Spring-Heeled Jack (23 page)

Atticus smiled. “Who are you, my
mother?”

The two laughed for a moment, and
Atticus felt the weight lift off his shoulders. He made way to his
bed and laid down.

“
I met that Ace guy again,”
he said.

“
You mean that guy who
scared off McCloud?”

Atticus nodded. “I think things are
gonna get a lot more dangerous around here.”

“
We’ll cross that bridge
when it comes.” Brock laughed. “I got your back no matter
what.”

Atticus blushed. Or the
first time in what felt like an eternity, Atticus felt happy. He
was ready for anything. He looked at his hand and summoned
the
Queen of Spades
: his
Gambler’s
Crest
.

“
This mystery, pal, is just
getting started.”

-THE END-