Delia's Shadow (9 page)

“It was horrid, but maybe there was a purpose, too.” Delia’s hands were tucked in her lap, but Gabe saw her twisting the edge of the tablecloth around her fingers. “I think there’s a very good chance the woman Jack and Gabe saw in that alley was Shadow.”

Jack looked up sharply from buttering his scrap of bread. “What makes you believe that?”

“Don’t interrogate her, Sergeant. Take it on faith that she has good reasons.” Gabe looked his partner straight in the eye, confident that Jack would understand from his tone and expression that this wasn’t a joke. Now wasn’t the time to question her. “No more talk about ghosts until later. Let’s have a pleasant dinner first.”

Jack gave him a considering look and tugged his mustache. “A good idea. They’re bringing the food now.”

The waiter and two helpers approached the table, each of them carrying a heavily laden tray with dishes piled high or steaming platters of lamb and chicken. Gabe wasn’t sure the narrow table would hold all the food, but with some rearranging they managed. They passed plates round in a circle, each person heaping on food from the dishes closest before passing the plate on. The scent of curry spices tickled his nose and with the first bite strange tastes burst on his tongue, sweet and bitter at the same time. At first he wasn’t sure he cared for the texture of the dolmas paired with yogurt, but they grew on him. The rest of the meal was heaven on a plate.

Sadie steered the conversation back to wedding plans and plotting an extravagant honeymoon. Before too long Delia’s color was back to normal and she joined in the conversation, poking good-natured fun at both Jack and Sadie. Gabe threw in his share of quips, but mostly he watched to make sure Delia ate and was suitably distracted. He still felt responsible for upsetting her and doubly guilty for knowing he’d have to do so again soon.

Details were his job and Gabe couldn’t ignore the truth; he needed all the details Delia remembered. He’d seen too much in his ten years on the force not to be open to the idea of things he couldn’t explain, but Delia’s story had pushed him closer to outright belief than he was comfortable with. The idea that Shadow might be a victim of the killer his father hunted for five years spooked him.

That the ghost had chosen to reveal her secrets to Delia added to the unease roiling in his chest. He couldn’t shrug that off as a hunch. The timing, with a new killer roaming the city, disturbed him most of all. Even as the four of them ate and joked Gabe couldn’t stop thinking about the possible connection.

Busboys swooped down only seconds after they’d finished eating and carried off empty serving dishes, soiled plates, and the paltry fragments of lamb and chicken left. Their waiter returned a moment later with coffee and their desserts.

Gabe let the first bite of honeyed figs sit on his tongue, sorting out the sweetness of honey from the dusting of spices: cinnamon and clove, with just a touch of ginger. If he could remember by the time he saw her at breakfast, he’d tell his landlady. Mrs. Allen loved to cook for him and the other boarders and a new dessert from the fair would excite her.

“How are you feeling, Dee?” Sadie rested her elbows on the table and cradled her water glass in both hands. She peered at Delia over the top of the glass. “You’ve no need to be brave about it either. No one will be upset if you need to go home. We can make arrangements to see Madame Bobet in a few days.”

“You’ve no need to fuss, I feel fine.” Delia pushed her empty plate away and folded her napkin neatly. She brushed a wisp of light brown hair off her face and smiled sweetly at Sadie. “Not ordering more spice cake will require bravery, so if you’re truly concerned, perhaps we should go.”

Gabe took the bill from the waiter and paid for dinner over everyone’s protest. They gathered their coats and left. He reached the door first, blocking the exit for a few seconds to scan the area for anyone who looked out of place. Searching for a man he wouldn’t recognize.

“Something wrong, Gabe?” Jack’s tone was casual, but he moved a half step in front of Sadie.

“No, nothing wrong.” Delia regarded him solemnly over Jack’s shoulder, her expression wary. He wouldn’t fool her any more than he’d fool Jack, but he’d keep up the cheerful facade for Sadie. Gabe pushed the door open and held it for his friends. “Old habit from my patrolman’s days. Sometimes I can’t help but watch people.”

Sadie arched an eyebrow at Gabe on the way out, but didn’t say anything. She threaded her arm through Jack’s and they led the way again. If Jack kept her that much closer when the street grew especially crowded or held her arm a tiny bit tighter, she’d never notice.

Gabe noticed. He wished he hadn’t.

Delia

The closer we came to The Zone, the more crowded the walkway became. Supper hour was over and everyone wanted to make the most of the evening. Fathers chased down errant children and dragged them back to their mothers. Couples, old and young, strolled arm in arm marveling at the lights and the sculptures commissioned for the Pan Pacific. Packs of young boys rushed for the rides, free of parental supervision for a short time and wild as puppies. Girls about the same age were more constrained and followed close behind their parents, faces sticky with cotton candy.

Fog hung over the mouth of the bay, but hadn’t worked its way to shore. The wind was brisk and carried the smell of popcorn, coffee from the Hills Bros. exhibit, and food of all sorts. Lights outlined the front of buildings, the tower holding the Aeroscope and arched on long wires over the streets. Spotlights illuminated sculptures and fountains. All but the most distant corners of The Zone were awash in bright colors, music, and movement.

We stopped to watch the Aeroscope as it came into view over the top of the buildings. Broad at the base, the tower narrowed gradually until the top was a slender spire. The square iron cage rose slowly, an electric star ascending to the sky. Once at the top, the cage hovered in place so the people inside could see the whole of the exhibition laid out at their feet. I’d read in the paper that the cage held five hundred people and was always full, day or night.

“Oh, Dee. I want to go to the top.” Sadie was entranced, watching the cage descend again and bouncing on her toes. She still clutched Jack’s arm and he bounced with her, but not by choice. “We’ll talk to Madame Bobet and then ride the Aeroscope. What do you say?”

“I think it’s perfect for you. You’ll have oodles of fun.” I eyed the fragile-looking enclosure slowly sliding down the tower. Imagining the Aeroscope hurtling at high speed to its destruction was all too easy. “I wouldn’t dream of trying to stop you, but my feelings about high places haven’t changed. I’ll find a nice bench firmly anchored to the ground and wait for you.”

Gabe cleared his throat, his usual prelude to entering the conversation. “You won’t need to wait alone, Delia. I’m not keen on heights myself. Jack’s the daredevil. Perhaps you and I can tour one of the exhibits nearby and meet them when they’ve finished.”

Sadie beamed at me, a sure sign she thought all her scheming was coming to fruition. Gabe had handed her matchmaker heart all it ever dreamed of and he was only being polite, nothing more. That would never occur to her.

“That’s very kind, Gabe.” I ignored Sadie’s victory smile. She’d be cross with me for dashing her hopes soon enough. “But if you’d rather take in the view from the tower, go with Jack and Sadie. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“Gabe really is terrified of heights. Remind me to tell you about the time we had to chase a pair of shoplifters up a fire escape and over a rooftop.” Jack’s forced laugh hit a false note, making me suspect he’d joined Sadie’s conspiracy. The longer I let this go on, the more pressure my loving friend would apply.

A distraction was in order. I pointed to the deep crimson tent not far ahead, lightning-bolt banners on the roof snapping in the wind. “Is that Madame Bobet’s tent?”

Sadie didn’t disappoint me. “Oh, I think that must be. I hope she’s not too busy.”

We set off again. There were mercifully few ghosts in The Zone and those I saw were mere wisps of memory, faded to the point of passing out of this world completely. Shadow hadn’t reappeared, but her presence tickled the back of my neck and an ache filled my chest. I didn’t need to see the ghost to know she was with me.

Gabe watched the crowd as we walked, chewing his lip and frowning. His story of old habits grew harder to believe, but I trusted he had a reason to pretend all was well. I wouldn’t question him just yet.

The signboard in front of Madame Bobet’s tent announced “
Madame Isadora Bobet, World Acclaimed Seer and Spirit Guide. Fortunes Foretold, Advisor to the Brokenhearted, Messages Delivered to Loved Ones in the Spirit Realm.”
Pictures of pyramids, coffins painted with the likeness of Egyptian kings, and spirits rising from crystal balls decorated the sign as well. It was all very exotic and strange.

A tall young man with hazel eyes and skin the color of burnished bronze guarded the entryway. Dark curls framed his face and brushed the back of his neck. He was dressed in baggy black cotton pants tied at the ankle, leather sandals, and a red brocade vest that hung open across his well-muscled chest. A gold hoop pierced one ear and a red silk sash wrapped his waist.

“Daniel! It’s been ages since I’ve seen you.” Sadie rummaged in her handbag and produced a calling card. She smiled and offered it to him. “Would you be a dear and see if Madame Bobet can fit us in?”

He took her hand as well as the card, bowing and kissing her fingers. Daniel’s smile was quite breathtaking, but Sadie took it in stride. Charm was wasted on her, she had too much of her own to wield. “Anything for you, Sadie. Isadora is finishing up her last appointment for the evening. She’ll be happy to see you and your friends. I’ll show you to the waiting lounge.”

The inside of the tent was divided with heavy velvet curtains of royal blue and burgundy, trimmed in black braid and edged along the top with gold fringe. Filmy silk scarves dimmed electric lights mounted inside brass lanterns, keeping the atmosphere mysterious. Small tables set along the velvet walls held crystal dishes of dried rose petals or brass incense burners. The smell of sandalwood coated the back of my throat.

Daniel kissed Sadie’s hand again and left us in a lounge furnished with a fainting couch on one side of the room, a small settee near the entrance and large cushions stacked in heaps. Two of the small teak tables and incense burners sat at either end of the room. Sadie and Jack perched on the edge of the fainting couch and I shared the settee with Gabe. We sat in silence for no more than a minute or two before Madame Bobet made her entrance.

Flamboyant was the only word for Madame Isadora Bobet. Tall and waif thin, she had high cheekbones that set off her deep blue eyes and her finely chiseled nose. Her black gown swept the floor, layers of airy silk falling from a high waist and rippling over straight shantung skirts. A beaded shantung train spread in a half circle behind her. The bodice was embroidered with silver moons and set with crystal stars that glimmered in the low light. A satin turban, beaded with small pearls and more crystals, covered bobbed blond hair that just brushed her chin. Long streamers of crimson silk trailed from the turban, flowing down her back to the floor.

She was younger than I’d supposed, no more than a year or two older than Gabe. Perhaps because Sadie had referred to her as Madame Bobet from the first I’d pictured someone closer to Esther’s age, heavyset with silver rings and a stern expression. Instead she appeared elegant, dramatic, and self-assured. Yet under the outer facade, I thought her somewhat fragile.

Madame Bobet posed in the entry for a moment, staring off into the distance, one hand holding back the plush-velvet curtain and the other an ivory cigarette holder. She slowly turned her head toward us and grinned. “What do you think, Sadie? Does the outfit work?”

“Stunning as always, Dora.” Sadie went to Isadora and gave her a hug. “I’ve been trying to find you for days. When you didn’t answer my notes I got worried.”

Isadora held Sadie at arm’s length; her lip stuck out in a pout the equal of Sadie’s best. “Forgive me? Your notes are on the hall table at home. I’ve just been swamped and never had time to open them. But you’re here now and we can talk it all out in person.” Her gaze swept all of us, lingering an instant too long on me and then Gabe. “Introduce me to your friends. I’m already charmed by your handsome fiancé.”

“How are you, Dora?” Jack kissed her on the cheek. “I had one of my men track you down when Sadie told me she couldn’t locate you. I was getting worried, too.”

“My, my. All this concern for my welfare will turn my head.” Isadora abandoned Sadie to stand in front of Gabe. She looked him up and down and held out a hand. “You may call me Dora. What should I call you?”

Gabe shook her hand and flinched. He let go as soon as was polite. Madame Bobet wasn’t what he’d expected either and his stunned expression was rather comical. “Lieutenant Gabriel Ryan. I’m Jack’s partner.”

“So you’re the detective he speaks so highly of.” Her eyes widened as she studied him. The wince before her smile brightened was so slight I thought I’d imagined it, but the step away from him was real enough. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gabriel.”

She turned to me next, cigarette held out to one side. Dora stared at me but didn’t speak, and her mouth pulled into a tight line. I stuck my hand out and stepped forward, determined to make the best of odd behavior and not be rude. “Delia Martin. I’m sure Sadie’s told you plenty about me as well. All lies, I assure you.”

Dora smiled at that. “She has said a word or two, yes. Forgive me for not taking your hand, Delia. It’s been years since I’ve encountered a ghost as strong and willful as the one following you. I’d rather not risk becoming entangled.”

“You can see her?” I looked over my shoulder and Shadow was back, silently watching all of us in turn. Her hair was tidy, the shawl neat and straight on her shoulders. The cross lay outside her blouse, easier to see than usual.

“I see her, but not exactly as you do. I know she was young when she died, with dark hair and green eyes. She wore blue skirts, a gray shawl, and white blouse, a tavern maid’s or a shopgirl’s clothes. There’s a lot of energy surrounding her and it’s difficult for me to look at for long.” Dora took a deep drag on her cigarette, staring at the place Shadow hovered. She exhaled smoke in a cloud that rose to the top of the tent in straggling wisps. “Now I know why Sadie brought you to me and that I should have read her notes. I’d be prepared if I had, but we’ll work things out. How long has she haunted you?”