Fatal Charm (17 page)

“Your grandmother is one tough lady and has friends like me who will do anything to help her. No matter how rare the ingredients, I’ll find them. As for a linguist, I may be able to help you there, too.”

I stared at her. “You know a linguist?”

“Not a professional, but someone with a degree in history and languages.”

“Who?”

“You’re looking at her.” Velvet chuckled. “Close your mouth, dear, and please hand over that book.”

Velvet insisted I go to sleep, and I didn’t have the energy to argue.

I slept heavily with no dreams—or any wayward astral traveling.

When I awoke, the sun had replaced stormy clouds and shone brightly through a slit in my curtains. I hoped it was a good omen, that sunshine would banish all dark clouds. Nona would get well and she’d be thrilled to find out I was dating Dominic. Everything would be great—for me anyway.

But not for Jade.

How selfish and inconsiderate could I be? A woman had died and I was only thinking about myself. I mean, Jade had lost her mother.
Her mother
. That was beyond horrible. As much as I disagreed with my mother on almost everything, I loved her and couldn’t bear to think about losing her.

What kind of hell was Jade going through? Her whole world had changed in one horrible night. Add the violence of murder, and that made it a zillion times worse. If we were real sisters, like I was with Amy and Ashley, I’d go to Jade and offer support. I hoped she had tons of friends and relatives with strong shoulders to lean against.

Did that include Dad?

Okay, this thought made me a little jealous. But I understood he had to be with her. She’d already lost her stepfather (I guessed he was the spirit named Douglas who was concerned enough about Jade to contact me through the séance).

If Dad was with Jade, that explained why he hadn’t called me. He was busy shielding her from reporters and the police. That was the right thing for him to do—no matter how I felt about it. Jade would need a father and a lawyer. With a police investigation, all the sordid details about Dad and Crystal would probably come out.

But would the killer be caught? What if he’d gotten away without any witnesses (other than me) and no evidence connecting him to the crime? I’d seen enough crime dramas on TV to know that the person who a) found the body and b) reported the crime was always a prime suspect.

Had my call to Dad put him in the “b” category? What if the police suspected him?

I sat up in bed, hugging my pillow to my chest and staring at framed pictures hanging over my dresser. One of the pictures showed Dad and me together, decked out in ski suits, when I was just nine and trying out the bunny slope. I’d loved this picture because it was just the two of us. The twins were too little to ski, so they’d stayed behind in the lodge with Mom. There hadn’t been too many private moments with Dad since then, but I always felt special as his eldest daughter.

But Jade was older than me.

I tried to guess the sequence of events after I called Dad last night.

Logically, when he tried to call Crystal, Jade would have answered. If she didn’t know about her mother, she’d go into the room and make that horrible discovery. Or if she already knew, she’d be hysterical. Either way, Dad would rush right over to take care of her. And at some point, he’d call the police. He was a lawyer after all, sworn to uphold the law. But he also didn’t want Mom to know about Crystal, and bringing in the police meant exposing his secrets.

Not an easy choice for Dad.

Would Jade be able to answer questions without involving my father? She’d been sleeping when her mother was murdered, so she wouldn’t know much. Still, she must know the identity of the bow-legged guy since he was dating her mother. Jade would know his name and probably where he lived. She could lead the police to the murderer, and Dad wouldn’t have to be involved.

Unless Jade didn’t know about the guy.

Then the police would turn their suspicion to the reporter of the crime: Dad. If they asked Dad how he knew what happened when he lived way across town, what would Dad say? That his psychic daughter witnessed the murder while astral traveling?

No one would believe that. Dad didn’t even believe me, so he’d have to come up with a lie or refuse to answer—which would make him look even guiltier.

Oh, no, Dad, I thought, we’re in deep trouble.

I dug into my handbag for my cell and punched in Dad’s number. I waited for him to pick up. But all I got was his voicemail.

Should I try his office or the house? A glance at the clock told me it was too early for him to be at work. But it was about the time Mom drove my sisters to their private school, so I might be able to catch Dad at home.

But after five rings, the machine picked up.

With a bitter taste of fear in my mouth, I stared at my phone. Why wasn’t Dad answering? Was he still helping Jade? Or had he been arrested for murder?

I groaned. This was all my fault. I got Dad into this mess, so it was up to me to get him out. I’d go to San Jose and describe the real murderer to the police.

There were plenty of holes in this plan, but I couldn’t just wait around doing nothing. So I jumped out of bed, hastily tossing on jeans and a green-striped sweatshirt. I tried to think of everything I’d need: my wallet, money, keys to Nona’s car, and my cell phone. I knew Nona wouldn’t mind me borrowing her car in an emergency, and she was one of the few people who wouldn’t blink at the words “astral travel.” Besides, until she was well, she shouldn’t be driving anyway.

My cell rang.

“Dad!” I grabbed the phone.

The ID showed it wasn’t my father, which was such a huge disappointment I had to force myself not to snap at my caller. “Hi, Pen … What’s up?”

“About time!” Her voice oozed accusation. “I tried calling you yesterday when your grandmother was going psycho on me. It was scary, her losing it and no one else being here to help. Dominic was gone. You were gone. I would have totally freaked if I hadn’t found Velvet’s number.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that, but Nona is better now.”

“Well … that’s great to hear. But I still have issues with you. Like where have you been? Why haven’t you returned my calls and emails?”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Busy doing what?”

“Dominic and I had to go get some … uh … special medicine for Nona.”

“So she is sick. I thought it was something mental like bipolar. But you could have told me—we are best friends. And why didn’t you return my messages?”

“I never got them. My phone didn’t work in the snowstorm. Then the road was shut down and by the time I got home it was so late I went to bed.”

“Let me get this straight—a snowstorm? Struggling to stay warm with that hottie Dominic? Does Josh know? Ooh, tell me all.” Penny-Love may only be a C student in math, but when it came to adding up juicy details, she was a genius.

But I couldn’t tell her I was breaking up with Josh. Not before telling Josh. So I put her off, insisting that it was no big deal. I used that worn-out line about Dominic being “just a friend.” Then I told her that I wouldn’t be at school because I had to see my father (another half-truth). She was all questions, but I cut her off by saying I had another call.

Then I grabbed my stuff and headed downstairs. I figured Nona would still be asleep, so I’d just borrow her car keys and explain later. But as I walked by her office, the door was open and she was working at her desk.

“Wow,” I murmured with an astonished shake of my head. “Nona, you’re working? How are you feeling?”

“Embarrassed. I don’t remember much about last night, but from what Velvet told me before she left this morning, I owe Penny-Love an apology.”

“You talked with Velvet?” I stepped closer into the room. “Did she tell you about the remedy book?”

“Yes. It’s wonderful news! Thank you.”

“And Dominic,” I added.

“Of course. I owe you both so much.” Nona smiled in a way that was so familiar that my heart warmed. “Velvet is confident she’ll have the remedy within a few days.”

“I know she can do it—and then you’ll be totally well.” I bent over to hug her.

“I already feel better.” She reached for a crumpled pile of notes. “Soon I’ll be able to get rid of these reminder notes.”

“I’ll help you burn them.”

“A big celebratory fire,” she agreed.

I was thrilled she was doing better, but still worried about Dad. I didn’t want to burden Nona with the whole murder crisis; not when she was feeling better than she had in weeks. So I tried to sound casual as I asked to borrow her car.

“Sure.” She set a paper on a thick pile, her brows arched curiously. “Are you running late for school?”

“School?” The word startled me. “Not today. I have to go to see Dad.”

“You plan to drive all the way to San Jose?”

“It’s important. Dad wants my advice … about a case.”

“Then he’ll have to call me himself and give permission, because I don’t approve of your missing another day of school.”

“Nona,” I complained. Why did her memory have to come back so strong? “I really have to talk to him and he’s not at home or answering his cell.”

“Did you try his office?”

“He’s never there before nine.”

She reached over for a blue phone on her desk. “What’s his number?”

“He won’t answer. His secretary won’t even be there yet.”

“Can’t hurt to try.” She gave me a firm look, then asked for the number.

This was a waste of time, but I was trapped by my lies. So I rattled off Dad’s office number.

“It’s ringing,” she said, handing me the phone.

“He won’t be there,” I insisted.

But he was.

I nearly dropped the phone. My grandmother had this annoying “I told you so” smirk. I had a feeling she knew he’d be there all along. Nona had been psychic long before I made my first prediction. I never got premonitions about myself. So I had no forewarning about what happened next.

“What is it, Sabine?” my father asked coolly.

“You didn’t call back.” My heart skipped. “I was worried you were in jail.”

“I deserve to be for listening to you.” Yup, he was definitely angry.

“I don’t understand—what happened? How did Jade take it? Did you talk to the police? Did they find the killer?”

“There is no killer.”

“What?” I felt behind me for a chair and sank down. “You mean he got away?”

“I mean there is no killer because there was no murder.” His voice sharpened. “But thanks to your wild story, I had an embarrassing, uncomfortable evening and ended up sleeping at my office to avoid questions from your mother.”

“But … But … I saw Crystal strangled!”

“You dreamed it.”

“No, I was there! I know it happened.”

“Sabine, stop it!” he shouted. “I’m sorry if you’re having trouble dealing with my other family, but there’s no reason to make up wild stories.”

“I didn’t make it up. I saw Crystal … dead.”

“No, you did not.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because I spoke to Crystal and she was very much alive.”

Then my father, who always treated me with respect and never lost his temper, hung up on me.

It was bad enough that Dad was mad and Nona insisted I go to school. But to add pimples on the face of an already scarred morning, when I stopped at my locker Josh was waiting for me. How could I talk to him like everything was normal?

I couldn’t. So I just stood there limply while Josh kissed me and said sweet things like he missed me and was glad to be with me again.

All the while, I was trying to think of the words that might break his heart.

“So how did yesterday go?” He casually draped his arm over my shoulders, which made me flinch.

“Um … okay.”

“Your grandmother feeling better?”

“Yeah. Much.”

I turned to my locker, spinning the combo as I tried to remember what lie I’d told him, something about getting medicine for my grandmother. A safe half-truth … I hoped.

“Where exactly did you go?” he asked, coming to stand behind me. He was tall enough to easily see over my shoulders.

“It seemed like I was in the car all day,” I hedged. “But I was able to get what Nona needed.”

“When I visit hospitals, I hear a lot of medication problems. It’s cool how you watch out for your grandmother. Did you run into any bad weather? We had a wicked storm come through yesterday.”

Don’t I know! I thought with irony. My mind flashed back to Dominic’s snowbound truck, pressing against him, sharing body heat. My face flamed, and I was glad I was facing my locker and not Josh.

“Yeah, bad weather. All that rain left huge puddles in our driveway.” I grabbed my lit book and a notebook. “So what’s been going on around here? Did I miss anything in English yesterday?”

“Nah. Only a boring lecture. Blah, blah … ” He grinned, showing dimples that reminded me why I’d been attracted to him in the first place. He really was a hottie: smart, funny, and considerate. Lots of girls tried to hit on him, but he remained loyal to me. So why was I dumping him back in the sea for some other girl to catch? I must be crazy.

But then there was Dominic …

“I typed this up for you,” Josh was saying.

“What’s this?” I took the paper Josh held out to me. “Homework?”

“Sort of, but no essay questions. It’s a list of what to bring on the Hoof Beats in Moonlight campout. We have a week to get ready.”

The campout? Three days and two nights up close in personal camping space with Josh? Once I broke up with him, everything would be awkward between us. Spending a long weekend in the wilderness with my ex-boyfriend was out of the question. There was no way I could go now.

“Did you get more mentors?” I asked, hoping he’d say yes and I could gracefully cancel.

But he shook his head. “No. But one canceled.”

“Oh, no!”

“You may have to be in charge of two kids instead of one if we don’t get more mentors. You won’t believe how many people turned me down with some lame excuse. It burns me when everyone always has something better to do than help others. I’m so glad you’re not like that.”

“Yeah … sure.”

“It’s not like it’ll be all work—it’ll be fun. Riding horses, eating around a campfire, and getting to know the kids. I can’t wait.”

Here was the part where I was supposed to say “me, too.” But I couldn’t. Instead I kept thinking I had to tell him the truth. He was going to hate me anyway.

“What if the weather’s bad?” I asked.

Josh shook his head. “I checked the weather report, and it’s all clear. We’re not going into the mountains, only the foothills where the elevation is too low for snow. It’ll get cold at night, though, so bring a warm jacket. And you’ll need a sturdy hiking pack, too.”

“I have a backpack already.” I pointed to my backpack, which bulged from books, papers, pens, hair ties, snacks, makeup, and other scholastic essentials.

“You’re joking, right?” He pushed back his dark hair. “We’ll stow some gear on the horses, but the rest is up to us. You’re supposed to be a role model for the kids, so I’m counting on you to be prepared.”

“Do I look like a Boy Scout?” I asked sarcastically.

“No, you’re way cuter.”

How could I break up with a guy who said stuff like that? Josh was too sweet—damn him. Breaking up was going to be harder than I thought.

I slammed my locker. Just say it, I told myself.

“I’ve been thinking about … us being together for a whole weekend.”

“Yeah, it’ll be cool.” He grinned. “But we have to keep it PG since we’ll be setting an example for the kids. Still, I’ll figure out a way to sneak off alone.”

“No! I mean, that wouldn’t be … um … fair to the kids.”

“They have to sleep sometime,” he said with a chuckle. “Speaking of the kids, I pulled some strings so you could be assigned to Lindsay.”

“Lindsay?”

“She’s nine and crazy about horses. She showed me this notebook full of horse pictures she’d cut from magazines. Such a cute kid—too bad about her mother.”

“What do you mean?”

“Her mother’s in jail again. Her dad isn’t much better, although he’s trying, I guess, back in rehab. Lindsay is staying with her aunt, along with five other kids. Two of her cousins signed up for the ride, too. Now if I could just get more mentors. If you think of anyone, let me know.”

I nodded, feeling like my skin was tightening around me and I could hardly breathe, much less be honest with Josh. How could I cancel on him now?

But I couldn’t go either.

While I was struggling with my conscience, he tugged on my hand and pulled me close like we’d done hundreds of times before. Except now everything was different. I stiffened and jerked back. Hurt flared in Josh’s eyes. He was going to question me, ask what was wrong. This was the moment to admit the truth. It’s over, we’re done, adios forever. Only I wimped out.

“What’s that on your arm?” I pointed to a design on his forearm I hadn’t noticed before. “A tattoo?”

“It’s nothing.”

“But I thought you hated needles and would never get a tattoo,” I said, now genuinely puzzled. He pulled back his arm, but not before I read the three tiny cursive letters tattooed inside a sunburst below his elbow. “What’s PFC mean?”

“Doesn’t matter. Let’s talk about the—”

I squinted to make out the letters. “Those aren’t your initials.”

“I never said they were. They’re not important.”

“Important enough to permanently etch into your skin.”

“Well … ” Josh frowned. “Okay, it does mean something, but it’s confidential. I can’t talk about it.”

His secretive tone made me even more curious. I didn’t even care if he had a tattoo or what it meant. I’d only asked about it as a diversion to stop him from kissing me. Kissing him felt wrong … dishonest. Until we broke up, I was cheating on Josh with Dominic, although it felt like being with Josh was cheating on Dominic. Did that even make sense? This whole falling in love thing was complicated.

“What’s PFC?” I persisted.

“Drop it.”

I really should have, but he was pissing me off. “I asked a simple question. What does it mean?”

“None of your business.”

“Since when aren’t you my business? Why are you shutting me out? Don’t you trust me?”

Some kids hurried by us, but we were stones in a rushing sea and didn’t move. His expression was pained, yet stubborn. “It’s not about trust.”

“Then why does it sound like you don’t trust me? If that’s how you feel, then maybe we shouldn’t be together. Let’s just end everything.”

“Sabine, you’re making too much out of this. It’s only a tattoo. I didn’t even want to get it and only did because … well, just because.” He glanced away for a moment. When he met my gaze, his voice was soft and pleading. “Would you feel better if I got another tattoo with your name?”

“No!” I said sharply, horrified at the idea of my name branded on his skin. That would make breaking up impossible. And breaking up was a must. A startling thought hit me. “Are they the initials of another girl?”

“Hell, no! What kind of guy do you think I am?”

“If there is someone else, you can tell me.”

“When I commit to someone, that’s it. There’s only you, Sabine.” His voice softened and he leaned close to my face. “You’re my girl, okay? I would never ever cheat on you.”

Too bad, I thought. Then we’d be even and I wouldn’t feel so damned guilty. “So what about the tattoo?”

“I’d tell you except I made a solemn vow—‘Indocilis Privata Loqui.’”

“Which means?”

“It’s Latin for ‘keep your trap shut.’” He flashed a half-smile. “Let’s just go to class—the bell is about to ring.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “I don’t care if I get a tardy.”

“I do. Come on, Sabine, don’t be that way.”

I looked down at the PFC tattoo. A vision popped in my head of a dark room with glowing sconces and gold-framed portraits staring down from a high ceiling and a robed figure passing out cards to shadowy people around a long table. I realized what this was all about. Not another girl, which I really hadn’t thought anyway, but passion—Josh’s passion for stage magic.

“Does this have something to do with your magician society?”

Josh didn’t answer, turning abruptly to walk down the hall.

“Tell me.” I slammed my locker, hurrying after him. “What sort of magic stuff is so secret?”

“I’m not discussing this,” he snapped without slowing or turning around.

“I’m not asking you to explain tricks—just the tattoo. Why did you have to get it? Does it symbolize something? Are you in some kind of cult?”

“No way—it’s the opposite! We crusade against frauds and charlatans.”

“Huh?” I had a feeling he was parroting someone else’s words. “What do you mean ‘crusade’? And who is ‘we’?”

“I can’t say any more, except this weekend is gonna be huge for me. Arturo is honoring the junior members at his private estate, so I won’t be able to go out on Friday.”

I’d forgotten we had a date on Friday, and I would have canceled it anyway, but having him say it first made me mad. How dare he take me for granted? For weeks he’d been sneaking off to magician meetings and canceling dates. If I wasn’t going to break up with him … well … I’d break up with him.

Only we reached our first class, took our chairs, and didn’t get another chance to talk alone. Instead of listening to my teachers, I jotted notes about the best breakup lines. “It’s been great, but it’s time we moved on.” Or “You’re a fantastic guy and it’s really not you, it’s me … ” Or “Well, if you’d rather spend all your time with dumb magicians, then they can have you.”

Okay, I might have been a little bitter—which was not how I wanted to end things.

During lunch I tried to get Josh off alone, only Penny-Love hooked her arm into mine and steered me to the cheerleading table. Josh showed up with a hot food tray and went along, sitting next to me. He gave me an uneasy look, as if he was afraid I was still mad over the date-canceling thing, but that was the least of my concerns. We wouldn’t be dating much longer anyway. I would tell him after school.

Only that didn’t work out either.

When the last bell rang and I bolted from my class, I couldn’t find Josh anywhere. I checked his last class, his locker, my locker, and the parking lot. His car wasn’t there either. I tried his cell and got his voicemail. I texted a short “Where R U?” message and waited for a reply.

I probably still would have been waiting, except Penny-Love found me and invited herself to my house. She wasn’t scheduled to work for Nona today, but she was really concerned about Nona and wanted to see how she was doing.

“Much better,” I assured her. Penny-Love knew Nona had trouble with her memory, but not that the illness was so serious it might be fatal. “It took a while to find the right … uh … medicine, but I think we have it now.”

“That’s great for Nona! But what’s the 411 with you and Dominic? Don’t think I’ve forgotten how you guys were snowbound together, which sounds so romantic and scandalously naughty, too. Did you get naked and wicked together? No—don’t tell me, it’s obvious from your shocked expression. Knowing you, nothing happened—which is a damn shame. I mean, if it had been me, I would have melted like a hot snowball in Dominic’s muscular arms.”