The Naughty List (34 page)

He bowed slightly. “It’s Schiller, but, you may call me Dominic.”

“Thanks.” She grinned, apparently amused at his formality. “I just might.”

Before returning to their offices, the two friends slipped outside to stare up at the roof. Not a single stray sparkle betrayed the shield. Nor did they see any of the bustling activity in preparation for the party.

“I’ll be damned,” Rosalie snorted. “He did it.”

“You sound surprised,” Marissa remarked.

“Well, he’s a butthead.”

“Still haven’t forgiven him, eh?”

“He orchestrated the theft of The Book, remember? Then he threw David and his father in prison on trumped up charges.” She glared up at the visibly empty roof. “Butthead.”

“Doesn’t The Book say he’s trying to make amends?”

“Don’t care,” she said. “He has to do something special to get off Rosalie’s Naughty List.”

****

Customers filtered from the store. The parking lot slowly cleared out. This year’s holiday rush had finally died down. Between Integrals on the rooftop and crazed last-minute shoppers Rosalie had a manic day and needed a break. The store closed soon. Now was a good time to sample the remains of the employees’ holiday feast. Grace and Brian supplied a catered luncheon for everyone who worked Christmas Eve, complete with turkey and all the trimmings. Rosalie grabbed a quick bite earlier, but now felt the necessity for cake.

Ross came in still in costume, but without the beard. He propped his feet up with a sigh. “Santa is officially off-duty for another year.”

“So,” she teased, “any plans for you and the elves to celebrate?”

To her surprise, he flushed. “As a matter of fact, I invited Natalie over for Christmas dinner with the family tomorrow.”

“Oh, really? Is Santa canoodling with subordinates now?”

“Not canoodling, just dinner.” His flush deepened. “Natalie’s nice. She has a very sunny outlook. Even with all the crowds and hustle, she didn’t once lose her temper. I’ve never met anyone like her.”

“I dosti oun’t doubt it,” Rosalie said with a straight face. “I’m glad you two get along. She may be around for a while.”

“Great. I was afraid after Christmas she’d disappear.”

“Actually, she goes
poof
.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.” She changed the subject. “The cake is great.” She cut a slice and handed it to him.

“Don’t mind if I do. Stephanie sure never set up anything for us like this. By the way, I meant to ask, what do you want done with her stuff?”

Rosalie wrinkled her brow. “What stuff?”

“Stephanie’s locker is next to mine. She never came back to clean out all her junk. The padlock is still on it.”

Rosalie pushed back from the table. “Do you know where I can get my hands on some heavy duty bolt cutters?”

“Are you kidding?” he joked. “Santa carries everything in his sack.”

Ross cut off the lock while Rosalie went in search of a box. He offered to help, but she shooed him away. The locker was crammed full. At first, all the hard feelings rushed back. Rosalie had half a mind to heave everything in the trash, but then experienced a twinge of guilt. Several items were pricey; cashmere sweater, silk scarf, even a pair of those hated stilettos. She carried the box up to the roof.

Rosalie paused in the doorway, stunned by the transformation. A temporary hardwood floor suitable for dancing now covered the roof’s surface. Workers erected cabanas with tables and chairs along one side and on the other chefs bustled around the make-shift kitchen. Row upon row of suspended Christmas lights twinkled overhead while a cadre of Integrals strung ornaments on a massive tree.

“Wow.”

David spied her and bounded over. “Pretty nice, huh?”

“Nice,” she gaped, “No. Awesome, amazing, stupendous…yes.”

“We’re nearly done with the decorations, but the area for children’s games needs to be set up and the band isn’t here yet. What’s in the box?” he teased. “A present for me?”

“No. I cleaned out Stephanie’s locker. I thought about tossing her stuff, but…may I look at her page in The Book?”

Without a word, David led Rosalie over to a tented pavilion. He flung aside the heavy brocade drapes covering the entrance and motioned her in. The Book sat on a narrow lacquer table inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Embroidered silk banners lined the interior of the tent. They gave off a soft ambient glow. Instead of hardwood, oversize pillows were scattered on top of a thick oriental carpet decorated with ancient runes. The mystic symbols emitted a delicate chime wherever she stepped on one.

“Nice atmosphere.”

“Thanks. I try to make the room comfortable. Some people spend a long time inside reading from The Book.”

She raised a skeptical eyebrow. “They wouldn’t, by chance, be sneaking a peek at others’ pages?”

“Why Ms. Thatcher, how dare you suggest such a thing.” He opened the cover. “Stephanie Crowder.”

The Book settled on her page. Rosalie sighed. “I was afraid of that.” The Nice List heading at the top was pale green. “She’s changing. I have to give her damn stuff back. I so hoped to throw everything in the trash with a clear conscience.” She glanced at the E.L.F. He ran his fingers along the top of the page with a puzzled expression. “What’s the matter?”

“I don’t">cke know. Her page feels funny, colder than it should. Odd…mind if I come with you?”

She looked surprised. “I didn’t plan on going now. I still need to change for the party.”

“I’m sure it’s probably nothing.” His troubled face made her rethink her position.

“We’ll go now,” Rosalie said, stifling his protest. “Stephanie doesn’t live far. We’ll be back before we’re missed.”

David pulled aside the curtain and they peeked out. Natalie stood with a bunch of other cupids preoccupied with fussing over a floral centerpiece. David and Rosalie exchanged impish glances and then without a word bolted for the stairs.

****

Billy sat up straight. His nose twitched as he looked around in confusion. “What the hell?”

Sadhri shot her nephew a puzzled look. “What’s up with you?”

“I don’t know. I got a whiff of something familiar.”

Carlos raised an eyebrow. “One of our recent backyard guests trying to sneak in? I’d swear none of them had any intention of returning.”

“I can’t hold the scent long enough to place it.” He inhaled again. “Now it’s gone.” He pushed back from his seat. “Ramesh and Sonia?”

“Still out on the floors.” Since they were all invited to the party, everyone planned to stay until closing.

The hellhound made for the door. “We’ll take another look around and make sure no one with sticky fingers is doing any last minute shopping.” He called Sonia and Ramesh on the walkie-talkie. Ramesh finished a final sweep of the third and fourth floors. Sonia was on her way down from the second. They would rendezvous in Christmas Land.

On his way to the back, Brendon from Fine Jewelry waved him over. He was one of the stores first rehires after Stephanie left. He pointed to the display case. “During the final cash out I noticed one of my custom pieces missing.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t understand. The necklace was right there before lunch and the display case is still locked. How could anyone get in?”

Billy knelt down and drew in a subtle breath. Unauthorized access left a fresh unfamiliar aroma, but only Brendon’s scent surrounded the case. “I see no sign of forced entry.”

“Another employee could have sold or purchased the necklace when I was at lunch,” Brendon suggested. “They’re supposed to check with me first, since it’s one of my custom pieces and has to be rung up differently than the others. Today was nuts, though. Somebody must have gotten busy and forgot.”

“Give me a description.”

“The necklace is twenty-four carat white gold with a snowflake-shaped pendant inset with diamonds and sapphires.”

“Don’t worry about it,” said Billy. “Finish cashing out and go home. I’ll check the monitors. Like you said, it’s probably just an oversight.”

After speaking to Brendon, Billy jogged off to meet Ramesh and Sonia. Christmas Land looked as if it had experienced one of the old-time hellhound pillaging raids written about in the annals. The throne was empty and the shelves stripped of nearly all the merchandise.

“What’s the problem?” asked Sonia.

“I’m not sure. I got a faint trace of something back in the security office, but can’t lock it down.”

Ramesh scanned the area with his sharp eyes. “Old target?”

Billy shrugged. ">Billyggey aBeats me. I figured we could do a sweep. Maybe one of you will pick it up, too.”

They spread out, canvassing the floor. The three of them forged long regular paths back and forth along the length of the store. When they arrived at the center, Billy halted. There it was again, that faint tickling at the edge of his receptors. Sonia and Ramesh also halted and eyed each other with puzzled expressions.

Billy jumped on them. “You have something?”

“I don’t know.” Sonia struggled with the words. “I can’t quite figure it.”

Ramesh scratched his head. “Weird. Kind of like the buzz of a mosquito in a dark room. It comes and goes. Any idea what it is?”

“Nope. Thought one of you might have a suggestion.”

Sonia offered a guess. “Maybe the barrier the Baal constructed on the roof did something hinky?”

“Maybe. I’ll talk with him later, but first I’m headed back to the security office to check the monitors. Brendon reported a necklace missing.”

Ramesh bristled. “Shit. I patrolled the first floor all afternoon. Did I miss a thief?”

“Maybe not. I won’t know until I check the monitor.”

“What do you want us to do?”

“Keep looking for a clear trail. The store is nearly empty and Sadhri will lock up soon. Once everyone is gone, whatever this thing is will be easier to hunt down.”

****

Rosalie pulled into the driveway of a small modern one-story bungalow. She turned to the E.L.F. “I haven’t seen Stephanie since I booted her ass from the car. I want to come across as disapproving but not cruel with a healthy dash of cool indifference on top. How do I look?” She made a face.

He studied her expression. “Like you just ate a piece of undercooked fish. Maybe we should drop the box on the doorstep, ring the bell, and run.”

“You’re no help at all.”

David hefted the box and they walked to the front door. Rosalie knocked briskly.

No answer.

She knocked louder and rang the doorbell several times. “Stephanie? It’s Rosalie. I have the stuff from your locker.”

Still nothing.

“You want to leave the box outside?” asked David.

“No, someone might take it, and I sure as hell don’t want to come back another day.” She reached for the doorknob. To her surprise, it turned freely. She and David exchanged puzzled glances. “I guess Stephanie is home.” Rosalie pushed open the door. “Stephanie?” The house was silent. She murmured to David, “Maybe she stepped out for a minute. We’ll put her stuff on the kitchen table with a note.” She entered the living room and gasped. “What the hell happen
ed here?” The place was a mess, leftover food and beer bottles scattered everywhere.

“Looks like she had a party.”

Rosalie wrinkled her nose. “It stinks in here.” She motioned to the sofa. “Someone stubbed cigarettes out all over the arm.” An uneasy feeling came over her. “Stephanie doesn’t smoke.”

“Old boyfriend?”

“Her old boyfriend was Anthony.” She shot him an anxious look. “Stephanie, are you here?” she cried out.

David set the box on the floor. “I’ll check out back.”

Rosalie darted through the house. No one was in the master bedroom, but the l oom the dight in the attached bath was on. She burst through the door. Stephanie floated face down in the tub.

“David, in here!” Rosalie screamed. She climbed into the bathtub straining to pull the dead weight of Stephanie out of the water. David raced to her side. Together they hauled Stephanie up and carried her to the bed. Her face was gray, her eyes wide and staring.

Rosalie prepared to do CPR, but he pulled her away. “David, what are you doing? She’s not breathing.”

“Stephanie was hit by a medusa. She needs Carlos—” His words cut out as the dash-away engaged and the E.L.F. disappeared.

Chapter Twenty

Billy had scanned the monitor for over an hour when Sadhri walked in.

She leaned over his shoulder. “Anything yet?”

“Nothing.” He tapped the screen. “You see right here Brendon is back from lunch and standing at the jewelry case. The necklace is still there.” He stretched and rubbed his eyes. “Did you finish locking up already?”

“Yeah, no stragglers today. Everyone wants to get home to their families tonight. Ramesh, Sonia, and Carlos let the last of the employees out a while ago. I’m having them do a final sweep of the parking lot.”

At that moment the other two hellhounds and the medusa entered the security office. “All clear, Pack Leader,” announced Ramesh, unconsciously using the official form of address for Sadhri.

“The Baal’s shield is holding,” noted Sonia. “No one can see a thing on the roof. The party is in full swing by now.” She eyed Sadhri hopefully. “Speaking of the party…”

“Another twenty minutes and then we’ll lock it down here.”

“Good. Because I have a kick-ass dress to squeeze into.”

Ramesh’s interest immediately piqued. “Do tell.”

“Nope. You have to wait and see.” Sonia cast a teasing eye at Sadhri. “Not as nice as Pack Leader’s, though. I saw the rocking little pink number hanging in the back of the closet.”

Carlos showed interest. “Pink?”

“Not my color,” Sadhri grimaced. “But Grace insisted I bring it with me.”

“I don’t know,” Sonia said with a grin. “I think pink suits you fine. You’ll have to beat all the dryads off with a stick. They love pink.”

“I may beat them with a stick anyway just for fun. I hate dryads.” She jumped back as David materialized in the security office. His expression told everyone instantly this was no casual visit. “What happened?”

“I need Carlos. Stephanie Crowder was attacked by a medusa.”

Carlos sprang to his feet. “Darby?”

“Looks like it. She’s static. We found her face down in the bathtub.”