Jack followed Candace through the makeshift aisles of the large auction house. There was everything from elegant furniture to goofy taxidermy. He hadn't been expecting to see any price tags, but the section Candace currently guided him through was lowered with them. Whenever he picked something up and set it back down, she insisted the prices were up for debate and he should just ignore them.

It was after Candace caught sight of an overfilled bookshelf, he was able to break away and poke around on his own. He browsed along a wall that served the purpose of a makeshift art gallery.

He wondered if any of it would interest Kieran as he skimmed over paintings of horses before coming across a collection of old maps. He took a picture of one set in a gilded frame and sent it to Kieran.

$20 worth anything?

Dependent on a variety of factors that I cannot confirm via this picture, it's worth anywhere from kindling to $300.

Jack moved to the next one and did the same.

this 1? $50 it got monsters

monsters cost extra lol

It's potentially worth more. Where are you?

bradlye state sale thing

candy drag me here

u coming?

Ms. Benoit is running that particular venue, so I'm afraid I'm not invited.

i got cc can get u stuff

pay back b4 bill tho if u get lots

It's kind of you to offer, but I must decline.

She'll know.

Jack rolled his eyes as he slowly made his way to the next aisle. He offered, so that had to count for something. It gave him at least one little tick in the thoughtful column. He resigned himself to not sending more pictures to Kieran. If he was banned from coming, then Jack didn't want to rub salt in that particular wound.

He looked over to where Candace still stood and sighed at the growing stacks of books beside her. She appeared to be sorting out her rejects and maybes. The feeling of being a human shopping cart was beginning to manifest. Why else would she bring him?

He pulled his eyes away as the intrusive thought burrowed its way deeper. She was just bringing him in for round one to get him out of his apartment, and she had said as much. His job was to keep her under budget until Sam was able to take over. Did that count as being used?

Even if it did, Candace was his friend, and she always did her best to return favors. Although, much to Jack's dismay, it sometimes came in the form of a free reading. A small smile formed, and the thoughts of being useless by his friends vanished with a disorienting clarity.

Confusion swept over Jack as his eyes focused on a table full of trinkets and jewelry. He quickly glanced around. The aisle was empty, so it didn't look like his little zone out session had bothered anyone else. He let out a relieved sigh, uncertain of what he'd been thinking.

Candace had given him a $50 budget as a thank you for keeping her company, so finding something small and way cheaper would have to satisfy her. He looked over the collection rings and coins, hoping for something easy. In a little plastic box by a booklet of old pennies was a brass coin bearing the image of a shamrock.

It wouldn't be considered spying on Kieran's behalf if it was a gift. Something small and a bit of a playful jab at Kieran's heritage that he wouldn't have to keep at his apartment. It was perfect. He was about to pick it up for a closer look when someone spoke up from beside him.

"It's a worthless reproduction. The real thing can go for thousands."

Jack snatched his hand back and pressed his nails into his palm as he breathed in slowly. He looked over and was grateful that Benoit's eyes were on the coin.

"Uh… I'm here with my friend. She brought me along," he said, motioning to the table Candace had taken over with her stacks of books. The one in her hand hovered between two piles. Unlike him, she looked like she belonged. He hoped Benoit wouldn't get angry at him or suspect him of snooping on Kieran's behalf - even though he'd just offered.

Benoit pulled her eyes away from the coin to look at Candace with a scrutinizing stare. "Yes. A frequent patron and a good choice for a friend."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Thanks? I guess."

"She has a talent for fortune telling. Tell me, Mr. Elster, has she performed a reading for you?"

"Y-wait. How do you know my name?" He hoped Candace had mentioned him in passing. It would be easier to deal with. But why would Candace bring up his surname?

"I read the local paper, and I'm particularly good with faces." She ran her eyes over him then looked away as he breathed in deeply. "Had I known, I would have reached out the moment the trials were over."

Jack looked away and rubbed his wrist, frowning. Known what? That he was still in town? That he felt like he couldn't leave and had panic attacks if the subject of visiting even the next town over came up? What did she know?

There was something there. Something he didn't want anyone finding out ever again. Something he found out by accident, and—

"A gunmoney crown, featuring a likeness of James II," Benoit said, regaining Jack's attention. She picked up the box holding the coin and turned it in her hand. "1690. It's Irish. Or, at least, the one it's based on is."

They were talking about a coin. The stupid little shamrock coin. She had mentioned knowing something. Jack licked his lips, leaping to education as the goal for their conversation. "That's good to know?"

"What does your friend think of your other friend?" she asked, distaste coloring her tone.

"I'm sorry, what?" He hoped she wasn't about to drag him into whatever feud she and Kieran had going on.

"What is Ms. Fairchild's opinion of Mr. O'Byrne?"

"Better than yours," Jack said with an uncomfortable laugh.

"If she's given you a reading that has not denounced that bog-jumper as untrustworthy filth who will cut your heart from your chest and toss it to the sea, then—"

A sharp laugh escaped, and Jack covered his mouth. "Bog-jumper?"

Benoit's expression soured, and she glared at the coin she held. "Forgive me. I shouldn't use such terminology. I believe 'jerk' should still get my point across without insulting his upbringing and countrymen."

"Asshole's a good one."

"He is, isn't he?" she said with a small grin.

Jack shrugged and rubbed at his shoulder. "Not that I've noticed. That's been me, mostly."

"You're protecting yourself with what assets you have at your disposal."

"I think a taser would be more effective," he said with a half-smile. Benoit wasn't so bad when she wasn't looming over him in drunken righteousness. She had a peculiar vibe to her, similar to Kieran's. It had to be the antiques.

"One would hope," she murmured in agreement. "Although, I do believe something vanilla or citrus based would be fairly effective."

Jack glanced up at her face and the contemplative look she wore before letting his eyes fall back to the coin. "Uh… Lysol?" he offered. He had to be missing something. Were they talking about the same thing? He wasn't even sure what he thought they were talking about.

Benoit covered her mouth as she laughed. "Oh, yes. Spray it up his nose."

"Colette!" Candace joined the pair, carrying a small stack of books. "You look amazing."

"Thank you, Candace. Your spirit shines like a beacon of hope for these weathered sails." Benoit smiled serenely at Candace.

"Oh, you." Candace waved her hand dismissively before gesturing to Jack. "I see you've met Jack. Jack, Colette is the one who found my current tarot deck."

"Oh, boy." Jack did his best to look happy for Candace. The roll of her eyes told him he failed. He refused to believe her new deck had anything to do with her newfound accuracy. It gave her the confidence to go with her gut reaction, not actual insight.

"They found you on their own. I was merely a vessel for their transport," said Benoit.

Glancing between the two women, Jack felt another tiny bit of his scepticism chip away. He quickly patched it back together with the firm reminder that anyone could be a New Age weirdo. Benoit, as put together and sophisticated as she appeared, was apparently no exception.

Candace juggled her books and held one out to Benoit. "What do you think I can get away with?"

Benoit gingerly took the book and leafed through its pages. "Offer twenty and settle for forty," she said, handing it back to Candace.

"Thank you! Jack, I'm heading to look at the taxidermy next. You want any of those cute mice in hats?" Candace asked as she rearranged her books. "Doesn't go against your budget."

Jack forced a smile and shook his head. "Only if one's dressed up like the devil."

"I'll keep my eye open! It was good seeing you, Colette."

"And you," Benoit replied. "I may be tempted to schedule a reading in the near future."

Candace's smile faltered. "Okay. After last time? Are you sure?"

"Your insight was much needed and is proving useful. Even if I'm not fond of it."

Candace shifted her weight and nodded uneasily. "If you say so. Okay. I'll do my best," she promised.

Benoit watched in amusement as Candace left. "Here," she said, handing the coin to Jack.

Jack looked from the coin to Benoit in confusion. He reluctantly held out his hand and accepted the coin, not wanting to appear impolite. "No, thanks. I'm good. I don't think I can afford it, anyway."

"It's taken care of." She made a decisive wave with her hand.

"What? No!"

"I will admit that if you give this to O'Byrne, then it may turn him maudlin for a while," she said as her smile turned malicious.

"Right. Then I really shouldn't take it." He made an attempt to hand the coin back to her, but she held out a business card.

"My card. Send pictures of his morose pout. I'll find you something special if he manages to summon a soul and actually cry. Though I doubt he's capable."

Jack gave in and took the card. He could always put the coin back where he'd found it. On the back of the business card, a small note had been written.

Lot 275-B sold to Jack Elster, paid in full - CB

His shoulders slumped as he realized he'd been tricked. "Thanks. I guess."

"And if you ever need help or have any questions, do not hesitate to call."

image [https://i.imgur.com/eZY0YUq.png]