“I was hoping you’d come by. Didn’t expect you this soon.”

“I’m now a woman of leisure.”

“Oh.” Sympathy softened Dana’s face. “You got canned?”

“Canned, booted, axed, then knocked on my ass by an idiot and his dog on the way home. All in all, it’s been a lousy day, even with the expansion of my bank account.”

“I have to say, I didn’t believe it. Those two up on the Peak are certifiable.”

“Lucky for us. But still, we have to earn it. I’m first up, so I figure I need to get started. Somewhere.”

“I’m ahead of you. Jan? Will you take the desk?” As she rose, Dana gathered a stack of books from under the counter. “Come with me,” she told Malory. “There’s a nice table by the window where you can work.”

“Work at what?”

“Research. I’ve got several books on Celtic mythology, gods and goddesses, lore and legend. I’m going with the Celts since Rowena’s from Wales and Pitte’s Irish.”

“How do you know he’s Irish?”

“I don’t. He sounded Irish. At this point I know little or nothing about Celtic myths, and I figure it’s the same for you and Zoe.”

“I don’t have a clue.”

Dana set the books down with a muffled thud. “So, we need to get one. I’m off in a few hours, then I can give you a hand. And I can call Zoe in if you like.”

Malory stared at the stack of books. “Maybe that’s a good idea. I don’t know where to start.”

“Pick one. I’ll get you a notebook.”

After an hour Malory needed an aspirin as well. When Zoe rushed up to sit at the table beside her, she took off her glasses and rubbed her tired eyes. “Good. Reinforcements.” She shoved a book across the table.

“I’m sorry it took me so long. I was running errands. I bought Simon this video game he’s been wanting. I know I probably shouldn’t have spent the money, but I wanted to get him something, just for fun. I’ve never had so much money in my life,” she whispered. “I know I have to be careful with it, but if you can’t do a little something fun, what’s the point?”

“You don’t have to sell me. And after you’ve been at this for a while, you’ll know you earned it. Welcome to the wacky world of the Celts. Dana’s probably got another notebook.”

“I brought my own.” Out of an enormous bag, Zoe pulled a fresh notebook, thick as a brick, and a pack of pencils already sharpened to saber points. “It’s sort of like going back to school.”

Zoe’s eager optimism cut through Malory’s foul mood. “Want to pass notes and talk about boys?”

Zoe just grinned and opened a book. “We’re going to find that key. I just know it.”

By the time Dana joined them, Malory had written reams of notes in the modified shorthand she’d developed in college, had drained her pen and borrowed two of Zoe’s pencils.