Episode 43: Shady Businesses and Borrowed Faespells

Aubrey Lance, S.S. (Supernatural Sleuth) -- Season 1, Episode 43: Shady Businesses & Borrowed Faespells

My parents arrived back at our house a few minutes after Lockley, Collin, and I did. 

Trenchcoat Man and the cheer hawks portaled into our living room a few minutes later. 

“I thought to ring the doorbell,” Trenchcoat Man said to my parents, “but I’d rather not draw attention to our visit and you were already expecting us.” 

I supposed that was his way of acknowledging his bizarre violation of social boundaries, but just then, he could’ve portaled right into my bedroom and I wouldn’t have cared. I just wanted answers.

“Who is Vorcos?” I asked him. “I know you recognized the name.” 

“Not who,” Trenchcoat man said, turning to me. “What. It’s a tech company. Their headquarters used to be just down the street from Madam Sava’s Emporium, before we turned it into a P.I. agency. Soon after, they relocated.” 

“They were watching Madame Sava’s?” Collin asked. 

“I’m thinking now that they may have been,” Trenchcoat man said, “but at the time, we had no reason to suspect they were anything more than a tech company. It would be too strange a coincidence for their name to be mentioned again now, though. Even if they are a legitimate tech company, there must be more going on. In hindsight, it definitely seems relevant that they didn’t stick around long after we turned her location into an investigation agency.” 

“Maybe they were nervous about you catching on to them,” I said. 

Trenchcoat Man met my eyes. “Quite possibly. Or maybe their purpose there had just run its course. Madame Sava’s death came on the heels of several other supernaturals going missing. We rescued a few we managed to trace down in transit—found in abandoned warehouses or other holding stations—but the others, unfortunately, were eventually added to our Deceased list.” He turned to the cheer hawks. “If Vorcos is involved in this, we must assume their location across from Madame Sava’s and their swift departure once we set up operations there were not a coincidence. We must be prepared for the possibility that they did, in fact, leave because our investigations landed too close to home—prepared for the possibility that they know exactly who we are and what we do.” 

“If so, they know a great deal more about us than we do about them,” Jillian said. 

“Indeed,” he said.

“We might even be the reason they began taking clairvoyants—so we couldn’t ask the clairvoyants to help us track them,” Tory added, her eyes widening. “Most of the clairvoyants they took were already on our radar.” 

The concern in Trenchcoat Man’s expression deepened. “Indeed.” 

“Maybe we can find Devin again,” I said. “If Vorcos really threatened him like he said, then he must know more than just their name.” 

Trenchcoat Man shook his head. “We shouldn’t take their threats lightly. Devin Munschauer already risked much to get us this name. That fire will have drawn suspicion—from Vorcos, and perhaps from others who wonder how the fire started… and how it went out so quickly. Those firefighters certainly played their part, but a blaze like that should’ve taken longer to contain, and should have spread through the building more quickly. Did you notice how precise the flames were? If I had to guess, every moment of that fire was carefully controlled to construct the exact distraction he needed with the minimum damage and risk. Those two other customers were never in danger in the slightest.” A small smile crept onto his face. “That boy must be quite powerful.” 

 “So what do we do now?” I asked. 

“I took the liberty of making a rapid detour on the way here, and luck is on our side. I grabbed this from the local job board downtown.” Trenchcoat Man pulled a folded paper from his coat pocket and opened it. “They’re hiring,” he said, holding the paper up. 

Sure enough, it was a flyer for Vorcos, advertising openings for a full-time, experienced sales rep—knowledge of the tech industry preferred—and a part-time receptionist in the afternoons, no experience required. 

“If they’ve been tracing her, Aubrey’s magic would be too easy for them to detect, even if we disguised her,” Trenchcoat Man said, then turned to Collin and Lockley with a grin. “Are either of you looking for a job?” 

My dad stepped in front of them. “No. It’s bad enough that we’ve endangered these teens already. We are not sending one of them undercover into the very place that could be kidnapping supernaturals—and even teens who aren’t!” 

“We can do it, Mr. Lance,” Collin started. 

My dad turned around to face Collin and Lockley. “No,” he said, more gently this time. “Your parents aren’t here, so I’m declaring myself interim father and putting my foot down on this one. It’s a no.” 

Collin looked disappointed, but he didn’t argue.

Trenchcoat Man sighed. “Fine, then,” he said, staring at my father. “You’re an experienced sales rep with tech industry knowledge. Are you looking for a new job?” 

***

An hour later, the rest of us huddled in my entryway as my dad put the finishing tie on his typical interview outfit. He was wearing a business suit and carrying a briefcase, like usual, except he no longer looked like my dad. 

He was much taller, and had a potbelly, and a totally different face. Even his clothes had changed to fit his new body.

It was freaky.

“That should hold on you and the clothes for a few hours,” Trenchcoat Man said, nodding in approval at my dad’s disguise. 

“You’re sure the magic won’t be detectable?” my mom asked. 

“We borrowed a faespell from a friend,” Trenchcoat Man said. “It won’t be the magic they’re looking for, that’s for sure. And even if they were, these are untraceable unless you’re Fae yourself…or a LeyGuard. Not even a dampener will work on this.” 

That opened up a lot of questions for me, but there just wasn’t time. 

“They close in two hours,” Dad said. “I need to go.” 

“Be careful,” I said.

He hugged me, and the scent of comfort wrapped around me. “Always am.” He kissed the top of my head, then turned to my mom. 

“Are you sure your cover story is solid?” she asked with a worried expression. 

My dad was sticking to the truth, that he was a freelancer, but he’d concocted a hasty alter-ego with a solid online presence in case they poked into his personal life. 

“I’ve sold tech for years.” My dad smiled. “I should be able to carry on a cogent conversation.” 

“That’s not the part I’m worried about,” Mom said. 

Dad shrugged. “Think of it like a pen-name. Most of the stuff on my bio is true, just very generic. I have a family. I travel a lot. If they ask too much, I’ll just turn it back to my tech sales background.” He laughed. “I could talk about the underlying tech for hours without ever actually explaining what it is I sold. It’s like that in the tech gadgets world.”  

Mom sighed. “I still don’t like this.” 

He pulled her close, then kissed her forehead. “I won’t be clocking in. Interviews are usually short. I’ll be out of there before you know it.” 

He gave Mom one more hug, then pulled away. “See you all on the other side.” He waved, then walked out the door. 

We all stood in silence until we heard his car pull out of the driveway. 

Collin turned to me. “Are you okay?” 

I drew a deep breath. “No.” I looked at Mom. “Can we pray for him?” 

“Of course,” Mom said, taking my hand. 

“We’ll join you,” Trenchcoat Man said—which honestly shocked me. 

“Let’s all move to the living room,” Mom said, looking around. “Anyone want some hot tea?”

***

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AUTHOR NOTE:

Easter egg alert! If you’ve read my Leyward Stones series, the Easter egg in this episode was probably obvious. But if you haven’t… I’d love it if you do! It’s a fun, Irish-folklore-inspired urban fantasy with strong mystery undertones… and lots of sweet romance. You can find the full series inside my PirateCat Publishing reading portal!