Page 56 of Chaos and Crowns

“Not to mention that the Shadow knew that I was on to them, and the signal going out was something that I specifically would notice,” Odelle pressed on. “And it’s kept me from tracking the Shadow’s movements now, since it cost me my job.”

“It couldn’t have known things were going to play out in a way that got you fired though,” Antony pointed out.

“I wouldn’t have needed to get fired if it succeeded in killing us.”

Antony paled. “You have me there.”

“Am I being paranoid though? Grasping at straws?” Odelle questioned, part of her hoping that Antony would tell her she was being silly. That the evidence of Amy Biderman being corrupted by the Shadow was circumstantial at best.

“Do we have any other leads?” Antony asked instead. “The crisis caused by the Shadow made Biderman temporarily the most influential person in the city, and she used that sway for fear and panic. It’s exactly what the Shadow would want.”

They sat in silence for a moment, only the clinking of silverware at the surrounding tables interrupting their thoughts.

“So, what do we do?” Odelle asked finally.

Antony drummed his fingers on the table in thought. “We need to confirm that she has the crown or is at least being used by the Shadow. Attacking people without proof helps the Shadow more than it helps us.”

“But if we alert the Shadow that we are onto it, we’ll miss our window of opportunity.”

Antony nodded. “We will have to plan for that. Be well coordinated.”

“I’ll call my sister and Adam and have them meet us at the Sanctuary after work to plan. We’re not making the mistake of going in without support again,” Odelle said resolutely.

* * *

The group gathered around the table was an odd one. Thad and Seraphina wore bright green peplos, exposing bare shoulders to the persistent sunlight of the Sanctuary. The sweaters worn by Antony and Nora and Adam’s tweed blazer seemed stuffy by comparison. Even Drew was present, long white coat pulled on over rumpled scrubs.

“Last time we were all sitting around a table plotting, it was because Odelle was captured,” Nora commented. “I have to say, I much prefer having you here with us.”

“Which makes me wonder, what exactly are we plotting?” Thad chimed in.

“We know where the crown is.” Odelle cut to the chase. “At least, we think we do.”

“More like who has it,” Antony corrected.

“Amy Biderman,” Odelle declared. “The way she fearmongered during the signal outage was completely out of character. We just have to figure out if she has it and then…What do we do with the crown once we have it? Bring it back here?”

Antony shook his head. “I’m going to have to destroy it. The Shadow has corrupted it. Holding onto it would just be risking the Shadow’s influence.”

Odelle wilted at the idea of such an exquisite piece of craftmanship being demolished but nodded. “We just need to figure out how to track Biderman down and get it then.”

“You know where she works right?” Thad asked. “Couldn’t you track her down there?”

“I think attacking another broadcaster at work wouldn’t help Odelle’s current situation,” Adam chimed in.

Odelle shot him a look of gratitude.

“Then follow her home from work?” Thad suggested.

“I’m not sure facing down the Shadow on her home turf would be the best idea either,” Antony argued. “It didn’t go so well when we tried to steal it from the Whitehall’s collection.”

Odelle twirled a lock of hair in thought. “Biderman might be a national anchor, but she still likes getting out into the field for the more glamorous gigs like galas and fundraisers. She was at Nora’s gala at the Field Museum last year. Come to think of it, I seem to see her at all the museum events in the city.”

“The Celestial Ball at the planetarium!” Adam cut in, slapping his hand down on the table. “It’s next weekend and I already have tickets for Nora and me.”

Everyone at the table turned to look at him.

“What?” Adam shrugged. “I like stars.”