Page 48 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Melissa didn’t dignify that with an answer. Of course shedid.
“Words. Posture. Sounds. Touch,” he listed. “We’re going torun into all kinds of trouble if you don’t let me touch you. Some things don’ttranslate well into words.”
“What’s the use of trying to communicate through touch if Idon’t know what you mean? Based onmytraining, touch is a challenge,inviting retaliation.”
He smiled ruefully and asked, “May I borrow your phone?”
Before she could ask why—again—Tami clattered downthe back stairs. “I can’t believe I slept so late! Where is everyone?”
Melissa pointed, and Tami disappeared into the next room fora few seconds, then she was back, grabbing things from the coatrack andrummaging around for keys. “I’ll be back as quick as I can,” she promisedbreathlessly. “Right after I pull that forum post.”
The door slammed, the screen door slapped, and a few momentslater, an engine rumbled to life.
Jiminy sighed. “May I borrow your phone to call a friend?”he asked for the third time. “I need his know-how to get the wards tuned, andas an added bonus, he might be able to do a little discreet assessing of theentire Reaverson clan.”
“Someone from the enclave?”
“Yes and no. He doesn’t live on campus but visits prettyregularly.”
Melissa unlocked her phone and handed it over.
Mouthing his thanks, Jiminy pushed his chair back, tappingin a number from memory as he moved to the back door. To her surprise, hebeckoned for her to follow. Once outside, where the porch kept the rain off, heswitched to speaker.
“Moshi moshi!”
Grinning, Jiminy said, “Hey, Kip. My friend and I need alittle intervention.”
“Jiminy! Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.”
“Melissa, Kip. Kip, Melissa.” And without further ado,Jiminy dove straight into a lengthy explanation of the discovery of a tree, thesize of the property, the proposed establishment of an enclave, the limitationsof his resources, and an earnest plea for back-up.
“How urgent are we talking, kiddo?”
“Is tomorrow too soon?”
“Tomorrow’s a school day.”
“This weekend then?” Jiminy suggested. “That would give metime to send for another series of crystals. Maybe I can even get themdelivered, spare Joe having to tote them for me.”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line.
Jiminy raised his eyebrows and asked, “Kip?”
“Where did you say you were?”
“An orchard up in Archer—Red Gate Farm.”
“Are we talking about the Reaversons?”
Melissa spoke up, explaining her role. “Tami’s definitely anunregistered reaver, and the rest of the family should be assessed. Especiallyher brother.”
On the other end of the line, Kip blew a raspberry.“Okay,here’s the deal. Tami knows me, but shedoesn’t, you know? She’s afriend, and I’d do anything to see her safe, so I’ll be there tomorrow,aftershe leaves for work.”
“Tomorrow,” Jiminy agreed. “Thanks.”
“No worries,”Kip said.“I’ll clear it with Ash.He’s around here somewhere. I’m sure he won’t mind making my excuses toPrincipal Reaverson.”
Ash. Kip. The two janitors. Melissa grabbed Jiminy’s arm. Heshot her a baffled look. Leaning into the phone, she asked, “Are you at theschool?”
