Page 36 of Dead and Gone

"I don't understand. Where did you get the eyes?" Dale asks, and then his jaw slackens as he stands. "Wait. Did we sell them toyou?"

"No." Grayson's eyes grow wide in realization as he stares at the gems new resting place.

"You stole the eyes from the museum! You're as bad as us!" retorts Dale. "At least we intended to give the mole back."

"Apart from the eyes?" scoffs Grayson.

"Someone removed the mole's original eyes, swapped them for fake ones, and hid the gems. Once I've solved the mysterywhy, I intend to give the items to my father."

Dale stares at the mole as if it's a bomb. "Magic? Get the thing away from us! It could cast a curse on everybody now you've put its eyes back!"

"Only the rubies are magical, not the mole, but I don't understand the intended use. There's nothing to suggest they'll trigger a spell inside the mole." I poke at the eyes, now firmly in place. "I can only conclude that a Redridge hid the gems in the mole long before the museum donation. It would seem the glue that the first thief used was a more effective brand than Corrie's sinceyourreplacements fell out and theirs didn't."

"Someone took and hid the hidden gems?" Grayson gives a light laugh. "Man, that's weird."

"The person who purchased the eyes from Dale knows what magic they're used for. Something important, if the individual was prepared to pay such a large amount." I purse my lips. "Twopeople know what the gems really are—the buyer and the original thief. Two witches, likely."

"The curator?" asks Leif.

"The curator isn't a witch," says Rowan.

"Hence the continued mystery. I believe he's aware the mole's eyes are fake, as this explains his over the top worry about the theft. He's worried that someone will discover the modification."

"But why hide the rubies?" asks Rowan. "Why didn't the other witch take them?"

"Good question, and one I shall answer in good time. Corrie's safety is a more urgent matter. The person she sold the beads to is the one stalking her. They must think that Corrie still has the real ones," I say.

"The curator?" asks Grayson. "Crap. Do you think he's headed to her place?"

"No. He was with us at the visitor center, and I influenced his mind to ensure he returned to the museum."

"He could've snuck round to Corrie's afterwards," says Leif, and looks to Kai. "Are you guys normally together at night?"

"Dale is usually with Corrie," says Kai.

"But you never included Corrie in this blackmail transaction?" He looks the other way. "Where's Corrie?"

"Don't know. Called her earlier. No reply."

Again, unbelievable.

"Didn't you worry about the stalker?" asks Leif.

"She was imagining him," protests Kai. "Corrie likes drama. Probably wrote the note herself."

Oh. Good. Grief. "You are unpleasant, self-centered individuals," I inform them.

"Yeah, so are you," retorts Kai.

Baring my teeth, I step closer to stand over him where he sits. "That may be so, but I never disregard my friends' safety."

Kai is accustomed to my manner and has witnessed my less-than-pleasant hybrid side. He knows to keep his mouth shut, which he sensibly does.

"Call Corrie and check she's alright," says Rowan.

"Dale?" says Kai, still scowling at him. "You call. And get that bloody money off of her!"

I don't believe the curator threatened the teens, which points to somebody else. But who?

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