sure Jilly is okay.”
“Do that.”
The narrow road along the top of the cliffs had been mostly cleared of downed tree limbs and other storm debris. Rachel reached the turnoff to Jilly’s cottage in good time and drove cautiously into the muddy, rutted lane that wound through the forest.
She stopped in the drive in front of Jilly’s weather-beaten cottage and climbed out from behind the wheel. Darwina fluttered up onto her shoulder.
Rachel left the tote sitting on the passenger seat of the Vibe. Smash-and-grab robberies were not a big problem on Rainshadow. The low crime rate was one of the pleasures of small-town life, she thought. The only things folks had to worry about on the island were the monsters—human and nonhuman—lurking in the Preserve.
“But every neighborhood has a few drawbacks,” Rachel explained to Darwina.
They went up the three wooden steps and crossed the front porch. Rachel rapped loudly on the door.
Her charms clashed lightly. Icy energy kicked up her pulse.
“Jilly? It’s Rach
el. I got a little worried about you when you didn’t show up early for work today. Everything all right?”
Footsteps sounded on the other side of the hall. A few seconds later the door opened. Jilly stared at Rachel through the screen door. Her gray eyes were stark with fear. Darwina gave a low, rumbling growl and sleeked out into full hunting mode.
“Rachel,” Jilly whispered. She clutched the lapels of a faded pink robe to her throat with one hand. “Lancaster’s here. It’s a trap. For God’s sake, get away. Run.”
“I’m not leaving you alone with him. If I do, he’ll kill you now. You know too much. Besides, it’s me he wants.” Rachel raised her voice a little. “Isn’t that right, Marcus?”
A figure moved in the hallway behind Jilly. The weak light glinted on the mag-rez in his hand.
“You know me so well, my love,” Lancaster said. “Just as I know you. I told Ms. Finch that you would come out here to check on her when she did not show up at work today. It was exactly the sort of move that a concerned employer would make.”
Darwina growled again. Rachel reached up to touch her.
“No, Darwina,” she said quietly. “Not yet.”
Darwina shivered but she obeyed.
“What the hell is that thing on your shoulder?” Lancaster asked, amused. “It looks like a rat. Is that a doll she’s holding?”
Rachel ignored the question. “I’m impressed, Marcus. You took a big risk coming here to get me.”
“You left me no choice. I tried to make you understand that you belonged to me, but you insisted on trying to run. The next thing I know you’re fucking that bastard, Sebastian. You can’t expect me to allow that. I blame Sebastian for seducing you, but there’s no going back. You are damaged goods now, Rachel. Such a shame.”
“When did you arrive on the island?” Rachel asked.
“This morning. I took the ferry to Thursday Harbor and hired a local fisherman to bring me here to Rain-shadow. I knew everything I needed to know about the local situation, including the fact that Ms. Finch worked for you.”
“Because Nathan Grant kept you informed. You do realize he’s currently sitting in the local jail waiting to be picked up by FBPI agents? I’m told he’s chatting quite freely about your Second Chance House operation and he even offered to provide proof that you murdered your wife.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll be gone before anyone even knows I’m not in Frequency City. I kept some of Dr. Dillard’s hypnotic drug with me at all times while I was in the clinic in case I needed it. I used it on one of the orderlies this morning when I discovered that I was going to be transferred to the custody of the police. As far as the orderly is concerned, I suffered a seizure during the night and was transported to Frequency City General. There will be mass confusion before anyone realizes that I disappeared.”
“Are you going to use the drug on Jilly, too, so that she won’t remember that you were here?”
“Sadly, I used the last of my supply of the drug on the orderly,” Lancaster said “I’m afraid Ms. Finch will not survive the day. Neither will you.”
“I can promise you that Harry Sebastian and Chief Attridge won’t stop until they find you.”
“But they won’t find me, Rachel. Not ever. When I leave here today, I will vanish. Believe me, when it comes to disappearing, I’m the best. Got a talent for it, you see.”
She moved her wrist slightly. The silvery charms jangled. One of them, a tiny dagger set with a small black stone, caught the light and brightened. Distracted, Lancaster glanced at the bracelet and then looked away. His brow furrowed and his eyes tightened as though he was having trouble concentrating.
“You should never have run from me,” he said. “You are mine. I truly did believe that we were destined to be together but I see now that I was wrong about you.”
She pulsed a little more energy into the charms. The miniature dagger grew hotter. Lancaster looked at the bracelet again, scowling. He jerked his glance away with a visible effort of will and shook his head, as though to clear his senses.
“I was wrong about you, too, Marcus,” Rachel said, keeping her voice calm and even. “I can’t believe I made the mistake of telling Dr. Oakford that you were one of the smart monsters. You aren’t, are you? You’re just a low-end con man and that’s all you’ll ever be.”
Rage flared in Lancaster’s eyes. “Shut up, you stupid whore. I would have given you everything.”
“But there’s the problem. You see, you have nothing I want. Absolutely nothing.”
The charms clashed and jangled; louder now. Currents of energy swirled in the atmosphere. Jilly stood frozen. She stared at Rachel, obviously aware that something was happening. The growing energy of the charms was not aimed at her, but she was catching some of the backwash.
Lancaster’s eyes heated with a red tide of uncontrolled fury. He looked at the dancing, dazzling charms and this time he could not look away.
“Stop it,” he shouted.
He shoved Jilly out of the way, took two long steps forward, and seized the wrist on which Rachel wore the bracelet. Darwina hissed.
“No, Darwina,” Rachel whispered.
She sent every ounce of energy she possessed surging through the stones of the charms. The dagger flashed sun-hot. The tiny pinpoint of energy lit up the room.
Lancaster spasmed violently. His mouth opened on a scream that was cut off almost before it began. He started to shake violently. The gun fell from his fingers and landed with a thud.
Jilly rushed forward to retrieve the weapon.
Incredibly Lancaster managed to stay on his feet, Rachel’s wrist clamped in one hand. His eyes burned with panic and rage.
“What have you done to me?” he screamed.
He tried to pull her closer so that he could grab her by the throat. She went with the flow of his violent energy, turning toward him. Using the leverage of her hip and the force of his own momentum, she swept him off balance.
He crashed to the floor. Darwina pounced, going for his throat.
Lancaster screamed again.
“It’s all right, Darwina,” Rachel said. “Let him go.”
Darwina retreated but she kept her attention focused on Lancaster, ready to spring at him in an instant.
“Don’t move or I’ll let Darwina tear your throat out,” Rachel said.
“You can’t do this,” Lancaster gasped. He put a hand to his throat and then stared at his bloodstained fingers, shocked. “It bit me.”
“She missed your jugular,” Rachel said. “You’ll be all right. Sort of. But you have no idea how much meditation I’m going to have to do tonight to harmonize my senses. It’s not like I don’t have better things to do with my evenings these days, you know.” She turned to Jilly. “Are you okay?”
“I will be after I’ve had a few drinks,” Jilly said. “What did you just do to him?”
“I extinguished his talent. He’s still Marcus Lancaster but he won’t be quite the super salesman he was once upon a time.”
“Oh, geez,” Jilly said. “And here I thought you were just real good at brewing tea and reading auras.”
“I can do those things, too.”
The muffled roar of a big flash-rock engine sounded in the drive. The heavy vehicle slammed to a stop in front of the cottage. Boots pounded on the steps and an instant later Harry came through the door riding a dark wave of fierce energy. His eyes burned.
Slade Attridge was right behind him, gun at the ready. Rex raced through the doorway with the men, all four eyes and plenty of teeth showing. There was no clutch purse in sight. He had come ready for battle, Rachel thought.
But Rex seemed to register almost immediately that there was no longer a threat. He fluffed up, closed his hunting eyes, and scurried over to greet Darwina. She, too, went into full drier-lint mode and chortled coyly.
Harry looked at Lancaster, who was moaning on the floor. Then he switched his attention to Rachel.
“Are you okay?” he asked a littl
e roughly.
She gave him a wan smile. “It seems like you’ve asked me that question a lot lately.”
“What’s the answer?”
“I’m okay.”
He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. “Don’t ever, ever scare the hell out of me like that again.”
“Okay,” she mumbled into his shirt front. “How did you know that he was on the island?”
“When I realized that there had been some kind of bureaucratic snafu, I called your old boss, Ian Oakford. He told me he had a feeling that the paperwork mix-up at the clinic had been engineered by Lancaster. Said to tell you that he thinks you were right about him all along. He also said that the bastard’s obsession with you was real—the only thing that Lancaster didn’t fake. Said that if Lancaster had managed to slip away, he would go after you immediately.”
Rachel raised her head. “Dr. Oakford said that I was right in my diagnosis?”
“I think he said something about telling you that you could have your old job back, but by that time I wasn’t listening. Slade and I were heading for the door.”
“Lancaster is going to be a problem,” Slade said quietly. “If we send him back to the Frequency City cops, he’ll use his talent to slip away again, just like he did this time.”
“I know,” Harry said.
The cold, hard edge on his words made Rachel lift her head from his shoulder. She looked at Harry and then she looked at Slade. She knew what both men were thinking. It would be so easy and so convenient to make Lancaster disappear into the Preserve.
“That won’t be necessary,” she said briskly. “If he gets out of jail, it won’t be because of his talent.”
“What did you do to him?” Harry asked.
“You could say I charmed him.”
Chapter 34
“When I generate the right amount of energy through the charms on my bracelet, they create a psychic dissonance. It’s very disturbing to those in the vicinity but it doesn’t do any real damage unless I focus on an individual’s aura,” Rachel said. She wrapped both hands around her teacup. “When I do that, each charm becomes a small paranormal mirror. I can aim those mirrors at any place on an individual’s spectrum, but I need physical contact and a clear target. When Lancaster flew into a rage, he automatically rezzed his talent.”
