Page 72 of Facade

She was nervous about doing this, but also wanted to be honest with Russell. He hadn’t just warned her about Mitch from the beginning, but still reported on what the crazy water elemental was doing. Russell wanted her to be able to avoid Mitch when she went to town.

Clarke’s instincts told her he could be trusted. Jace and Heath had covered every angle with the questions they asked. Her power validated her intuitions.

Russell was a good person. He possessed integrity, and unbending ethics. Revealing her gender and reason for being here was still a big step.

“I’m a woman,” she said, deciding to wait for his reaction before continuing.

Russell scrutinized her closely, and shook his head. “Do you mean that you identify as a woman?”

“No. I’m not proud to admit that I took advantage of the sexual identity laws, but I did have a valid reason. I dropped the E at the end of my name, got an ID stating that my gender is male, and used products as well as tailored clothing to complete my disguise.”

“You’re saying that you were born female, identify as female, but are impersonating a man. Clark is your name, but with an E,” Russell commented, sounding skeptical.

“Exactly. I needed to get this job, but only male applicants were being considered for the position,” Clarke confirmed.

“Enhancers can’t possibly be that effective,” he said.

She felt a burst of pride for her dad and Uncle Harry. Heath had given her the impression that their products surpassed most of what was on the market. Russell’s reaction confirmed it. He still didn’t look convinced.

Clarke might not have been able to fool the entire staff at Mars with standard enhancers. Not that it mattered. She had good ones, and the plan was working.

“Some are,” Clarke said, and took off the charm bracelet.

Russell blinked repeatedly, like he didn’t trust his eyesight. Then he laughed.

“May I ask where you got that?”

“Does it matter?” Clarke asked.

She was willing to tell Russell why she was here, and ask for his help. Depending on his motives for knowing the origin of the charm bracelet, however, it might be best to leave Uncle Harry out of it.

“For myself, no, although I am curious,” Russell said. “That is one powerful charm. I could get the seller considerable business, if he or she wants it. There is a demand for effective enhancers. You still sound like a man without the bracelet, though. Do you have two charms?”

“My dad, the man you saw with Jace, brews potions. His business partner, my Uncle Harry, is a caster. They both make enhancing products for men and women,” Clarke explained. “The Deep Sexy Voice potion makes me sound like a man. They get business from surrounding counties and cities, not just locally, and make a good living. I don’t know if they would be interested in expanding, which isn’t feasible, currently.”

“That’s a sideline, anyway. We can talk business at a later date, after the important issues have been solved,” Russell said. “When I pondered the puzzle that is you, I hadn’t taken enhancers into consideration, since most of them are weak in comparison to what you have.

“It all makes sense, now. I’ve always had a good gauge for when someone is lying, but you threw me off. You would look at Heath Halston like a person on a starvation diet presented with a triple fudge sundae, then swear that you aren’t gay. And you sounded honest,” Russell said. “Clearly, Jace knows, and has since before you arrived.”

“Heath does too, now,” Clarke said. “He and Jace are my mates.”

“Which explains why we’re here, on his property,” Russell guessed. “It’s safe, and private. Congratulations on landing those two, you lucky thing.”

“Thanks. It was a shock, both times, but of the good variety. I’ve been blessed,” Clarke said.

“I’m guessing that they are lurking nearby. If I do anything villainous, I’ll be laid to my eternal rest, and put to use fertilizing the vegetable garden.”

Clarke snorted in amusement. She realized that one of the reasons she liked Russell and felt comfortable with him, was due to his having a sense of humor like her dad’s. He could make her smile even on stressful days.

“Mitch is in considerably more danger of that than you,” she said.

“Yes, he would be. I’m still adjusting to this reality. But I’ll get there,” Russell said. “The burning question in my mind is, why go to such efforts, and maintain this level of secrecy? Other than Jace, you didn’t know a single person here, and you had a job in your hometown, which is hours away. It has to be something big.”

“We should sit down for this, because yes, it is big, and rather convoluted,” Clarke suggested. “This won’t be a quick explanation.”

They did so, and she told him everything. Russell listened attentively without interruption. He was silent for a solid minute, seeming to be in deep thought, after Clarke finished.

“I’m honored that you trusted me with this, and will help in any way I can,” Russell said eventually, with a serious, concerned expression. “Now I understand why Heath was so tense at the meeting about the tournament. If students are being targeted at those events, it won’t be easy to ensure their safety, and determine the culprits.”