In a matter of an hour, I knew enough about the phone to start calling some of my old contacts from the Rolodex cards I’d snagged from the shop, which fascinated Regina. Evidently she’d never seen such an“antique.”“You should see what else I have in the shop, then.”
“I’d love to. I adore New Orleans.”
I gave her a considering look while she worked. She was young for a consiliarius and had a great deal to learn about Aima in general. But she did have an amiable personality. She’d be a good asset for House Isador as her confidence grew, and who knew, maybe one day it would make sense for her to step up to first consiliarius at a smaller house.
Most of my contacts must have passed away during my imprisonment. Their numbers were out of order or assigned to new owners who knew nothing about the people I needed toreach. Of course some of them may have created new businesses, or passed their knowledge on to apprentices, but the loss of so many talented and knowledgeable people made my heart ache.
Finally, I had a nibble of luck.
An elderly woman practically shouted into the receiver. “Hello?”
Wincing, I asked, “Is Miss Dottie available?”
“Who’s asking?”
“Leonie Delafosse.”
The old lady cackled. “Yeah right. Heard she died back in the seventies.”
“It’s me, Miss Dottie. I ran into some trouble, but I’m back.”
“Prove it.”
She didn’t specify how, which was part of the challenge. I thought for a few seconds and then my lips quirked into a smile. I tapped into my power just enough to connect with her dead husband. “Willie says he appreciates the flowers every year but he’s sick of the yellow roses. He wants wildflowers instead. Just pick some on the way, especially some black-eyed susans.”
“They always were his favorite weed,” Dottie whispered fondly. Then she shouted, “Eeparrei! Hail to the Mother of the Nine! Praise be to the goddess. Pauline, she’s back! The queen is back!”
I heard another woman’s voice in the background and then Dottie’s daughter, Pauline, took the phone. “Who is this?”
“Leonie Delafosse.”
The woman inhaled sharply. Then something covered the phone, likely her hand, and I heard muffled voices for a few moments. Then she came back on the line. Though her voice was so choked with tears that I could barely understand her. “Your Majesty. You’re back? Really?”
“Really. It’s a long story that I can’t tell right now, but I’m in need of some information.”
“Of course. We’re happy to help in any way we can, though we don’t practice much any longer. Mama’s health hasn’t been the greatest.”
“I can do something about that. Tonight, in fact.”
Pauline sobbed quietly on the other end. “Thank you, thank you. I’ve been throwing everything I could at her cancer but it’s trying to take her.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it. Who do you know who would be capable of goule spells?”
“Oh dear. Not many, I’m afraid. Few would be able to pull that level of magic off once you disappeared. Ruby Marley, maybe? Oh, wait.” I heard Dottie yelling in the background, but I couldn’t make out her words. “Mama says Ruby died five years ago. I’ll have to do a little digging. Can I call or text you back at this number?”
“Yes, that would be great. I’m not at home for the moment, and the shop’s closed.”
“Oh.” Her voice broke. “I’m so sorry, Your Majesty. We heard about Onésime and Adélaïde but there was never any service announced.”
“No.” My throat ached. Of course the Dauphine wouldn’t have honored my family’s deaths. “It’s a long story. Do you know what happened to Zelie? I’m looking for her.”
“No, I’m sorry, but I’ll put some feelers out. With your permission of course.”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll be re-establishing myself in New Orleans in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, you can reach me on this telephone.”
“And Mama’ll be okay?”
I gentled my voice. “Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but I’ll make the offering to Oya Herself.”
