Rory fell silent.
A few moments later, Jade returned, a fancy etched glass tumbler floating along behind her like a duckling. “It’s just tap water, I’m afraid,” she said, with a rueful smile, as the glass came Rory’s way as if carried by an invisible wind. “Ace hasn’t got anything else a paranormal can drink.”
When Rory got back from Hyde Park, first thing he was gonna do was fix Arthur’s empty kitchen.
“Mansfield had the relic in a room full of books.” He settled into the cushions with his tumbler. “Big fireplace, lotsa art. Maybe a study. Maybe a library.”
“Helpful as that is,” Arthur said, “you’re under no obligation to tell us—”
“That fella who likes his knife was there again too,” said Rory. “Gwen said she’d tell Mansfield the magic in exchange for the buyers’ names.”
“Did you get these names?” Jade held up a hand as Arthur started to protest. “You’re as overprotective as a bear with her cub, Ace. Let Rory decide what he wants to tell us.”
“The names were on a folded piece of paper,” said Rory. “I couldn’t see ’em, but Mansfield said they were German.” Arthur and Jade both blanched. Rory looked between them. “That means something to you two.”
“It might.” Jade bit her lip. “Did Gwen say the magic?”
Rory’s stomach gave an unpleasant twist. “The tide.”
Jade’s eyes widened.
Arthur took a step back. “Luther Mansfield is selling the Germans a relic that controls thetide?” Horror swept his face. “That’s—that’streason.”
“If that relic was unlocked, it could flood Manhattan,” Jade said. “We can’t let someone have it. Did you see anything else that could help?”
Arthur tensed, but he didn’t argue. Rory took a sip of water, trying to settle his roiling stomach. “There was a safe open on the wall.” He pulled the image back up in his mind best he could. “It had a funny word on the back of the open door—Lab-something.”
Arthur swore as Jade winced.
Rory frowned. “Is that bad?”
“Labyrinthis a safe manufacturer,” said Jade. “The best one.”
“The combination locks are state-of-the art, always evolving, nearly impossible to crack,” said Arthur. “I bought one for the ring.”
Rory’s stomach gave another twist, sharper, bile rising in his throat.
“First things first,” Arthur said to Jade. “I take Rory and Mrs. Brodigan to Grand Central tonight for the train upstate—”
The tumbler slipped from Rory’s hands.
Jade’s fingers moved, and the tumbler was suddenly suspended in the air, hovering an inch over the hardwood floor as Rory leapt to his feet. “I can’t go, I can’t go to Hyde Park.”
“Rory, be reasonable,” Arthur said, as Jade sent the tumbler into the air to set itself on the table. “If this evening has proved anything, it’s that you need to leave town.”
Rory shook his head rapidly. “I gotta come with you.”
Arthur’s eyebrows flew up. “To Mansfield’s mansion, to steal a relic? In which of the nine hells would we bring you?”
“I’m afraid I have to agree with Ace,” Jade said. “There’s too much risk to you.”
“Manhattan’s in danger and you gotta crack a safe.” Rory held up his hands. “And Ace already knows no combination lock’s safe from a fella who can see history.”
The room went silent.
Jade looked to Arthur. “He used his magic to open your briefcase?”
“Like a paranormal toddler with a forbidden cookie jar.” Arthur’s gaze bored into Rory. “Do you truly understand why we don’t want you caught? If I’d found you opening my briefcase, I would have lectured you. If Mansfield finds you cracking a safe in his home, he’ll have you beaten within an inch of your life then thrown off the Brooklyn Bridge in concrete boots. And ifGwenfinds you, she will see your magic.”
