going to take a boat out to Ridley Island to have a look around and see if they could find any clues as to Theodore’s whereabouts. Gabriel and Alvie would perform some reconnaissance at Michael Ridley’s estate, the home of a warlock who was currently in league with Theodore. That left Finn, Ira, and me to pay a visit to my old place of work, Indigo, which was owned by Marcel Girard, who was also in league with Theodore and who, as it turned out, was his great-grandson. Or great-great-great grandson, depending on how old Theodore actually was. No one knew for sure.
I climbed into the passenger seat of Finn’s car. He wasn’t using the DOH van today, since there were only three of us. Ira sat quietly in the back seat.
“I thought I’d bring him along to give us a bit more of a menacing air,” Finn said as he started up the engine. “Marcel’s not exactly the bravest sort, so he shouldn’t try anything too threatening with Ira standing beside us.”
I glanced at Ira in the overhead mirror. Finn must have taken him shopping for some clothes recently because he now wore garments that actually fit him. Ira’s frame was larger than the average man’s. He was even an inch or two taller than Ethan. I suspected Finn had to take him to one of those specialist Big and Tall stores.
Suddenly, Ira met my eyes through the mirror. There was so much wisdom in his gaze that I had to wonder if he really couldn’t talk or if he was simply pretending to be mute so that people would underestimate him. It was a good strategy, I supposed, but I’d be upset if it were true. He had nothing to fear from Finn or me. I wanted him to be comfortable enough to be his true self with us.
“So, what do you think our visit to Indigo is going to achieve?” I asked, returning my attention to Finn. “Marcel is hardly going to spit out Theodore’s location and master plan just because we come marching into his shop with a six-foot-something shapeshifter at our side.”
Finn shook his head. “We’re not going to let on that we’re after Theodore. Jesus Christ, who’s actually idiotic enough to let their enemies know they’re gunning for them in advance? You, Missy, are going to demand that Marcel tell you how to get your dad back from the hell dimension, while I scope the place out for clues about the big bad sorcerer.”
“Well, that could be useful, actually. I’ve been reading all of Gabriel’s magic books, but I still haven’t managed to discover a way of retrieving Dad, not without sending someone there to replace him. The only person I could ever do that to is Theodore himself, and obviously we have to find him first.”
Finn reached out a moment and patted my hand. I was struck by the warmth of his skin and how nice the contact felt. My head went to a strange place as I wondered what it would be like to be with Finn. He was so warm and friendly, so teasing. So human. I shook myself out of the fantasy, because starting anything romantic with Finn wasn’t a wise idea. I still had too many unresolved feelings for Ethan.
Finn shot me a curious look. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just worried about dad,” I answered.
“We’ll get him back. I promise.”
I blew out a breath. “Rita said time works differently in other dimensions. She said that even though, to us, Dad’s been gone for three weeks, it could only be a few minutes for him, which is what I’m hoping. But then, it could also be years, which I can’t even allow myself to contemplate.”
“Then don’t. We’ll get him back. Whatever comes after that we’ll deal with when the time comes.”
I was touched by his determination to help me. Finn had become almost like family to me these last few weeks, not afraid to dole out tough love when needed but also prepared to give reassurance, too.
“Thanks,” I whispered. This time I was the one to squeeze his hand. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I know. I’m pretty special,” he said with a wink as he parked his car around the corner from Indigo.
When we neared the entrance to the shop, I immediately noticed the steady flow of customers going in and out. I hadn’t worked at the place for very long, but during that time, there had never