“Can you repeat that number?”
He jotted down the phone number and said, “Thanks.” After a brief pause, he grinned at her, but he was still speaking to his brother. “Yeah, you’ll probably meet her at Sunday dinner sometime.”
Dante laughed and hung up. She wondered what his brother had said but figured it was none of her business. If he wanted to tell her, he would.
“I have the number, and Jayce thinks he’ll help us—especially if I mention that I’m his brother. Apparently, he hangs out at a tearoom on Charles Street. We can ask to meet him there.”
“A tearoom?”
“Yeah, I’ve never been there…or to any tearoom for that matter,” Dante said. “Is there anything I should know if we go there? Do I need to stick out my pinky finger while I’m sipping tea?”
She laughed. “I don’t think so, but I’d like to see that.”
* * *
Bored, Noah figured he’d rebuild his lab and try the alchemy formula again—only this time, he’d ban Dante from touching anything until he was completely ready and there to supervise. Going through the box of vials and beakers that had miraculously survived the blast, he wrote down the items he needed to replace.
No matter how he tried to distract himself, however, Kizzy kept returning to his mind. He couldn’t help wondering if his being a “mere firefighter” was working against him. Or if he might be too young for her. He had never asked her how old she was. He thought that was some kind of politically incorrect question these days.
Kizzy must be a little older than he was. She had to go to school for at least eight years out of high school, so that made her at least twenty-six. She was probably closer to Dante’s age. Unless she was one of those genius kids who graduated at fifteen. Even if she was still paying off student loans, she had the potential for making a lot more money than he ever would.
Glancing at his watch, he realized she’d be getting out of work soon. Did she really have family issues she had to take care of? The fact that she wouldn’t elaborate on what they were set off his inquisitiveness, and he needed answers when his curiosity was aroused.
He had to go out anyway to resupply his lab, so he had an excuse to nose around a bit…but he didn’t want to stalk her. At least, he didn’t want toget caughtstalking her!
The answer was simple but not easy. Shift and fly above her. Most people never look up, but just in case, he’d need to disguise his red and yellow tail feathers. He could shop for supplies anytime. Right now, if he could catch sight of her leaving the ER, he could—ahem—tail her.
The apartment had a fireplace that hadn’t been used in years. The landlord made them sign an addendum in their contract, saying they wouldn’t light fires in it. He and Dante had already checked the inside and found it was full of creosote. Very flammable but perfect for covering colorful tail feathers. The dark gunk would stick like glue.
Noah opened the flue and stripped down naked. “Up the hatch.” Then he shifted and flew up the chimney, dragging his tail feathers against the filthy wall. Fortunately, being a paranormal and not a real bird, the extra weight on his feathers didn’t matter. He was stronger and could still fly, even bogged down with extra weight.
Thus disguised, he sailed over the Boston rush-hour traffic, wishing he could commute this way all the time. If paranormals were out of the closet, he could even carry his uniform in his powerful beak. Wouldn’t that be a sight to see!
Finding his way easily to Boston General, he perched in a tree by the staff parking lot. She’d said she commuted with her sister whenever possible. Hopefully, they’d come out together and get into one of these cars. Since her sister was a nurse, he bypassed the doctor’s exclusive parking spaces up front. He didn’t think she’d stand on ceremony and insist she’d earned the right to be there if she were riding in her sister’s car.
About half an hour later, Kizzy and Ruth emerged from the hospital and got into a Prius. Ruth was in the driver’s seat and Kizzy on the passenger side. Happily, it was a nice day, and they rolled down the windows. Now he could easily eavesdrop as well as follow them.Score!
“I just don’t understand why Dad wants us both to stay in his house until this threat has passed.”
That was Kizzy’s voice. Noah realized how little he knew about her. Where did she grow up? That house in Brookline where Dante said he’d picked her up? What schools did she go to? Were there others in her family he just hadn’t heard about yet? Their relationship had barely begun, and now it seemed to be on hold for the unforeseeable future.Damn. I finally found someone I can’t get out of my head, and something is wrong.
Was he really doing the right thing by following her? What if he slipped up later, and something came out of his mouth that she had told her sister—not him?
Ruth was speaking now. “Dad’s always been a worrywart. You know that. Besides, I really do think we’d be safer there with all the wards in place.”
Kizzy worried her lip. “Is there something you’re not telling me? Is everything okay between you and Gordon?”
“Oh yes! Totally.” Ruth sighed. “I may have downplayed the danger a bit. But he was fine with it. He said if I wanted to stay with my dad a few days, he could occupy himself with a new hobby.”
“What new hobby?”
Ruth shrugged. “I don’t know. He hadn’t mentioned anything before that. I was just grateful he didn’t mind my leaving, so I didn’t ask.”
After a long silence, Kizzy spoke again. “Yesterday, you said someone was after the book. Are they gunning for us too?”
“I can’t be sure, but the malevolence and determination are there. I have the feeling they would stop at nothing to get that book.”
“Fudge!”
