by Marta Acosta
“Why did you pretend you were?”
“Because it made Lucky insane. Stupid, spoiled, selfish Lucky. He can go coitus himself, which he would if he could. Good luck to you with him.”
“I’m not going through with the initiation, Hattie.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Really? But why?”
“Because I don’t want to put Lucky Radcliffe’s needs ahead of my own.”
“Well, it’s about time!”
Hattie parked in the Radcliffes’ drive behind a Crown Victoria with a police antenna and the black Mercedes. She helped me to the front door. “Time to face the firing squad.” We bumped fists and said, “Grrl power,” then she let out a breath and rang the doorbell.
Tobias Radcliffe, more worn out than ever, opened the door. “We’re all here. Please join us. Hattie, you can wait in the family room.”
“I’m coming to the meeting.”
“It’s not appropriate,” he said listlessly.
“Mr. Radcliffe, you have some nerve trying to tell me what’s appropriate.” Then she tossed her head and marched into the living room.
Mrs. Radcliffe and her sons sat on one sofa. She was perfectly groomed and the only indication of a crisis was the tension in her jaw.
Jack smiled at us and I felt confident and hopeful. He was wearing a black t-shirt and clean jeans. He’d shaved so I could see all the wonderful lines of his face.
Lucky said “Hey” to me and gave a pleading look to Hattie, who remained near the doorway.
Ian Ducharme, the Council Director, wore an impeccable black suit and sat in a leather chair set back in the corner of the room. When he saw me watching him, he raised an eyebrow, once again giving me that in-on-a-joke-together feeling.
A man and a woman in business clothes stood by the fireplace. Mr. Radcliffe helped me to a chair and called the couple over. “Jane, this is Detective Fox and Officer Bateson, from the Evergreen Police Department. They’re following up on the accident last night.”
The woman, Detective Fox, said, “Miss Williams, we’re grateful you weren’t badly hurt. It’s tragic that Mrs. Mason didn’t make it out.”
I waited for Mr. Radcliffe to say something, but he was preoccupied with staring at the carpet. “It’s difficult for her friends to lose her twice.”
Detective Fox nodded. “We have the fire chief’s initial report, and we need your statement because there was a death. We know your memory may be hazy. People in crises have trouble recalling incidents.”
I knew that she was providing me with cover. “Mrs. Mason desperately wanted to press the reset button and go on as if her recent loss and breakdown had never happened. That’s why she was staying late in the lab to set up an experiment, because she used to help her husband all the time. The cloth chart caught fire and then the chemical supplies combusted. The rest happened so fast it’s all a blur.”
“Thank you. I have everything for my report. It’s quite remarkable that you got out of the room and down the stairs.” Detective Fox stepped toward Mrs. Radcliffe. “Headmistress, please give me a call if you need anything.”
“I will, Katie.”
The detective turned back to me. “Miss Williams, I know this has been traumatic, but I’m sure you’re going to have a very successful life. I’m a Birch Grove alumna myself.” When she shook my hand, I saw the gold and garnet ring shining on her finger.
After they had left, Mrs. Radcliffe said calmly, “What happened was a dreadful shock to all of us, Jane. We never expected that Claire Mason was alive and would try to hurt you.”
“But you must have suspected that she killed her own parents.” Her impassive face told me everything. “You knew someone had killed Breneeta Browning.”
“We knew nothing of the sort. We assumed she left the school, which was her legal right as an emancipated minor.”
“You helped us get out of the foster system to suit your own purposes.” Although my throat was still sore, I didn’t bother to hide my anger. “Without the protection of social workers, you could do whatever you liked without interference.”
“That attitude is uncalled for, Jane!” she said, sitting up even straighter.
“Your attitude is uncalled for. You or Mr. Radcliffe found BB’s body in the amphitheater. You fabricated a story to conceal her absence, and you’ve lied and told everyone that she’s been in contact with you.”
Ian Ducharme watched with interest as Mrs. Radcliffe’s expression froze.
Mr. Radcliffe scowled at his wife. “I told you I didn’t kill BB, but you wouldn’t believe me.”
The headmistress’s face became paler than usual. “Accidents happen, Tobias. I only thought that you’d been overzealous because of her young blood. It would have been your right to take on another Companion…” Mrs. Radcliffe tugged so hard at her pearl necklace that it broke and pearls scattered all over the thick carpet and rolled across the hardwood floor.
Right then, Lucky understood what had happened. He glared at his father and shouted, “BB was mine! She was supposed to be mine!” Then he turned to his mother. “It’s your fault. You wanted to get rid of Aunt Claire.”
“Her behavior was increasingly erratic, Lucky, and she didn’t want to retire,” his mother said imploringly. “We tried to get her into treatment and relocated.”
Lucky’s face went red. “This was her home! She was our family! Family is supposed to be everything.”
Jack put his arm around Lucky. Lucky leaned his golden head against his brother’s dark head, and the room was so silent that I could hear the wind outside and the trees brushing against the windows.
Mr. Radcliffe ran both hands through his hair. “I can’t deal with this anymore. Nothing’s right since Claire … and I need a drink.” He bolted from the room and we all waited for Mrs. Radcliffe to follow him.
But she had regained her composure. “Jane, this incident has nothing to do with the way we feel about you. We’re postponing the initiation, and we’re happy to do whatever we can to reassure you.”
“I’ve decided that I don’t want to be a Companion.”
“Don’t make a serious decision in your condition. You need to rest. You already have the week off, and you and Lucky can go somewhere, anywhere. We have a ski lodge, and autumn is beautiful in the mountains, or if you’d enjoy being by the ocean, we can arrange that. Why not see Paris, Jane?”
“A vacation won’t change my mind and I’ve got to study for midterms.”
“Lucky,” Hattie began.
Mrs. Radcliffe turned her focus to Hattie, who stood in the doorway. “Harriet, you’re not a part of this discussion.”
“Yes, I am.” Hattie moved to stand in front of Lucky. “Lucky, I’m giving you one last chance. Decide if you want to be a self-indulgent boy who spends his life partying and going through Companions or if you want to be a Family leader who is respected and trusted.”
Lucky lowered his forehead and glowered. “I don’t have to make this decision right now. I told you so in the grove the night you had that sleepover. There’s no hurry and I’m entitled to my own Companion.”
“Maybe someday, but not the way you want now—taking her blood and treating her like a serf. I have plans and I’m not going to waste my life hoping that you might grow up.” Hattie reached for his hands, clasping them. “You know that I have always loved you. There’s so much good in you, Lucky … please don’t let that slip away.”
Lucky gawked at Hattie with all the adoration that I’d once hoped he’d have for me.
“Don’t cheat yourself out of your birthright, Lucky,” Mrs. Radcliffe said. “You can do better than Harriet Tyler.”
Lucky snorted derisively. “You’re crazy, Mom. There’s no one better than Hattie. She’s smarter than I am, she’s nicer than I am, she’s beautiful, and she’s the most amazing girl I’ll ever know. If she’s willing to put up with me, then I’d be an idiot to let her go.” He stood and put his arm around Hattie’s waist. “Let’s get out of here.”
Her face was radiant as they walked out of the room. We heard the front door slam a moment later.
Mrs. Radcliffe crossed her ankles gracefully, but her voice wavered when she spoke. “He’ll change his mind, Jane. Lucian’s always been impulsive, but he won’t break an important custom.”
I saw how she was trying to control her feelings, the same way I’d always tried to control mine. “Mrs. Radcliffe, I don’t think you’re monsters because you have a genetic anomaly, but I do think you’ve behaved monstrously. Your wealth does not give you the right to exploit the desperate. Hiding the bodies does not make you any nicer or cleaner than any common street thug.”
Mrs. Radcliffe sat straight. “How very rude and ignorant—”
“Oh, give it up, darling,” said Ian Ducharme in a low, languid voice.
“But—”
“Do you really want to argue with me, Hyacinth?” Even his smile seemed dangerous. “I’m suspending Birch Grove’s Companion program indefinitely. Now, go give comfort to your husband so he doesn’t have to seek it in a bottle. I’d like to talk to Jane.”
Mr. Ducharme gave the headmistress a look, and she got up stiffly and left the room, crushing pearls in her steps.
Jack said, “I’m staying.”
When the Council Director moved to the sofa with Jack, the resemblance I’d noticed before was more striking. They noticed it, too, studying each other for many seconds before Mr. Ducharme turned to me. “Well, Jane, you hardly gave me a chance to leave before you proved me right.”
“Why did you tell them I’d be a satisfactory Companion?”
His eyes shone with amusement. “This branch needed a shakeup and I thought you might bring that.”
“Where is Breneeta Browning’s body?” I asked him.
“The dead are gone, their ashes scattered to the wind. However, we will try to locate Claire Mason and see that she does no more harm. We’ve increased security throughout this community. I suspect she won’t appear here soon.”
“Claire Mason is mentally ill. She needs care.”
“We’re cognizant of the circumstances surrounding her parents’ death. The world is a better place without them. However, Claire Mason killed a Companion candidate and intended to murder a Family member, both extremely serious crimes. The Council will determine the appropriate action when she is apprehended.”
He relaxed back against the sofa. “Let’s move on to more pleasant matters. Since Lucky declines the privilege of a Companion, I don’t think we have a problem. You’ll be compensated for your trouble. What would you like?”
I knew immediately. “The chemistry lab at my old school is being reconstructed. I’d like you to upgrade it with state-of-the-art equipment in honor of a friend of mine, Hosea Sabatier. And I have a friend who needs treatment for drug addiction and counseling for abuse, and she might not want to go. She does want to go to beauty school, so I’d like that set up, too, and she’ll need a safe house.”
I had no idea how much these things would cost, but Mr. Ducharme didn’t seem bothered. “Those are reasonable requests, although I’d asked what you wanted, Jane.”
“I want to help others.”
Jack looked from me to Mr. Ducharme. “Jane saved my brother’s life and Albert Mason’s life, and she could have died. She was promised a Birch Grove education, as well as funding through graduate school, including all living expenses, so she should get that in addition to the scholarship.”
“You’re her advocate?”
“The Halfling’s usual legal counsel only comes out in moonlight.”
“Ah, I thought I was the only one who noticed that in her, something not of this world,” Mr. Ducharme said with a sly grin. “Yes, that would be fine. Jane, after you’ve completed your studies, we can revisit your relationship with the Family. We are not all as conformist as this particular branch, and we can always find a position for a trustworthy, intelligent ally, especially one with such composure in a crisis.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“I must be off. We’ll work out the details through your advocate here.” He gave Jack a long look. “I find it quite interesting that we haven’t met prior to this, Jacob, but I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.”
Jack arched one eyebrow. “My mother says I don’t take the ceremonies seriously.”
“There you have it. Your good mother has provided a perfectly reasonable explanation. I shall be in contact soon,” Mr. Ducharme said. “Jane, will you walk out with me?”
Mr. Ducharme offered his arm to me and we went outside. He paused in the shade of a pine. “I can trust in your silence?”
“There’s no reason for me to expose the Family. I might even feel sorry for them if they showed any sympathy for others.”
“That is very generous of you.”
“You’re making fun of me, Mr. Ducharme.”
“I must, because you’re such a solemn young woman. Don’t stay so serious or you’ll turn into someone like Hyacinth.”
“I’ll try to avoid that, sir. One of my friends here is on a mission to funnify me.”
“That’s excellent news!” He took my hand in his and despite his beautiful manners and elegance, I suspected he had done terrible things and I was glad that Claire had gotten away. I hoped she would never get caught.
“Jane, I hope that we will meet again under happier circumstances. I have a dear friend who would enjoy your company and I think you would enjoy her company, too. She’s a rather remarkable creature, although, like you, she insists that she’s an ordinary girl.”
“Maybe she is, Mr. Ducharme. You know, I’ve always hated those stories about princes and princesses with some extraordinary ability, special because they’re born special.”
“Like me?” He smiled wickedly, making me laugh a little.
“I didn’t see how those were happy stories, because life has given princes and princesses enough unearned advantages. I’d rather believe that anyone can accomplish remarkable things when she really tries. Maybe her accomplishments will never be recognized, but simply loving and caring for someone else, that’s miraculous to me.” And as I spoke, I remembered my mother taking my hand to help me cross the street.
“Let’s continue this discussion next time, Jane. Perhaps then you’ll tell me the secrets behind those brown eyes. I have something for you.” He opened the trunk of his car and took out a sapling. “This survived the fire in the chemistry laboratory. I believe it’s yours.”
“Thank you.” I took the branch and looked in wonder at the fragile new roots and leaves.
Then Ian Ducharme got in the Mercedes and drove away.
“You see me standing here beside you, and hear my voice; but I tell you that all these things—yes, from that star that has just shone out in the sky to the solid ground beneath our feet—I say that all these are but dreams and shadows; the shadows that hide the real world from our eyes. There is a real world, but it is beyond this glamour and this vision … beyond them all as beyond a veil…”
Arthur Machen, The Great God Pan (1890)
Chapter 37
Carrying the sapling carefully, I hobbled slowly around the house to the path through the grove. When I made it to the amphitheater, I sat on a marble bench to rest. I ran my finger along a gray vein in the pale stone.
What had Claire Mason and BB dreamed about when they came to Birch Grove and met the Family? What we all dream about: love and a haven from the cruel world.
I searched above me into the branches and saw a denser shadow there. It could have been the Lady of the Wood, or BB, or a trick of the light, but I wasn’t frightened this time. The darkness expanded, growing more diffuse and fainter, and then it faded away.
Jack found me at the amphitheater. He sat beside me. “You left without telling me.”
“I needed to spend some time here.” We were only an inch apart, but I didn’t touch him then because I needed to think over things.
Wind fluttered the autumn leaves,
and a trio of deer came out of the trees toward us. They observed us for a few minutes before ambling off.
Jack said, “I’m glad you decided not to transform into a doe and leap away with your friends.”
“I thought about it, but I’m fanatical about being with you.”
“Fanatical, really?”
“A special word for a special person.” I picked up the branch and stood with my weight on my right foot. “Can we go to the cottage?”
“Should you be walking? I can carry you.”
“No, I want to do it on my own.”
Jack was patient as I limped slowly down the hill. “Halfling, it would be easier for you to put the branch down or use it as a cane.”
“It’s already supported me. It helped save me last night and I want to plant it.”
Once at the steps to the porch, I leaned against a column and set down the branch while Jack dashed ahead and opened the door. He raced back to swoop me up and carry me inside. When he set me on the sofa, I scanned the room. “Someone’s been here. Things are moved.”
“The Family’s security team probably came through last night.” He sat down, his strong thigh pressing against mine, sending blissful tingles throughout my body. “What now, Halfling?”
“I don’t know. Even though I’ve still got the scholarship, I thought about transferring to another school, one without the Family, but there are things keeping me here.”
“Such as?”
“Such as Mary Violet’s poetry and lunch at the Free Pop and the Birch Grove Weekly.”
“Those are awesome reasons to stay. Anything else?”
“Yes, I love the grove and I have friends here and there’s this guy … He’s incredibly aggravating. He teases me and tells me to leave. But he brings me pizza and makes me laugh. He’s amazingly sexy and talented. He’s gorgeous and funny and thoughtful. He’s really smart, too, but doesn’t have an attitude about it.”
“I’ll never be able to compete with such a paragon. Is that one of your SAT words?”
“Actually, it is one of my SAT words, but you have a chance because he’s not a paragon. Sometimes he’s a total jackass, in fact, and he’s so inconsistent that I’m never sure if he really cares for me.”
