“So where will the witches of the Grove get Aelvesgold if they close the door?” I asked, determined not to be swayed by Jen’s admiration.

Jen leaned across the table and whispered. “They have another source. Don’t ask me where. It’s one of the most closely guarded secrets of the Grove. Not even I can get close to it. Now if you’re done with your questions …”

“Not quite,” I said, holding up one finger. “I’ve got one more. How are they planning to close the door?”

Jen shook her head. “I don’t know. But I did overhear Adelaide talking to one of the other women and your name came up. Your grandmother said ‘as long as we have a doorkeeper we’ll be able to close it.’”

“So they need me,” I said, not sure if this was good news or bad.

“Apparently. Are you thinking of refusing?” Her eyes glittered hungrily at the idea.

“Is that what you wanted to ask me?” I said, picking up the check that Darla had slapped down on our table.

“Not so fast, McFay. You haven’t told me about the undine yet. Is it true you let one through the door?”

“How …?” I began, but then realizing it was useless to question Jen about her sources – and probably useless to deny what she already knew – I answered her question honestly. “Yes. It was an accident. But that doesn’t mean the undine has anything to do with the missing fishermen.”

“Let’s hope so, for your sake,” Jen said, grabbing the bill out of my hand. “All those IMP members are bleeding heart liberals until they feel threatened. Nothing is likely to sway the vote better than an undine attack … unless, of course,” she added slyly, “it’s an incubus invasion.”

Chapter Fifteen

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I WALKED BACK home thinking about all I’d learned from Jen Davies … and all I hadn’t. It wasn’t encouraging. And what had Jen meant by that crack about an incubus invasion? She’d refused to say anything more about it, but I suspected she’d said it for a reason. Did she think that my incubus was back? Did she know something I didn’t?

I got out my cell phone to call Liz, but realized I had a problem before hitting her number. How did I tell Liz what I’d learned from a member of the Grove without telling her that I was also a member?

As I was trying to decide what to do, I saw Ann Chase on the opposite side of the street. She was coming out of a trim, pretty bungalow, its front path lined with thick clusters of zinnias and daisies, with a young woman. They were carrying piles of brightly colored fliers. Ann saw me and waved. I put my phone away and crossed the street, glad of a diversion from making a hard decision.