Page 9 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

I nodded. “Now I have mixed feelings about it. I wouldn’t take anything for the gift of seeing that, but if I’d known it was going to, um, knacker her, I would’ve said let’s don’t and say we did.”

“Not at all. She’ll be herself just as soon as she drinks one of those honey pollen things.”

“We’re having Starbucks,” Keir told Lochlan. “Want one?”

“I might. What is it?”

“Coffee,” I said.

“Ah. In that case, I shall decline.”

Diarmuid and Evie sat down with tea made without magic. Evie told me it was a newlywed thing she’d devised to keep his interest. Doing things the human way was quite novel for the king. Meanwhile, she was conjuring for the rest of us.

“How’s tea then?” Evie asked.

“Indeed. Very kind of you,” Lochlan replied. As Evie poured Lochlan tea the human way, he said, “So we’re here to talk about the problem with the gift.”

Evie and Diarmuid looked up. “What problem?”

“It’s stolen,” Lochlan said.

“Oh,” Evie replied like she’d been fae all her life without the benefit of a rearing with straightforward midwestern values.

“On asking around about the details of how this treasure came to be a birthday gift,” Keir said, “I’ve learned that fae craftsmen made an exact duplicate, switched out with the real one.” He looked at me pointedly. “Now in your possession.”

“But. They will find out. We learned when we were Tiffany tourists that the setting is changed every so often. When that happens, they’ll discover the truth.”

“That’s right,” Evie said, “but still. No harm. No foul.”

“How do you figure that, Evie?” I challenged. “The precious diamond hanging in Tiffany’s IS A FAKE!” I looked at Lochlan then Keir. “And how did they even do that? Tiffany’s doesn’t take security lightly. They’ve seen heist movies, too.”

“Well…” Keir started.

“Never mind.” I held up my hand. “It’s irrelevant. The point is that it must be returned.”

“Returned!” Lochlan sounded like the suggestion was a personal affront.

“Yes,” I said simply then locked gazes with Evie. “How could you say no harm, no foul? Have you lost your mind?”

“I think not. You’re right about the fact that they might eventually figure out their prize is a fake. But think about it. Who’re they gonna tell? Don’t you imagine they would just as soon the public be none the wiser and if, gods forbid, someone should steal the replica at some point in the future, Tiffany would be able to file insurance at that time and recover the millions it’s worth.”

I stared at my daughter. “Soundly logical despite being morally bankrupt.”

She bowed her head slightly in that recognizably royal gesture she’d adopted. “Thank you.”

“How about a compromise?” I ventured. “Put the obscenely expensive diamond back where you got it and bring me the fake. I’m sure it’s just as beautiful and I will be just as happy with it. Plus, I might actually wear it whereas I would never do so with the real one.”

“In the role of devil’s advocate,” Lochlan said. “What if we just take the gift for a couple of days and bring it back? How’re you going to know the difference?”

“I never knew you have such a devious side.”

“Well, as you’re fond of saying, life is for learning.”

“Nice to know you’re listening. I guess. But since you raised my suspicion, I would take it to Braden and have him confirm or deny authenticity.”

Lochlan had the nerve to smirk. “Braden is a silversmith.”

I looked at Evie. She rolled her eyes and said, “Men,” as if that was the only explanation anyone would ever need in response to anything.

---