Jim finished recounting to Douxie what Kronisphere had shown him.
Not even a rain-drenched pup could have rivaled the expression of utter desperation on Douxie's face. "We have to get to Trollmarket." He got up, slapped Merlin's Grimoire shut, and tucked it under one arm. "Kronisphere's the key. It has to be." He placed Nari's heart in a tiny, padded box and put it safely in a pocket.
Jim stood between Douxie and the door. "I understand how you feel better than anyone. I want everyone back, and I want Tobes back so much it hurts to think about. But we have to get that reporter out of Arcadia first."
Douxie sank back into his chair. "You're… right." Each syllable seemed to hurt. He set Merlin's Grimoire aside but left Nari's heart piece in his pocket. His hand strayed to the little box more times than Jim could count as he finished the repellent charm. "Done." He handed the quarter-sized bit of quartz to Jim. "After you plant it, you'll have to activate it." He scribbled a short sentence on a scrap of paper. "Do not activate it while you're holding it, or you'll end up miles from Arcadia with no desire to return."
"But what if I get the pronunciation wrong?" Jim said.
"You won't." Douxie shoved the paper at him. "It's pronounced like it's written. You can't bungle it."
Jim took the paper. "I can't read this."
"Your amulet will translate," Douxie said.
Claire peered over Jim's shoulder. "I can read it. Can I activate it from a distance?"
"How much distance?"
"The reporter will be at the front of a warehouse, and I'll be at the back."
"Should be all right. Just make sure Jim's not touching the charm and recite the entire incantation without pause. If you stop and restart, it'll confuse the spell."
"Don't get interrupted. Got it," said Claire as she accepted the paper from Jim.
Douxie set Nari's potted lily near the window where it could get more sun. "Once that woman's out of Arcadia, I expect you back."
"We'll see you in a couple hours," Jim said as he and Claire left the workshop.
"Think your mom's back?" Claire said as they reached the deserted round table.
"Could be. She's been gone over two hours."
Claire opened a shadow portal and reached for Jim's hand. "Where's Excalibur?"
"Left it in the workshop." Jim darted back to get the sword. He reached the door—slightly ajar—but just as he touched the knob, quiet weeping from inside stopped him.
Without even a squeak of his shoes, Jim returned to Claire. "Doux is gonna watch Excalibur for us. We've got to come back here, anyway, right?"
"Let's tell our visitor she's overstayed her welcome," said Claire.
To Jim's relief, the stack of chairs was just the way they'd left it, still keeping Newberry from seeing them.
The quartz charm weighed more than Jim thought it would as he pocketed it. He peered through the gaps between the chairs. "She's still talking with your mom. I'm going to grab something from the serving line and go sit with them."
"Wait. We need a signal. There's no way I'm banishing my boyfriend because I spoke too soon."
"Can't be verbal. Too far away. What about scratching my head?"
"Something more unique—so I'm sure."
"Stretching?"
"No."
"A yawn."
"You do that all the time. What are you going to get to eat?"
Jim sniffed the air. "Smells like I've got two options—a frozen burger or Judy's famous chicken surprise."
"Judy? Lunch Lady Judy? You're not getting the chicken surprise, are you?"
Jim shivered. "Had it once. That was more than enough."
"When you've planted the charm, take the top bun off your burger and look back here."
"Got it." Jim rounded the stack of chairs and slipped into the serving line with the rest of the late comers.
"What'll it be?" Judy's grating monotone hadn't changed, neither had her dead-eyed stare, framed in thick, red glasses. "Got plenty of chick—"
"Burger. Please." Jim accepted the paper plate and hurried through the rest of the line, skipping everything except the bottled water at the end. He picked a spot beside Newberry, now seated with Mrs. Nunez on a spread blanket near the front door. Jim sat cross-legged, plate balanced on one knee so Claire could see it from her hiding spot.
"If it isn't Jim," Bianca said. "Where'd your mom go? She was nice enough to show me around. I wanted to thank her."
"I think she… had to go check on a patient. Might be gone the rest of the day." Jim hoped not. If she was gone much longer, he'd leave Claire to watch Newberry and go look for her.
"Barbara's one of the best," said Mrs. Nunez. "Didn't you say one of your relatives was a doctor?"
"A cousin, out in South Dakota." Newberry's attention returned to Mrs. Nunez, and Jim took the opportunity.
Bianca's purse sat next to her, strap loose around her shoulder.
Jim took the quartz charm from his jeans pocket and reached for the purse, expecting Newberry to notice any second.
He tucked a finger under the flap and eased it open half an inch.
The gap wasn't big enough, so he nudged it again.
That same instant, Bianca reached for the partially open purse.
Jim jerked back, palming the crystal in case she looked his way.
She didn't, but her rummaging knocked the flap completely open as she withdrew a green and white mint. Just before she snapped the purse shut, something black and shiny, shaped like a TV remote, flashed green.
Jim's appetite vanished, and he pocketed the charm. "Excuse me, ladies." Jim took his burger and water to the back where Claire waited.
"You were so close," said Claire. "Did she see you?"
"No."
"Then why'd you stop?"
"She's got a digital voice recorder in her purse. If she leaves town now, who knows what's on that thing? We've got to keep her from leaving until we can either erase it or get it away from her."
Claire sat. "Guess Douxie's going to be waiting more than a couple hours."