Page 69 of Ghostlighted
Avi, right on my heels, obviously heard me. “If that were the case, wouldn’t he beinhis suite instead of Sofia’s room? Wouldn’t he be bringing luggageininstead of taking thingsout?”
I gawked at him. “He’s taking thingsout?”
“That’s what I justsaid.” Avi stamped a transparent foot, making no sound. “Maz, Oren’s ring is there, lying right on the window ledge over the sink. What if he sees it? What if he takes it? He’s taking her other jewelry. Just grabbing it by the handful, not even looking at it. If he takes Oren’s ring?—”
My knees wobbled and I planted my palm on the table to steady myself. “You won’t be able to leave the house again.”
“No! If he takes Oren’s ring, it will begone.”
“Okay. Okay.” I strode out of the kitchen, through the family room, and into the library, drumming my fingers against my leg. When I knelt on the window seat and scanned the road, I couldn’t spot the silver Porsche anywhere. “We’ve got to do something. But what?” I scrambled off the window seat, startling Avi, who’d been standing right behind me. “Can you get back over there?”
He nodded. “As long as he hasn’t already taken the ring away.”
“Has he taken anything out of the house yet? Anything at all?”
“No. He’s just shoving things into a suitcase he found in Sofia’s room.”
A suitcase. Her new suitcase. The one Felicia had convinced her to buy for the trip to Cambridge. I curled my fingers into my palms. “You know, I’ve never hit anybody in my life, but I really,reallywant to punch this guy.”
“You wouldn’t be the first,” Avi growled. “Orenhatedhim.”
“If we didn’t already know Oren had great taste, that would have sealed it. Can you…” Avi had a very peculiar look on his face. “What?”
“Nothing. It’s not important now.”
“No. Avi, tell me.”
He looked away and I could swear his transparent face took on a pink tinge, like the promise of sunrise. “You’ve complimented me on my writing. But that’s the first time you’ve complimentedme.”
“I… What?” I rewound my remarks.Oh. “I stand by that. Oren had fantastic taste, especially in his choice of partner. Now, can you check on Liam again? Since he probably has every right to be in the house for legit purposes, we need to get proof that he’s there for sketchy reasons.”
“The stolen jewelry isn’t enough?”
“Not until he actually takes it. I didn’t see Carson’s car on the street anywhere, but?—”
“Why would Carson’s car be on the street?”
I lifted my eyebrows. “Because Liam is driving it. You saw it the other day, parked in front of the house.”
Avi shook his head. “That wasn’t Carson’s car. It had Washington plates.”
I frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. I can check again, if you like. He parked in Sofia’s garage, and I can get there. I tested my maximum radius earlier today, and it’s well within access range.”
“Can you check the plate number for me? Memorize it and let me know?”
He nodded. “I should. Wait here.” He vanished.
“Crap.” I kept forgetting about Avi’s ghostly teleportation powers. I raced into the kitchen and dug in the junk drawer for a pencil. I found one, but no paper, so I retrieved a torn envelope from the recycling bin. Just in time, too, because Avi popped back in, repeating the plate number over and over.
I hurriedly jotted it down. “Got it. Can you go keep an eye on him? Let me know if he’s getting ready to leave or if he’s doing other shady stuff.” I picked up the envelope. “I’m about to overstep in a big way.”
“Why? What are you going to do?”
“I’m about to activate the Vargas cousin network.” I held up my right hand. “For good, not evil, I promise.”
Avi’s smile was a little tremulous. “I’d never doubt it.” He disappeared again.
