Page 10 of Circle of Death
“Morning, Margo,” says Maddy softly, waiting for the rest of the room to come into focus. She sees Lamont standing up, coffee mug in his hand, as the others around the table turn in her direction.
She’s hoping there might be somebody her age in the group. But it’s not looking good. Everybody around the table is older, much older. Maddy does a quick assessment of the group.
The guest on the right is a Black man who looks like he could bench-press the refrigerator. The guy next to him is short and pudgy and a little pink in the face. The third guy reminds Maddy of one of her college professors. Seems awkward—a little disconnected.
Lamont walks over and pulls her toward the table. “Everybody—this is Maddy.” Maddy gives a polite little wave. “Hi, everybody.” Margo sticks a mug of coffee in her hand. Thank God. The first sip sharpens her brain, and she starts to evaluate the scenario. For starters, Lamont and Margoneverhave overnight guests. So whoever these guys are, they must be important. And close. Like family. She sees Lamont moving from one chair to the next, making introductions as he goes.
“Maddy, I’d like you to meet Moe Shrevnitz… Jericho Druke… and Burbank.”
Maddy doesn’t say anything. She just stares at the three visitors. The names are shockingly familiar. She’s known these names for just about her whole life. They’re the names of three of the Shadow’s closest associates. And she’s read all about them in story after story. Jericho Druke, the strongman with brains. Moe Shrevnitz, the Shadow’s crafty driver. Burbank, the master of communications. What the hell is going on here? Maddy looks around the table, trying to form a question that makes sense.
“You… you’re all from the 1930s. Does that mean you were…?”
Margo steps up. “No, no,” she says. “I know what you’re thinking. These gentlemen weren’t frozen and thawed like Lamont and me. They’re a few generations down. They’redescendants.Like you.”
Maddy sees Jericho sit up straight in his chair.“Descendant?”he says. He looks over at Lamont. “Hold on! You mean, this girl is your…”
“Right,” says Lamont. “Our great-great-great-great-granddaughter.”
“See the resemblance?” asks Margo, resting her chin on Maddy’s shoulder.
Moe takes another sip of coffee. Burbank starts picking the crust off his toast.
Jericho lets out a slow breath. “Unbelievable.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” says Maddy.
She leans back against the kitchen counter. The whole gathering seems like a dream—like something that could never,everhappen.
It seems impossible.
But if there’s one thing she’s learned in her brief time with Lamont Cranston and Margo Lane, it’s that absolutelynothingis impossible.
CHAPTER 11
AFTER BREAKFAST, I ask Maddy to stay behind with me while Margo takes our guests on a walking tour of the Upper East Side. Maddy clears the table as I slide the cooking pans into the sink. I notice that she’s being very quiet. Then the patio door slides open. It’s Jessica, back with Bando after their morning walk. A daily ritual for these two. As always, Jessica lights up when she sees her only grandchild.
“Maddy! You’re awake!” she says. “Did you meet Lamont’s friends?”
Maddy sets a pile of plates and flatware down on the counter, then turns and folds her arms. She’s clearly peeved. “You guyscouldhave tipped me off, you know.”
“About what?” I ask.
“About the fact that three characters from the Shadow stories would be showing up for breakfast. Like that’s a normal, everyday event.”
“I understand, dear,” says Jessica. “It takes some getting used to.”
Maddy grew up immersed in the Shadow legend. It was an escape for her. A fantasy world. Like every other Shadow fan, she assumed that the stories were just stories, made up by some pulp-fiction writer. When she discovered that me and Margo were real people—and that she and her grandmother were our descendants—it shook up everything she knew about how the universe works. And right now, I can tell she’s really frustrated. Especially with me.
“Look,” she says, “you’re Lamont Cranston. You’ve lived with this crazinessforever! But I’m still getting used to it. And every time I start to think things are getting back to normal, some other freakish event happens. It’s alot! That’s all I’m saying. I need a little time to adjust. You can’t just spring things on me. Especially strange people from the past!”
Jessica cups Maddy’s face in her hands. “You seem a little sleep deprived, dear. Have you been studying too hard?”
Maddy sighs. “I’m fine, Grandma.” Jessica wraps Maddy in her arms. Maddy melts into her. They’ve got a connection that’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen. For all those years while Maddy was growing up, Jessica was the only family she had. Margo and I are newcomers in her life.Latecomers. I know she loves us, but she always says we’re from a different world. And we are.
“I love you, Grandma,” says Maddy, her face buried in Jessica’s sweater.
“Love you, too,” says Jessica. “More than anything.”
