The Fourteenth Key (The Chronicles of Terah Book 3) (31 page)

“Nothing,” Kevin answered. “I wanted to see how things are going with Petri. Where is he anyway?”

Joan sighed. “He’s a godsend. He’s only been here since Tuesday but he’s made himself indispensable. I don’t know how we ever managed without him.”

“I do. You borrowed some of my pages.”

Joan made a face at him. “I sent him to find Cryslyn with a list of questions that need answers. Do you want me to send him to see you when he gets back?”

“No, I just wanted to see how things were working out. I know you’re busy right now, and if having him around was causing you extra work, I was going to find somewhere else for him to get some office experience.”

Joan looked thoughtful for a moment. “I can’t be sure, but I think he’s already had some experience working in an office. Either that or he picks stuff up awfully fast. I know he’s talked to Ariel quite a bit, but he seems to know what needs to be done before I tell him.”

“Have you had a chance to ask him about his past?”

Joan shook her head. “He’s too much help for me to risk alienating him by asking a lot of personal questions. We’ll get to that after he knows me better. Teenagers can be tricky.”

Kevin nodded. “How about the little ones? Are things going all right there?”

A small frown formed on Joan’s forehead. “Corey and Caitlyn are adjusting better than I expected, but Tonnie’s a different story.”

“How so?”

“You’d have to be around her a lot to pick up on it, but she’s a bundle of nerves. She’s constantly looking around for anything that needs to be done. It’s like she’s afraid she’ll miss something and be blamed when it doesn’t get done. She wants to be the one to take care of Caitlyn and Corey, but to her, taking care of them means keeping them out of sight, putting herself in front, like a barrier. It’s like she’s trying to hide them to protect them.” Joan shook her head. “I have no idea what that child’s life must have been like before she came here. She has scars on her body that I can’t explain. They’re not normal kid scars, but they aren’t from beatings or anything like that either. They’re different, and to be honest, a bit scary. It’s almost like she’s been tortured. I want to take her in my arms and tell her everything’s going to be okay, but she’s got a very fragile hold on things right now and I don’t want to destroy it. I feel like the least little thing could push her over the edge. She needs help, Kevin.”

“Have you talked to anyone about this? Maybe Theresa?”

Joan nodded. “She’s checking with some of the other sisters to see what they’d recommend.”

“How about Serra? Have you asked her how things are going out at the playground?”

“No, and I should have. To be honest, I’m expecting to hear things aren’t going well and I don’t know what to do about it. I think she needs a lot of one-on-one time with a caring mother figure right now, and I can’t do it, and neither can Gracie. We’ve talked about it, but there’s no way either of us can provide that kind of attention and get all our other stuff done.”

“No, and you don’t need to feel guilty about it either,” Kevin said. “But maybe we can find someone else who can help this little girl. Surely, somewhere in Milhaven there’s a woman who’s already raised her kids and has enough time and experience to take on this child. Who would know if there was someone like that around?”

“I have no idea.”

“Serra’s from around here, isn’t she? Doesn’t her mother live in Milhaven? Maybe her mother would know someone, or at least be able to give you the names of some people to ask. There’s got to be someone out there who would like to help this child. We just have to find her.”

“That’s a good idea,” Joan said. “I’ll talk to Serra this afternoon.”

“Let me know how it goes.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Laryn was waiting for Kevin when he got back. She followed him into his office and closed the door. “Could I borrow the key for a few minutes?”

Kevin took out the key to Terah, and held it out to her. “Anything I should know about?”

“It’s nothing like that. Steve mentioned he’d love to have some seafood, so I thought I’d make a quick trip to a fish market and pick up some shrimp. Miranda said she’d cook it for him.”

Before Laryn could take the key, Kevin jerked it back. “I want to go. I’ve wanted some seafood for months now, but I had no idea where to go to get it. Let’s get enough for everyone.”

Once again, Laryn held out her hand for the key. “If we’re going to get that much, you’ll have to go with me to bring it back.”

“Wait a minute.” Kevin walked over to the door. “Chris, could I see you?”

Chris finished what he was saying to Ariel and then joined them in Kevin’s office. “What do you need?”

“Laryn’s going to take us to a fish market. I want you to know where it is.”

“Okay, but what are we going to use for money?”

Laryn shook her head. “We don’t need any, not where we’re going anyway. Everyone down there knows to send the bill to Cryslyn and she’ll settle up. All we need to do is tell them what we want and bring it back home.” Then she looked at Kevin. “Anytime you want to buy something, have them send the bill here. Don’t try to pay for it on your own. Everyone knows who you are, and they figure the Master Sorcerer is too busy to pay any attention to how much things cost, so if you were to show up with a bit of money, they’d double what they normally charge. That won’t work with Cryslyn.” Before Kevin could say anything, she turned to Chris. “And you. As soon as you look at food, especially desserts, you get this dazed look in your eyes, and prices would go sky high. Never pay for anything at any type of market. Have the bill sent to Cryslyn. She’ll pay a fair price and they all know it.” She held out her arms. “You two can go, but let me do the talking.”

Kevin and Chris both said, “Yes, ma’am” as they put their hands on her arms.

In a few seconds they were at the docks of a busy port. Boats were unloading the morning catch as merchants haggled over the prices. Laryn walked up to a hefty man with a beard and mustache. “Good afternoon, Lucius. Good catch this morning?”

“Not bad. You looking for some fish?”

“Might be,” Laryn answered. “I was hoping to find some shrimp, too. Crabs would also be good. Got any of those?”

“Maybe,” he said as he walked towards his boat. “Let’s go see what we have left.”

Fifteen minutes later, Laryn had ordered enough fish, shrimp, oysters, and crabs for a couple of meals for the whole castle. Lucius dumped it all together in one big barrel. “Don’t forget to bring my barrel back. You bought the fish, not the barrel.”

Laryn smiled at the big man. “You’ll have it back in less than half an hour. Just give me time to get it unloaded.”

Lucius nodded and moved on to his next customer.

Laryn raised her eyebrows at Kevin, so he used his outstretched hand to pick up the barrel and the three of them went straight to the castle kitchen.

After Miranda had all the fish unloaded and sorted, Laryn returned Kevin’s key. “You know where to go, so I’ll leave you to return the barrel. See you at dinner.”

When Kevin got back to his office, Chris handed him an envelope. “This came while we were out. It’s sort of heavy, but it came by falcon.”

Kevin opened the envelope and pulled several sheets of paper out. The writing was small, but neat. It was Nicolas’s contract. He sat down and started reading it. After a couple of minutes, he said, “This is really detailed. Chadwick took me seriously. He wrote down every little thing she needs to do, what the men who will be working with her need to do, what supplies and tools they’ll need to get the job done, and a time frame for doing it.” Kevin looked at the contract some more. “On second thought, I think Nicolas added the time frame. And she made notes where she’ll need a second sorcerer.” Then he looked up at Chris. “From what little I know, this looks like a very carefully drawn up contract. I have no idea if she’s charging too much, too little, or a fair price, but since they’ve both signed it, I guess he thinks it’s fair.”

“Or he thinks he had no choice since you told him to do it.”

“I didn’t say he had to accept any price she set, but I get your point. Would you send a note to Warren and tell him I’d like to talk to him Saturday morning? I’ll get him to look over this and see if he thinks it’s fair. If he’s okay with it, I’ll run by Colby Falls and thank both Chadwick and Nicolas for getting it done.”

Chris nodded. “And if Warren says she’s charging too much?”

“I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.”

Chapter 29

Fine Tuning

Friday morning Kevin was at his desk when Chris walked in with a message in his hand. “Thought you might want to see this. It’s from Brena.”

“Have you read it?”

Chris shook his head. “It just came in.”

Kevin opened it and read through it. “Robyn said Sunday evening around 7:30 would be good, and for us to go straight to Glenice’s office.”

“That could be a little tricky. Her office is a bit small.”

Kevin nodded. “I know, but we need to do what he asked. I’m sure he’s got his reasons.”

“How do you want me to put this on the calendar?”

Kevin thought for a minute. “Right now I can’t think of anything that might not cause problems. Most of the people we know, others know, too. Can you think of anyone?”

“How about Yara? We’ve worked with her before, and she did send a message three weeks ago for you to help out with that whale.”

Kevin nodded. “Put her name down. If anyone asks, she wants me to clear an inlet of some storm debris. And if anyone wants more details, we don’t have any. She tells us where to meet her and then she takes us where she needs us.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Kevin arrived in Warren’s front yard in Walnut Springs a little before 10:00 Saturday morning. As he climbed the steps to the front porch, the door opened, and Warren stepped out. Kevin grinned. The man looked more and more like Santa Claus every time Kevin saw him. And rushing out the door behind him was his wife, Torrey, the perfect Mrs. Claus.

“Glad to see you,” Warren said as he shook Kevin’s hand. “You haven’t been around much lately. We’ve missed you. Missed Chris, too.” Warren laughed. “Torrey’s been baking ever since she got your note. We were hoping he’d come with you, but I guess someone’s got to mind the office.”

Torrey hugged Kevin. “I know you two have business to discuss. I’ll bring you some coffee and cake before you get started. But don’t forget to stop by the kitchen before you head home so I can send some stuff back with you. And tell Chris he owes us a visit.”

Kevin smiled and nodded. “I’ll tell him.”

Then he followed Warren through the house to his office. A couple of minutes later, Torrey arrived with a tray of goodies and two large cups of coffee. As she left, she said, “Now don’t forget. I’ll expect you in the kitchen when you’re done in here,” and pulled the door shut behind her.

“So, what’s up?” Warren asked. “Not another unruly sorcerer I hope.”

Kevin shook his head. “No, I learned my lesson with the last one. We’re not going through that again. But while we’re on that subject, how’s Colin working out?”

A big smile spread across Warren’s face. “That boy’s a wonder. He gets better every day. I’m having a ball watching him. And I’m not doing much of anything these days but watching. He’s doing all the work. It’s nice to know I can retire whenever I want. He can handle the job and everyone likes him.”

“Are you thinking about retiring?”

“Well, Torrey’s been making some noises along that line, but for all practical purposes, I’m already retired. And that’s what I told her, but she says there are certain folks around here who’ll come to me regardless of how good Colin is. She’s right, but they’d come to me even if I retired, so I can’t see that it’ll make much difference. And if we had an emergency, I’d pitch in whether I was retired or not. So, I guess the answer to your question is not yet.”

Kevin nodded.

“What did you need to see me about?”

“I’ve got a contract I’d like for you to look over,” Kevin said. Then he explained about the situation in Colby Falls.

After Warren read through the contract, he handed it back to Kevin. “That’s a thorough contract. It looks like everything’s spelled out. I don’t think there are any holes that will cause trouble later.”

“I thought it was pretty good, too. What about the price? I have no way of knowing if that’s a fair price or not.”

“All I can say is Chadwick’s lucky he has her. I’d have charged more. The job’s worth more than that, especially since she’s taking on the expense of hiring the second sorcerer. But if she’s satisfied with it, it’s fine. He certainly shouldn’t have any cause to complain, and if he does, tell him every sorcerer I know would have charged more.”

“Thanks.” Kevin put the contract away.

“Now, how are things going with you? I understand you have an apprentice. How’s that working out?”

For the next hour Kevin and Warren talked about Landis, Glendymere, life at the castle, and things in general. Finally Kevin said he needed to get back, so they joined Torrey in the kitchen for one more cup of coffee.

As Kevin got ready to leave, Torrey handed him a big bag full of sweets. “Don’t let Chris have all of these,” she said. “Give some to Marcus, Laryn, that man she’s going to marry, and anyone else you’d like to share them with. But do tell Chris he owes me a visit, and if he’ll let me know when he’s coming, I’ll bake him something special.”

“Will do,” Kevin said as he turned the key and left for Colby Falls.

~ ~ ~ ~

Kevin didn’t get back to his office until after lunch. The first person he saw was Rigel, and the bodyguard didn’t look happy.

Rigel folded his arms across his chest and squared his shoulders. “I thought you were taking today off.”

“I am.” Kevin set the bag of goodies on his desk and picked up the messages that had arrived while he was gone. “I just had a quick errand.”

“I do believe that’s Torrey’s apple cinnamon cake I smell. Walnut Springs is not a quick errand, and from what Chris said, you also went to Colby Falls.”