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“Yes, with no success—though that in itself is not surprising.”
Not when most powerful witches were well able to counter such spells. “Did he fly out? Did the investigators check flight records?”
“They checked. He didn’t. And Rafael remains at Clayton’s residence.”
Clayton didn’t hold a driver’s license; Rafael had been his chauffer for as long as I could remember. “It’s easy enough to hire another driver.”
“I believe all local companies were checked. He hasn’t approached any of them.”
Which still left the non-local. I thrust a hand through my hair and tried to keep a grip on rising panic—but it was damn hard given Canberra was little more than six hundred and sixty kilometers away. That was only a seven-hour drive if you didn’t stop.
It was very possible Clayton was already in the reservation.
“Have they put a warrant out on him?”
“Of course not.” Her voice remained sharp. “There’s currently no evidence of his involvement—nothing other than your psychic certainty, anyway, and I’m afraid no court will process a warrant based on a precognitive dream.”
That, unfortunately, was very true. “I know you don’t place much faith in psychic talents—”
“With good reason, given few practitioners have your strength.”
She hadn’t ever considered mine a strength, and I had to wonder what had changed her mind. Was she now aware of my affinity with the wild magic? Was that what this was all about?
“It still might be worthwhile to find a psychometry-registered psychic,” I said. “They could do a location search.”
“Perhaps.” Meaning I shouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen. “However, I’m more than willing to send something of his down to you, if it would be at all useful.”
Surprise rippled through me—at both the offer and the fact that she had access to his house. “It would, but it’d have to be something that he wore regularly.”
“Would a watch do?”
“That would be perfect.”
“I’ll arrange for it to be delivered posthaste.”
“Thank you.”
“I don’t want to lose another daughter, Elizabeth, no matter how strained our relationship is. I might not believe Clayton capable of violence, but I will do what I can to aid you.”
If she really wanted to aid me, she could have called in the full force of the High Witch Council. She certainly had the clout to do it. But I guess that no matter how much respect Clayton might have lost recently, he would always be given the benefit of the doubt because of his long term status as a powerful, influential witch. Few would act against him without definite proof.
“Thank you,” I repeated.
“I’ll let you know what your father says when he wakes.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to say, “don’t bother,” if only because it’d probably be all over by the time that happened. But she was at least being civil, and I could do no less. “That would be appreciated.”
She hesitated. “Your brother would like to contact you—”
“Why?”
“You’re the only sibling he has left—does he really need another reason?”
“Think back, Mother—were we ever close?”
“Well, no, but things change—”
“Things like the possibility of my being able to use wild magic, perhaps?”
