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“Something like that.” He half shrugged, and I knew without asking he was thinking about Jak Talbott, the reporter who’d hurt me so badly.
“There’s a Lucian Dupont registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission,” Stane said, “and his address has recently been changed from Brisbane to Melbourne. Everything I can find about him seems to indicate he is who he says he is.”
Which didn’t mean that he actually was. After all, he’d been earthbound long enough to be good at deception. Not that I actually thought he was deceiving anyone; every instinct insisted he was one of the good guys. And this was one time I’d be right royally pissed off if instinct proved to be wrong.
I glanced at my watch and stood up. I needed to go if I was to be at the café on time. “Given he told me he was a politician before he was an investment adviser, I’m guessing his registration records don’t go back too far.”
“No. He only registered five years ago.”
“Then keep looking, and let me know if you find anything.”
“I certainly will. Oh, Ilianna said to mention that another parcel arrived for you last night.”
Trepidation ran through me. I forced a smile and headed back to my bedroom—and wasn’t surprised to hear Tao following. He knew the first parcel had resulted in the Dušan. Besides, he would have smelled the rush of my fear.
The box was sitting on my dresser like before, but this time it was far smaller—the size of a folded letter rather than a book. I picked it up gingerly. It was heavier than a letter should be, and there was a slight bump in the middle of the envelope. And, like before, there was little in the way of postmarks on the outside.
“You want me to open it?” Tao said. “Whatever magic is aimed at you isn’t likely to affect me.”
I was shaking my head even before he’d finished. “We can’t take that risk. Stand back.”
He didn’t. I didn’t argue, but simply slid my nail under the tape and sliced it open. Nothing jumped out at me. No magic, no creatures, nothing.
Inside was a piece of paper wrapped around something small and heavy. I slid it out onto my palm and waited a heartbeat to see if anything happened. When nothing did, I carefully unwrapped the paper.
It turned out to be a key. A small silver key—the type that came with post office boxes or gym lockers.
“Well, that doesn’t look too dangerous,” Tao commented, peering over my shoulder. The warmth of his body seeped into my back but did little to erase the chills still rolling down my spine. He added, “There’s something written on the letter.”
I glanced at it. Unlike before, the writing was plain English. “Locker ninety-seven, Southern Cross Station.”
“Well, that’s a pain,” Tao commented.
“Totally.” I glanced at my watch. “And it’s going to make me late for my lunch date.”
“You want company?”
I shook my head. The last thing I wanted was to put Tao in front of anyone who might be keeping an eye on the locker—especially given I had no idea who this key was really from. Certainly there was no evidence that any of it had come from my father, even if Azriel’s suspicions pointed that way.
I shoved the key into my pocket then turned around and dropped a quick kiss on his lips. “Thanks for the offer, but they’re hardly going to try anything in the middle of a busy train station.”
Tao snorted, his ex
pression concerned. “Until we know who is behind either parcel, I think you need to expect the unexpected.”
That might be true, but it still didn’t alter the fact that he wasn’t coming with me. “You could do me a favor, if you’ve got the time.”
He half smiled. “That depends on what it is.”
“Go through the security tapes and get a picture of the delivery guy. We might be able to trace him back to the company. If we get that, Stane might be able to raid their system and hopefully get the sender’s name.”
“I’ll do it before I head to the Blue Moon.” He hesitated, then added with a grin, “You do realize that if you keep giving him stuff like this to do, he’s going to become a permanent fixture in your life? I don’t think he’s ever enjoyed himself as much as he has in the last few days.”
I smiled. “Just tell him my life isn’t always this exciting. And don’t forget you’re working tonight. If you don’t show, I’m walking down to the Blue Moon to drag your ass back.”
He grinned. “Jackie’s in the kitchen. She’s more than capable.”
“Jackie is, but the Lisbornes come in tonight, and they want your special burgers. And don’t say Jackie’s capable of making them, because you’re Mrs. Lisborne’s favorite chef—and if she wants you, she gets you. She’s bringing in a lot of customers.”
