“Oh, you don’t have to—” Arthur started.
She waved him off. “Think nothing of it. It’s the least I can do. All I ask is that you let me come to the island to see that garden.”
“Gladly,” Arthur said. “Whenever you’d like. You can stay for lunch.”
She smiled. “Sounds perfect. Perhaps the week after next? I have an employee, but he’s on vacation this week, so it’s just me. I’m sure that you and Mr. Baker here will be consummate hosts—”
“I’m afraid it’ll just be me and the children,” Arthur said, picking up his ice cream. His voice had taken on a strange lilt. “Linus will be leaving us a week from today. Thank you for the ice cream, Helen. And for being so kind.” He turned and walked to the table.
Linus frowned. He’d never seen Arthur be so dismissive before.
“You’re leaving?” Helen asked, sounding baffled. “Why?”
Linus sighed. “It’s an assignment for DICOMY. My stay here was always going to be temporary.”
“But you’ll come back, won’t you?”
Linus looked away. “Why would I? After I make my recommendation, there’d be no need. My job will be done.”
“Your job,” she repeated. “That’s all this is to you? A job?”
“What else would it—”
She reached out and took his hand again. This time, her grip was firm. “Don’t. You can lie to yourself all you want, Mr. Baker, but don’t you try to lie to me. I won’t stand for it. You project yourself in a certain light, but even in my shop, I could see right through the facade. The way you stood up for the children only cemented that. You know what else.”
“It’s not my home,” Linus admitted quietly. “I live in the city.”
Helen scoffed. “A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can’t tell me it’s not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It’s been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again?”
She turned and hollered for Norman, disappearing through the swinging door, leaving Linus staring after her. His ice cream was beginning to melt.
* * *
The man in the post office barely acknowledged his presence. He only grunted while Linus paid to have the report mailed off.
“Anything for me?” Linus asked, tired of this display.
The man glared at him before turning and digging through a plastic box, riffling through envelopes. He pulled out a large one this time. It was much thicker than any other mail Linus had received while on the island. He frowned when the man handed it over.
It was from DICOMY.
“Thank you,” Linus said, distracted. The envelope was heavy and stiff when he picked it up. He left the post office.
He was in the bright sunshine. He took a deep breath. The others were back at the van waiting for him. He shouldn’t open it now, but … he had to know what was inside.
He tore the top of the envelope carefully.
There was a file inside, much like the ones he’d been given when he’d been sent to the island. The file didn’t have a name on the tab. It was blank.
The first page was a cover letter.
He pulled it out, and blinked when something fell onto the sidewalk, bouncing onto his loafer.
He looked down.
It was an old metal key.
He bent down and picked it up. It was lighter than he expected.
The cover letter said:
DEPARTMENT IN CHARGE OF MAGICAL YOUTH MEMO FROM EXTREMELY UPPER MANGEMENT
* * *
Mr. Baker:
Thank you for your second report. It was thorough, as always, and quite enlightening. The descriptions of the daily lives of the children gave us plenty to consider.
However.
We do have some concerns.
As you’ll recall, we asked previously for a more in-depth look at Arthur Parnassus. And while you did provide that to us, we couldn’t help but notice that it appeared to be less … objective than we expected. In fact, the entire report is unlike any other you’ve written. You were chosen for this assignment, in part, because of your impartiality. You were able, even in the face of adversity, to maintain a degree of separation from the children and people you were investigating.
That doesn’t seem to be the case here.
We would caution you against this, Mr. Baker. People will say and do anything they can in order to appease those in power. It’s a weapon, and one that is wielded quite deftly. Those who aren’t immune to such things might find themselves thinking in ways they shouldn’t. Your time on Marsyas will end shortly. You will return to the city. You will be given another assignment, and this will occur all over again. Shield your heart, Mr. Baker, because that is what they go for first. You cannot allow yourself to lose sight of what is real here. You must remain objective. As we’re sure you’re aware, the RULES AND REGULATIONS dictate that any and all relationships formed must remain completely professional. You cannot be seen as being compromised, especially if there is evidence that an orphanage needs to be closed in order to protect the children.
We can, admittedly, say that we may have underestimated how susceptible you might have been to such attentions from someone like Mr. Parnassus. Seeing as how you’re unmarried, we can understand how you might be feeling confused or conflicted. To that end, we want to remind you that DICOMY and Extremely Upper Management are here for you. We care about you. Upon your return from the island, we’ll require you to attend a psychological evaluation. For your own peace of mind, of course. The well-being of our caseworkers is of the utmost importance. You are the lifeblood of DICOMY, and without you, there would be no us. There would be no hope for the children. You matter, Mr. Baker.
To assist you in making sure your thoughts are in order and in an effort to be fully transparent, we have enclosed a semi-complete file on Arthur Parnassus. He is, as you’ll soon see, not who you think he is. The Marsyas Orphanage is an experiment of sorts. To see if someone of his … demeanor could be in charge of a group of unusual children. To keep them all in one place in order to protect our way of life. The island is well-known to him, seeing as how he grew up there in an orphanage that was once closed down because of him. This report is for your eyes only. It is not to be discussed with anyone else, including Mr. Parnassus. Consider it classified level four.
In addition, you will find enclosed a key. If the locks haven’t been changed, this should open the cellar door hidden in the garden. It will give you insight as to what Arthur Parnassus is truly capable of.
Soon, Mr. Baker. You will be coming home soon.
We look forward to your next report and your final debrief upon your return.
Sincerely,
CHARLES WERNER
EXTREMELY UPPER MANAGEMENT
FIFTEEN
Though the curiosity was begging to kill the cat, Linus ignored it.
He ignored it as he walked back to the van.
He ignored it as he climbed inside.
He ignored it as Arthur smiled at him, asking him if he was ready to go home.
“Yes,” he said evenly. “I’m ready.”
The children were high on sugar and the day’s outing, and babbled most of the way to the ferry. Merle scowled at them when he opened the gate, but they ignored him. By the time they were halfway across the channel to the island, the children were asleep, with the exception of Sal. Theodore was curled in his lap, wing over his head to block out the sunlight.