Witchcraft

knifemaker who made it up for her. We would have eventually found the guy who did it. There aren't that many good custom knifemakers around. But we wouldn't have found him in time."
    "Did the authorities ever find out how Zorah and Emlyn came to be involved with Ariel?"
    " Zorah's real name is Charlotte Martin. Emlyn's name is Joseph Williams." Kimberly grimaced. "So much for the exotic names. Ariel's doing, no doubt."
    "She ran into them when she was exploring sources for some of the herbs she was always experimenting with. Charlotte ran an herb shop and Joe was her boyfriend. Poor Charlotte really wanted to believe in Ariel's power and the possibility having it passed on to her.
    Joe was far more practical about the situation. He's the kind of guy who will always be looking for a fast buck. He thought Ariel's kidnapping plans might work. When they didn't he stuck around because he still thought there was a possibility of getting money out of Dare.
    When Ariel said they had to kill you he went along with it because you were the only one who could identify Charlotte. You'd seen her face to face at the house the day you rescued Scott." Kimberly shuddered. "So they hired some street punk to do the job. Ariel was the one who let him onto the grounds that night, I suppose." Starke nodded. "Luckily Ariel insisted it had to be done in a ceremonial fashion. She's the one who said he wouldn't get paid unless he wore the right outfit and used the proper weapon. The punk is still complaining about the limitations she put on him, according to Cranston."
    "All of which probably saved my life that night." Kimberly shook her head ruefully. "What a situation."
    "Going to get a book out of it?"
    "You bet!" "I like your books," Starke told her seriously. "That Josh Valerian guy's a little strange, but I like the stories." "What's wrong with Josh?" Kimberly demanded. ', he's not exactly realistic," Starke said carefully. "I mean, all that business about being able to understand the heroine isn't so weird. But having him always feel the same way about things, see them in the same way she does. That's weird."
    "You think so?" Kimberly asked wistfully.
    "Yup. Valerian's supposed to be a man. Men don't see things quite the same way women do. Nearly drove Dare crazy trying to figure out how he could compete with a fantasy."
    "He managed." Kimberly shot back dryly.
    "Does Dare know that?" Kimberly glanced up at him quizzically. "I think so," she said very seriously. "Then why's he acting so carefully around you?"
    "You noticed?"
    "Who hasn't?"
    "Your guess is as good as mine," Kimberly said evenly. Then she told herself that now was as good a time as any to ask a question that had been on her mind. She gauged the amount of whiskey Starke had had to drink and decided to take the plunge. "I've been wondering about something, Starke," she began with deceptive lightness. "What is it exactly that you and Cavenaugh imported and exported?" Starke blinked owlishly. "Stuff."
    "What kind of stuff?"
    "Junk. Trinkets, jewelry, odd things from different corners of the world. Cavenaugh bought whatever took his fancy and whatever he thought he could sell."
    "Starke, why do I have the feeling you are not being one hundred percent straightforward with me?"
    "Uh, I think Cavenaugh is trying to get your attention."
    "Starke ... " She gave up. "I think I'd like more champagne." "What a coincidence," Starke said brightly. "Here comes Dare and he's carrying two glasses." Cavenaugh's emerald eyes seemed to glitter with a curious intensity as he took in the sight of his wife, but his voice was lacking in expression. Instead he was as coolly polite as he had been for the past six weeks. "More champagne, Kim?" She smiled equally coolly, setting down her empty glass to accept the full one he handed to her. "You must have read my mind."
    "I do my best. Starke, I just saw Ginny Adams. She's looking for you." To Kimberly's astonishment the normally unflappable Starke suddenly looked slightly nervous. He ran his finger around his collar and then checked his tie. "Was she?" He nodded formally at Kimberly and then muttered, "Excuse me." Kimberly stared after him as he forged through the crowd toward the attractive, forty-year-old woman near the door. ' Adams?" Kimberly asked. "I think they make a good pair. Ginny needs someone solid and dependable like Starke. Her husband left her last year."
    "Oh. I hadn't realized Starke had a, uh, romantic interest in her."
    "You