Finn’s wings fluttered nervously at the obvious tension. “I’ll see what I can find out right away.”
“And I’ll see if Jeremy can help us from his end,” Tess offered. “I’d like to head into town to see Gretchen and Wade, anyway. Maybe they can keep an eye out for anything unusual going on at the park.”
I tore my gaze from Rand’s to stare at her, noticing Sam frowning at her, too. After what had happened on her last trip, we had started taking extra precautions again whenever any of us had to go into New Orleans. Or anywhere, really. Sam still insisted on going to the firm at least three or four days a week, but she always had an armed escort pick her up if Clyde or Dutch weren’t with her.
Tess looked back at us, her brows skyrocketing up. “I’m not going to hide here forever.” She gave a little shake of her head. “There are children missing and you know how that works. I’m sure it’s the same for paranormal kids as it is for any other kind. The longer they’re gone, the less chance we’re going to have of recovering them.”
Sam ran a hand down the side of her face, her gaze moving to me. “She’s not wrong, you know. Every second those kids remain in the hands of whomever took them . . .” Her words trailed off, but we all heard what she left unspoken.
Zara shifted her weight on my lap. “Ideas anyone?”
Tess, ask Jeremy about Margo. I am not sure if this could have anything to do with her, but after she sent those bumbling fools here to fill the housekeeping positions, I don’t trust her. She has been involved in many things that could be considered gray before, but Stella never thought Margo would betray her as she did. Margo must have worked to make Stella believe she was a friend. I never had a chance to read her, as I had not gone into town with Stella in years. She only came here once, and that was to deliver the idiots. I couldn’t read her then, though I tried. Even if she is not directly involved, she may know something about who is.
“Wait, are you saying this Margo knows where the estate is?” Alarm shot through me.
It was only on a temporary basis. There are barely a handful of people outside of those here now who are allowed to retain that knowledge longer. It is part of the outer ward’s magick.
Rand finally spoke up. “Is there any chance those three could have gotten their memories back somehow? They knew where this place was and were allowed to come and go freely. Could they have made this Margo person a map or even given her the general coordinates somehow?”
Zara was silent. After a moment, I asked softly, “Zara? Are any of those scenarios possibilities?”
She looked up at me, her eyes unsure. I do not know. I never saw any of that in their minds, but it would not be impossible.
“And their memories?”
She flicked her ears. Not without the help of an extremely skilled witch, or at the very least a strong one, to reverse what you did.
That afforded me some relief, at least.
Clyde crossed his heavily muscled arms. “I’ll accompany Tess into town and watch her back. I need to check up on some of the shifters anyway, if she doesn’t mind going with me.”
Sam turned toward him. “I should probably head into the office, so I’ll go with you.” She looked at me. “You haven’t been off these grounds for three weeks. Want to come with us and make a day of it?”
Why not? I would feel better if I were along to shield them, if needed. “Sure. Maybe we’ll have word about the Jeep by that time.”
Rand sat back in his seat. “Guess we’re all going, then. Dutch and Clyde said they could hook me up with their person in town for a few basic things.”
“What sort of basic things?” I’d ordered him clothes, and we had any needed toiletries here. Dutch had outfitted him with things like guns and knives from their own weapons stash.
He gave me one of those slow half-smiles, making my pulse quicken. “Driver’s license and any other necessary forms of I.D. I might need.” He pulled a phone from his pocket. “I’m already set with one of these.”
Where and how had he gotten a phone? Before I could ask, Sam answered. “I ordered it for him.” Addressing him, she said, “Don’t worry about the I.D., Rand, I’ve already taken care of all that—it might even be ready today. You also have a bank account now and are on Roxie’s payroll. Your checks are set up for direct deposit, so you don’t have to do anything. We’ll discuss 401k options and benefits, if they’re needed, later.” She shrugged at my stare. “I figured he’s going to be around for a while and, since he insists on acting as your bodyguard, he might as well get paid for it.” She grinned smugly. “I also gave him back pay for services rendered.”
I didn’t really mind the fact that she’d done all of that. It’s just the way she’d said that last part made it sound . . . more than a little questionable. It took extraordinary effort not to cover my face in embarrassment, even though everyone present except for perhaps Finn knew the nature of my relationship with him. For what it was worth, Rand
