Legend of the Sorcerer (22 page)

“What are you suggesting?” he asked warily.

“I think that maybe his listlessness is more distraction than fatigue. Maybe he’s not so much frail as consumed with thoughts of something else.”

“If that were the case, he’d be busting to get up and do something about it. It’s not like him to just lie down and let something roll over him.”

“Did you tell him you had the police working on it?”

“No.”

“Maybe you should talk to him about it now.” She talked over his refusal. “Something is still bothering him
about this, Cai. The more I think about it, the more I’m sure I’m right.”

“There is no way I’m going to upset him.”

“But—”

“No. I’m not going to risk it. And don’t you talk to him about it either. If he wanted to talk about it, he’s had ample opportunity.”

“He knows more about this. I’m sure of it, Cai.”

“I don’t see how that’s possible. Just because he recognized the symbol doesn’t mean anything. You’re reading too much into his fanciful stories.”

She looked mutinous.

“Promise me, Jordy. He’s my grandfather and my responsibility.”

“I think you’re making a mistake.”

“Then that’s my cross to bear. It won’t be the first one and it likely won’t be the last.”

“Fine. I understand I’m the intruder here. But I care about him, too. And maybe because I am an outsider I can see things in a clearer perspective than you can.”

“You’re not talking to him about this. That’s my final word on this.”

“Final words have a way of coming back to haunt you. If he doesn’t start to come around soon, at least promise me you’ll give this another thought.”

She was wrong. Alfred needed rest, not more talk about the symbol and the kidnapping.

“Promise me, Cai.”

Nothing was likely to make him change his mind, so he spoke the words she wanted to hear. “I promise.”

And he’d make a promise to himself, too, that he’d find some other way to end this thing, without involving Alfred.

J
ordy wrapped the clay in plastic and gathered her tools for cleaning. When had it grown dark? She’d missed dinner by now, but she’d already instructed Dilys not to interrupt her in the cottage if she missed a meal. She smiled, remembering the woman’s obvious disapproval. Her stomach rumbled just then, making her chuckle. “Guess I’ll have to bow and scrape for leftovers now.”

She entered the back of the house but heard nothing. She’d seen the light on in Alfred’s room, but he hadn’t been at the window. Hoping that meant Cai was visiting him, she went to the kitchen. Dilys was commanding the stove like a captain would a ship.

“Coming in finally, are you?” she said without looking up from the giant pot she was stirring.

The steamy smells emanating from it made her mouth water. Her stomach chose that moment to chime in. Dilys’ jaw tightened as she continued to stir. Jordy had made a private pact with Fred that morning that she wasn’t going to let the woman cow her any longer. Another rung on her self-improvement ladder. It was a big step.

She moved a foot inside the door. “I tend to lose track of time when I’m working. I really don’t want to upset your schedule though. I don’t mind fixing myself a—”

“I’ve a plate for you warmin’ in the oven. I’ve done it often enough for Master Malacai.” Dilys pointed the wooden spoon at her. “Don’t be complainin’ if the meat is a bit dry now. It was meant to be enjoyed fresh off the roast.” Properly chastised, she took another bold step into Dilys’ domain. “I’m sure it will be wonderful. I appreciate you going to the trouble.”

“Have yourself a seat in the dining room and I’ll be in. Or would you prefer a tray in your room?”

“No. Downstairs is fine. Actually,” she took another step into the room, “I’d enjoy eating right in here, if that wouldn’t bother you too much.”

Dilys stiffened, something Jordy thought impossible, seeing how rigid she was on a normal basis. “It’s just that, well, I love the smells and warmth of a kitchen. I used to sit and talk to my mother while she cooked. It was the favorite part of my day. This room reminds me of that.”

In truth, this kitchen was nothing like the tiny, cozy one she’d grown up in. This kitchen was massive, white-tiled, white-walled, with gleaming white and chrome appliances and miles of pristine white counter space. Cold, austere, just like the woman who ran it.

She purposely didn’t look at Dilys, and went instead to the table that fronted a bay window. She could see across the dark water to the lights twinkling on Mangrove. “Lovely view.”

The stirring had stopped. Jordy sat down. And waited.

After an interminable silence, her silverware and a crystal glass of iced tea were placed just so on the table in front of her. The plate of steaming food was delivered moments later.

She took a bite. “The roast is delicious.” The buttered roll melted in her mouth. The mashed potatoes were perfect. “You’re incredible, Dilys.”

The silence was deafening. Maybe she’d pushed too far.
But now that she was here, in the inner sanctum of the woman who knew Alfred best, she took advantage of the opportunity she’d created.

“I’m worried about Alfred.” There was a pause in the stirring, then it resumed. She swallowed a sigh, but persevered. Rome hadn’t been built in a day. “His spirit is so vital, I really thought he’d be doing better by now.” Still nothing. She took a measured sip of tea, then turned and faced Dilys.

Her silver hair was pinned neatly behind her head, not a strand out of place. Her cheeks were a bit flushed from the rising steam, her apron flecked with broth and other bits. If it weren’t for the narrowed black eyes, she’d look the quintessential grandmother. Jordy thought more in terms of the dragon she was presently unveiling out in the cottage. Only unfriendlier.

She stood and carried her plate to the sink, earning a sniff from Dilys. Apparently she’d crossed another invisible boundary. She didn’t care. If Cai wouldn’t, or couldn’t, see that Alfred needed a strong nudge, then it was up to her. She’d promised she wouldn’t do it herself, but she hadn’t promised she wouldn’t find a proxy.

She went directly to the opposite side of the counter that ran along the back of the stove and stood straight in front of Dilys. “Has he said anything to you about what upset him that day in the garden?”

Silence.

“Dilys, this is important. I need your help.”

“What you need is to leave it be. Himself will find his way. He always does.”

“But he’s never been so listless like this, has he?” She pressed her palms on the counter. “It’s not like him, Dilys, is it? To just give up?”

Dilys slapped the spoon on the counter. “Ye’ll leave him be. Himself will find his way.”

“Find his way where? You told me I’d be needed, that it would be my courage that would help him. Well, I’m here. And I’m not going away until someone listens to me. Something is wrong, terribly wrong. I can feel it.”

Dilys’ eyes narrowed and she felt a cold chill race up her spine. “What is it you can feel, young miss? What is it you think you know of Alfred and his woes? Ye’ve been in this home naught but a week and yer tellin’ me what to do about a man I’ve assisted for more years than you can possibly ken. Ye’ll be tested, ye will, but not this way.”

Jordy was rattled by her ferocity, but she’d seen something flicker in Dilys’ dark eyes besides anger. Fear. She was afraid, but of what?

“He warned me, just as you did,” she said. “He’s afraid for Cai. He thinks evil is coming for him. Well, evil has already come and we don’t know how to fight it. I think Alfred can help us, but Cai is afraid to ask him, fearing he’ll grow worse.” She leaned over the counter. “It took all of our strength to keep Alfred in bed that first day, to calm him down. Now, it’s as if he’s forgotten the whole thing. Only I don’t think he has. Something is going on. Can you please help me?”

Dilys held her gaze for what felt like an eternity, before she finally spoke. “There is an evil that has plagued Alfred for many years. By remaining here, with Master Malacai, he has achieved a balance of sorts and protected him from what would harm him.” She looked away, picked up the spoon, then put it down again. After a deep breath, she turned to Jordy once again. “He fears he no longer has the strength to protect, that she knows this and has found her way in.”

“She who? Margaron?”

“Is that the name she’s usin’? Always the clever one.”

Jordy wished she felt happier about being right. This was all beginning to freak her out. Alfred spouting about
King Arthur was one thing. Dilys talking about all this like it was fact was almost too much. “There is a task force already on this case,” she said. “If you know anything that might—”

“The police are involved?”

“There is a special task force from the State Department working on it. I don’t know who their counterparts are in Wales. But they aren’t making any headway.”

“They’ll not catch her like,” Dilys murmured under her breath. But before Jordy could question her, she flipped off the burner and headed out of the room.

Jordy followed her, but when she disappeared inside Alfred’s room, the door was shut tight and she heard the lock tumble. She put her ear to the door, but heard nothing.

She leaned against the wall. She’d done the right thing by telling Dilys.

Dilys and Alfred knew something more than they were saying. Could they really know this woman? Had she been a threat before? A crazed fan of Alfred’s perhaps? It made sense. Maybe Alfred had come to Florida to escape her.

She was on the right track, she knew it. If she could just get a name from them, something they could send to Kuhn, this whole horrific episode would be over. God, could it have been this simple all along?

Voices were raised behind the door. Jordy spun around and tilted her head, straining to hear.

“You must! I’ve done what I can from here.”

“I willna leave. And neither will you.”

The latter had been Dilys.

“We’re fine, right here,” she went on. “And safe.”

The voices subsided to unintelligible murmurs.

“Damn.” Jordy paced again. What was it Alfred wanted Dilys to do? She was gratified that Dilys had roused his anger. Any emotion was better than the hollow man he’d been the last couple of days.

Safe. Dilys wanted them to stay here. Which meant Alfred wanted them to go somewhere. Wales? Back to whomever was threatening them? If they knew who it was, why on earth wouldn’t they just say so and let the police handle it? Dilys was right. They were all safer here. Let the law enforcement people do their jobs.

She had to go in there and talk some reason to them both. Her hand was raised to knock on the door when her arm was pulled back and she was spun around.

Cai towered over her, his gray eyes cold as ice and just as hard. “You gave me a promise.”

“I kept it.” The voices on the other side of the door raised again and she winced. “Sort of.”

He pulled her not so gently away from the door. “What in the hell have you done?”

J
ordy yanked her arm from his grasp. “I knew there was something more to all this. And I was right.”

Cai didn’t want to hear her excuses, he wanted to go in and make sure his grandfather wasn’t having a stroke. He heard Dily’s voice beyond the door, then things quieted down to a murmur once again. “So help me, if this makes him worse, I will never forgive you.”

“Did you hear what I said? I was right. They know something, both of them.”

“Move.” He reached for the door.

She grabbed his arm and held on. “They know who the kidnapper is, dammit. Will you listen to me?” She was keeping her voice to a low, furious whisper, but her short nails dug into his skin. “We have to make them tell us.” Cai let go of the doorknob. “What are you saying?” Jordy pulled him a few feet down the hall. “I talked to Dilys tonight. I asked her if Alfred had said anything to her about this. It was too strange that he just clammed up like he did, when before we could barely restrain him.”

“You promised.”

“I promised I wouldn’t talk to Alfred. But if anyone knows what’s happening inside his head, it’s Dilys. I didn’t know she’d go straight to Alfred and upset him.” She stood
taller. “But I’d do it again. They know this woman, Cai. Maybe she was a threat to Alfred in the past. Dilys all but said so. I think they know her from their days in Wales and she just now caught up with them.”