Page 55 of Equalizer
“We need to move quickly while she can hold the agreement together,” Owen said. “If the Mob covens side against us, I don’t know if we’re strong enough, even with our allies, to stop Humphries and his witches.”
Calvin helped Owen to a seat on the couch as Winston refilled his cup and returned a few minutes later with a tray of cookies.
“Eat. No one plans a war on an empty stomach,” Winston told them.
Owen thanked him, and Calvin poured more tea. “Talk to me,” Calvin said. “What are you thinking?”
“I feel like things are coming to a head, and we’re a step behind,” Owen admitted. “We’re missing some information, and we’re running out of time.”
“Maybe more pieces will fall into place when we meet with Louisa tonight,” Calvin said.
“I had better get a start on dinner then.” Winston headed back to the kitchen.
“Feeling better?” Calvin asked as Owen finished his second cup.
“Less disoriented. Her vision packed a punch. That’s a scary-powerful witch.”
“Who, at least for the moment, is on our side. I’ll count that as a win,” Calvin pointed out.
They settled in with the day’s newspapers, scanning for any information that might mean more than it seemed on the surface. Soon, the aromas from the kitchen made Owen’s stomach growl.
Winston called them to the table and served a perfectly braised chicken, along with fingerling potatoes, green beans, and cookies for dessert.
“Excellent, as always,” Calvin said, and Winston beamed.
“How did we get so lucky? He can shoot, hex, and cook,” Owen teased.
“An army moves on its stomach, and so do secret agents,” Winston replied, clearly pleased at the praise.
At seven, a knock came at the door, and Winston brought Louisa to meet with them in the parlor.
“Coffee?” he asked.
She looked frazzled and relieved. “Yes, please. Hot and strong. It’s been quite a day.”
They took their seats, and Louisa removed her hat. “First, tell me what you’ve found out.”
Calvin and Owen took turns catching her up on their latest findings. Louisa listened intently and nodded as they spoke. Winston brought coffee and a plate of cookies.
“All of that tracks with what I’m learning,” she said when they finished.
“What’s your news?” Owen refilled his cup.
“I’ve found the money trail. Arnold Miller, the big meat packer entrepreneur, is funding Humphries,” Louisa told them.
“Meat packer? God. If I think too much about that, I’ll be sick,” Owen said.
“You know, that makes sense. A guy like that is used to slaughterhouses. Not much probably turns his stomach. He’s up to his hips in pig pieces all day long,” Calvin ventured.
“If I throw up, I’m aiming at you,” Owen warned.
Calvin grinned. “No, you won’t. Winston would make you clean it up and probably hex you for sullying the carpet.”
“I’m still digging, looking for direct ties between Miller and Humphries. Want to bet he either owns the building you saw tonight or rents it?” Louisa went on.
“Sounds logical.” Calvin agreed. “He might have owned the slaughterhouse where we think Humphries’s necromancer sicced the dead cows on us.” Calvin and Owen took turns providing a shortened version of the attack to catch her up on the action.
“Back to the meat packer,” Owen said. “Slaughterhouses use a lot of saws and knives. People probably lose fingers and hands fairly often. Being able to put them back together would benefit the company.”
