"I've hired Gary Sinclair to look into David Halliday's background." Rachel told Mr Akageno.

"Have him investigate Jordan Stark as well." he replied.

"The head of the Lumina Foundation? You think there's a connection?"

"Two men of mystery, arriving in Bay City at the same time? I don't believe in coincidences, Rachel." said Akageno, "As it happens, I have heard the name 'Jordan Stark' before. He was a notorious Black Magician who disappeared before he could receive the punishment appropriate to his crimes."

"When was this?"

"In 1798."

"So, it can't be the same Jordan Stark."

"The Lumina Foundation's Stark could be a descendant , or an ardent disciple who has adopted the name." said Akakgeno, "Rather like calling oneself 'Elvis'."

****

Meanwhile, Jordan Stark received a telephone call from Marly.

"I need your help." she said.

"I have helped you." he pointed out.

"Not enough! Just making me look like Vicky for a little while isn't enough. I want to be Vicky!"

"I told you before, major magic like that doesn't come cheap."

"I'll pay you!" said Marly, "Just tell me what you want!"

"More than you could pay."

****

"What did you find out in Omaha?" Rachel asked, when Gary reported back.

"Approximately one year ago, David Halliday, a rare book dealer, suddenly left Omaha, with no forwarding address. He didn't say goodbye to his family, or to his fiancee; he just emptied his bank account and split."

"Was he a magician?"

"If he was, nobody knew about it." said Gary.

"Maybe he had some reason for keeping it a secret." said Rachel, "Is there some way of finding out?"

"If Halliday was ever tested for magical ability, there's gotta be a record of it, somewhere. I'll start lookin'."

"Thank you, Gary."

****

Neil Johanssen and his partner knocked on Marly's door.

"Marly Hudson?"

"Yes?"

"Agent Johanssen, Agent Cox, Bureau of Wizardry." he said, as they showed their badges, "You are under arrest, for the use of illegal magics."

"I don't know what you mean."

"We know all about it, Ms Hudson: the Spell of Silence you used on your mother, the shape-changing magic you used to try and steal your sister's husband." said Neil, "We waited to arrest you until we knew the name of your supplier, and thanks to the tap we put on your phone, now we do."

Marly crumpled to the floor. "Ms Hudson?"

Her eyes were open. "Stand up, Ms Hudson." No response.

****

"A rare book dealer, you say?" said Akageno, "That is interesting. Jordan Stark - the original one, that is - was the author of a banned book called BEYOND IMAGINATION."

"What was it about?" asked Rachel.

"No one really knows. The authorities attempted to track down and destroy every copy, except for the ones kept in the Royal College of Wizardry's Archives, and in the Black Cabinet of the British Museum."

"I wish we could get a look at it." said Rachel, "It may contain some clue about what Halliday wants with Amanda."

"It would be extremely difficult - virtually impossible, in fact - to gain access to the ones in the British Museum or the College." said Akageno, "However, there may still be a few copies in private hands. I shall see what I can do."

"Thank you, Darling."

****

"Catatonia." said the doctor, "Marly Hudson has retreated deep inside her own mind."

"Can you bring her out of it?" said Neil.

"There's no miracle cure. We shall try to get through to her, but there's no guarantee of success. The patient will respond when she is ready, which may be never."

Neil stifled a curse. The wiretap was not enough; without Marly's testimony, they didn't have enough evidence against Jordan Stark to make an arrest.

****

Meanwhile, Mr Akageno was making a long-distance call.

"Do you know who this is?"

"I thought you were dead."

"I prefer to stay that way, at present. I need your help in obtaining a certain book."

To be continued.