Page 43 of The Timeless Vigilante

“I think I can actually help you shortcut some of these tasks,” Sophia offered, looking over Gen’s shoulder at the list.

“Really?” Gen asked, hope springing to her chest. “How? I’ve got to solve a murder and then…” She gasped with even more shock than before. “I have to complete six hundred hours of shadowing other Rogue Riders. Oh, that man… I get the significance of that specific number of hours that Dwayne picked.”

“Because you’re six hundred years off your original timeline,” Amanda guessed.

Gen nodded, glancing back at the list. “And then I’m supposed to catalog and observe over fifteen hundred magical creatures.”

Amanda laughed. “Because you’re from the fifteenth century. Wow, I didn’t think that man had a sense of humor.”

Gen grimaced. “I still don’t think he does.”

“I know I can help you with the first one,” Sophia said. “Then we just have to get clever with the other two.”

“How in the world can you do that?” Amanda questioned.

“Well, I know people,” Sophia answered. “And then there’s this whole time travel thing that could work in our favor. I mean, I can bend a few arms, maybe make some Rogue Riders help you out with shadowing hours. Who is to say how you did this all so quickly, as long as we can prove that you did? Dwayne is trying to make it impossible. We’re just going to make it look like you possibly did it, right after you solve an actual murder, of course.”

“You’re good and evil at the same time, Sophia,” Amanda gushed, a delighted grin on her face.

“I’m strategic,” Sophia countered with a wink. “And I know how to beat bad men at their own games by still playing by the rules. I win because I don’t cheat. They lose because I know that they will.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

THE CASE OF THE CURSED SOAP OPERA

Stage Twenty-Six, Canoodle Lot, Fairyland Studios, Los Angeles, California, United States

Sophia managed to set Gen up with a famous and apparently immortal detective. He was a bit after her time, but she had met him recently. It was this great detective who had helped to find Gen when she’d been lost in modern-day London when Father Time attempted to put her on her timeline in 1426, but it didn’t work. The man followed the clues in a huge and confusing city and found Gen, which was exactly after she’d dug up her dragon’s egg in what was now known as Hyde Park.

This detective was thought to be a fictional character by most. But because the Beaufont family always knew the secrets in this world, they’d discovered that he was a real man and an immortal sleuth who was compelled to solve mysteries for all of time. It was a strange bit of magic, but there were many unexplained characters like this on the globe. Many were demi-gods who Mama Jamba had created to do various jobs.

Sherlock Holmes was notoriously known for being the greatest detective of all time. He had solved almost every case he’d ever been given. He had a mind designed to see details and deduce information in order to unravel mysteries. Currently, he was working a murder case in Los Angeles, which was perfect for Gen. Sophia had known about this since he was a family friend, constantly helping the Beaufonts, and she’d arranged for Gen to meet up with the great detective.

Many thought, based on the books written about Sherlock, that his assistant was a Dr. Watson. That had been true, but currently and probably for the rest of time, his assistant was strangely King Rudolfus Sweetwater. This man, who Gen had also met when lost in London, was by far the most bizarre character anyone had ever interacted with. However, that was not why he was the king of the fae or the richest man in all the world, but only an extra bonus to his over the top character.

Catching sight of the two men standing next to the large metal building, Gen hurried over, waving for them to see her, although, she was certain that they had as soon as she materialized. They were expert detectives, after all.

“Oh, did you get lost?” King Rudolf asked, jovially waving at Gen as she hurried over. “I bet Wilshire Boulevard looked totally different in your time. The Gaylord Hotel probably didn’t even exist.”

The king was by far one of the most attractive men Gen had ever seen with his short, blond hair and bright blue eyes. He had a timeless elegance and was probably a great resource for her since he’d been around since the 15th century. Fae weren’t just gorgeous and dumb, they also lived a thousand years—well, unless they drank chemicals in an attempt to get drunk. Then they died rather young and quickly.

Sherlock Holmes cut his eyes to the man wearing a purple tunic and slacks. “America didn’t exist in Gen’s time…”

The great detective looked very different than his assistant in a dark brown tweed suit jacket with patches on the elbows and slacks to match. He had a flat cap covering his brown hair and pulled down over his studious eyes, which also matched his attire.

“Oh, right. Well, I forget what was where and when.” Rudolf pointed to a tree that was growing out of a small patch of earth surrounded by concrete in what was apparently a movie lot. “Did we have those in the 15th century? Or are those a newer invention of Mama Jamba’s?”

Gen grinned at the man, hoping that he was joking, but getting the impression that he was deadly serious. “Trees have been around from the beginning, I’m certain.” She glanced at Sherlock, who seemed not bothered by the dimwittedness of his assistant. Apparently, it’s what helped him to think on these cases. “Sophia said that you were working a murder case here at this…television studio, is it?”

She looked around at the strange place that was all metal and rock, like a forest had been banished from the place, except the lone tree in the distance. There were many loud vehicles of various sizes and strange equipment. This was apparently the place where those stories were made that broadcast onto the magical screens known as televisions.

“Yes, it’s where the soulless come to tell the creatives how to live their lives,” Rudolf said in a hushed voice.

Sherlock rolled his eyes. “He’s talking about movie executives and how they create obstacles for actors and writers and whatnot.”

“Okay,” Gen said, drawing out the word. “Well, thanks for the education. I think between the two of you, I might get a better handle on the present day and all its strangeness.”

She meant that too. Rudolf had such a different way of looking at the world and Sherlock seemed to decode it in a more logical way.

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