He blinked very slowly, then again a bit faster. I belted out another of my fake laughs.
“You’ve got that right,” I said. “Damned shortstop needs to be traded.”
“Huh?” he said, still blinking dumbly, then he started laughing. “Oh!Yeah. Yeah, he does. Maybe this offseason we’ll get one worth a damn. All right, sir. You’re good to go.”
“Thanks. Have a good one,” I said, breathing a sigh of relief as I walked past the security checkpoint.
“Did it work?” Veronica asked, her voice breathless with worry and excitement.
“It did,” I murmured. “That was close, though.”
“We knew it would be, but it was this or trying to break in like some sort of cat burglar,” she said. “And no offense, you’ve got the build of a linebacker, not a gymnast, okay?”
“I thought you liked my figure.”
“Oh, it’sverynice. Uh, well, usually. Right now? I’m not a huge fan. I’m kinda glad this glamour only works for a few hours.”
I chuckled to myself and followed the crowd into the ballroom. Pulling up short, I gazed toward the ceiling, surprised by what I saw. A massive banner billowed in the faint breeze of the air-conditioning system. On it, a picture of a regal man with his arms crossed. Dark, flawless skin and graying hair in long dreadlocks, small golden bands adorned the hair every few inches, jeweled rings on his fingers. Below it, written in flowing script, were the words:In Memory of Balthazar Freedman. Teacher, Historian, BelovedUncle,and Brother.
“What’s wrong?” Veronica asked in my ear. “You got really quiet.”
“Nothing,” I muttered, not wanting her to know about this. Veronica had loved Balthazar. This would break her heart.
“Do you remember all the names of people who work and go to school there?”
“Pretty sure I’ve got it,” I whispered.
I’d spent the days leading up to this memorizing names and descriptions. I was fairly sure I’d gotten most of them down, though I’d been a bit surprised by the number of students and staff. The Freedman Coven and the academy attached to it had to be the largest within five hundred miles. No wonder Balthazar was such a famous witch.
“Speaking of,” I said. “I spotted some of our friends from our last little foray into the academy.”
Across from me, a group of staff members were talking. Two were familiar. Two men, one white-bearded and another with asingle braid down his back. I recalled them chasing us through the mansion. The one with the beard was named Karmody, but I wasn’t sure about the other’s name.
“What’s the name of the professor with the long black hair in a braid?” I whispered.
“Professor LeGault,” Veronica said.
“I guess we might as well get this party started,” I said.
“What are you going to do?”
“Wing it,” I said.
“Oh, shit.”
“Good evening,” I bellowed, stepping up to the group. Four others were in their little circle.
“Art Bryant.” I thrust my hand out toward Professor Karmody. “From the Beach Grove Coven.”
Karmody took my hand hesitantly. “Uh…yes?”
“Karmody, right?” I said, pointing at the man. “Lawrence Karmody?”
The man looked even more confused and shared a bewildered look with his group.
“That’s correct,” he said, taking his hand back. “Do I know you, friend?”
“We’ve never had the pleasure,” I said, putting a hand to my chest. “But your work at the Freedman Academy has been magnificent to hear about. Your reputation precedes you.”
