Page 5 of Sweetwater and the Witch

The Sweetwaters controlled a vast chunk of the resonating amber market. Given that resonating amber was the primary source of power on Harmony, it followed as night follows day that the Sweetwaters were a wealthy, powerful clan. In addition to large mining operations, they ran a variety of research-and-development labs. They also funded high-tech medical facilities, academic chairs, and museums.

Jeff grinned. “A few of us have managed to escape Amber, Inc.”

She smiled. “Good for you. How did you wind up on the task force?”

“I was pulled in at the last minute because one of the other membersof the team couldn’t get to the assembly station in time. By the way, I come from a long line of people who understand your kind of luck.”

She wasn’t sure where he was going with that remark and decided the safest thing to do was deflect it. “Like Special Agent Collins said, it’s a good thing I took the weapons training class.”

“Right.” Jeff smiled again. “I’d better get back in there and at least try to look like I’m doing my job. You’re not the only one who got lucky tonight. Being on this team is going to look good in my file.” He turned and started toward the doorway. He paused and looked at her. “Nice profiling work, by the way. You’ve got the eye.”

“Thanks.”

Jeff disappeared through the doorway.

Ravenna found herself alone in the glowing hall. She cuddled the dust bunny, who showed no signs of rushing off.

“I need a drink,” she said.

The dust bunny chortled.

“I’ve got a bag of pretzels at home if you’re interested.”

The dust bunny chortled again. It sounded as if she was in agreement with the plan.

“We can discuss my new career path,” Ravenna continued. “I’ve had it with this profiling work. My boss takes me for granted and treats me as if I’m the team mascot. There are too many unhappy endings. Tonight I almost got flatlined. On top of everything else, I had to use my other talent. Fortunately no one is going to believe those cultists in there, but it was a close call. Mom is right. I need to find a new line of work.”

The dust bunny blinked her blue eyes.

Ravenna was about to continue the one-sided discussion of her future when the team marched the perps through the doorway and led them down the hall. She watched them file past, trying to assess their demeanors. Most looked dazed and bewildered. Several cast fearful glances at her and then quickly averted their eyes.

Louise Lace appeared. Her mask had been removed. When she saw Ravenna, panic flashed across her face.

“Witch,” she whispered.

She was led away.

Clarence Fitch emerged from the chamber, escorted by two agents. At the sight of Ravenna he flew into a wild rage and twisted violently in a vain attempt to get free.

“She’s a witch, I tell you,” he rasped. “She destroyed my talent. I tried to cleanse her but she’s too powerful. She must die.”

The agents ignored him and steered him after the others. When the last of the agents had gone past, Ravenna fell into step behind them, the dust bunny cradled in her arms. She was bringing up the rear, and not for the first time, she reflected.

“I’m serious,” she said in a low voice. “I’m going to go home, open a bottle of wine and a bag of pretzels, and come up with a new career goal.”

The dust bunny chortled. Ravenna glanced down and saw that the creature was gripping a long narrow object in one paw.

“That’s a very nice pen,” Ravenna said. “Where did you get it?”

The dust bunny graciously offered it to her to examine. She took a close look. Fashioned of some dark blue metal and trimmed in gold, it gleamed in the light. It was engraved with the familiar logo of the FBPI, but it wasn’t an ordinary Bureau pen, the kind that came from the office supplies closet. It was the expensive version that was handed out to high-performing agents, those who made the Bureau proud. Agents who were being fast-tracked into upper management. Agents who were put in charge of high-profile task forces.

She was pretty sure the pen had once belonged to Special Agent Max Collins.

“We’d better get out of here before you get arrested for the theft of government property or something,” she said.

The dust bunny seemed fine with that idea.

There were forms to file, but they could wait until tomorrow. The team would be celebrating at a nearby bar this evening, but she wanted to go back to her apartment, take a long shower, put on a robe and slippers, pour a large glass of wine, and ponder her future. Something had to change.

---