Page 27 of Equalizer
“Oh, good. You’re back,” Winston greeted him. “I trust your morning went well?”
“Reasonably so. Did I miss anything? Is Owen back yet?”
Winston laughed. “You didn’t miss anything, and Owen has not returned yet, but I would expect him fairly soon. But there have been some new developments.”
“Like what?”
“I’ve made contact with Arabella Munson, and she’s willing to meet this afternoon for tea at the shop near the train station,” Winston replied. “Apparently, the owner is a friend of the coven and will give us a private seating area to talk. It’s also warded for protection, which is handy to know.”
“Very,” Calvin agreed. “Are Owen and I included in the invitation? You’ve known her for a while.”
“Either or both of you,” Winston said. “I made sure. And one other thing. Miss Sunderson sent tickets for the two of you to attend the galvanism demonstration tonight with her. I’ve adjusted dinner time to accommodate the show.”
Calvin’s eyebrows raised. “The show? Interesting. I wonder if she has a new lead.” He checked his watch. “Owen’s late.” Not enough yet to worry, but Calvin felt on edge.
“Still at the Wild West Show, I presume. He hasn’t sent a message that his plans changed.”
That meant there was no way to let Owen know about tea with Arabella or the tickets. He hoped Owen returned in time to join them since he badly wanted his partner’s perspective on the show.
“Miss Sunderson said she would send a carriage to pick you up. You’ll want a bite for lunch before then,” Winston advised. “I’ll bring out something to the table. Maybe Owen will be back by then.”
Winston headed back to the kitchen. Calvin checked the telegraph out of habit, but no new messages had arrived.
Winston returned with a tray of sliced salami and cheese along with a variety of crackers, jams, and spreads, a favorite quick meal when there was a lot going on. Calvin poured himself a cup of hot coffee from the pot Winston brought to the table and reached for a fork.
“Perfect choice, Winston. I’m hoping Owen will get here in time to share it.”
“If not, I’ll leave it in the ice box for him. But I also hope he can join us.”
Owen hadn’t returned by the time they were due to meet Arabella, so Calvin left him a note about the food and where they were headed, as well as the show that evening.
The brisk air helped Calvin shake off his post-lunch drowsiness. He and Winston stayed alert, but they didn’t sense that anyone was following them. Calvin also suspected that Winston’s magic made them slippery to a pursuer who did not possess equal arcane skills.
The tea shop had a Bohemian feel. Tapestries and printed fabric swags adorned the walls, along with beaded lampshades that suggested exotic locations. The unusual décor distracted the eye from real magical sigils Calvin spotted inscribed on the walls.
“We’re looking for Arabella,” Winston told the woman who greeted them.
“Right this way. She’s expecting you.”
Calvin noted that the woman’s accent sounded Eastern European, perhaps Romani. Even without activating his touch magic, the tearoom gave him a sense of well-protected safety.
“Winston. So good to see you. And who might this be?”
“Calvin Springfield,” Calvin introduced himself with a hint of a bow.
“Interesting.” Arabella did not clarify what about Calvin she found intriguing. He wondered whether she was psychic as well as being a witch and if so, what she could read from him. “Please come in. We won’t be disturbed.”
Arabella had long, dark hair worn loose around her shoulders with brown eyes. Her deep plum gown accentuated her striking features. She led them to a table that looked like one used for tarot readings and motioned for them to sit.
“What brings you to Chicago?” She addressed her question to Winston.
“Missing bodies that aren’t going to medical schools,” Winston replied.
“We think someone intends to sell to those willing to pay for replacement parts,” Calvin added.
Her eyebrows rose. “Interesting. And how would that work?”
“We’re not entirely sure, but we think it’s a combination of science and magic,” Calvin replied, not put off by her skeptical tone.
