Quicksilver - Amanda Quick [125]
“Does your aunt know where you are?”
“No. Aunt Beatrix took the ferry to Frequency City today to check out some antiques at an estate sale. She won’t return until tomorrow.”
Slade looked toward the dark woods. He seemed to hesitate and then he shrugged. “I’ll take you inside but just for a few minutes.”
Delight snapped through her.
“Will you? That would be wonderful. Thanks.”
He started walking back along the road toward the woods. She switched on the flashlight and hurried to catch up with him.
“I heard someone at the grocery store say that you’re going to leave Rainshadow for good tomorrow,” she said tentatively. “Is it true?”
“That’s the plan. I’ve been accepted at the academy of the FBPI.”
“You’re joining the Federal Bureau of Psi Investigation? Wow. That is so high-rez. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. I’m packed. I’ll catch the morning ferry.”
She tried to think of what to say next. Nothing brilliant came to mind.
“Do you think those three guys will try to have you arrested?” she asked.
“No.”
“How can you be sure? They might remember you from the marina.”
“Even if they do, those three aren’t going to go to the local cops. If they did they’d have to explain why they stopped you on the road.”
“Oh, right.” Her spirits lightened at that realization. “And I’d tell everyone how they attacked me. Chief Halstead knows me and he’s known Aunt Beatrix forever. He would believe me long before he took the word of a bunch of off-islanders.”
“Yes,” Slade said. “He would.”
She was surprised to hear the respect in Slade’s voice. She glanced at his profile.
“I saw the two of you talking together a lot this summer,” she ventured.
“Halstead is the one who suggested I apply to the academy. He even wrote a recommendation.”
That evening Slade gave her a brief glimpse of the paranormal wonderland that was the Preserve by night. And then he walked her home, saw her inside the cottage on the bluff and waited until she locked the door. She listened to his footsteps going down the front porch steps; listened until he was gone and the only sound was that of the wind sighing in the trees.
The following morning she went down to the ferry dock. Slade didn’t see her at first. He lounged against the railing, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He was alone. There was a handful of other passengers waiting for the ferry, but no one was there to see him off to his new life in the Federal Bureau of Psi Investigation.
She approached him cautiously, not certain how he would react. She knew that as far as he was concerned she was just a kid he had helped out of a jam and then humored with a short trip into the forbidden territory of the Preserve.
“Slade?” She stopped a short distance away.
He had been watching the ferry pull into the dock. At the sound of her voice he turned his head and saw her. He smiled.
“I see you found your backup glasses,” he said.
“Yes.” She felt the heat rise in her cheeks. Her second pair of frames was even nerdier than the new pair that had gotten busted last night. “I came to say good-bye.”
“Yeah?”
“And to tell you to be careful, okay?” she added very earnestly. “The FBPI goes after some very dangerous people. Serial killers and drug traffickers.”
“I’ve heard that.” His eyes glittered with amusement. “I’ll be careful.”
She was feeling more awkward by the second. At this rate she would have a panic attack without even raising her dumb talent.
She held out the small box she had brought with her. “I also wanted to give you this. Sort of a thank-you gift for what you did for me last night.”
He eyed the box as if not sure what to make of it. It dawned on her that a man who didn’t have a family of his own probably didn’t get many gifts. He reached out and took the box.
“Thanks,” he said. “What is it?”
“Nothing important,” she assured him. “Just an old pocketknife.”
He got the lid off the oblong box and took out the narrow black crystal object inside. He studied it with interest. “How does it work? I don’t see the blade.”
She smiled. “Well, that’s the unusual thing about that