Find Thalia. A kaleidescope of butterflies moves through my stomach as I remember standing next to Mason on the bed. Thanks to him I had found her, but I hadn’t really looked, had I? “Exactly.”

“Ridiculous,” she mumbles.

I’m to the end of Essex, and I catch a glimpse of Elizabeth Montgomery and have the urge to wave. “I’m going back to the house. Call you later?”

“C’est pas possible,” she says. Piano music strikes up in the background, and a woman’s voice calls Beatrice’s name. “I think you’ve lost your mind, ma belle, but I love you.”

“You too,” I say.

I walk as fast as I can the rest of the way to Sage’s house, and when I get there I’m hit with how extra magical it is this morning.

The sky is a bright, intense blue, and the flowers are all opened, intent on catching every ray of sunshine. I’m so excited to get inside that I don’t see the man standing on the porch until I’m halfway up the walkway, the scent of tea roses filling my nose.

“Hi there,” he says in a deep voice.

“Oh!” I can’t stop myself in time and my shoe slips, sending me toppling into a flower bed in the process.

“Oh no!” The man rushes over, extending his hand to help me up. I’m covered in dirt.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He steps back slightly. The man is Japanese American and probably in his forties, with short dark hair, a plaid shirt, and very cool sneakers.

“It’s okay,” I say. “Can I help you?”

“I hope so. I mean…” He hesitates, shuffling his feet slightly. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with the owner of the house. Would it be possible for you to pass my information along?” He hands me a card, and when I read it, I freeze. J. P. Sato, Real Estate Attorney.

Simon wasn’t joking. Word is clearly spreading about Sage’s house going on the market. It takes all of my effort not to toss his card into the bushes.

“I’ll be in town another week, so the sooner, the better,” he says.

“I’ll pass it along,” I lie, tucking it into my pocket.

“Thanks so much.” J.P. heads for the gate, calling, “Enjoy the weather,” accompanied by a hand wave back to me. I wait for him to disappear down the street before turning my focus back to my original mission.

The mermaid.

I take the stairs two at a time all the way up to the upper bedroom. When I get there, I stand panting, trying to figure out my next move.