Once Upon a Crime (The Sisters Grimm, Book 4) Page 14

  Daphne turned to her sister. "What?"

  "He came back to check on us. He thought we might have been hurt. In fact, he came back twice. Those aren't the actions of a guilty person."

  "What the heck are you two babbling about?" Greeley asked.

  Sabrina ignored him. "He was worried about us."

  "But Oberon told us that Cobweb killed him," Daphne argued. "Do you think he was lying?"

  "No, yes, I mean, I don't know. Oberon was a lunatic but there are other things that don't add up. Both Oberon and Cobweb said they had never heard of the Scarlet Hand. Then how did their mark get on the king's body?" Sabrina asked.

  "Someone else must have put it there," Daphne said. "Then why did Oberon think Cobweb was the killer?"

  "Cobweb was the last person the king saw before he died. He brought him some wine to celebrate their plans. What if someone put the poison in the wine before Cobweb even got it?"

  "Hey! Why don't you go back to the no-talky-talky that you were doing when we met. You're givin' me a migraine," Greeley complained.

  "We've got to find Granny," Daphne said.

  The car stopped at a red light and before Sabrina knew what was happening, Daphne had jumped out of the car, dragging Sabrina with her. The girls had pulled this trick a dozen times but Sabrina had always taken the lead. This time Daphne was doing it and Sabrina was completely unprepared. She fell on the icy pavement as Greeley threw his door open and ran after them screaming, "You come back here!"

  Daphne raced ahead, seemingly unaware that Sabrina had fallen. Before the older girl could get to her feet, she felt Greeley's hands in her long blonde hair. He was yanking her up by it.

  "Let's go get your sister," he said, pulling her along with one hand and carrying a crowbar in the other. They crossed a busy street, dodging cars and pedestrians, then zipped into an alley. Unfortunately, Daphne had led them all into a dead end. Sabrina watched her sister spin around in panic.

  "I thought you were right behind me," Daphne cried. "I'm sorry."

  Greeley dragged Sabrina into the alley and tossed her at her sister's feet. Then he smacked his crowbar into the palm of his hand. It made a sickening sound.

  "What did I say? What did I say?" he growled. "I said it's my way or the highway."

  "I guess we took the highway," Sabrina said, rubbing her sore head.

  "Now we've got a problem," Greeley said. "You see, I've got me a temper and when I get angry I do things I regret."

  "Don't take another step toward us!" Sabrina shouted.

  "See, this is what I'm talking about. I don't want no guff, you little brat," Greeley said. "Didn't they tell you I'd killed seven people?"

  "Is that all?" a voice said from above. Sabrina looked up and s

  aw a huge figure dropping out of the sky. He landed on the ground hard, cracking the cement underneath him. When he stood, Sabrina smiled. It was Mr. Canis. "Hardly a number I'd brag about."

  Greeley took a step back but then clenched his fists. "Where did you come from? OK, you want to get in my business?" He swung his crowbar threateningly.

  "I know I want to get into your business," another voice said from behind the thug. It was Mr. Hamstead.

  "I was thinking I'd like to as well," a third voice said from above. It was Bess, floating down from the sky with her rocket pack blasting. She touched down on the ground and the flame went out.

  "What are you people?" Greeley screamed.

  "We're fairy tales," Mr. Hamstead said. "It's time for your bedtime story."

  Hamstead punched Greeley in the face, and the greasy criminal fell over like a tree. Bess walked over and kicked the man as he curled up into a ball. Mr. Canis, on the other hand, stood by looking bored. Sabrina could have watched the beating all day but a hand was on her shoulder. She turned and found Granny Relda standing behind her. Daphne was hugging the old woman with all her might but Granny still had a free hand to pull Sabrina into the embrace.

  "Come along, girls, we need to leave the city as quickly as possible. I'm afraid I may have gotten the family into a lot of trouble with this incident," Granny replied. "Smirt will surely send the police to arrest me for kidnapping."

  "No, Granny, we have to go see Titania," Sabrina said.

  "What? Why?"

  "She needs to know Cobweb didn't kill her husband."

  * * *

  When they reached the Golden Egg, Mustardseed was waiting outside Oberon's old office. He led them into the room, where the queen sat solemnly at her husband's desk. She was now wearing a smart pin-striped suit, tailored for her figure but reminiscent of the one Oberon had worn. She had a framed photo in her hands. She looked tired and her eyes were red, as if she had been crying. Oz stood by, watching her with concern. When he noticed the group he rushed to join them.

  "Mustardseed, your mother is having a difficult day," he said. "I'm sure I can handle any of this business for her."

  "No," Titania said without looking up. "Step forward, son, and bring your friends."

  Mustardseed led the family forward and then bowed to his mother.

  "This was a happy day," she said holding up the photograph. "We walked through Central Park, amongst the humans. I thought we'd have an eternity of those moments. Now he's gone and there are so many things I wish I had said."

  Titania was quiet for a moment. Though Sabrina was bursting to tell her what she had discovered, she knew that silence was the best thing she could offer the heartbroken queen just then.

  "I'm told that my husband's murderer has been killed," Titania continued. "Your family's reputation for excellent detective work has proved true."

  "We owe you a debt of gratitude," Mustardseed added.

  "Actually we have our doubts about Cobweb," Granny said.

  "Indeed?" Oz said.

  "My granddaughter has given this some serious thought and has some interesting questions that don't have answers," the old woman said, gesturing for Sabrina to step forward.

  "You are Puck's chosen protector, I understand," Titania said.

  Sabrina nodded, sniffing her still-pungent hair. "For better or worse."

  "You don't believe that Cobweb killed his father?" Titania said as Moth entered the room. The fairy girl flashed Sabrina her usual angry look.

  Sabrina shook her head. "Cobweb didn't act like a murderer. First, he was working with Oberon to rebuild Faerie. He told me that he and the king were working on a homeless shelter and a hospital. He told me that he respected and supported Oberon."

  "He was lying, fool!" Moth cried.

  "Sure, a person can say anything, but what they do is different. We chased him all over town. When we were nearly killed in the subway he came back to check on us. Then when the pirates kidnapped us he came to try to rescue us."

  "Not the acts of a murderer," Mustardseed said.

  Sabrina nodded. "We think it was someone in the Scarlet Hand. No one here seems to know who they are, but back in Ferryport Landing they've caused a lot of trouble. They're responsible for kidnapping my parents and want to take over the world. They left their mark on Oberon's body."

  "But you have no idea who this other murderer might be?" Moth asked.

  "No," Granny Relda added.

  "Then you are no further along toward discovering his killer than when you started!" Titania cried. Granny stepped forward. "Not exactly. Cobweb gave your husband a glass of wine with poison in it. If we can find out who poured that wine, I believe we'll know who the true killer is."

  The queen shook her head. "And how do you propose to learn that?"

  "The same way we learned who gave Oberon the poison," Sabrina said.

  "Scrooge!" Daphne cried. "He talks to ghosts."

  "We can go to see him again and this time we'll talk to Cobweb's spirit," Sabrina explained. "You could come, too. You could talk to Oberon."

  Titania rose from her chair. "Is this true?"

  Sabrina nodded. "I seem to have the ability to let ghosts take over my body. It's no picnic, b
ut I'd let it happen again so you can tell him a few of those things you never got a chance to say."

  "Mother, I've heard talk of Scrooge's talents," Mustardseed said. "Suppose the girl is right. Suppose Cobweb is not the true killer. If that is true, the murderer still walks amongst us. Cobweb could reveal his name."

  Titania nodded. "Take me to Scrooge. I'll need a few moments to prepare."

  Mustardseed smiled and turned to the group. "We'll join you in the restaurant."

  Sabrina and her friends left the office and headed back down the hallway. Moth stopped them and sighed as if she were exhausted. She looked at Sabrina and gritted her teeth.

  "Puck could emerge at any moment from his vessel. As his protector, it is customary for you to perform a sacred task."

  "What kind of task?" Sabrina asked.

  "You must toast the emerging king with a special elixir. It is quite an honor."

  "I really can't," Sabrina argued. "We're leaving any minute. Can it wait?"

  "I also thought you would like some time alone with Puck. He's the King of Faerie now. If the kingdom is to be rebuilt, he will have a great deal of responsibility. He'll have to stay in the city."

  Sabrina felt something rise into her throat and realized it was her heart. She had never given any thought to the idea that Puck might not come home with them. But of course he would stay. He was a king now, and why would he go back to Ferryport Landing and be trapped inside the town again? She suddenly felt the need to cry, then laughed out loud.

  Cry?

  Puck was an irritating pain in the behind. He was constantly giving her a hard time, putting slimy things in her bed, dumping her into big vats of sticky glop. There had never been a meal he didn't ruin with his explosive flatulence. She should be happy to get rid of him. She would be free of his army of chimpanzees, his pranks, his name calling. But then, there had been the kiss. Her first kiss. Their first kiss…

  "I think we have a few minutes," Granny Relda said.

  "OK," Sabrina said. "I'll do it."

  Moth led her down the hallway to her room. Once inside, the little fairy closed the door and locked it. "No one can enter during the ceremony."

  Puck's cocoon was inside what looked like a giant birdcage, and the second Sabrina stepped toward it the cocoon slammed against the bars, seemingly in an effort to be near her.

  "I will prepare the elixir," Moth said.

  "You do that," Sabrina said, impatiently.

  Moth came to a table filled with potions and powders and went to work, busily mixing them together in a small, ceramic cup.

  "On the day of a fairy's emergence from its cocoon, our people drink a ceremonial toast to a healthy new life. Very few humans have ever been present," Moth said.

  "Well, I'm happy to be included," Sabrina said, reaching into the cage and putting her hand on the slimy cocoon. She expected it to be cold and damp like before but it was warm and alive. Maybe he could hear her.

  "Puck, I've come to say good-bye. You're free from Ferryport Landing. That's something a lot of Everafters and I, myself, would like to be. You're going to stay here with your mother and brother. Apparently, you're the new king of the fairies so you're going to have to grow up a little. I… I never got a chance to say I was sorry for slugging you when you… you… well you know." The memory of their kiss flashed into her mind again. "I wasn't expecting it and, well, it wasn't exactly a dream come true to be surrounded by a bunch of tick-eating chimpanzees. I was angry when it happened. But, I'm glad it was you."

  She could feel tears welling up in her eyes. "OK, enough of that. You take care of yourself. I'm going to come back here someday and if I find out you were a jerkazoid, there's going to be trouble."

  Moth returned with two goblets. She handed one to Sabrina and raised it for a toast. "To Puck."

  "To Puck." Sabrina took a drink. Whatever the ceremonial elixir was it didn't taste half-bad. There was a fruity taste like raspberries, but there was also a hint of honey and oatmeal, and there was something else, something a little bitter that she couldn't quite place.

  "So, I suppose you two will be getting married," Sabrina said conversationally.

  "Naturally. Once Puck learns that it was I who brought his father's killer to justice, he'll of course take me as his bride. I needed to prove I was worthy of him."

  "Well, don't forget to send me an invitation to the big day," Sabrina said with a sneer. Moth flashed one back at her.

  "To be honest, Princess, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't show up back on our front porch," Sabrina said taking another sip of her drink. "He seems to enjoy tormenting me."

  Moth set down her glass. "I thought the same thing."

  Suddenly, there was a horrible pain in Sabrina's belly. It was so powerful she doubled over. She lost her breath and fought to catch it as a second wave of pain rolled over her. She fell to her knees. The goblet of elixir tumbled onto the floor and spilled its contents all over the boards.

  "Moth, I'm sick. Go get my grandmother!" Sabrina cried.

  "You think you've got his heart, don't you, human? Well, it's something you should have never had and I'm taking it back."

  Sabrina looked down at the cup. Had Moth put something in it? Everything was so confusing, and the pain was so intense, like someone stabbing her with a hot knife.

  "Imagine my humiliation when Puck rejected me! Imagine the looks people gave me! I was supposed to be the next queen! But I held my head high and hoped he would change his mind. But he never got a chance! His father had him thrown out of the kingdom."

  "Get help," Sabrina grunted.

  "When you brought him back I thought Oberon would give him another chance, but he refused. He told the guards that as soon as Puck was well he was to be removed. So, I had to act fast. I snatched Cobweb's pouch when he wasn't looking and mixed some potions and powders. I collected it in a bottle and stepped back into the celebration. There was food, wine, everything one needs for a proper feast. Cobweb ran past me with a goblet of wine. I knew it was for the king. Cobweb was a loyal and attentive servant. I distracted him and poured the potion into the cup. Moments later, Oberon was dead. I couldn't believe my luck, but then you and your family had to get involved and then Puck chose you as his protector! I was humiliated, again. Well, human, this time I'm not going to let anything get in my way."

  Another stab of pain hit Sabrina in the belly. This time, it migrated up her spine toward her brain. She could barely think straight and she was too weak to fight back or even call out for help. But there was something going on in the birdcage. Had she just seen Puck's cocoon change shape?

  "Cobweb will tell the truth," Sabrina groaned.

  "Not without you," Moth reminded her. "That old fool Scrooge couldn't get his grandmother to call from the beyond. I'll just tell your family you decided to stay here for Puck's emergence while they go ghost hunting. Even if Cobweb does manage to communicate without you, I've made enough elixir for your entire family, Titania, and Mustardseed."

  Sabrina heard a ripping sound. Or had it been her imagination? It was becoming difficult to focus.

  "Now that Puck is king we are going to rebuild Faerie, right here. I've already mapped out most of Central Park. We'll run the humans out and build a proper castle. Then we'll show the rest of the Everafters who's in charge. They'll bow at our feet."

  That ripping sound again.

  It was coming from behind Moth.

  "Then we'll take over the whole city. Humans will make good slaves," Moth continued.

  Sabrina lifted her heavy eyelids and saw a familiar figure looking down on her from behind Moth.

  "Grimm, are you in trouble again? I swear, if I had a nickel for every time I had to save your sorry behind I'd be a rich fairy."

  "Puck," she groaned.

  "Your Majesty," Moth said as she spun around. "I can explain this--"

  But she never finished her sentence. Puck took out his flute and blasted a couple of notes. A stream of pixies soared through the
window, swooped down, and lifted Sabrina off the ground.

  "What did you do to her, Moth?"

  The little princess shook her head. "You don't understand, my love. I did this for us."

  Puck noticed the goblet lying on the floor. He picked it up and smelled it. "Now that wasn't very nice."

  Puck turned to his pixies. "Find Cobweb. We need his medicine."

  There was some buzzing and Puck's face curled up in horror.

  "My father?"

  The pixies twittered on.

  "Then half of you find my mother. The other half keep an eye on the princess."

  The pixies did as they were told, depositing Sabrina in Puck's arms as they set about their tasks. Puck raced to the locked door and transformed his legs into those of an elephant. He used one to kick open the door and it flew off its hinges and into the hallway. Sabrina looked back to see Moth swatting wildly at the little dots of light.

  Sabrina was starting to feel cold. She trembled so forcefully it hurt. And then the world started to grow very dim. She could hear Puck telling her to stay awake but she couldn't. She was so tired. She just wanted to rest. Maybe if she did the pain would go away.

  She had a disorienting dream. Puck was standing over her, but he quickly morphed into Titania, who melted into Granny Relda and then into Daphne, who was crying.

  Don't cry, Daphne.

  Then Daphne became Canis, who became Hamstead, who became Bess, who became black nothingness.

  * * *

  Sabrina woke up in the dark. No, dark wasn't the right word. There was light but it was faint and seemed to be behind the walls of the tiny room she was sitting in. No, room wasn't the right word, either. It was a space, something small, something confined. She tried to stretch out but her hands met a cold, damp wall. She reached down and realized she was sitting in fluid, something like gravy, and it was halfway up her chest. She started to panic, reaching around for an opening, and found something above her like a seam. She pushed upward and a small portion of it tore away. A bright light flooded the space and she forced herself to stand. She had freed herself and there, waiting on the other side, was her family.

  "That was the most disgusting thing I've ever seen," Puck said. "Why don't I carry a camera with me?"