Magician's Muse (22 page)

“How did you get here?” I asked him. “And who’s with you?”

The other figure stepped out of a shadow, her black hair making her blend in with the night except for the streak of pink in it and her pale face makeup. “You sure cause a lot of trouble,” Thorn griped.

“I’ve been told that before,” I said, giggling.

“We came to rescue you, but it looks like you rescued yourself.”

“I’ll tell you everything once we’re out of here. How did you find me?”

“Duh,” Thorn said. “I’m a Finder.”

“But Jade helped too.” Dad held me tight, ruffling my hair fondly. “We would have come sooner, but I only found out where you were a few hours ago. Jade called from Reno.”

“Reno!” I started to ask what she was doing there, but then guessed she’d gone after her mother. Poor Jade. My mother might be bossy and annoying a lot, but at least she acted like a mother.

On the way to the car, Dad explained that Nona called him, frantic because I was missing. They’d called my friends, and Manny told them I’d texted him about going to Arturo’s property. Thorn told Dad she had a feeling I was near a lake and offered to come along to help find me. But when they drove up here, they didn’t see my car and couldn’t get past Arturo’s security guards.

They were ready to go to the police when Dad’s cell phone rang. It was Jade. After apologizing for not calling sooner, she told them how to get through the fence and follow the path by the dam.

Then I was inside Dad’s car, inhaling the sweet lemon scent of the hanging air freshener. It was my turn for explanations, but suddenly I was so tired. One moment I was talking to Thorn, and the next I was waking up as the car pulled in at Nona’s house. Dad half-carried me into the house, which felt so safe.

Thorn agreed to stay the night since it was so late, and Nona found a fold-out bed that Dad carried to my attic room. I sorted through my nightlight collection and chose a butterfly, not because it had any deep meaning, but because it had been a gift from Dad. Tonight he’d really come through for me.

Thorn borrowed pajamas from me, then crawled underneath the covers.

I tugged my covers over me, too hyped now to relax. My short nap had revived me and I wasn’t ready to go to sleep quite yet.

“Thorn, now that we’re alone, I want to hear everything.”

She turned toward me, propped on one elbow and looking about twelve without her makeup. “About what?” she asked, yawning.

“You know,” I said impatiently. “Jacques? His murder? And what about that folder you saw in Jacques’ apartment?”

“Oh, Pen and I found out a lot.” A slow smile played on Thorn’s face.” I know who killed Jacques.”

Since she wasn’t a big talker, Thorn’s explanation was like a text—lots of details were missing. Still, I was able to get most of the story.

While Penny-Love had been ready to forget about the whole “Jacques” drama, Thorn couldn’t stop thinking about it—especially that folder. “It seemed like such a coincidence to find photos of Josh and Grey in Jacques’ apartment,” she said. “I even dreamed about that folder. I had to find it. So I Googled everything I could about Oscar-aka-Jacques. From the memorial announcement, I found out names and addresses of his family, partner, and other police officers. Also, thanks to Manny’s hacking skills, I learned that a suspect was being sought for questioning in the murder.”

She went on to describe the “suspect,” a guy in his twenties with a snake tattoo coiled on his cheek. Hoping to find the folder, Thorn drove to Jacque’s partner’s house and parked across the street. Just after she arrived, a car pulled up and parked in the driveway—driven by none other than Snake Tattoo.

Thorn spied through her window and used her phone to snap pictures as Jacques’ partner—the guy with the sideburns they’d followed to the memorial service—came outside to meet Snake Tattoo. Once the men went inside, Thorn’s Finding radar led her to Sideburn’s car, which was fortunately unlocked. She found the boxes from Jacques’ apartment—and the folder. She took the folder home, and using an account Manny assured her was untraceable, emailed her photos of the meeting between Sideburns and Snake Tattoo to the detective in charge of Jacque’s murder.

When she read through the folder, she discovered that it wasn’t a coincidence that Jacques had information on Josh and Grey. Jacques suspected Grey of several crimes, including the vandalism at Trick or Treats, and according to his notes, he thought Josh’s disappearance was suspicious. Since he was already working undercover at Sheridan High, he’d started to check into Grey’s background. There were notes in the folder on Grey’s disturbing history of violence—he’d attacked a girlfriend after she’d gone to a psychic who had warned her to stop dating him, and he’d been arrested for torching a New Age shop and nearly killing the owner. He’d jumped bail, and there was still an outstanding warrant for Thomas Greyson—which turned out to be only one of Grey’s aliases.

I shivered, realizing how close I’d come to finding out just how violent Grey could be.

“You won’t believe what happened next,” Thorn said dramatically. Then she described how she drove back to Sideburns’ house but parked a distance away. From the safety of her car, she heard sirens and saw flashing lights surround the house. Cops stormed inside and within minutes, it was over. Snake Tattoo was led out in handcuffs—and so was Jacques’ partner, his head down in surrender.

“Later, I found out from Manny that Jacque’s partner, Richard something, confessed to taking bribes from Snake Tattoo, who is a drug dealer. Richard had encouraged Jacques to keep investigating Grey because it kept him busy and out of the way. But this backfired. When Jacques found out that Grey had an outstanding warrant, he told Richard to come to his apartment because he’d discovered something important. Snake Tattoo heard about this and assumed Jacques knew about the bribes. It was Snake Tattoo who killed Jacques.”

“What about the folder?” I asked Thorn. “Did you return it?”

“Sure. I drove to a police station and left it there anonymously. Also the gun that Cheerleader stupidly took.”

“I hope you wiped off the fingerprints so they can’t trace you.”

“Do I look stupid?” she demanded. “Me, you, and Cheerleader are safe. But not Grey. I got a text a while ago from Manny saying that Grey is now a guest of the judicial system. I was wondering when they’d catch him.”

“You sound like you knew they would.”

She nodded. “Well, yeah. Before I turned in the folder, I tried my Finding on the photo of Grey, then I made an anonymous phone call to the police with an address. That dude won’t threaten my friends again.”

“Wow,” was all I could say. “You were like a real detective. You could have a great career in law enforcement.”

“That’s not what you predicted in the Mystic Manny column. You said I’d travel, make friends, and find interesting experiences—very generic fortune-telling.”

“I’m not really great with predictions,” I admitted. “Manny pushed me to come up with those fast.”

“Manny can be a pain in the ass,” Thorn said, smiling. “But he’s cool, and a real friend. I sent him a text so he’d know you were okay.”

“He was worried?” I asked, surprised.

“Not just him. Manny and Pen stayed with Nona while I went with your dad. Finding you was the best moment ever.”

“For me too. Thanks so much. You are … well … a real friend,” I said with a catch in my throat. I knew Thorn hated emotional displays. Still, I wanted to do something for her. So I crossed my room, opened a drawer, and grasped a long slim object.

When I held out my hand to Thorn, she arched her pierced brow. “What’s that?”

“Zathora’s wand. The real one, not the fake.”

“So it’s valuable?”

“Probably … but completely unexplainable. I don’t want it. Do you?”

“An evil magic wand? Cool. Does it do magic tricks?”

“Not anymore,” I said. I was sure this was true. While walking in the woods, I’d tried using it to bring up an image of Dominic and gotten nothing. I glanced down at my hands, clasped together, and hesitated before asking the question in my heart. “Has there been any news about Dominic?”

“Sorry.” Thorn shook her head. “Nothing.”

The worst fears echoed in my mind: I’d never see Dominic again.

Thorn scooted next to me and squeezed my hand. “I can try Finding him for you.”

It was tempting, but I shook my head. “He’ll come back when he’s ready … if he can.”

“Don’t stress, he’ll be okay. He’s too crazy about you to stay away long. I’ll bet he shows up for Christmas.”

I wished so hard for that, it was like there was a wishing muscle in my body that strained and pulled, aching from the effort. But I had to face facts. Dominic couldn’t come home if he was in jail.

Yawning, I turned away from Thorn and closed my eyes.

When I awoke the next morning, she was already gone.

Walking downstairs, I stared at the glittering colored lights of our Christmas tree. Pine scented the living room and tiny glass angels decorated a shelf above the couch. I wanted to feel excited about the holiday, but my heart was too empty. I wondered if Dominic would ever open the gift wrapped for him—a falconer’s glove engraved with
DS
. I’d had it done a few weeks ago, before I knew his real last name. Not that it mattered now … not without Dominic.

Nona was so happy to have me home that I tried to get into the holiday spirit for her. As we baked sugar cookies shaped like stars, trees, and snowmen, Nona had news of her own to share. Apparently the glow had tarnished on the Heart Lights merger. When Roger started bossing Nona around and telling her how to run her business, she’d shown him the door. I was relieved. No one could run Soul-Mate Matches better than Nona.

The house filled with delicious baking scents and the day passed quickly. I texted and emailed friends, reassuring everyone I was back to normal—and trying to convince myself, too.

Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and Nona had invited some friends over. Most of my friends had plans with their own families, so it would be a small party of four: Nona’s card-playing pal Grady, Velvet, Nona, and myself. On Christmas morning, Nona and I would join my parents for a festive celebration at their house. My mother had even (shock!) invited Jade. I’d found this out from Jade herself—she’d called to apologize for getting caught up in her mother’s drama and not contacting our dad right away. She hesitated, then told me about the invite.

“Are you okay with me sharing in your family celebration?” she asked, sounding oddly vulnerable.

“It’s more than okay. Dad will be thrilled to have all of his daughters there.” Then I added with a laugh, “But my family gets kind of intense. Just warning you.”

There were last minute gifts to buy, so on Christmas Eve I headed to the mall with Penny-Love. She helped keep my mind off Dominic by sharing gossip and confiding about the new guy she’d met—a year younger than her but seriously hot. She was sure he’d ask her to the New Year’s Dance, but if he was too shy, she’d ask him.

By the time she dropped me off, it was dark.

Carrying shopping bags, I went inside, prepared to turn on holiday music and wrap gifts till Grady and Velvet showed up.

Sprawling on my bedroom floor, I unrolled foil wrapping paper and snipped off a large piece with scissors. As I reached for it, a blur of calico fur pounced on the paper.

“Lilybelle!” I cried. “You bad cat!”

She swished her tail and sat down right on the ripped wrapping paper, staring up at me.

“Shoo!” I waved her away. “Can’t you see I’m busy?”

She meowed haughtily, then got up and strode to my door. She meowed, the way she did when her food or water bowl was empty. But her stare was different, giving me chills. She’d only acted this strange one other time.

Jumping up, I tossed the scissors aside and followed her out of the room. I only slowed to grab a jacket, then my cat and I were out the door, racing down the steps and heading for the woods.

As I ran, I warned myself that I could be wrong. He might not be there, which would be disappointing.

But Christmas Eve was a time for miracles.

And when I reached the tree house, I looked up—and saw the guy I loved.

“Dominic!” I sobbed, lifting my arms up for him.

His strong fingers curled around my wrists and he gently pulled me into the tree house. Dagger perched on the window ledge, watching.

“Sabine,” Dominic said, my name sounding so amazing on his lips. His arms circled my waist and he led me to the couch. “You have no idea how good it feels to hold you again.”

“Oh, I have a really good idea.”

“It’s like we’re been apart for years.”

“Longer. And I’ve been so worried.”

“I’m sorry, but things were crazy.” He gently brushed a loose strand of hair from my face. “During everything, I kept thinking of this moment. How great it would be to see you again … and how I was going to do this.”

He pulled me close and softly pressed his lips against mine. I heard a flutter of wings and the scurry of tiny animals around us, yet it was if we were completely alone in our own tree-top world. I leaned into him and closed my eyes, lost in wonderful emotions.

“God, you’re so beautiful,” he whispered, pulling back to stare at me as if he was seeing me for the first time.

I captured his hand in mind, squeezing tight. “You’re not getting away from me again. This is where you belong. No arguments.”

“Does it look like I’m arguing? Home is on the farm with you and Nona.”

Relief swept through me as I looked into his wonderful face. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Me too. Only more.”

I shifted on the couch. “Then why didn’t you call?”

“I couldn’t. My lawyer wouldn’t allow me to contact anyone.”

“Lawyer?” Fears knotted in my stomach. “So you were arrested?”

“No, but it’s been a legal mess because I’ve been living under a fake name, and there were tons of papers to sign. The PI flew me to New Jersey, where I met the lawyer who is handling my uncle’s estate.”

“What? I don’t understand.”

“Neither did I, at first. I kept expecting red flashing lights and cops. The PI wouldn’t tell me anything until we met with the lawyer. I wanted to call you a million times, but I couldn’t until I was sure about what happened to my uncle.”

“And are you sure now?”

He nodded, stroking my hair. “I’m sure—about a lot of things.”

I smiled up at him, holding tighter, not ever wanting to let go.

“So what happened to your uncle?” I asked. “He’s dead, isn’t he?”

“Very. But I didn’t do it.” A huge grin spread across his face. “It was natural causes.”

“What a relief!”

“Yeah … it’s like I’m finally free,” he admitted. “My uncle died only a year ago. He’d inherited money and a house on Long Island from a great aunt. While I spent all those years thinking I’d killed him, he was sunning on the beach. Then he had a heart attack and didn’t leave a will, so his lawyers hired the PI to find me.”