“This is the complete recipe,” Reiko had whispered to Nessa at the Judge’s door. “I’m not as naïve as you may think. In case you need it to help Reese. I’d rather have the formula in the open than any more dead bodies. Whoever was controlling Brian’s demon is still out there.”
For better or worse, Nessa now held the only complete recipe for Bee Buzzed.
She wasn’t sure if Poppy had heard what Reiko said. Holding up her hand for Poppy to hop on, she shifted the bird until they were eye-to-eye.
“You can’t say anything about the notebook, understand?”
The bird looked back at her, “Poppy understands.”
Nessa settled the parrot back on her shoulder.
Unlike the empty reception desk. It was business as usual at the Infernal Court Administration office. Neither hell, high water, nor Obfuscation Curses affected bureaucracy. Within minutes she had Reiko’s delivery receipt zipped securely in the inner pocket of her backpack.
The bond was a big one. She needed her ten percent share. School started Monday. Even though she’d already settled the bill for this semester, there was always the next semester and the next. Whatever she thought about being a bounty hunter for Barracuda Bail Bonds, the work was paying the bills. Now if she could avoid being murdered by demons, witches, or Zombies, she’d eventually be able to start her Junior Year at CSU Long Beach. The thought made her smile.
Pim jumped up to bump her hand, sensing her good mood.
She stopped to stroke his silky fur.
“Money in the bank?” asked Poppy.
“Money in the bank,” affirmed Nessa.
Ravi waved her down as she exited the building. He’d taken off the dress and was wearing a black sweatshirt over his running tights. He had a computer tablet in one hand and was directing other staff members in the clean-up.
Or maybe cover-up.
Could be either or both. This had not been the Court’s finest hour.
She went down the steps into the courtyard. Thankfully his mother was nowhere to be seen.
“Hi bird,” he said to Poppy.
“Whatcha’ doin’?” Poppy inquired, cocking her head.
“Digital paperwork. I’ve got the security tapes. Whoever set up the Obfuscation Curse tried to wipe them with a spell.” He shook his head. “Didn’t work. Our back-ups have back-ups even agents like me don’t know about. The whole fight is on digital and saved in the Cloud.”
He showed them the tablet. Nessa scrunched down and motioned for Ravi to do the same.
“My cat wants to see it too.”
“Oh, right.” He showed them the screen and pointed with the stylus in one hand. Several figures already had circles around them. Their names were written on the screen. “I’m identifying the people involved. The Judges will decide who to question and how.” He raised an eyebrow saying, “how,” again in a menacing voice.
“Scary?” Nessa asked.
“Definitely. Not everyone who fought was affected by the Obfuscation Spell. Believe me, I would not like to be questioned in one of the soundproof rooms in the basement. No thank you.”
“Have you seen three heavyset goons who were fighting in the parking lot? Two men and a woman, all of the bitten and scratched. One’s missing an ear.”
He gave her a surprised look. “Missing an ear? Nope. I would have remembered that. Why?”
“I’m not sure who they work for. They’re after the formula though.”
“If I see them with the captives or wounded, I’ll let you know.”
Nessa noticed a flat of water near Ravi. “Oh hey, can we have some?”
“Help yourself.”
Nessa squatted down to remove two bottles. Unzipping her backpack, she took out the little collapsible bowl she kept for Pim. She poured water first for him and Poppy. Once they’d begun drinking, she twisted the cap off the other bottle. The water was lukewarm. She didn’t care. Nessa gratefully drained the bottle in a few desperate gulps, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand when she’d finished.
“Are you guys good now?” she asked Pim and Poppy.
Poppy did her bouncy thing and Pim nodded. Emptying the few drops left in their bowl, she put it and the remaining bottle of water in her backpack.
“Did Reiko get settled with the Judge?” Ravi asked.
“Looks like it. Her mom, too.”
“The dad knows now, doesn’t he? About them being magic.”
“He saw them transform. A man was standing on the steps behind the barrier,” she pointed behind her at the top of the steps. “I didn’t know it was Philip Sömmerhaulder until Reiko said ‘daddy’.”
“And?”
“Walked away without a word.”
“Bastard,” he said with feeling.
“Don’t you think? Geez. I know Reiko’s mom lied but Reiko is his daughter. Isn’t he supposed to love her no matter what?”
Look at all the madness her own father had endured. Admittedly some of it was of his own making… However, he’d done his best to protect her until she decided to start college. Even then he made sure she had a safe haven with Aunt Emerald.
A pair of women in black suits came over needing to talk to Ravi.
“Wait,” he said pulling her sleeve. “Lunch tomorrow? Del Almo food court. We can do Panda Express. I’m hungry for String Bean Chicken.”
Her stomach growled. “Oh, don’t mention food. Panda sounds great. Call me when you’re ready to meet.”
He gave her a thumbs up.
She wound her way between people, broken cars, sinkholes in the pavement, rocks, tree branches, and other flotsam and jetsam from the battle to reach the other side of the parking lot.
Jun Hee was standing by his old-model Honda CRV. His ruggedly handsome face was smeared with blood. One eye was already turning black and blue. The other looked like it might follow. His shirt was ripped down the front exposing far more than tight abs. She could see the complex rings of thick black protective tattoos covering much of his body.
One day soon she’d ask him about the ghostly shaman chasing him.
“I didn’t ask you to come,” she said frowning. “You can’t charge me.”
He matched her frown two-fold. “You’re welcome.”
She felt herself blush.
“Are you alright?”
He made a dismissive noise, “This is nothing. I’m fine.”
“I didn’t expect you to come. Thanks, I guess. I owe you lunch.”
He gave her a sideways look down his nose. He was much taller than her. “And a cut of the Sömmerhaulder bond?”
Typical Jun Hee. Just when her opinion of him started to change he acted like this.
“Don’t be a jerk.” She jabbed him in the chest with a forefinger. “You still owe me the money from the Infernal Bond Madame Valencia took out on the Soul Eater. That’s my money.”
He’d acted like he was the one who took down the Soul Eater responsible for the string of cemetery murders. Nessa knew it was ninety-nine percent her. On the night of the takedown, wet, cold, and muddy, she’d watched him drive off with that bitch Madame Valencia in a shiny town car talking payment.
At least he had the manners to look chagrined. He ran a hand through his hair. “About that…”
“No about that about it. The reward money is mostly mine.”
“Let me finish. I don’t have your Venmo number. If you give it to me, I’ll pay you.”
“Now?” Nessa asked, putting her hands on her hips. “Like, right now?”
He blew out a breath. “Yes. Right now.”
Tapping her phone, she sent him a screenshot of the info he needed.
He tapped at his own phone.
“There. Done. Satisfied?” he asked, sounding more than a little put out.
Pim stretched up placing his front paws on her thigh. She lowered the phone as she opened the accounts page.
Poppy crawled forward, hanging upside down to see.
“Money in the bank,” screeched the bird.
Indeed.
She looked at Jun Hee, her surprise mirrored on her face.
“See, I’m not always a dick.”
“No, I guess not. But I earned this, you do realize? I was the one who fought him across two graveyards. Me.”
Pim meowed.
“Me and Pim,” she added. “The stupid Soul Eater is the reason I’m wearing these.”
She held up her wrists, sparking with the Infernal Court Hexes.
Jun Hee’s face softened. He reached out one hand, almost touching them. “Do they hurt?”
“No. Not really. Poor Pim is much more uncomfortable in the Cone of Shame.’
Pim meowed a mournful agreement.
He tilted his chin at the parrot. “Bird?”
“Bird,” she affirmed. “This is Poppy.”
The parrot righted herself, clawing back to Nessa’s shoulder.
“Poppy,” the bird affirmed.
He reached for the parrot who darted out with her sharp beak. Jun Hee snatched his hand away but not before she scored a long scratch with the sharp tip.
“Not Poppy daddy,” she squawked.
“Oh, by the way, watch out. She bites.”
“Ow! No kidding,” he shook his hand. “Ouch. Feisty African Grey, isn’t she? Poppy? I’m Jun Hee.”
“Not Poppy daddy,” the parrot said again.
“I know I’m not your daddy. I can take care of you, though. If you want.”
The bird turned its back on Jun Hee.
Nessa laughed. “Listen, Poppy and I have work to finish up together. I think Reiko Sömmerhaulder may take her. Can I call you later if it doesn’t work out?”
“Sure. Are you heading to the office?”
“Yeah, um, later…” she trailed off. “Have you seen Fiona?”
“Not since the fight.”
Nessa’s stomach sank to its familiar place in the soles of her Chuck Taylor canvas shoes.
Without a word to Jun Hee, she ran back into the building.
The duty officer at the main desk said no Fiona Garde was being detained.
She checked the lady’s rooms downstairs and upstairs.
No Fiona.
She ran to the waiting room in the comfortably furnished common area.
No skinny blond witch.
Tapping her phone resulted only in Fiona’s voice mail.
Texting ‘Where are you,’ Nessa waited.
It didn’t go to ‘read.’
She waited another minute.
Still nothing.