by Jane Tesh
“If you were hoping for twenty-five million dollars, Vermillion and I decided the puzzle was a hoax.”
“Really? A hoax that cost a lot of people their lives.”
“You’re not channeling any more of them, are you?”
He took a drink. “Things are thankfully quiet. All I have to do now is get myself back on track.”
I started thinking about the incidents of the past week. Finding Samuel Gallant dead in the museum closet. Pierson’s dragonfly creating psychic havoc. Stein’s boat exploding. Camden’s power surges and sudden bursts of telekinesis. When Ellin had assured Camden he could handle the changes, he’d said, “I like to think so, and then lightning strikes.”
I thought of Mason’s weird sculptures, especially the spiky post on top of the Riverside Museum. I thought of Kit’s latest song. Hit me with a lightning bolt. “Camden, I know what’s going on. The surges started a couple of weeks ago, didn’t they? When did Kit move in?”
“A couple of weeks ago.”
I counted off the incidents. “You had a big surge just before Kit called about Gallant. Kit was there when you shook Pierson’s hand and when we found out about Stein’s accident and you sent the island into a tailspin. He also stopped by the fair the same time you had your latest telekinetic show. Kit’s the reason your power’s off the charts. He’s a not an early-warning system. He’s a lightning rod.”
Camden didn’t say anything, but stared at me, taking it all in.
“Makes sense, doesn’t it? Have you ever been around another real psychic?” He shook his head. “You’ve been working with him, helping him sort through and shut off the visions. You’ve been getting a double dose.”
He looked relieved. “That’s. . .entirely possible.”
“It sure as hell isn’t your alien DNA.”
His relief changed to worry. “But, Randall, if that’s true, can he go on living here? He’s part of the family now.”
“Now that you know he’s the cause, you might be able to find a solution. We’re not the Piersons and the Duvalls, you know. We can work things out.”
To take our minds off weighty psychic matters and to be our favorite contestant’s cheering section, Camden, Rufus, Angie, Vermillion, Kit, and even Ellin went to the Miss Panorama Pageant that evening. We sat through the cheesy opening number, which featured a panorama—get it?—of the city and all the women dressed in black and gold. We whistled at Kary’s bathing suit and oooed and ahhed at her evening gown, which, thanks to Angie’s alterations, looked brand new.
Rufus gave Angie’s arm a squeeze. “Nice work on the dress, honeybun.”
For the talent portion of the program, Kary played a Chopin prelude. For her Important Question, she was asked about climate change, and assured the audience it was supported by science and our planet’s future was everyone’s responsibility. She was the best by far, so it was no surprise when she was crowned Miss Panorama and received a big gold trophy, a bouquet of red roses, and five thousand dollars. Not a lot by Miss America standards, but enough to make everyone at 302 Grace happy.
“Now we’re both rich,” Kary said as she hopped into bed that night. “My pageant money will pay for several classes with some left over for the adoption fund.”
“You’ll be Miss Guidance Counselor in no time.”
“I’m excited about it. A new direction. And you’ve got a nice chunk of cash to keep the Randall Detective Agency open a little longer.”
I put my arm around her and tucked a strand of her silky hair behind her ear. “As long as you save some time to help me solve crimes. I hear you and Vermillion went on a secret mission to the museum.”
“We were so sure that ‘Under Lamp’ was the right clue. But we can keep trying. There might be a real solution to that puzzle. Wouldn’t Baseford be annoyed if we solved it?”
“It would be worth it to see the look on his face.”
She leaned against my shoulder. “I hope the return of the dragonfly to Pierson helped Isabelle find peace. Did Leo say what he plans to do with it?”
“Carry it with him wherever he goes, I would imagine.” I turned off the lamp on the nightstand. “Now I plan to sleep with royalty, Miss Panorama.”
“What’s that line from The Cruelest Heart? ‘I would expire for one embrace.’”
“Only one?” I pulled her closer. “There will be a lot more than that.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
“O Deare, That I With Thee Might Live”
Sunday afternoon, Wally made good on his promise to look after Vermillion and stopped by to help carry her things out to his van. They laughed and carried on like a couple of teenagers. We waved good-bye as the van chugged down Grace Street and disappeared around the corner.
“Well, that’s another problem solved,” I said.
“How about a celebratory round of iced tea?” Kary asked.
“That sounds good,” I said, “and ten points for ‘celebratory.’”
Camden and I took our seats on the porch. Ellin, of course, had gone to check on the fair. Camden looked out across the shady front yard. The sun was bright, and the cicadas had started their buzz-saw chirping. “I can’t believe I took all those pills.”
“I let Nancy Piper have my phone. We have both successfully passed the Idiot Test and become Self-Aware.”
He looked back at me, his eyes their usual deep blue. “You were right. That wasn’t the life I want. I’m still not real happy to be psychic, but it’s better than being so drugged out I can’t function.”
“Requests from Beyond will start pouring in.” Something had been bothering me. “Can you tell what’s going to happen to Leslie Piper?”
“She’ll stay with her dad. She’ll be all right.”
“Let’s hope he has a better moral code.” My phone rang and I looked at the caller ID. “It’s Reg. I didn’t think he roused himself from his beauty sleep on Sundays.”
“I should’ve sensed that.”
I answered the phone. “What’s the trouble, Reg? Are you protecting the fort all by yourself today?”
“I’m at the fair,” he said. “Ellin wanted me to talk to potential audience members.”
“He’s at the fair,” I told Camden. “How are things going there? Ellin was worried all the commotion yesterday might keep people away.”
“Are you kidding? There are tons of people here. After that story in the Herald this morning, the free publicity is going to keep the fair running another week.”
Saved from the Wrath of Ellin. “Good news.”
“You think that’s good news, let me tell you something else.”
“She’s agreed to the Psychic Olympics?”
He made a huffing sound. “I know you have a low opinion of me, Randall, but this time, I can save the day.”
“I’d like to see that, Reg.”
“I’ve been worried about my girlfriend, and I found out what’s she’s been up to. She’s been seeing another man behind my back.”
“This is not startling news.”
“It’s Matt Graber.”
“What?”
“It seems she’s fascinated by his so-called psychic power and she’s got a thing for snakes. I’d been wondering why she was at the studio so much. I thought it was because she wanted to be with me. Then I find her snuggling with Graber in his office. Graber said, ‘Oh, too bad. Honey would rather be with someone who has brains and talent as well as psychic ability.’ I said, ‘Oh, too bad. She’s sixteen.’”
I started laughing. “So for once, your preference for underage girls is going to be useful.” Since this remark made Camden look at me wide-eyed, I had to pause and explain. “Matt Graber stole Reg’s girlfriend, who happens to be sixteen.”
Reg’s tone was defensive. “I just found out myself. I told you I thought she was twenty-one.”
> “What did Graber say?”
“He asked Honey if this was true, and when she said yes, he turned an odd shade of gray. By then, I had my phone out.”
“Damn, Reg, I’m impressed.”
“Thought you would be. I told Graber if he leaves the PSN, I’ll delete the pictures and won’t say a word to his sponsors or his fans.”
“Is he going to leave?”
“Yes, he is.”
I gave Camden a thumbs-up. “Have you told Ellin?”
“I’m waiting for the right moment. Tell Cam to let me handle it. I don’t often have this kind of leverage.”
I laughed. “See you at the Olympics.” I ended the call. “Reg Haverson to the rescue.”
“Something I never would’ve foreseen,” Camden said.
“Graber’s out and gone. Reg wants to be the one to tell Ellin, so let him have his moment. He’ll be able to create any show he wants after this.”
When the screen door opened, I thought it was Kary returning with the tea, but Kit stuck his head out. “Snakes on the way, Cam.”
“Oh, Lord,” he said. “Do you suppose they want to live here now?”
“Meet you in the backyard,” Kit called over his shoulder.
I swung my arm around to guide Camden along. “They can have Vermillion’s room.”
I was glad to see the return of his very best “go to hell” look. “They can have your room.”
Slim and Jim only wanted to say they liked the idea of being in a rock band and planned to sneak out that night and join Runaway Truck Ramp in concert.
“We can’t miss that,” I said.
Rufus and Angie had other plans, and Ellin opted out, so Camden, Kary, and I piled into the Parkland Arena with a couple thousand of our closest friends for “Battle of the Bands.” We had to endure The Scars, Zero Tolerance, and The Stick Boys before it was Runaway Truck Ramp’s turn to take the stage.
The snakes were an immediate sensation. Slim let Kit wear him draped around his neck, while Jim sat in a fat coil by the drums. I swear I saw him tapping his tail along with the beat, occasionally hitting the bass drum. The spotlights caught every glint of their scales and golden eyes. Each band was allowed to play three songs. Runaway Truck Ramp sang all their potential-to-become-hit-songs, “You Hate Yourself,” the Lily Wilkes-inspired “Embrace the Oddness,” and of course, “Hit Me Like a Lightning Bolt.” Every time Kit banged out a chord, Slim flicked out his tongue. The crowd loved it and at one point chanted, “Snakes! Snakes! Snakes!”
After Runaway Truck Ramp’s set, we left the arena, ears ringing, and waited outside until the concert was over. Kit came out to meet us, his eyes shining. He was still wearing Slim.
“Hey, guys! Wasn’t that the most awesome thing ever?”
“Did you win?” I asked.
“We came in second to the Razor Claws, but who cares? An agent from Starmaker Productions offered us a spot as opening act for Iron Hammer on their five-state tour! Slim and Jim are real excited.”
Kary carefully reached around Slim to give Kit a quick hug. “Congratulations!”
“That’s great news,” Camden said.
Kit patted Slim’s head. “I always knew I needed a gimmick. The snakes sold it. We’re changing the name of the band to Runaway Snakes, which is what they’re gonna be for real, right, Slim?” Slim opened his mouth in what appeared to be a silent laugh. Kit turned to Camden. “The only thing is, I’m gonna be gone for months, Cam. If you need to rent the room, go ahead. This tour is just the beginning.”
Here was the solution Camden was looking for, a chance to settle his own visions and take back control. “That won’t be a problem,” he said. “You’ll always have a place at 302 Grace, if you need it. You, too, Slim, and your brother.”
Slim gave a pleased hiss.
“Where is Jim?” I asked.
“Oh, he and my drummer have bonded. It’s good for Ace to have something else in his life to look after. Misses his sister, you know.” He gave Slim another pat. “We’re family now, right, buddy?”
That night, I didn’t have any trouble falling asleep and soon dreamed. The flowers in Lindsey’s playground swayed in the breeze I could not feel, and I caught a glimpse of butterflies dancing in and out among the colorful blossoms. Then Lindsey appeared, carrying a bouquet of the flowers.
Thank you for helping Isabelle, Daddy. She wasn’t sure about talking to you, but now she’s glad she did.
“Is she all right? Did finding the dragonfly help her?”
Yes, she’s moved on.
“What about Delores? Have you heard from her?”
Delores came by and told me about Norma and Samuel. She said they don’t need to talk to you. She said it’s because they have each other now. They don’t want anything else. They don’t have anything more they need to say or do. Delores said they’ve moved on, too, which is what people do when they’re happy here.
“But you’re happy there, too, aren’t you, baby? It looks like a beautiful place.”
Oh, yes. But there are even more beautiful places to go.
As much as I wanted her to be with me, I didn’t want to keep her from anything she deserved on The Other Side. “If there’s a more wonderful place than your playground, you could move on, too, couldn’t you?”
I could. She smiled her sweetest smile and then said what deep down in my heart I realized was my truest wish, to keep my family together. But I want to stay with you, Daddy.
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