Amelia Quinn and Theo
Brickman were the only ones home, when Jane drove up the long, gravel drive
through the woods to the old mansion of the Sanctum. Demetrius and Beau were meeting
with some friends at a think tank that monitored world events. Amelia sent Theo
to contact the Sanctum’s leaders, then herded Jane into the kitchen for a late
breakfast.
“Something has you
rattled, lovey, and that’s rare enough to be worrisome,” the dainty, elderly
woman said, just before plunking down a huge cast iron skillet on the stove,
big enough to cook a dozen eggs at once. “You had the Neighborlee evaluation.
What happened?”
Jane told her in the
time it took to crack and scramble the eggs. Amelia nodded and pursed her lips,
and her eyes went vague with thought for a few moments. Then she sent Jane to
get ingredients for brunch for the three of them. Theo joined them in time to
help set the table, and Jane had to repeat her story. She had new doubts. Had
she fled too soon? Should she have investigated, and risked being caught?
“You did the right
thing,” Theo said. “Get out of there, avoid notice. Let the professional
worriers chew on the questions and send out feelers.” He winked. “My personal
theory is that some Gifted got overlooked. They’ve dug in and know how to stay
safe. Neighborlee has its own means of defense. You don’t want to run afoul of
those who belong there, do you?”
“Of course she
doesn’t. She’s a good, smart one.” Amelia reached across the table to pat
Jane’s hand.
Jane wrote up her
report before she left. Amelia loaded her down with treats members of Hoax brought
back from their world travels. Jane was glad she had driven there instead of
flying in. She had never tested the limits of how much weight she could carry
while flying, but a dozen boxes and bags and tins could be awkward. She could
just imagine losing her grip while flying over heavy traffic and dropping some
decadent treats. As the youngest member of the family, she felt like she had
several dozen aunts and uncles, all intent on spoiling her.
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