Marjory nodded at me, apparently knowing who I meant. “That’s a good idea. He helped with some of the bodies that were found back then."
Julian looked curious but didn’t press me. “Take it with you.”
I didn’t need his permission. I was the freaking mayor. I pocketed the vial and then went back to looking at the items. “If he was doing experiments, the question is why?”
“I think the question is, were the bodies found part of the experiments,” Lucinda said. “Like, maybe he wanted to turn himself into a shade of some sort and was conducting blood experiments to get there.”
“You just told me you didn’t scent any blood there,” I reminded her.
“That’s because no blood was spilled.” Lucinda was matter of fact. “Have you considered that he was bringing paranormals here to get their blood and things got a little out of hand?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Anything that resulted in the tableau I saw on the other side constitutes things getting more than a little out of hand.”
“Maybe that was a gift to you.” Lucinda’s affect didn’t change. She reminded me of a college professor giving a lecture. Did that make me the ignorant student who still didn’t understand how anundertow worked? I’d taken Oceanography because I thought it would be an easy science requirement fulfillment. I’d been wrong.
“A gift?” I challenged.
“The trap was supposedly laid for you specifically. You crossed and saw Clive, your enemy, dead. Perhaps this Declan wants to make nice with you.”
“Yeah, I don’t think that’s it.” I vehemently shook my head. “In fact, Iknowthat’s not it. I can’t be bought with death.”
“He might not know that,” Julian countered. “Perhaps he thinks killing your enemy will soften you up for negotiation.”
“What does he think kidnapping my grandfather will get me to do?”
Julian held out his hands. “If he really does want something from you, odds are your grandfather is still alive.”
I wanted to believe that, but I couldn’t allow myself to hope too much. Not after seeing this. I pressed my lips together and considered my options.
“Let’s finish searching the lab,” I said. “If you see anything of note, anything at all, point it out to me. I might want to take it.”
“You can’t steal anything from the house,” Taylor argued, catching me off guard. I’d forgotten she was even with us. “We signed paperwork that said we wouldn’t touch anything.”
She was a rule-follower, something I appreciated even if I refused to lead my life by that example. “That’s great,” I replied, “but I’m the mayor.” I puffed myself out and looked to Marjory for confirmation.
She merely shrugged. “I’m not sure the others would agree with that. They would call it an abuse of power.”
I deflated a bit. “I’m supposed to be different from the DDA.” I was disappointed in myself.
“Maybe we should treat this as a one-off,” Julian offered. “Whoever took your grandfather is dangerous. It’s not as if you’re going into random citizens’ houses. This guy was a suspected serial killer. The residents won’t balk at you taking things, especially if it leads to a solution.”
I cocked my head, considering, then nodded. “That.” I jabbed a finger at him. “We’re going with that.” I started across the room and grabbed the book on the center of the table. It was in a language I didn’t recognize, but it had obviously been important to Declan. “Find whatever you think is important and gather it up.”
“Then what?” Taylor asked.
“Then I’m going to get my grandfather back.”
OTHER THAN THE BOOK AND VIAL OF BLOOD,there wasn’t much I found interesting enough to take with me. There were potion ingredients everywhere, so old they seemed to have lost their pungency. I made a mental note to get someone to the house who could compile an inventory.
The first person who came to mind was June Seaver, a fellow witch who owned a small boutique hotel. I’d met her through Galen. She’d been an authority figure with heart for him and Booker when they were warring boys. I figured she’d know most of this stuff and whether it was important or not.
We left together, Julian and his team following behind Marjory and me. I dropped her at the office — that was her request even though I’d invited her to lunch — and then headed to Lilac’s bar. Galen had texted that he and Booker were going there. I found them sitting at our usual table.
“Have I had a day,” I announced.
Booker and Galen looked up, both of them smiling.
“You’re so cute sometimes,” Galen teased as he wrapped his arm around my waist and tugged me into a hug. “Have I mentioned that I absolutely adore you?”
