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coming up the stairs. She slid the key quickly under her pillow.
    Her mother paused in the doorway. “What’s that on the bed. A new coat?”
    â€œIt’s not new. I got it at Hidden Treasures.”
    â€œYou need a lot of things more than you need a coat. And you’ve got a perfectly good jacket. What do you call that color?”
    â€œElectric blue, the woman at Hidden Treasures said. She said there was only one coat like this in the world.”
    â€œI believe that.”
    â€œI had to have this coat, Mom. It’s too long to explain. I know you’re tired and want to get to bed, but I had to have it.”
    â€œI am tired. I hope to wrap this case up next week.” She leaned against the doorway and gave Herculeah a puzzled look. “Aren’t you even going to ask me about it?”
    â€œYour case? No.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause I know you won’t tell me.”
    â€œStill, it’s not like you not to try to pry things out of me. You’re not getting sick, are you?”
    â€œOh, Mom. I have things in my life more interesting than your case, that’s all.”
    â€œYou want to talk?”
    â€œIt can wait. Good night, Mom.”
    â€œGood night.”
    Herculeah heard her mother go into her bedroom. She reached under her pillow and brought out the key.
    Her mother would have taken the key away from her. Herculeah knew exactly what she would have said. “Give me that key this minute. Keys get you into trouble. I remember the key to Dead Oaks. I remember the key to Madame Rosa’s house. No more keys for you, young lady, and that is final.”
    Herculeah felt her hair begin to frizzle at those memories, and she swept it back into a ponytail with one hand. With the other she gripped the key.
    â€œThis key,” she said, “will be different.”
    From the corner of the bedroom, Tarot cried, “Beware.” This time he sounded as if he meant it.

8
    THE LAST NUMBER
    Herculeah swirled into Hidden Treasures. The bell over the door announced her.
    â€œMrs. Glenn, hi, are you here? It’s me, Herculeah Jones.”
    â€œI’m here,” a cheerful voice called back.
    â€œOh, great. I ran all the way from school to see what you found out.”
    â€œI’m on the phone,” Mrs. Glenn called from the back of the store.
    Herculeah rushed back to the desk where Mrs. Glenn stood with the phone to her ear.
    Herculeah knew she should not interrupt, but she couldn’t help it. “Just tell me if you found out anything about the coat. This coat?” She patted the wide lapels. “Remember, I called you yesterday and you said you’d have to ask Nellie.”
    Mrs. Glenn held up two fingers.
    â€œYou found out two things, or you’ll be with me in two minutes?”
    Into the phone Mrs. Glenn said, “I do have one ginger jar, but it has a hairline crack in it.... Yes.... Actually, if you turned that side to the wall no one would notice.”
    Herculeah leaned over the desk. She couldn’t wait. She said, “Just tell me if you found out anything. Nod your head, yes or no. I can’t stand the suspense. Then I’ll leave you alone.”
    Mrs. Glenn nodded.
    â€œWere you nodding at me,” Herculeah asked, pointing to herself, “or somebody on the phone?”
    Mrs. Glenn pointed at Herculeah.
    â€œNow I’m really in suspense,” Herculeah said.
    Mrs. Glenn shooed her off, and Herculeah walked around the store, restlessly trying on a hat, checking herself out in the mirror, opening a book of photographs, and flipping through the pages.
    She opened books and closed them, held earrings to her ears and put them back. She paused in front of the mirror with another hat.
    â€œIncidentally,” she said, more to herself than to Mrs. Glenn, “this is a terrible mirror. I almost didn’t buy the coat when I saw myself because I looked like I didn’t have a neck.