Bedlam Boyz(83)

"But we should talk of other things," Perenor continued. "Shari has some interesting news for you, Nataniel."

"Oh, indeed," Nataniel said, turning to his liegewoman.

Shari crumpled her napkin into her lap . . . a little nervously, Perenor thought. "It's that young human mage that you were so interested in, my lord. Morendil and Keryn found her this afternoon. And Lord Perenor was kind enough to suggest a visit to the girl's school, where we found the school administrators to be . . . quite helpful in giving us the information we needed to find the girl."

"How interesting," Nataniel said, smiling. "I knew you wouldn't fail me in this, Sharanya."

Shari colored slightly, a faint touch of pink creeping across her face. She does poorly at these games of deception, Perenor thought. Nataniel has some skill at it, but Shari is a child beside him—or me.

"I took the liberty of calling together the Host, my lord," Shari said. "They can meet us at the girl's address after we finish our supper here."

"That sounds like an excellent plan," Nataniel said. "We can have a delightful dinner here in the company of good friends," he smiled at Ria, who glanced away from him, "and then go pick up this useful little human girl."

Nataniel's gaze drifted back to Shari, and his eyes narrowed slightly. He knows, Perenor thought. He knows that something is amiss. Like a wolf near a trap, he can sense it. But will he figure it out before the trap closes in on him?

Nataniel turned back to Ria. "So, Ria, what else can you suggest for increasing return on investment in this venture?"



Kayla tried to concentrate on her geometry homework, but she couldn't stop herself from listening to Elizabet's voice from the other room. "Yes, Nichelle . . . no, I agree unfortunately . . . well, then, it's settled." There was the click of the phone being hung up, and Elizabet walked into the living room a moment later, frowning.

"So, what did you tell her," Kayla asked, "And what did she say?"

"That police patrols around the house weren't good enough. She'll arrange a safe place for you to be while they get the warrants together. They're sending over a patrol right now to take us in."

Elizabet sighed. "We'll probably spend tonight downtown, and tomorrow they'll send us over to a witness shelter. I just hope you can give them enough information that they can find these people."

"I'm sorry, Elizabet," Kayla said in a small voice. "I never meant to be this much trouble for you."

Elizabet smiled and reached over to ruffle Kayla's short pelt of hair. "You certainly know how to make an old woman's life interesting, child," she said.

There was a knock at the front door, a polite rapping.

"Could that be the police already?" Kayla asked, glancing at Elizabet.

"They might have had a patrol car in the area," Elizabet said.

"I'll let them in," Kayla said, bounding up from the couch.

"Then again, I don't think they'd be here so quickly—wait a moment, don't—" Elizabet said, just as Kayla unlocked the front door.

The first thing she saw was the gun. It was a shiny silver revolver, pointed right at her, the large barrel of the gun right in front of her eyes. Then she saw the face of the young black man holding the pistol, his smile half hidden beneath the hood of his bright blue sweatshirt.

Behind him, Kayla could see two more young men wearing blue caps and sweatshirts, and two cars parked in Elizabet's driveway. One was the white Mercedes convertible with the bashed front fender, a car that she'd hoped she'd never see again.

"Elizabet!" Kayla said in a voice that came out as a squeak.

Kayla felt Elizabet's hand upon her shoulder. Elizabet's voice was calm, almost too calm, as she surveyed the three gang members standing in her doorway. "Maybe you boys should come inside?" Elizabet said quietly.

"Thank you, sister," the young man with the revolver said. "Don't mind if we do."

She's inviting them in?

As if hearing her thoughts Elizabet murmured to Kayla, "Don't worry, child. Everything will work out fine."

I don't think so, Kayla thought. I really don't think so. . . .





Chapter Seventeen


"Are you gonna stay chill about this, mama?" the leader of the three young men asked as they walked into the living room. "You're not going to try to fuck around with us, are you?"

"No, I certainly don't intend to do that," Elizabet said evenly.

The young man nodded as if satisfied and glanced at his associates. "Holster 'em, homies," he said. "Show some respect for the sister."

Kayla breathed a very small sigh of relief as the young men put the guns away, sliding them under their shirts or behind their waistbands.