"I thought you were right behind me," Daphne cried. "I'm sorry."
Greeley dragged Sabrina into the alley and tossed her at her sister's feet. Then he smacked his crowbar into the palm of his hand. It made a sickening sound.
"What did I say? What did I say?" he growled. "I said it's my way or the highway."
"I guess we took the highway," Sabrina said, rubbing her sore head.
"Now we've got a problem," Greeley said. "You see, I've got me a temper and when I get angry I do things I regret."
"Don't take another step toward us!" Sabrina shouted.
"See, this is what I'm talking about. I don't want no guff, you little brat," Greeley said. "Didn't they tell you I'd killed seven people?"
"Is that all?" a voice said from above. Sabrina looked up and saw a huge figure dropping out of the sky. He landed on the ground hard, cracking the cement underneath him. When he stood, Sabrina smiled. It was Mr. Canis. "Hardly a number I'd brag about."
Greeley took a step back but then clenched his fists. "Where did you come from? OK, you want to get in my business?" He swung his crowbar threateningly.
"I know I want to get into your business," another voice said from behind the thug. It was Mr. Hamstead.
"I was thinking I'd like to as well," a third voice said from above. It was Bess, floating down from the sky with her rocket pack blasting. She touched down on the ground and the flame went out.
"What are you people?" Greeley screamed.
"We're fairy tales," Mr. Hamstead said. "It's time for your bedtime story."
Hamstead punched Greeley in the face, and the greasy criminal fell over like a tree. Bess walked over and kicked the man as he curled up into a ball. Mr. Canis, on the other hand, stood by looking bored. Sabrina could have watched the beating all day but a hand was on her shoulder. She turned and found Granny Relda standing behind her. Daphne was hugging the old woman with all her might but Granny still had a free hand to pull Sabrina into the embrace.
"Come along, girls, we need to leave the city as quickly as possible. I'm afraid I may have gotten the family into a lot of trouble with this incident," Granny replied. "Smirt will surely send the police to arrest me for kidnapping."
"No, Granny, we have to go see Titania," Sabrina said.
"What? Why?"
"She needs to know Cobweb didn't kill her husband."
When they reached the Golden Egg, Mustardseed was waiting outside Oberon's old office. He led them into the room, where the queen sat solemnly at her husband's desk. She was now wearing a smart pin-striped suit, tailored for her figure but reminiscent of the one Oberon had worn. She had a framed photo in her hands. She looked tired and her eyes were red, as if she had been crying. Oz stood by, watching her with concern. When he noticed the group he rushed to join them.
"Mustardseed, your mother is having a difficult day," he said. "I'm sure I can handle any of this business for her."
"No," Titania said without looking up. "Step forward, son, and bring your friends."
Mustardseed led the family forward and then bowed to his mother.
"This was a happy day," she said holding up the photograph. "We walked through Central Park, amongst the humans. I thought we'd have an eternity of those moments. Now he's gone and there are so many things I wish I had said."
Titania was quiet for a moment. Though Sabrina was bursting to tell her what she had discovered, she knew that silence was the best thing she could offer the heartbroken queen just then.
"I'm told that my husband's murderer has been killed," Titania continued. "Your family's reputation for excellent detective work has proved true."
"We owe you a debt of gratitude," Mustardseed added.
"Actually we have our doubts about Cobweb," Granny said.
"Indeed?" Oz said.
"My granddaughter has given this some serious thought and has some interesting questions that don't have answers," the old woman said, gesturing for Sabrina to step forward.
"You are Puck's chosen protector, I understand," Titania said.
Sabrina nodded, sniffing her still-pungent hair. "For better or worse."
"You don't believe that Cobweb killed his father?" Titania said as Moth entered the room. The fairy girl flashed Sabrina her usual angry look.
Sabrina shook her head. "Cobweb didn't act like a murderer. First, he was working with Oberon to rebuild Faerie. He told me that he and the king were working on a homeless shelter and a hospital. He told me that he respected and supported Oberon."
"He was lying, fool!" Moth cried.
"Sure, a person can say anything, but what they do is different. We chased him all over town. When we were nearly killed in the subway he came back to check on us. Then when the pirates kidnapped us he came to try to rescue us."
"Not the acts of a murderer," Mustardseed said.
Sabrina nodded. "We think it was someone in the Scarlet Hand. No one here seems to know who they are, but back in Ferryport Landing they've caused a lot of trouble. They're responsible for kidnapping my parents and want to take over the world. They left their mark on Oberon's body."
"But you have no idea who this other murderer might be?" Moth asked.
"No," Granny Relda added.
"Then you are no further along toward discovering his killer than when you started!" Titania cried. Granny stepped forward. "Not exactly. Cobweb gave your husband a glass of wine with poison in it. If we can find out who poured that wine, I believe we'll know who the true killer is."
The queen shook her head. "And how do you propose to learn that?"
"The same way we learned who gave Oberon the poison," Sabrina said.
"Scrooge!" Daphne cried. "He talks to ghosts."
"We can go to see him again and this time we'll talk to Cobweb's spirit," Sabrina explained. "You could come, too. You could talk to Oberon."
Titania rose from her chair. "Is this true?"
Sabrina nodded. "I seem to have the ability to let ghosts take over my body. It's no picnic, but I'd let it happen again so you can tell him a few of those things you never got a chance to say."
"Mother, I've heard talk of Scrooge's talents," Mustardseed said. "Suppose the girl is right. Suppose Cobweb is not the true killer. If that is true, the murderer still walks amongst us. Cobweb could reveal his name."
Titania nodded. "Take me to Scrooge. I'll need a few moments to prepare."
Mustardseed smiled and turned to the group. "We'll join you in the restaurant."
Sabrina and her friends left the office and headed back down the hallway. Moth stopped them and sighed as if she were exhausted. She looked at Sabrina and gritted her teeth.
"Puck could emerge at any moment from his vessel. As his protector, it is customary for you to perform a sacred task."
"What kind of task?" Sabrina asked.
"You must toast the emerging king with a special elixir. It is quite an honor."
"I really can't," Sabrina argued. "We're leaving any minute. Can it wait?"
"I also thought you would like some time alone with Puck. He's the King of Faerie now. If the kingdom is to be rebuilt, he will have a great deal of responsibility. He'll have to stay in the city."
Sabrina felt something rise into her throat and realized it was her heart. She had never given any thought to the idea that Puck might not come home with them. But of course he would stay. He was a king now, and why would he go back to Ferryport Landing and be trapped inside the town again? She suddenly felt the need to cry, then laughed out loud.