Chapter 15
Chapter fifteen
Alphonse and Paul Russo were on their way out as well.
Cosmo came to a halt. So did the dog. They both sniffed at each other, while Cosmo nodded his head. He was given me permission to use my own brand of persuasion.
I smiled. “Good evening, Paul. I hope my cat’s not holding you up.”
“Not at all, my dear. We’re on our way to dinner.”
“So are we. I’ve heard that Clancy’s Steak House is amazing, and dog friendly.” I’d considered going without Cosmo, but he deserved to be in at the showdown. Apart from the fact that I might need his active support.
In this instant, I’d added a warm, fuzzy vibe to the name of the restaurant. It wouldn’t make those two go there, if Paul was dead set against it, but it gave him a little nudge.
Cosmo and the dog shared one final sniff, and we said goodbye.
The steak house took us past the bookstore which we still hadn’t visited, and past the police station.
The restaurant had a red marquee above the door, its name in gold lettering on the large window, and two large bowls with fresh water waited outside for any thirsty dog passing by.
A screened outdoor patio carried a sign that said, “Dogs allowed”.
Cosmo would have to purr his way to gain admission.
Genie waved at us. She’d secured us the table in the patio area, next to where Fay and Leila studied hefty menus.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” she said in a nice, clear voice.
“It looks perfect.” I glanced around, admiring the interior with its mix of French bistro and American diner aesthetic. The patio didn’t quite live up to it aesthetically, but it was attractive enough with solid wooden furniture and oak floorboards.
“We were sooo close to missing the broads,” Adriana said.
“They only turned up for a minute at the hotel. Miss Sticky-Fingers here was asking at the reception if her plumber had been in touch, when her friend mentioned this joint.” The ghost wrinkled her nose.
“The steak smells great. Shall we have red wine with it?”
“I’ll stick with soda water.” Genie emphasized the words. “I need a clear head if I want to get any work done tonight.”
“That’s a good idea,” I said.
We ordered steak with baked potatoes, and mixed grilled vegetables. The waitress brought our soda water when Alphonse and his human arrived. “I’ll bring a water bowl for your dog straight away,” she told Paul.
“Thank you,” he said.
Alphonse gazed at Adriana. His mouth opened to a wide grin and he drooled a little. I was trying to send out vibes that would steer him and his owner to a table overlooking both ours and Fay’s, when a voice broke my concentration.
“Hello, sweetie,” Adriana said to the dog. “Come with me to this table.” He followed her, with his butt wiggling ecstatically. Paul chuckled as he sat exactly where we wanted him.
Fay and Leila’s meals came first. Under the table, I palmed Genie the key.
She stashed it in her purse which she then opened in full view of everyone. “You were asking about my latest designs. They’re inspired by these earrings.” She took out a jewelry box which held a lapis lazuli fan brooch, edged with diamonds.
“Good heavens,” I whispered.
“It’s a family heirloom from the 1920s. Egyptian revival was all the rage after Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Cartier was leading that fashion.” She snapped the box shut and took out the key instead.
“And look at this key! I’m sure these are Egyptian symbols as well.
I found it outside the auction house but of course the place was locked down by the police. ”
I traced the ankh symbol I’d created myself with my finger. “You should probably drop it off at the station after dinner.”
Genie held the key up so the light from the hanging lamp above our table caught the engraving.
I sensed more than I heard a gasp from the other table.
“I’ll do that,” Genie agreed, exactly like we’d rehearsed it. She moved the empty chair next to her and deposited her purse on it.
At least, the chair appeared to be empty. I only had to close my eyes to see Adriana lounging on it.
Our food arrived. I cut off a tender chunk of steak.
Heels clicked on the floorboards. Their wearer bumped into the chair with Genie’s bag. Up close, I caught a whiff of rosemary.
Adriana called out, “Bark, Alphonse, bark.”
“Dazzling,” Genie said, barely audible under the onslaught of Alphonse’s frantic woof.
The lightbulbs in all the overhead lamps flickered and pulsed in a mad rhythm.
Fay shrieked and jerked her head away.
Alphonse’s owner jumped up and grabbed her arm, trapping her hand inside Genie’s purse.
“Please call the police,” Paul said to me.
“I’ll take care of that.” The waitress glowered at Fay.
Leila gasped, in obvious shock.
The lights continued to pulse. I hoped that Adriana could keep on top of the electrical interference she’d caused long enough for me to prevent Fay from using magic to free herself.
She did. Fay didn’t put up any resistance, not while Paul Russo held her captive, nor when the police arrived.
Her only real reaction came when Genie and our unwitting assistant explained what had happened, and the brooch Genie had displayed so openly, turned up in Fay’s pocket. That particular sleight-of-hand on our side had taken an hour to practice.
Now we only had one more trick to pull off.