Fee Fi Fo Fum

"Thank you, Jack," Khaat said, smelling the warm sweet aroma of almonds. It really was a tea she liked. Jack's words about James were comforting. James was predictable. Then perhaps Greece might be safe after all. She began to wonder if she should let it slip that she was going on holiday so that perhaps other innocent women might be spared if she weren't even in England.

Still the news of the death of a second woman already continued to spin in her mind. Had James done one of these? Both of these? Neither of them? And were either of them because of her?

"Jack," Marcus called to Jack. "A moment, if you please. Khaat, you'll be alright if I step out in the hall for a moment?"

"I'll be right here," she said. "If you're going to discuss me, then you might as wells stay."

"No. This isn't about you," he said.

Marcus stepped out in the hallway too and closed the door.

"You need to know," Marcus said. "Khaat and I went out for a few minutes. She forgot an envelope in her office at the hospital, so she and I went back to get it. Her secretary told her that this noon there was a second killing. The autopsy hasn't been done yet, but words is getting out in the press that they were done by the same hand. If these were both done by your brother, he may have edged up the game on us. I'm going to let Khaat enjoy her tea a moment and then see if she can get copies of the autopsies of both victims for us to look at. I would think it would be easy enough. We need to know if there's any chance James did them, don't you think? And since it wasn't the full moon last night, we'll have to figure out how he kills if he isn't transformed. What are your thoughts?"

"Alright," Marcus said. "It's a good plan. You know, Khaat's secretary made mention that Robert did the first autopsy. I wonder if he's going to do the second. If so, he could probably tell us what we need to know. Kate made some vague mention though that Robert keeps exceptionally long hours, between the hospital and the ministry. She mentioned that the central part of his day is at the ministry and that the beginning and ending is at St. Mungos. If that's the case, then it's highly unlikely that he will be doing the second autopsy." He sighed. "Yes, well, let's use your plan unless I find out something different from Robert in the meantime. I am not sure we should tell the girls, though. They seem unsettled enough by last night's business.

"One more thing. Your trip to Greece. I have every plan on being in Greece at a separate location nearby. I will not interfere unless you're breached. If you are, though, you might well be in need of another hand. You'll have your privacy unless something goes off the rails, understood?"

"Come now. I have two children, the same age almost to the day, by two different women," Marcus said. "You do the math. I"m not a schoolboy and neither are you. If things, happen, then they happen. It's for the two of you to decide. So far as I'm concerned, you're still a gentleman--unless what happens isn't a mutual choice. And so you know, I didn't order accommodations with three bedrooms--only two. It doesn't take a seer to know where you two are headed. Enjoy it for whatever it is now, and let tomorrow decide the rest for itself. That's just my humble opinion.

"As for Khaat and Jess, they're still frightened. If they get a chance to get angry, that far will, likely, dissolve, and we'll see just how good of a fighter each one can be. As for my part, I want to see if Khaat will spar with me. I want to see what she's made of. I will know how best to protect her if I know her strong suits and her deficits. And the sooner the better."

"That might be wise, not only for her but also for you. If you can see what her strengths are and what her needs are, then we'll both know what we can do to protect them best. Maybe we'll be able to help them to gain their confidence in themselves. I get the sense that right now, Khaat is very glad to have me around--for now. She hasn't gotten irked with me yet. Every client does, but I get the sense she's made of tougher stuff than I've seen, and, most likely, Jess too. Women that are close friends are very likely of similar personalities..."

As he was speaking, he heard a thud in Khaat's room.

"Clearly, my first order of business needs to be either keeping her crutches within her reach or teaching her to ask for help," he sighed. "Back to work, it seems. Healers always make the worst patients." He opened the door to see her not on the bed anymore. "See what I mean?"

He went in and found her on the floor again.

"If you don't learn to listen, you'll blow both menisci," he said, lifting her up again and sitting her on the bed. "Where are you going now?"

"My pen is out of ink," she sighed, holding her injured knee, definitely hurting.

"Did you forget you're a witch? Try an accio spell," he sighed. He used nonverbal magic and summoned a pen and handed it to her. "Twisted it again, didn't you?"

"No," she said, not being entirely truthful with him.

"Liar," he said. "I can see how badly you hurt. Where can I find some more pain potion for you?"

"Downstairs, in the kitchen," she said.

"If I go get some for you, can you leave your little butt on the bed for two minutes?" he asked. She scowled at him.