Now You See It by Jane Tesh Page A

glitter balls halted in mid-gleam. As we approached the office door, we could hear voices raised in argument. I recognized Rahnee’s voice, and the other sounded like WizBoy’s.
    â€œBut I thought we had an agreement!”
    â€œI told you I was still thinking about that,” she answered.
    â€œBut I heard you tell Taft he could run the club. What the hell was that all about? What kind of management skills did he have? You know I’m qualified. You said so yourself.”
    â€œCan we discuss this later? I’m expecting Randall to come by.”
    â€œI’ve worked really hard. I’ve done everything you said. I’ve never been late for work.”
    â€œYes, and I appreciate that, but—”
    â€œTaft’s dead, Rahnee, so whatever grand plans the two of you had are over.”
    I waited for the sound of Rahnee’s hand across WizBoy’s face, but she had more control. “You need to leave right now and calm down. We’ll talk about this later.”
    Wiz Boy charged out of the office, slamming the door behind him. He was so angry he didn’t notice me or Camden. He stalked across the stage and into the wings. We heard a thump as the back door opened and a crash as it slammed shut.
    â€œAll is not well in Magic Land,” I said. “When you get a chance, check out that storage room over there. The fake block is the seventh one up from the floor.”
    I waited a few minutes and then knocked on the office door and we entered. Rahnee was seated behind her desk, her flaming red hair in limp tendrils around her face. She had on a black sweatshirt and dirty jeans. “Hi, fellas, have a seat.”
    â€œRahnee, this is my friend Camden. Camden, Rahnee Nevis.”
    Rahnee pushed back her hair. “Nice to meet you. You probably heard that little altercation.”
    â€œSome of it.”
    â€œI think WizBoy might have misunderstood. I was only asking Taft for some advice about the club. I’m not planning to hand it over to anyone yet.”
    â€œSounded as if Wiz feels he’s entitled to it.”
    â€œI’ll take care of it. His little fits of temper don’t last long.”
    Long enough to murder Taft? I wondered. Sounds like he had a grudge.
    Rahnee moved a stack of books to one side. “I’m going through Taft’s things he kept here. Lucas wasn’t up to it.”
    â€œWhat sort of things?”
    â€œA few papers, books, notes about illusions he was planning.”
    I took a closer look at the books. “Big fan of Houdini, I see.”
    â€œYes, both of them were.”
    â€œThis Vanishing Ruby trick they were planning. What can you tell me about that?”
    Rahnee sat back and rubbed her eyes for a moment. “From what I understood, the box played a major role. The ruby was placed inside, and it would be gone.”
    â€œThat’s it?”
    â€œI’m sure there’s more to it, but that was their secret.” She sighed. “Now we’ll never know. Even if you find the box, I doubt Lucas will want to use it.”
    â€œWhat about the bet Lucas made with the other members of WOW? Anyone crazy enough about getting the cabinet key out of the box?”
    â€œI certainly don’t need any more magic things. WizBoy doesn’t collect, and neither does Jilly. The only person who would be really interested is Jolly Bob. He has a magic shop out by Commerce Circle Mall. Transformation and Company.” She placed all the papers in a large manila envelope and stacked the books on top. “People have been calling all day, asking questions. Everyone’s very upset. I wish I knew how it’s going to affect business. I’m afraid morbid curiosity will pack them in.” Her voice caught. “I don’t mean to sound so callous. You wouldn’t believe what our competition will make of this.”
    I couldn’t imagine what sort of competition the club could have. “And