Fudge’s sneezing announced his presence in the kitchen. “That ogre smells as bad as your employer. But I am going with. I may be able to discern something human noses cannot.”
Once in the car, I rolled my window all the way down and Fudge stuck his head out just like a dog. I privately laughed at the sight.
Traffic was indeed bad. It took nearly twice the time to get to the office than it normally would. But just a couple of minutes after seven, we pulled up to the burned-out husk of the building. Cassandra and Tommy were waiting on their front porch next door.
I hugged my best friend, who was nearly in tears. “The fire marshal says it’s almost a total loss. The only thing keeping it from being so is the structure is full brick, rather than just brick siding,” she choked out.
“Do they know what caused it?” I asked.
“It’s arson,” Tommy answered. “It didn’t take long for them to find the remains of a Molotov cocktail that had apparently been thrown through the side door. They’ll be back today to investigate in daylight, but they think someone broke in and sprayed gasoline or some other accelerant because it shouldn’t have spread that quickly.”
“But why?” I mused. “Everyone seems to like the deli. I know Ev doesn’t get along with some people, but I’ve never heard of anything that would cause someone to do something like this.”
“Take a closer look at the brick between the two doors,” Cassandra sniffed.
I walked back over, ducking under the police tape that cordoned off that part of the sidewalk. Smudged with soot but still quite visible, someone had spray-painted “WITCH” in bright yellow, then covered it with a red interdictory circle, the universal sign for “no.”
Holy shit. What Perchaladon had been talking about just came home to roost. My heart started pounding as I stared at it. I felt an arm go around my shoulders.
“You, me, or both?” Cassandra asked. “And why us? You’d think the pub would be more of a target. Cork isn’t exactly your run-of-the-mill human.”
“For all I know, he might be next,” I said. “This is what the elf had been trying to tell me. People are getting bolder in their dislike of the paranormal community.
“What are you going to do?”
“Rebuild and reopen. I won’t give in to bullies,” she said with a grimace. “Arson is a mundane matter and I have faith they’ll catch whoever it is. What are you going to do?”
“Set up shop in Ev’s home office until you get rebuilt, then move back in. He won’t give in any more than you will. But first, a shower, more coffee, a call to the insurance agent, then one to Gregory. Then…to Ev’s, I guess.”
The entire time we’d been talking, Fudge had been sniffing around the building, with an occasional sneeze.
“It’s difficult to tell on this public walkway, but there is relatively fresh were-something-rodent spoor,” he told me.
“Do you know if any of your regulars are a were rodent of some kind?” I asked Cassandra.
She screwed up her face in concentration. “Not that I can think of. And since weres usually look sort of like whatever it is they turn into, I can’t even think of someone who resembles a rodent. Why?”
“Because Fudge is smelling one.”
She frowned. “That may change things. What in the hell have you – and by extension, me – gotten yourself into? I’ll call the office downtown and let them know. They’ll have to coordinate with the mundane authorities.”
Just then, a couple of Cassandra’s regulars came strolling down the walk, coming to a dead stop when they saw the building and police tape. They both ducked under the tape and rushed to give Cassandra a hug. She repeated her vow to rebuild and reopen. They promised to keep an eye out and be the first returning customers when she did. That, at least, put a smile on her face.
I hugged her again and headed toward my apartment. I had a lot of stuff to do but a shower was the first thing on my agenda. Omar caught up with me.
“I will be your shadow until Gregory tells me otherwise,” he said. “I don’t like the look of this.”
“Nor do I,” I replied. “I’m going home to take a shower and change clothes. Will you give me a lift back to Ev’s afterward?”
“Of course. I’ll be outside when you’re ready.”
A shower and coffee did wonders to revive me. It was just after eight, so an appropriate time to call the insurance agent. He was flabbergasted when I told him of the spray paint. “You’d think people would leave those who bother no one alone. Apparently not. I’ll get the paperwork started. I presume I should call your or Ev’s cell phone if I need you?”
I cleared my throat. “Ev is out of cell phone range at the moment so I’ll have to do.”
“Gotcha. Talk with you soon.” He hung up.
Then I called Gregory to fill him in. “Ev’s home office is perfect,” he said. “He never uses it. There’s also a laptop already there so you won’t be completely computer-less.”
I snorted. “I’m using mine. The last time I looked at his, it had all sorts of porn on it. Not exactly what I or Sally want to see.”
“Point. I presume Omar told you I want him shadowing you, right?”
“He did. And I appreciate it. I’m not certain of anything or anyone right now.”
“Good. Omar has a key to both places, but you and Fudge stay at the cottage.”
“Why? You only have one bedroom and will need it when you come home. Ev has four and only uses one.”
“Because first of all, my cottage has food. Ev probably has something in the refrigerator but you won’t be able to tell what it is due to the mold. Second, it has more protections on it than Ev’s house or even your apartment building. Omar is big, strong, and scary, but he can’t fend off a magical attack on you. Especially one from a distance. Until we know exactly what’s happening and have Ev back to his old self, I want to ensure your safety. Get me?”
“Yes, sir,” I answered but privately thought I’d rather stay in the big house and sleep in a real bed. We’d talk about that later.
“Good. I’ll call you after the council meeting. If you need me before that, just call. I have excellent cellular service in this otherwise sylvan setting.”
We hung up. I re-packed my overnight bag, put my laptop and charger into its travel bag, then asked Omar to come get Fudge’s food. That I bought over the internet, but we could get litter and a spare box at a local store. As much time as Fudge spent at the cottage with me, it seemed reasonable to have one there, rather than ask Gregory to continually transport it for me.
As we headed down the road toward the freeway back to Ev’s, my phone rang. It was Sally.
“The office burnt down!” she asked. “It’s all over the news! Where are you and what are you doing?”
“I’m home. Cassandra called me last night and the elves very kindly lent me their cushy private jet, so I got in shortly before two. The place is almost a total loss but she’s rebuilding. We’re setting up shop at Ev’s until that happens.”
“Okay. How’s Ev? What do I need to do?”
I filled her in on the happenings the day before, then told her to pick up a laptop, printer, cat box and litter, and to meet me at Ev’s as soon as she could. “On my way,” she said, and hung up.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Thanks to going against rush hour traffic, we arrived at Ev’s in record time. Omar let me into Ev’s house, then tried to scoop up Fudge, who had trotted at my heels. “Come on, little kitty. I’ll let you into the cottage.”
That earned Omar a hiss. “Little kitty? Please. And I do not wish to be any closer to him than is necessary. I will stay with you for the time being.”
I chuckled. “Omar, he’s taking offense to your ‘little kitty.’ His name is Fudge. And he prefers to stay with me for the moment.”
“Okay. I just thought he’d like to be near his food and stuff. I’ll put everything in the cottage and come back.”
Omar closed the door behind me and I w
rinkled my nose. The entire house smelled faintly of ogre. That would have to change. I called Sally back.
“Hey, you’re not done shopping yet, are you?”
“No. What else do you need?”
“Room freshener. Enough cans to do the whole house. Or at least the first floor. It’s going to be too hot to open the windows.”
“Ew. I hadn’t thought of that. What do you think? Will six cans do it?”
I mentally calculated the space. “Should. At least until we can get a supply of candles.”
“On it.” She hung up.
First things first. I dumped my laptop bag in the office and headed toward the kitchen. I knew Ev had a Keurig so it was just a question of finding his stash of coffee for it. Surprisingly, it was logically located in the cupboard above the coffeemaker. While it was brewing, I put a bowl of water on the floor for Fudge.
Once I had caffeine, it was time to set up shop and figure out what all needed doing. I set his laptop aside and put mine in its place. Then had to go into the living room to scrounge up throw pillows so I could sit in his chair and still reach the desk. My feet dangled, so I sighed and sat cross-legged. I dug around in his desk and finally came up with a notepad on which to make a very long list. Item one: regular coffeepot and coffee. Item two: human-sized desk chair.
I logged into the company email and spent the next hour answering frantic queries from our guards and clients who’d heard of the fire, assuring them we were still in business and, although the location had temporarily changed, we would indeed be moving back to the same space. I expected my phone to start ringing with calls on the same subject shortly. Item three: second phone line in Ev’s house to give my cell phone a rest.
Then I started the tedious chore of installing the software the company used onto my computer. Omar poked his head around the office door. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” Shortly, I heard that television go on and smelled more coffee brewing.
By the time I was down to item twelve on my list, the doorbell rang. Omar ran to answer it before I could even get out of the chair. Sally came in with a laptop box in her arms. “Where do you want me to set up? Oh. Hi, Fudge.”
I had to think. “Kick Omar out of the kitchen and use the breakfast nook table until we can rearrange things here a bit. I think there’s enough room in the basement for an office for both of us, but I’ll need to get furniture and all that. Hey. You can do that while your computer is downloading and updating software. Go down and figure out how to arrange everything and get Omar to shift whatever furniture and other crap needs to be moved.”
“Gotcha. It’s early for me. Does he have a coffeepot?”
“A Keurig. We’re using that until I can get a real one.”
“Please ask the nice lady to let me out. I will make my business quick.”
“Fudge needs to go out. Can you open the kitchen door for him?”
Sally smiled. “Of course. Come on Fudge. It’s still cool enough I can leave the door open for a bit. While you’re out, I’ll spray the house. Hopefully, it’ll have dissipated enough when you come back in, so your nose doesn’t get clogged up.”
“She is thoughtful, this one. I will return shortly.”
Item thirteen: business checks, rush delivery.
By one o’clock, I had a list of things to do or get that was two pages long. Sally, Omar, Fudge, and I had eaten delivery pizza for lunch. (Gregory was right: I couldn’t tell what was in Ev’s refrigerator. Item forty-five: clean out the fridge.) I was going over my list, separating it out between me and Sally when my phone rang.
“I’m almost on my way home,” Gregory said.
“Well?”
“I gave my testimony in front of twelve of the sternest looking elves I believe I’ve ever seen. The fact that a non-elf was there was upsetting to them, even with Nelion exercising his authority as head honcho in the United States. Three of them didn’t even want to hear what I had to say.
“It was a fairly cut-and-dried case because everyone could see the spell around the bat, as well as my beacon spell, which bears my magical signature. They even called Howard to verify it. However, I had to leave the room after answering their questions and was taken immediately to the car to be transported to the Lake Charles airport. I have no idea what was said afterward. And I had to leave without Ev. They decided they’re going to be caretakers and will let me know if, not when the spell wears off. Only then will I be able to get Ev back.”
Gregory was not a happy camper. And I didn’t blame him. I was more than a little pissed about their attitude toward Ev, too. But right now, sad to say, that was the least of my worries.
“On another note,” he said, “how are things there? I presume you’re at Ev’s. I should be home in about four hours and will be at your disposal.”
“I’m in Ev’s office, fielding calls and emails about the fire, trying to remember everything that was in the office and what needs to be done. Sally and Omar are arranging an office for us in the basement. When they’re done, we’re knocking off for the day. Sally’s been on the clock since nine and I need a nap something fierce!”
He chuckled. “Stretch out on my bed. I will wake you when dinner is ready.”
I’d take a nap there, but I was going to piss him off at dinner when I told him I was staying in the big house. I wasn’t quite as helpless as I’d been a little over a year ago, before my magic manifested. The doorbell rang, which was ominous because I hadn’t yet ordered anything and Ev always had packages delivered to the office.
“Do not answer it. I will,” Omar yelled at me from the basement stairs. I heard him thunder the rest of the way up the stairs, through the kitchen and into the living room.
“Yes?” I heard after he’d unlocked and opened the door.
“I have a delivery for a Miss Amy McCollum,” a voice said.
“I’ll take it,” Omar answered.
“I’m sorry, but she needs to sign for it.”
“Then you’ll need to come back because she’s not here right now.”
The voice sounded exasperated. “But it’s a rush delivery!”
“Sorry. You need her signature; she’s not here to give it. It’s either me or you wait.”
“May I ask when she’ll be back?”
Omar growled. “I’m not her secretary. I don’t know. Come back tomorrow.” The door slammed.
After a few moments, he came into the office. “You didn’t order anything, did you?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. Did you get a glimpse of whatever it was?”
“Yeah. It was a box. UPS uniform but a regular sedan, not one of their delivery vehicles, was in the driveway with someone else driving. And the guy looked like a weasel. Skinny. Pointy face. Your kitty said he smelled a were-rodent at the office, right?”
My phone rang. Caller ID said it was Marge, one of my upstairs neighbors. I held up my hand in the universal “I have to take this” sign. “You had a visitor about an hour ago,” she said when I answered.
“I did? Did you recognize them?”
“Nope. Guy dressed in a UPS uniform but there was no corresponding truck or van outside. After the fire last night, which we know was arson, we decided you should know. And also that you should stay away from the apartment for a while. We didn’t like the way he looked.”
“We” probably meant all five of my upstairs neighbors. They, unlike me, were all retired and like most retirees, kept an eye on the neighborhood through their windows, gossiping about everything and everyone over coffee. It was like having a building full of grandparents looking after you, which was nice – most of the time.
“I had already planned on staying at Ev’s for a few days until I get everything set up. Fudge is with me, of course. Thanks for the info, though. Let me know if anything else unusual happens, will ya?”
“Will do, hon.”
This was getting creepy. Maybe I’d stay in the cottage after all. “I need to call Ms. Fitzsimmons,” I said afte
r hitting the ‘end’ button.
“Who?”
“Head Witch in the Midwest. My boss, for lack of a better term. That was my upstairs neighbor. I think your delivery person tried my apartment first. I don’t have a phone number for the security arm and Gregory’s probably on a plane with his phone in airplane mode, so she’s my best bet.”
“Good idea. Here’s the license plate number. It’s Wisconsin, not Minnesota, by the way.” He handed me a matchbook cover on which he’d scribbled an alpha-numeric number, turned and headed back down to the basement.
I called Ms. Fitzsimmons but got her voice mail. I had no choice but to leave a message, so I tried to make it as succinct as possible and remembered to include the license number Omar had gotten. I ended it with, “Please have someone call me with an update.”
An hour later, I was yawning, despite repeated infusions of caffeine. Omar and Sally emerged from the basement, Sally still looking fresh as a daisy, Omar covered in dust and cobwebs.
“We cleared enough space for two desks and a couple of filing cabinets,” Sally said. “The software has all been loaded on the laptop, but I haven’t pulled the data down yet. I’ve got the furniture ordered – it’ll be here Monday between nine and noon. What else can I do today?”
“Go home. You’ve been here long enough. I’m going to knock off in just a couple minutes myself and go get a nap. I’ll finish configuring both computers over the weekend. Can you work all day Monday?”
She looked at the calendar app on her phone. “I can probably be here by about ten. I have a coffee meeting early.”
“Good enough. Thanks for everything.”
“No worries – it’s my job, you know! See you Monday.” She grabbed her purse from the chair where she’d thrown it and left.
“I need a shower,” Omar said. “Ev’s is a lot bigger than the one in the cottage. Stay here and don’t answer the door. I’ll be down in fifteen.”
Almost exactly fifteen minutes later, he was back. He obviously had planned on staying away from home because he was in clean clothes. Or, he’d just raided Ev’s closet. They were close to each other in size, although Omar was taller. On closer inspection, he’d been into Ev’s closet. The pants were a little short.
Transformation! Page 18
