Jenks laughed. "That was Francis. Rachel burned out his clutch right proper."
I grimaced. "Francis has the drugs. They're going out by bus. I'd bet my life on it."
Edden's eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. "You have," he said shortly. "Clayton, turn around."
I slumped, letting out a breath I hadn't known I'd been holding.
"Captain?"
"You heard me!" he said, clearly not happy. "Turn around. Do what the witch says." He turned to me, his face tight. "You'd better be right, Morgan," he nearly growled.
"I am." Stomach churning, I settled back, bracing myself at the sharp U-turn. I had better be right, I thought, glancing at Nick.
An I.S. truck passed us on its way to the airport, silent with its lights flashing. Edden hit the dash so hard it was a wonder the air bag didn't come out. He snatched up the radio. "Rose!" he bellowed. "Did the dog team find anything at the bus depot?"
"No, Captain. They're on their way in now."
"Get them back out there," he said. "Who do we have in the Hollows in plainclothes?"
"Sir?" She sounded confused.
"Who's in the Hollows that I didn't move to the airport?" he shouted.
"Briston is at the Newport mall in plainclothes," she said. The faint ringing of a phone intruded, and she shouted, "Someone get that!" There was hesitation. "Gerry is backing her up, but he's in uniform."
"Gerry," Edden muttered, clearly not pleased. "Move them to the bus depot."
"Briston and Gerry to bus depot," she repeated slowly.
"Tell them to use their ACGs," Edden added, shooting a glance at me.
"ACGs?" Nick asked.
"Anticharm gear," I said, and he nodded.
"We're looking for a white male, early thirties. Witch. Name is Francis Percy. I.S. runner.
"He's no better than a warlock," I interjected, bracing myself as we came to an abrupt halt at a red light.
"The suspect is probably carrying spells," Edden continued.
"He's harmless," I muttered.
"Do not approach unless he tries to leave," Edden said tightly.
"Yeah." I snorted as we lurched into motion again. "He might bore you to death."
Edden turned to me. "Will you shut your mouth?"
I shrugged, then wished I hadn't as my shoulder started to throb.
"Did you get that, Rose?" he said into the phone.
"Armed, dangerous, don't approach unless he tries to leave. Gotcha."
Edden grunted. "Thanks, Rose." He flicked the radio off with a thick finger.
Jenks yanked on my ear, and I let out a yelp.
"There he is!" the pixy shrilled. "Look. Right ahead of us."
Nick and I leaned forward to see. The broken taillight was like a beacon. We watched as Francis signaled, squealing his tires as he lurched into the bus depot. A horn blew, and I smirked. Francis had nearly been hit by a bus.
"Okay," Edden said softly as we circled to park on the far side of the lot. "We have five minutes until the dog team gets here, fifteen for Briston and Gerry. He will have to register the packages with the front desk. It will be a nice proof of ownership." Edden undid his seat belt and spun his bucket chair as the van halted. He looked as eager as a vamp with that toothy grin of his. "No one even look at him until everyone gets here. Got it?"
"Yeah, I got it," I said, jittery. I didn't like being under someone else's direction, but what he said made sense. Nervous, I slid across the seat to press my face to Nick's window and watch Francis struggle with three flat boxes.
"That him?" Edden said, his voice cold.
I nodded. Jenks walked down my arm and stood on the sill of the window. His wings were a blur as he used them for balance. "Yeah," the pixy snarled. "That's the pancake."
Glancing up, I realized I was almost in Nick's lap. Embarrassed, I put myself where I belonged. The aspirin was starting to wear off, and though my remaining amulet would be good for days, the pain was starting to break through with an unsettling frequency. But it was the fatigue I was really worried about. My heart was hammering as if I had just finished a race. I didn't think it was just from the excitement.
Francis kicked his car door shut and tottered into motion. He was the picture of self-importance as he strutted into the depot in his loud shirt with the turned-up collar. I smirked as he smiled at a woman coming out and got a quick brush-off. But on remembering his fear while sitting in Trent's office, my contempt took on a shade of pity for the insecure man.
"Okay, boys and girls," Edden said, pulling my attention back. "Clayton, stay here. Send Briston in when she arrives. I don't want anyone out of plainclothes in sight of the windows." He watched Francis go through the double doors. "Have Rose move everyone in from the airport. Looks like the witch, er, Ms. Morgan was right."
"Yes sir." Clayton reluctantly reached for the car phone.
Doors started to open. It was obvious we weren't your typical group of bus patrons, but Francis was probably too stupid to notice. Edden stuffed his yellow FIB hat into a back pocket. Nick was a thin nobody; he looked like he belonged. But my bruises and sling drew more attention than if I had a bell and a card that said, "Will work for spells."
"Captain Edden?" I said as he slipped out and stood waiting. "Give me a minute."
Edden and Nick looked wonderingly back at me as I rummaged in my bag. "Rachel," Jenks said from Nick's shoulder. "You've got to be kidding. Ten makeup charms couldn't make you look better right now."
"Go Turn yourself," I muttered. "Francis will recognize me. I need an amulet."
Edden watched with interest. Feeling the press of adrenaline, I awkwardly rummaged with my good hand in my bag for an aging spell. Finally I dumped the bag onto the seat, grabbed the right charm and invoked it. As I set it around my neck, Edden made a sound of disbelief and admiration. His acceptance - no, approval - was gratifying. That he had taken my pain amulet earlier had a lot to do with me agreeing to owing him a favor or two. Whenever a human showed any appreciation for my skills, I got all warm and fuzzy. Sucker.
Jamming everything away in my bag, I creakily eased myself out of the van.
"Ready?" Jenks said sarcastically. "Sure you don't want to brush your hair?"
"Shove it, Jenks," I said as Nick offered me a hand. "I can get down by myself," I added.
Jenks made the jump from Nick to me, settling on my shoulder. "You look like an old woman," the pixy said. "Act like it."
"She is." Edden grabbed my shoulder to keep me from falling as my vamp boots hit the pavement. "She reminds me of my mother." His eyes scrunched as he made a face and waved his hand before his nose. "She even smells like her."
"Shut up, all of you," I said, hesitating as my deep breath made me light-headed. The jarring pain from my landing had gone straight up my spine and into my skull, settling itself for a long stay. Refusing to let my fatigue get a foothold, I jerked away from Edden and hobbled to the doors. The two men followed, three paces behind. I felt like a slob in my fat jeans and that awful plaid shirt. Carrying the illusion of being old didn't help, either. I tugged at the door, unable to open it. "Someone open this door for me!" I exclaimed, and Jenks laughed.