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Blue Moon 14.4

by Donna Lamb

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Joel Messenger had delighted in puzzles. That sense of fun had drawn him to both music and programming, fields in which his talent for seeing interconnections and patterns enabled him to excel. First as Joel in the world of computers and abstract things called databases, then, at least for one day, as Jo in the world of music performance.

And now Jo realized she had a puzzle to work out and a deadline in which to do it. There had to be a way to get everything she wanted out of this situation involving sacred and profane magics. And the felt the secret lay in the number three. Turn that puzzle the right way and everything else had to fall into line and make a complete picture.

She stood, apparently alone in the moonlit garden, but around her spirits gathered. Joel's dead father stood there beside her right hand, spiritual tears running down his face. Mr. and Mrs. Thierry, Melody's retroactive adopted parents, stood behind her, beaming with pride and love. And on her left hand stood a little girl in a set of yellow bunny suit pajamas -- looking solemn but cute, and remarkably like a younger Jo. She took her big sister's hand in her own small one and waited for things to work out.

Richard still stood where he had been, right in front of Jo, looking into her face from inches away. He wanted to kiss her again but dared not take the chance on distracting her.

Behind him stood Mr. Dar Gmunro, an ancient and honorable spirit, the Principality of Limbo Dnuro, holder of the Office of Heavenly Provocateur, Father Confusor to Angelic Hosts, Sorceror Supreme and other offices arcane, divine and obscure. Most especially, obscure. His scars and pockmarks wreathed his smile, secure in the knowledge that Heaven always wins -- eventually.

* * *

Jo reasoned like this:

I have to make a third wish before midnight -- and Richard, or Richard's ghost, says it has to benefit more than just me and harm no one more than it harms me. How? What kind of wish would that be?

Everything started when Richard made a wish on the Blue Moon to sleep with a beautiful girl. So ... the devil, or whoever, (Jo wasn't sure she actually believed in the devil, except perhaps as a bug in the System.), granted that wish by changing me into my own sister who died at birth. There's some complications there that don't make sense but I'll ignore them until it seems to make a difference.

Later I made a wish that things would be easier and I started feeling more like myself and the devil, or whoever, (And Jo had a real problem imagining that some Satanic force arranged for her to find her own toy rabbit, Dunny, that had been buried with her sister.), granted that wish by giving me access to, to Melody Jo Thierry's life and I still don't quite understand that. Again, I'll have to ignore complications that don't seem to make sense, right away -- like Barry and his wife.

Then that weird guy, G'munro. He knew about the wishes. What did he say? First wish, Beauty. Second wish, Wealth. Which sort of fits -- but the mistake is to wish for Happiness third. No, he said "unwise," that it's Unwise to wish for Happiness third.

Jo knew what the third wish had to be.

* * *

"You're winning," said the Devil in Drag.

"I know," said Ted the Clarence, trying not to look smug.

"I might say your little con-job was almost diabolical."

Ted considered. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"I meant it as one," Sophie admitted. She made a face. "Do you think she'll figure out the rest of it?"

Ted grinned widely, showing ancient British teeth that had never known a dentist in life. "Count on it," he said.

Sophie groaned.

* * *

"I w-wish -- I wish we were all w-wise enough to know what we should do and just bold enough to do it," said Jo out loud. Spirits around her cheered.

Nothing noticeable happened, but Jo didn't stop there.

* * *

Sophie sighed and raised her highball glass. "Here's to Jo's long life, because it's the only way I, the Adversary, can grant wisdom."

Ted raised his glass, too. "And to everyone else involved in this affair's long life -- and growing wisdom."

"And boldness, I bet you didn't expect that part."

"Well, no. But she's already wise enough to not wish to be brave."

Sophie shook her head. "I can't do true bravery, that's part of character, overcoming fear -- but boldness is lack of fear. I can do that, I'm the Queen of Fear. That 'just' in there is a kicker, too. The girl's been sandbagging. That boy of yours is a heck of a Clarence, ain't he? Too bad you're out of a job now."

"Don't be too sure," said Ted.

"And Gmunro is Barry the Louse's Guardian? Never suspected that. Who's the redhead's Clarence?"

"The little girl in the bunny suit," said Ted, smiling.

Sophie rolled her eyes and tossed off the rest of her drink. "Damn it. Sandbagged all the way."

* * *

Jo didn't stop because she knew that behind every good puzzle is another deeper puzzle:

That was the third wish, counting from Richard's original. Wishes come in threes.

But that was only my second wish. I'm entitled to a third wish, myself, not counting Richard's.

But the devil can't grant the wish I want to make.

But I haven't been wishing to the devil.

She spoke aloud, fifteen seconds to midnight. "Third time redeems all! By Divine Justice, I claim my third wish! On the Honor of Heaven, I wish I were the only one hit by the bullet fired by Cherie in Wrangler Jill's earlier tonight."

* * *

"I'll take this one," said Ted.

"Be my guest," Sophie agreed. "I'm outta here."

* * *

The twenty-five caliber slug struck her high on the right side of her chest, shattering her collarbone. The bullet followed the broken bone along her shoulder finally lodging in the upper joint of her right arm.

Richard twisted and lunged with the impact, trying to keep her in his arms. He went down to his knees, then lay her on the floor and crouched over her, protecting her from another shot.

"Jo!" he screamed.