Industrial Magic
Page 25
I have a thought on that. Someone who could look after her.
I shook my head. You know how I am. Either I look after her myself, or Ill go crazy worrying. I dont trust anyone
He told me who he had in mind.
Oh, I said. That might work.
Benicio called to say that Savannah was on the jet and would arrive in Miami just after six. Lucas told him our decision, that I would take the case, starting immediately. As for Lucass role, wed decided on honesty over subterfuge. Of course hed help me. Yes, this meant working alongside the Cabals, but the cause was right, and he wouldnt cheapen that by hiding his involvement. If Benicio felt hed won a victory, we had to let him have that satisfaction. Our only defense was that we wouldnt accept a Cabal paycheck for the job. We were doing this on our own, for our own reasons.
With securing Savannahs safety now our top priority, Lucas asked his father for a rain check on breakfast. Instead, Benicio would bring a copy of the case files for me later in the morning, after Lucas was gone and Id had time to settle Savannah in at the hotel. Benicio promised Lucas that he would help with protection arrangements for Savannah, and Lucas wisely refrained from telling him wed already done so. While we appreciated Benicios help, neither of us wanted Savannah in his custody for long, in case he hoped to use the opportunity to pitch to her as a future employee.
We met Savannah at the airport. By we, I mean Lucas, myself, and Troy. Yes, Troy was still with us, though I had every intention of handing him back to his boss after lunch. Nothing against Troy, but there was something unsettling about a huge half-demon dogging your every step. Savannah, however, took our new shadow in stride, as if there was nothing at all unusual about having a bodyguard/chauffeurfurther proof that Cabal royal blood flowed in her veins.
Over breakfast, we answered Savannahs questions about the attacks. She listened with more curiosity than concern. Altruism isnt Savannahs strong suit. I tell myself its part of being a teenager, but I suspect theres more to it than that.
Just as long as I dont get kidnapped again, she said. Twice in one year is enough for anyone. I swear, I must be the most endangered kid on the planet.
Youre special.
She snorted. Yeah, well, special never seems to bring anything but trouble. Now I know why my mom moved us around so much. She looked up sharply. We dont have to move again, do we?
Its not that kind of problem. All we need to do is find you a safe place to stay while I look for this guy.
What? She looked from me to Lucas. No way. Youre kidding, right?
Paige cant investigate while worrying about you, Savannah.
Her eyes swung to meet mine. You wouldnt do this. Youwouldnt send me away.
I opened my mouth, but guilt zapped my voice.
Savannah Lucas warned.
Her gaze clung to mine. Remember the last time? You said you wouldnt leave. Not ever.
Savannah Lucass voice sharpened.
We can work the case together. Youve got all those new spells. You can protect me better than anyone. I trust you, Paige.
A right hook below the belt. I managed a strangled, Iwe
Lucas told her whod be looking after her.
Savannah blinked, then eased back in her chair. Well, why didnt you say so? She took a swig of orange juice. Hey, does this mean I get to skip school?
After breakfast we returned to the airport to see Lucas off. As Savannah chatted with Troy, Lucas and I discussed my next steps in the case.
The boy who was attacked first, Holden, I said. He called the emergency line, too. Dont you think thats odd? That almost every victim had time to call for help before they were attacked? Jacob, I can see, because he had a cell phone. But the others?
Id strongly consider the possibility that they were permitted to make the call, perhaps by prolonging the chase so they could reach a phone.
But why?
It was already too late for help to arrive, so the killer was probably ensuring that the case remained under Cabal jurisdiction, and the victims werent found by humans first. However, we should concentrate on facts, rather than interpretation. Its too early for that.
Speaking of facts, I wish Holden saw his attacker. A thought struck me. What we need is the eyewitness report of someone who wasnt supposed to escape. We need a necromancer.
Lucas shook his head. A good idea, but murder victims are very difficult to communicate with so soon after they pass over, and on the rare occasion when a necromancer manages to make contact, the spirits are almost always too traumatized to recall details surrounding their death.
I dont mean Jacob. I mean Dana. A good necromancer can make contact with someone in a coma.
Youre right, Id forgotten that. Excellent idea. I have several necromancer contacts, all of whom owe me considerable favors. On the flight, Ill place some calls and see which of them could get to Miami quickest.
Visiting Hour
BEFORE TAKING SAVANNAH TO THE AIRPORT, THE CABAL guards had escorted her to our apartment to get more clothing. Benicio had also asked her to pack suitcases for Lucas and me, since wed arrived in Miami with only one change of clothing. Considerate of him, Ill admit. Id been too worried about Savannah to think of that myself. The only downside was that this meant Savannah picked out what she thought we should wear.
I shook my head. You know how I am. Either I look after her myself, or Ill go crazy worrying. I dont trust anyone
He told me who he had in mind.
Oh, I said. That might work.
Benicio called to say that Savannah was on the jet and would arrive in Miami just after six. Lucas told him our decision, that I would take the case, starting immediately. As for Lucass role, wed decided on honesty over subterfuge. Of course hed help me. Yes, this meant working alongside the Cabals, but the cause was right, and he wouldnt cheapen that by hiding his involvement. If Benicio felt hed won a victory, we had to let him have that satisfaction. Our only defense was that we wouldnt accept a Cabal paycheck for the job. We were doing this on our own, for our own reasons.
With securing Savannahs safety now our top priority, Lucas asked his father for a rain check on breakfast. Instead, Benicio would bring a copy of the case files for me later in the morning, after Lucas was gone and Id had time to settle Savannah in at the hotel. Benicio promised Lucas that he would help with protection arrangements for Savannah, and Lucas wisely refrained from telling him wed already done so. While we appreciated Benicios help, neither of us wanted Savannah in his custody for long, in case he hoped to use the opportunity to pitch to her as a future employee.
We met Savannah at the airport. By we, I mean Lucas, myself, and Troy. Yes, Troy was still with us, though I had every intention of handing him back to his boss after lunch. Nothing against Troy, but there was something unsettling about a huge half-demon dogging your every step. Savannah, however, took our new shadow in stride, as if there was nothing at all unusual about having a bodyguard/chauffeurfurther proof that Cabal royal blood flowed in her veins.
Over breakfast, we answered Savannahs questions about the attacks. She listened with more curiosity than concern. Altruism isnt Savannahs strong suit. I tell myself its part of being a teenager, but I suspect theres more to it than that.
Just as long as I dont get kidnapped again, she said. Twice in one year is enough for anyone. I swear, I must be the most endangered kid on the planet.
Youre special.
She snorted. Yeah, well, special never seems to bring anything but trouble. Now I know why my mom moved us around so much. She looked up sharply. We dont have to move again, do we?
Its not that kind of problem. All we need to do is find you a safe place to stay while I look for this guy.
What? She looked from me to Lucas. No way. Youre kidding, right?
Paige cant investigate while worrying about you, Savannah.
Her eyes swung to meet mine. You wouldnt do this. Youwouldnt send me away.
I opened my mouth, but guilt zapped my voice.
Savannah Lucas warned.
Her gaze clung to mine. Remember the last time? You said you wouldnt leave. Not ever.
Savannah Lucass voice sharpened.
We can work the case together. Youve got all those new spells. You can protect me better than anyone. I trust you, Paige.
A right hook below the belt. I managed a strangled, Iwe
Lucas told her whod be looking after her.
Savannah blinked, then eased back in her chair. Well, why didnt you say so? She took a swig of orange juice. Hey, does this mean I get to skip school?
After breakfast we returned to the airport to see Lucas off. As Savannah chatted with Troy, Lucas and I discussed my next steps in the case.
The boy who was attacked first, Holden, I said. He called the emergency line, too. Dont you think thats odd? That almost every victim had time to call for help before they were attacked? Jacob, I can see, because he had a cell phone. But the others?
Id strongly consider the possibility that they were permitted to make the call, perhaps by prolonging the chase so they could reach a phone.
But why?
It was already too late for help to arrive, so the killer was probably ensuring that the case remained under Cabal jurisdiction, and the victims werent found by humans first. However, we should concentrate on facts, rather than interpretation. Its too early for that.
Speaking of facts, I wish Holden saw his attacker. A thought struck me. What we need is the eyewitness report of someone who wasnt supposed to escape. We need a necromancer.
Lucas shook his head. A good idea, but murder victims are very difficult to communicate with so soon after they pass over, and on the rare occasion when a necromancer manages to make contact, the spirits are almost always too traumatized to recall details surrounding their death.
I dont mean Jacob. I mean Dana. A good necromancer can make contact with someone in a coma.
Youre right, Id forgotten that. Excellent idea. I have several necromancer contacts, all of whom owe me considerable favors. On the flight, Ill place some calls and see which of them could get to Miami quickest.
Visiting Hour
BEFORE TAKING SAVANNAH TO THE AIRPORT, THE CABAL guards had escorted her to our apartment to get more clothing. Benicio had also asked her to pack suitcases for Lucas and me, since wed arrived in Miami with only one change of clothing. Considerate of him, Ill admit. Id been too worried about Savannah to think of that myself. The only downside was that this meant Savannah picked out what she thought we should wear.
