And then it struck him—the thought that had eluded him last night. Those eyes… yellow with dark pupils… why they had seemed vaguely familiar to him: They resembled the pair of black-centered topazes on the necklaces worn by Kolabati and Kusum and on the one he had retrieved for their grandmother!

He should have seen it before! Those two yellow stones had been staring at him for days, just as the eyes had stared at him last night. His spirits rose slightly. He didn’t know what the resemblance meant, but now he had a link between the Bahktis and the eyes, and perhaps the disappearances of Grace and Nellie. It might well turn out to be pure coincidence, but at least he had a path to follow. Jack knew what he’d be doing in the morning.

Chapter Eight

manhattan

monday, august 6

1

Gia watched Jack and Vicky playing with their breakfasts. Vicky had been up at dawn and delighted to find Jack asleep in the library. Before long she had her mother up and making breakfast for them.

As soon as they were all seated Vicky had begun a chant: “We want Moony! We want Moony!” So Jack had dutifully borrowed Gia’s lipstick and a felt-tipped pen and drawn a face Senor Wences-style on his left hand. The hand then became a very rude, boisterous entity known as Moony. Jack was presently screeching in a falsetto voice as Vicky stuffed Cheerios into Moony’s mouth. She was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. Vicky had such a good laugh, an unselfconscious belly-laugh from the very heart of her being. Gia loved to hear it and was in turn laughing at Vicky.

When was the last time she and Vicky had laughed at breakfast?

“Okay. That’s enough for now,” Jack said at last. “Moony’s got to rest and I’ve got to eat.” He went to the sink to wash Moony away.

“Isn’t Jack funny, Mom?” Vicky said, her eyes bright. “Isn’t he the funniest?”

As Gia replied, Jack turned around at the sink and mouthed her words in perfect synchronization: “He’s a riot, Vicky.” Gia threw her napkin at him. “Sit down and eat.”

Gia watched Jack finish off the eggs she had fried for him. There was happiness at this table, even after Vicky’s nightmare and Nellie’s disappearance—Vicky hadn’t been told yet. She had a warm, contented feeling inside. Last night had been so good. She didn’t understand what had come over her, but was glad she had given in to it. She didn’t know what it meant… maybe a new beginning… maybe nothing. If only she could go on feeling this way. If only…

“Jack,” she said slowly, not knowing how she was going to phrase this, “have you ever thought of switching jobs?”

“All the time. And I will—or at least get out of this one.”

A small spark of hope ignited in her. “When?”

“Don’t know,” he said with a shrug. “I know I can’t do it forever, but… “He shrugged again, obviously uncomfortable with the subject.