“Give me your hands.” We both leaned our arms over the table, our hands meeting in the middle. This time her grip was gentler. She looked into my eyes and said, “Repeat after me. I, Lily Katerina Bianchi…”
“I, Lily Katerina Bianchi…” How did she know my middle name?
“Will keep the following information in the strictest confidence…”
“Will keep the following information in the strictest confidence…”
“I will not repeat any part of this conversation to a living soul…”
“I will not repeat any part of this conversation to a living soul…”
“And if I do, I will die by choking.”
What the freaking hell? “And if I do, I will die by choking.” An electric charge shot up both my arms and lodged in my neck before fading away. What did I just agree to? I was clearly nuts.
Her smile was smug, like she had me where she wanted. Please, can she only tell me some secret cookie recipe or something about Gus? I wouldn’t even care if it involved dog vomit.
“We’re done.” She released my hands but leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Millicent and James had a fight the day before he went missing. I know because they had it in his office in front of me. He threatened to leave her, and she said she’d never let that happen, that she would make him pay if he did.”
This wasn’t good. I wasn’t Millicent’s best friend, but I liked her, and I couldn’t believe she’d ever threaten anyone, let alone the man she loved, but then again, I didn’t know she was a gun-toting witch. “Why don’t you want me to be able to tell anyone? You said you already told Angelica, right?”
“Yes, but I didn’t want you spilling the beans to Millicent. If she were involved, you’d just give her a warning. Who knows, she might run, and we’ll never find out what happened to James… assuming she’s involved. He’s such a handsome man. He could have had anyone. I have no idea why he picked that mousy bitch.”
My eyes widened. Snezana’s mouth worked itself into an O. Even she realised she’d gone too far. “I didn’t mean it like that, but you have no idea the things James tells me. He’s been miserable for months. Anyway, you can’t repeat any of this, because you’ll die.”
I can’t believe I agreed to this. “Can I ask her any questions without telling her anything.”
“No, because if she suspects I said anything, my magic will know, and you’ll die.”
Crap. “What if I come back from here, don't say anything, and she wonders if you told me anything?”
“As long as you don’t say, imply, write, or mention anything about our conversation, you should be okay, but I hadn’t thought of that angle. You should be okay.” She didn’t look the least bit apologetic. What the hell had I gotten myself into? Now I had to avoid Millicent and she wouldn’t know why, and we were supposed to take that drive.
I finished my coffee, but the second half of my cheesecake was a no-go zone. Who could eat when they were worried about choking to death? “How long does the spell last?”
“While I'm alive, it’s valid, unless I undo it.”
I’d never considered killing anyone before…. Ha ha, just kidding. Or was I? I laughed. Good one, Lily. Snezana stared at me, her eyes big and just a little fearful. I almost felt bad. “I’d never try and kill you. That’s what you thought I was thinking. Isn’t it?” Oh, but I had thought that, hadn’t I. I wasn’t serious. I was just having a joke with myself. Killing was bad, no matter the reason. Yep.
“Of course I didn’t think that. Besides, I’m a strong witch. It would take a lot to kill me, and you’re on your training wheels. You’re quite harmless. James also said you were really nice. From what he says, you’re not the killing kind.”
“No, I guess not.” Was it wrong that this disappointed me? “Thanks for the chat. I should get going. I have no idea when Angelica wants to leave, but thanks to you, I have to avoid Millicent.”
“Don’t do your nut, Lily. It’s just business. Please don’t hold this against me. I needed to tell you. Maybe you can find a way to out her, since you’re family. You could get into her house.”
“Wouldn’t the police already have searched her house? And she’s my sister-in-law. I can’t believe she would do something like that.”
“Yes, but I wonder if the police did a good job, since she’s got the devastated wife role down pat, and she works here. I didn’t peg you for someone who would let your brother down. Forget she’s related to you by marriage. You owe it to your brother to do this. If you find anything, let me know. I’m the information coordinator on the case; don’t forget. There’s nothing more I want than to get James back. You have no idea how hard it’s been to not have him here. We make such a great team. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll be sisters-in-law. Wouldn’t that be cool?”
No, no it wouldn’t. Who says that about a married man who could possibly be dead? There was so much wrong with it that I didn’t know how to answer and still be polite. I gave her my most awkward smile, jumped up and left. As I made my way to the lift, I realised I had no swipe card to get anywhere. Not only that, I needed to be alone and think about how I was going to handle the fact that if I believed Snezana, I couldn’t trust Millicent, but if I trusted my instincts, I couldn’t trust Snezana. Oh, and one wrong word, and I would die.
I turned to find my shadow. “Hey, Gus. Is there somewhere I can go to be by myself for a while? Preferably somewhere with a chair.”
“Of course, Miss Lily. Inside or out?”
“Outside would be nice. I’m feeling a bit closed in. Can you do me a favour?”
“Of course.”
“Can you get someone to bring me my camera and laptop from Millicent’s office. I don’t feel like going back there right now, and I need to get some work done.”
“Not a problem.” Gus placed his hand to his ear and put in my request to a guy named Frank, and then he swiped us into the lift.
Back on the ground floor, I signed out, and Gus showed me to an area to the right of the front doors. It was a small park with a smattering of mature trees. How did they get such green, perfect grass? In Sydney, half our grass was dead at any given time—a casualty of dry summers and scorching sun. An expanse of perfect lawn sloped gently down to a pond that had ducks, and oh my God! “Squirrels!” The little furry munchkins were skittering around the base of the nearest tree. As I approached, they raced up the trunk. I wanted to jump up and down and clap my hands, but I was wary of scaring them. If only I had some food to coax them down.
I looked up into the tree. “Hello, squirrels. How are you?” They were adorable, with their bushy tails and tiny paws. Ooh, look, one was cleaning its face. “You guys are so cute!”
Gus shook his head and laughed. “You Australians are so funny.”
“Don’t you think they’re cute?”
He pulled a face. “No. They eat Pogo’s food and make him bark. They’re annoying vermin.” Better the squirrels eat the food than the vomity dog. I didn’t see a problem.
“You disappoint me, Gus. I thought you were one of the good ones.”
He grinned. Finally, someone who got my humour. Maybe he wasn’t so bad. “I am, miss, just not according to squirrels.”
“Ha!” I smiled.
“There you are.” Crap. I turned. Angelica stood there holding my laptop bag and camera. “I heard you needed these.”
I took them. “Thanks. I’ll just be over at that bench working, if anyone needs me.”
“Hang on a minute, please.” Angelica turned to Gus. “Do you mind giving us a few minutes?”
“Not at all, ma’am.” He turned and wandered back the way we came, although, I knew he wouldn’t go too far. Goodness knew what I’d get up to if I was let loose around here. I was a right danger to society.
“Come, let’s sit.” We headed for the bench closest to the pond and sat. I watched the ducks glide happily around. Were there witch ducks? Oh, shit! I checked my brain barrier thing. Phew, it was still there. If
I let my conversation with Snezana slip and Angelica read my mind, I’d die. Why hadn’t I thought of that before? Oh, God, did I even remember the incantation? These thoughts are mine; I do not wish to share. Protect them well, little bubble, something, something, something. I was so dead.
“Angelica, do you mind repeating that mind-protection spell again? I’ve forgotten the bit at the end.”
“Of course you have.” Her tone was coated with disdain. “It’s These thoughts are mine; I do not wish to share. Protect them well, little bubble, with a barrier as invisible as air.”
“Thank you. I should really write it down.”
“Yes, you should.”
We stared at the pond. While I wished she’d just say what she came to say and leave me in peace, I wasn’t going to ask. Let her do the hard work for a change. I could out-silence the best of them: my second middle name was Awkward.
“A little bird told me someone took you for coffee.”
“Yes. That coffee down there isn’t half bad. The cheesecake’s nice too.” As long as I kept the conversation away from anything to do with James, Millicent, or Snezana, I should be fine. I was up to the challenge.
“Did you learn anything you think could help?”
“Nope. But I do have a question. Is there a spell to block others from hearing us? I'm imagining there’s a spell so people can hear what we’re saying from far away. There must be a counter spell or a spell that can stop it in the first place.”
“Someone’s been thinking. It’s about time.”
“Seriously? I’ve been dumped into this crap with no warning, no experience, not to mention you’ve been relatively hostile the whole time. I think I’m doing freaking awesome.”
“Awesomely.”
“What?”
“It’s awesomely, not awesome. Not that I’m trying to be difficult… well, not all the time. I do have a reputation to maintain, dear.” She smiled, a real one. Quick, someone erect a shrine that people could come and pray to—a miracle has occurred. “The answer to your question is yes.”
She moved her lips silently, probably to avoid being obvious about the fact she was casting this spell. She stood and walked the perimeter of our bench then sat again. “They’re always listening: this is the Bureau, after all. It’s full of police and spies answering to the government. What did you want to say?”
“I need to visit the place where James disappeared. Could we go there now?”
“We might be followed. It’ll be easier for me to cloak our movements if we’re leaving from home. Can you wait until tomorrow morning?”
“Okay.”
“Are you going to tell me why you want to visit the field he was in when it happened? Our guys combed over it that day. I doubt there’s any evidence left.”
“I have a theory on how my magic works, but I don’t know enough yet to tell you. I’d hate to get anyone’s hopes up.” I’d have to trust someone other than Millicent soon, because I couldn’t ask Millicent to help—she had enough on her plate—and Angelica was the one who’d come to get me. Why would she bother unless she wanted to help James?
“You’ve made some progress. I had a feeling you might have. Good for you.”
Was that a hint that she’d known all along? “I’d appreciate if you didn’t share the news with anyone just yet.”
She nodded. “You can trust me.”
If only I had James’s lie-detecting skills.
“Don’t give up, Lily. We’ll find James and punish those responsible. You have my word. In fact, I’ll give you my witch’s promise. Hold your palm up against mine.” I did as she asked. “I, Angelica Constance DuPree, promise to do my utmost to catch and punish those responsible for kidnapping James Mathew Bianchi. I promise to be a trustworthy ally to you, Lily Katerina Bianchi in this matter. In the presence of Mother Earth and on my witch’s power, so I declare.”
Birdsong ceased. The light dimmed a shade, and the atmosphere thickened. Energy zapped through my palm, up my arm and stopped at my heart. “It’s done.” She drew her hand back and stood. “Enjoy your contemplation time. I’ll be back to get you in thirty minutes, and we can go home.”
“Okay, and thanks. I appreciate you doing that. Will you really lose all your powers if you go back on your word?”
“Yes. A witch doesn’t make these promises lightly, but the need is great.” She turned and made her way to the white monolith of a building, leaving me alone, just as I’d asked, well, except for Gus, who was hovering over near an oak tree.
Butterflies bumped around inside my stomach. I wasn’t sure how I’d handle being in the place my brother had been taken from and beaten up, at the very least. If my hunch about my photos was wrong, we’d be back to square one, and if I was right…? What would I discover? Please don’t be evidence against Millicent. If it had been her, wouldn’t she do anything she could to stop me going there tomorrow? She knew my secret. Crap.
So, all I had to do was survive tonight. I could do that, right?
Yeah, I totally could.
Chapter 7
Ihadn’t bitten my nails since I was a child and my mum put that pepper-tasting stuff on them, but travelling in the back of the car with Millicent had me chewing for my life. Angelica sat in the front, and Jones drove. It sure was bright for six in the evening. Back at home, it would be way dark by now. I was having trouble adjusting to the seasonal difference. I yawned. And the time difference.
Thankfully, no one was in the mood for conversation. Before we left, I’d renewed my thought-containment spell so none of my thoughts would accidentally leak out to you know who. I glanced at Millicent out of the corner of my eye. I wanted to observe her without her noticing and starting a conversation I couldn’t have.
She stared out the window, her hands playing with her phone in her lap, turning the device over and over and over. Snezana could have been lying about her and my brother having an argument, or maybe they’d had one—it just hadn’t been as serious as she’d made out. If I backtracked one more step, I’d ask myself why Snezana wanted me to think their marriage was in trouble and that Millicent was so distraught she’d threatened him?
A: She could truly be trying to get me to find out more because Millicent was an evil husband murderer.
B: She wanted Millicent out of the way because she wanted her job.
C: She’d always hated Millicent. If so, why? Difference in personality? Jealous? But jealous of what? Millicent was pretty, but she wasn’t as striking or modernly stylish as Snezana, and Snezana was a couple of years younger. Did their bosses prefer Millicent? Oh. My. God! My quick intake of breath was so loud in the quiet Mercedes that Angelica turned her head to look at me. I smiled. “Nothing to see here.” She rolled her eyes and turned back around.
I couldn’t believe I didn’t realise earlier. Snezana coveted the one thing she absolutely couldn’t have: James. That made so much sense. That woman had a crush on my brother. The things she’d said, which I’d thought so ridiculous, were so obvious. How had I missed it? Maybe jet lag had kicked my butt more than I thought.
I wanted to believe I had the answer, but I needed to be careful I didn’t go down this thought path just because I wanted Millicent to be innocent. It seemed less likely I’d be murdered tonight, at least by Millicent. I hoped.
Jones dropped Angelica and me home first. “Good night, Millicent. See you tomorrow morning.” I gave her a smile and patted her arm. Her return smile was wan.
“Are you sure you don’t want to have dinner with us?” Angelica asked.
“No, thanks. Today’s been more emotionally taxing than I thought it would be. I’ll see you both tomorrow, bright and early. Night.” Jones shut the door and slid back into his seat. Angelica unlocked the house, and I stood and watched the car reverse down the driveway.
Angelica appeared at my side. “It was her first day back in the office since it happened.”
“Oh. We shouldn’t have let her go home by herself.”
&nbs
p; “She’ll be okay. She’s tougher than she looks.”
“I sure hope so.” I shivered—the night air had some bite.
I followed Angelica inside and locked the door behind us. Exhaustion had set in. It was 5:00 a.m. back home. Hello, jet lag. As soon as I’d eaten something, I was going to crash into bed. I crossed my fingers that tomorrow would be worth waking up for.
Chapter 8
The next morning, we were up at 4.30 a.m. Angelica was of the opinion we needed to do this super early to beat those who would spy. Whether she was talking about her boss or the bad guys, I had no idea. At least I’d gone to bed early, and it was 1.30 p.m. back home, so I was wide-awake. There was no way I’d survive getting out of bed that early otherwise.
Before we left, I recreated my mind-bubble. I also—shock, horror—had to drink instant coffee, as Angelica was a tea drinker, and there was no coffee machine to be had. Also, secret-expeditioners didn’t do drive-through first, apparently.
Angelica came downstairs wearing black slacks, black long-sleeve T-shirt, and a heavy black jacket. I wore my black jeans, black jumper, and black ski-jacket. I giggled. By the time we got there, it would probably be daylight, and black was just as visible in the day. I guessed this was standard gear for anyone trying to sneak about the place.
We left via the back door. Angelica led us through a quaint cottage garden to the back fence and a gate that opened to a paddock. We turned left and followed the fence line for five minutes until it intersected with a country lane. There just happened to be a car waiting for us: a cute white mini. Angelica pulled keys from her pocket and clicked the fob. The lights flashed for a second, then she got into the driver’s seat. I hopped into the front passenger seat, and we were off.
“Millicent’s meeting us there. If anyone is watching her place, it will look too suspicious if we get her.”
Witchnapped in Westerham (Paranormal Investigation Bureau Book 1) Page 8
