Crowbones

CHAPTER 38

Vicki

Watersday, Novembros 3

After Boris Sanguinati arrived with two boxes of books and the Cornleys’ luggage, Michael and Ian Stern helped me set up the long folding tables that would become Lettuce Reed’s auxiliary bookstore, which Michael had dubbed Mini Munch.

I made two tabletop signs: used books and new books. New books had to be purchased. Used books could be swapped, equal exchange. I wasn’t sure what Julian expected me to do if his special customers wanted to purchase a new book. He hadn’t covered that possibility.

Well, I would hand over the book. That’s what I would do. And leave Julian a note to keep his ledgers balanced.

Michael and Ian made a display of the new books on the second table while I handled the used books on the table closest to the library’s door.

“Can we purchase any of these books?” Ian asked as he read the cover copy on a couple of the new books.

“The special customers get first pick, but Julian didn’t say the rest of you couldn’t browse after they left,” I replied.

Michael rearranged a couple of titles to more prominently display his newest book. “So, these special customers usually show up at Julian’s bookstore at dusk and select some books. But they’re coming here instead.”

I think there was supposed to be a question in there somewhere about why the special customers were coming to The Jumble, but Michael didn’t actually ask, so I didn’t feel compelled to answer. “Yes.”

“And we’re supposed to stay out of sight while they’re here.”

“Yes.”

“Why?” Ian asked. “We’ve seen—and talked to—other kinds of terra indigene. Wouldn’t talking about something we both enjoy be a positive experience?”

“Maybe at another time, but they were quite insistent that they didn’t want to interact with any of my guests.” Just me. The Jumble’s acknowledged Reader.

“Maybe if they had a chance to see us?”

I wondered why Ian was pursuing this when I’d already said they all had to stay away from this part of the main house. I hoped it was professional curiosity and not something that could be interpreted as sinister intentions. “They’ve already seen you. All of you. And they told Julian flat out that none of you were allowed to see them. I’m sorry. I know you’re curious, but . . .”

“Julian is nervous about this, isn’t he?” Michael said. “Not just cautious about the change in location, but truly nervous about offering these particular terra indigene this alternate arrangement so that they can get their books.”

I nodded.

“So we’re not talking about shifters like Crows or Coyotes or Foxes.”

I shook my head. “I’m pretty sure we aren’t talking about anyone like that.”

Michael and Ian exchanged a look.

“Before your customers are expected to arrive, I think your guests should make up a couple of platters of leftovers and stay in the TV room with one of your . . . larger . . . employees keeping an eye on things,” Ian finally said. “Temptation to ignore a request is easier to resist when someone is watching.”

“We’ll take care of the food and will make sure Jenna McKay is here in the main house before dusk,” Michael said. “You focus on . . . this.”

I didn’t have time to wonder what the two Intuits were sensing. The afternoon was slipping away, and I had to explain to my surly guests why they were going to be confined to the TV room to watch whatever might be on at that hour while something interesting was going on in another part of the house.