Pandora's Box (27 page)

“Thanks, Mom.” Mina stood up and hugged her mother. “Really. For the picnic when I was a kid, for Pandemina, for the advice.
Maybe you’ll even give up on all the crystal crap and we can try to be normal after all this is over.”

Lizzy laughed. “Oh, that’ll happen. My daughter’s in love with a puca. What a weirdo.”

“
Mo
-om!” Mina tried to frown at her mother but couldn’t quite manage it.

“Besides, I rather enjoy my crystals, even if I can’t make them do a damn thing. But good luck with your search and let me
know if you need books or resources. I have an entire library of ‘woo-woo’ at your disposal, dear.”

“Thanks, Mom. I may take you up on that.”

After she saw her mother out, Mina ran to take her shower. After emerging, she felt the desperate need to check on—

Mina mine, I told you he’s just fine. Janelle’s taking care of him.

“I know, but it can’t hurt to call.” She dug through her purse for her cell phone and dialed the number.

It rang twice before a woman’s voice answered. “Hello?”

“Janelle?”

“May I ask who’s calling?”

“Mina Avery.”

Gusty sigh. “I thought so. I can guess why you’re calling.”

“Teague. He’s there with you?”

A long silence. “Just how much do you know?”

“As much as you, if not more. Is he out cold?”

“Yes. The occasional mumbling, like an uneasy sleep, but he’s been this way for nearly a day now. It’s creepy as hell.”

“Was he able to explain everything to you?” Yeah, like how Mina having sex with Riordan dropped him into a coma? Mina winced.

Quit that. You’re still thinking in human terms. They don’t
apply here.

Well, I am human. I can’t help thinking that way.

“Teague left a message for me saying I’d find him out cold, just as he predicted. He saw it in a vision just a few days ago.
He knew this could happen and he knew he’d need help.”

Thank God for that. “It’s my understanding that this is temporary. That everything will be resolved on November first. Whatever
happens.”

“And that’s the question, isn’t it?” Janelle spoke evenly. “What exactly
will
happen on November first?”

“A lot, I’m afraid. I’ll be working on that. I’m hoping you’re okay with taking care of Teague? I can help, you know.”

“No. He made money available for a nurse if it comes to that. He’ll be fine. But he was very clear on what he wants from you—focus
on November Day. Everything’s riding on it.”

“Then that’s what I will do. Thanks, Janelle.”

“No problem. Just keep me updated if something’s going to happen.”

Mina hung up. At least Teague wasn’t alone like that, lost in his visions, wandering in his head. Was it a nightmare?

Not at all. In his mind right now, he and I are one. And I’m
with you. Like me, he’s content with that, just uneasy about the
fragmentation.

“You’re still weirding me out with that stuff.”

I know. So are you going to find your sister?

“Can’t hurt at this point. I figure her office is the easiest place. Assuming I can get around dear old Dunky. Lucky for me
he has a doormat for a receptionist.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Glancing in the mirror to apply lipstick and minimal mascara, Mina tucked her blouse inside her jeans and stepped into pretty
flats. “Riordan. Are you there?”

Always. Are you nervous about meeting Daphne?

“Well.” She shifted uncomfortably. “She’s my sister. I don’t have any other siblings. And she’s bound to hate me on sight.
What’s to be nervous about?”

She may surprise you.

“You and Mom keep saying that.” She grabbed her purse and walked out the door. “Daphne’s probably going to think I’m a freak,
just like everyone else did when I was growing up.”

No offense, but you seem pretty normal to me. At least on the
outside.

“Twisted only on the inside, huh?”

Although, you might want to stop talking to yourself before
somebody starts looking at you funny.
There was a smile in his voice.

Should I squint and pretend to be mute, too? She smiled, remembering Riordan the dog. Engaging mutt that he was.

Now that would draw some stares.

They continued the casual patter all the way into town. Mina was well aware that Riordan was trying to distract her from her
own nerves. It worked to some extent until she parked her car and turned off the ignition. She stared at the sign. FORBES
& FORBES. An exclusive little group, there.

You’re not an accountant. What do you care?

Good point. So, Riordan?

Yes?

Look, I’m not sure how to manage this, but I could really use some privacy right now. I’m meeting my sister for the first
time, after all . . . and I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but . . .

No problem. Consider me not here.

“Like really not here? How does that work?”

Now that I lack a body, you mean? I can just choose to mentally
distance myself. I’ll treat you as white noise and concentrate on
something else. Memories maybe. Grapes, for example. That’s a
good one.

Mina smiled.

So, I’ll try to stay out of your way as much as I can until you
call me. Call loud, okay?

Okay. And thanks.

No response.

Focusing now, Mina climbed out of her car, grabbed her satchel with its precious ten pounds’ worth of enchanted Sarsen stone,
and strode across the street toward the office. She marched in as brazenly as last time, smiled a hello at the receptionist
who was busy on the phone, and eyed up the doors behind the woman. Under the receptionist’s disapproving but not overtly protesting
eye, Mina ignored Dunky’s door and turned to the other. She cautiously opened it to peer inside.

A woman sat behind the desk, her honey blond hair pulled back in a sleek updo. Her face was carefully and discreetly made
up, and her suit was obviously expensive and well-fitted. With her svelte figure and careful appearance, this woman made Mina
suddenly conscious of her comfortable but inexpensive outfit and occasionally troublesome curves.

“May I help you?” She—Daphne?—smiled slightly.

“I hope so. Are you Daphne Forbes?”

“Yes.” She stood up from her chair and held out a hand. “And you are?”

“Mina Avery.” Mina shook Daphne’s hand. Like Mina, Daphne had creamy, stay-the-hell-out-of-the-sun skin, but the resemblance
ended there. Mina didn’t discount her own looks—which she considered pleasing, if mostly average—but Daphne was downright
gorgeous in a sleek Barbie doll way that set most women’s teeth on edge. Until she smiled. A slightly crooked eyetooth drew
the eye. It was adorable. A crooked tooth shouldn’t be adorable, but there it was. Was Dunky too cheap to get his beloved
daughter braces for her teeth? Still, Mina had to admit she thought Daphne wouldn’t be nearly as appealing with perfect Chiclet
teeth.

“What can I do for you today, Mina?”

Mina pondered her options and her timeline, which was awful damn short. Tomorrow was Halloween—the day before November Day.
So, straight up it would have to be. “This is going to sound strange, but I’m your half-sister.”

The blonde leaned back in her seat. “I thought your name sounded familiar.”

Mina stared. “You know about me? How?”

“My mother told me about you.”

“Your mother?” Well, that was a jaw-dropper. So much for reserved ammunition.

“Why, were you going to use her against me? That won’t work. She’d eat you alive.” Daphne spoke almost conversationally as
she studied Mina with wide, curious eyes.

“But I thought—”

“What, that Dad was protecting his wife and daughter from the painful truth? Get real. That man protects himself. As does
my mother. That’s why she set a private eye on his tail. He dug up everything—and I do mean everything—on my father. Mom claims
she hasn’t told him a thing, and she and I continue to play dumb about you and your mom. It just works in our best interests
to keep Duncan Forbes on his toes.”

“That’s creepy. All three of you are keeping the same secret from each other.”

“Not quite, but close.” Daphne smiled at her. “That said—that blackmail just isn’t in the cards today—is there anything else
I can do for you?”

Mina stared at her sister.
Half
-sister, she corrected herself. “Yeah. You could let me buy you lunch. Are you free?”

Daphne tilted her head, obviously as curious as Mina. Mina detected not one iota of hostility from the woman. Just a disturbingly
distant curiosity. A neutral setting might help.

Pressing a button on the phone base, Daphne picked up the receiver. “Wendy? Yes. No, everything’s fine. Just letting you know
I’ll be out for a couple hours. Right. Thanks.” She hung up. “Lunch sounds like an interesting idea.”

The women stood and filed out of the office. Would Duncan see her there, Mina wondered? By the odd look on the receptionist’s
face, Mina could only presume that Duncan would find out about it one way or the other. After they left the office for open
air and busy streets, Mina turned back to her sister who was, Mina noticed, about two inches shorter than her. Finally, she
excelled at something.

“Um, Daphne? In spite of what you might think, I really did not come here to cause you trouble. Is this—you and me together—going
to upset things between you and your father?”

“I think you mean
our
father? And I sure hope so. The man needs an upset on occasion.” She pointed toward a building a block over. “How’s Italian
sound to you?”

“Sounds great.” Adjusting the satchel straps over her shoulder, Mina turned and kept pace with Daphne until they found themselves
seated at a casual, family-owned restaurant. Daphne, who ordered without looking at the menu, obviously patronized the place
frequently.

After the waitress left with their orders, Daphne folded her hands and eyed Mina. “I’ve been curious about you.”

“So why didn’t you come find me?”

Daphne shrugged. “Same reason you didn’t seek me out when you pissed Dad off at the office a couple weeks ago.”

“You knew about that?”

“Sure. Oh, not because he told me. Mom keeps tabs.”

“Alarmingly close tabs, apparently.”

Daphne smiled. “Sure. I don’t know her sources and, frankly, I don’t want to know. As long as she keeps her paws off my life.
We have an understanding.”

Kind of a cold one, Mina decided sadly.

“
Your
mom, however, sounds pretty darn interesting.” Daphne widened blue eyes that sparkled with intrigue. “A commune?”

“Only for a few years—”

“And all that occult stuff she’s into? Wow.”

“You know about that, too?” How unnerving to be so openly investigated.

Daphne gestured vaguely. “I was curious. I’ve known about you for a few years now and I wondered how you fared without the
great Duncan Forbes messing up your life. I think you did pretty well for yourself.”

They paused while the waitress served up their food. Lunch, apparently, was on the fast track during the work week to accommodate
the business crowd. Mina murmured her thanks then, over two salad and minestrone combos, faced the half-sister who thought
Mina had done fairly well without a father messing up her life. Interesting perspective.

Could be Daphne had a point, too. Mina’s upbringing might have been unorthodox, but at least her family relations weren’t
complicated by covert surveillance and subtle blackmail. She supposed that went a long way toward making up for the woo-woo
problems and lifelong neglect by Dunky. She stabbed at some greens and chewed thoughtfully. “Yeah, I think we did okay.”

“So what is it you want from me, then?” Daphne blew on a spoonful of minestrone and sipped.

“Well . . . I did want to meet you, first. To see who exactly Duncan might consider an acceptable daughter.”

Daphne shrugged. “One within wedlock trumps one without every time.”

“Ouch?”

“Sorry. Just telling you how he would see it. And, just for the record, I’m not necessarily all that acceptable either. He’s
pretty rigid.”

Mina nodded.

“So what’s the other reason you came looking for me?”

“I need your help.”

“Look, if it’s money—”

“It’s not. I need information.” Mina paused. “Kind of weird information, actually.”

“The Druid stuff?”

“You know about that, too?”

Daphne shrugged. “Just that according to legend, Dad has some big, bad Druid ancestors in his past. I bet that was the draw
for your mom. Doing a Druid?”

“Hey, wait a minute.” Mina lowered her fork. “That
is
my mom you’re talking about.”

“What, you dispute it?”

Mina sighed and poked through her salad. “No. But it’s a lot more complicated than a fetish. And frankly, I don’t think you
want to hear or try to believe the specifics. If you could tell me something about the Druid stuff, though, it might help
a friend of mine who’s in trouble. That’s all. Just information that I’d never use against your family. And . . .” She eyed
her sister with unexpected wistfulness. “Maybe I’d like a chance to get to know you a little. I’ve never had a sister. It’s
probably too late for that now, but I don’t think one meeting’s going to satisfy my curiosity about you.”

Stirring her soup, Daphne regarded her thoughtfully. “That’s all? Just harmless information and getting to know each other?”

“I swear it. On my mother’s life. And I love my mother, by the way, so that counts.”

Daphne nodded. “All right.” She set her spoon aside. “The Druid stuff’s pretty straightforward, actually. Talk to our receptionist,
Wendy Truman.”

Mina started. “The receptionist? Why, does she set up all the grove meetings and screen eager wannabes and stuff? I know secretaries
and receptionists tend to be the ones who run the office, but this is just weird.”

Daphne sighed patiently. “This is more than running an office. She’s his protégée. Mentee. Whatever you want to call it.”

“His protégée? But I thought—”

Daphne rolled her eyes. “You think your mom’s the only one with a fetish for a Druid? Duncan’s not into the public Druid scene
anymore, but he’s agreed to do some private dabbling with Wendy. It was the only way she’d let him bang her.”

“Oh, my god.” Mina stared. “You’re serious.”

“Yep. So she’d be a good source of information. I think she’s pretty active with the Druid community, too, in spite of Dad.
He avoids it like the plague. She may know more about current practices than he does.” Daphne shrugged. “And if she’s not
talking, let me know. I can make her talk. I’ll use Mom.”

Mina stared at her sister, feeling all kinds of sad. “I’m . . . sorry.”

“Why? Because my parents are screwed up? Eh. Everybody has issues. My parents have a power problem. Each wants it. I just
want my career and out from under both of them. Give me a couple years and I’m out of here. Just watch me go.”

“You’ll leave Richmond?”

“If necessary.”

“Well, call me selfish—and, frankly, surprised at myself—but I hope it doesn’t happen too soon.”

“Seriously?” Daphne eyed her, then smiled. “How about that.”

Mina smiled back, feeling positive about the future for a change. Her sister was cynical, too pretty to live and completely
fascinating. Mina looked forward to learning more.

When the waitress brought the check, Mina paid the bill, then followed Daphne back to the office. After Daphne disappeared
inside, Mina waited until the coast was clear, as per Daphne’s suggestion, then reentered the building herself. Finding Duncan’s
door still closed, Mina turned to the receptionist. “Hi.” She smiled.

The woman eyed her with less than trust. “If you want a word with Mr. Forbes, you’ll have to make an appointment. And I’m
afraid he’s all booked until—”

“The next millennium. I get that. Good thing it’s not him I want to talk to, isn’t it?”

“Who do you want, then? Miss Forbes just—”

“I want to talk to
you
.”

Big eyes blinked at Mina. Bosom heaved restlessly. “Me?”

“Yes, ma’am. Wendy Truman, right?

The woman nodded wordlessly.

“Can we find an empty office or something? So we can talk.” Not lunch again. Mina was stuffed.

“I suppose you could buy me lunch.”

It figured. “Sorry. I just got back from lunch. How about just coming out to my car?”

Wendy folded her arms and raised her chin. “You want me to sit out in your car and talk to you? Why would I?”

“That’s exactly what I want. Unless you’d rather I call up Mr. Forbes’s wife to discuss your odd
apprenticeship
?” Hey, adultery was just wrong. Mina shouldn’t feel guilty using it against the woman.

Wendy stared. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do. And frankly, this isn’t going to hurt at all. I just need information to help a friend and I need it too fast
for me to take the diplomatic route with you or anyone. An hour of your time. That’s all I want.”

Grumbling, the receptionist picked up the phone, set the calls to voice mail, then announced to her bosses that she was going
to lunch. She turned back to Mina. “I’ll listen. But that’s all I’m promising right now.” She reached into a drawer, grabbed
her purse and a sack lunch, and stood up. “Let’s go.” An angry wiggle in her walk, Wendy preceded Mina out the door.