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TITLES
BY JAYNE ANN KRENTZ
THE LOST NIGHT FILES TRILOGY
The Night Island
Sleep No More
THE FOGG LAKE TRILOGY
Lightning in a Mirror
All the Colors of Night
The Vanishing
Untouchable
Promise Not to Tell
When All the Girls Have Gone
Secret Sisters
Trust No One
River Road
DreamEyes
Copper Beach
In Too Deep
Fired Up
Running Hot
Sizzle and Burn
White Lies
All Night Long
Falling Awake
Truth or Dare
Light in Shadow
Summer in Eclipse Bay
Together in Eclipse Bay
Smoke in Mirrors
Lost & Found
Dawn in Eclipse Bay
Soft Focus
Eclipse Bay
Eye of the Beholder
Flash
Sharp Edges
Deep Waters
Absolutely, Positively
Trust Me
Grand Passion
Hidden Talents
Wildest Hearts
Family Man
Perfect Partners
Sweet Fortune
Silver Linings
The Golden Chance
TITLES BY JAYNE ANN KRENTZ WRITING AS AMANDA QUICK
The Bride Wore White
When She Dreams
The Lady Has a Past
Close Up
Tightrope
The Other Lady Vanishes
The Girl Who Knew Too Much
’Til Death Do Us Part
Garden of Lies
Otherwise Engaged
The Mystery Woman
Crystal Gardens
Quicksilver
Burning Lamp
The Perfect Poison
The Third Circle
The River Knows
Second Sight
Lie by Moonlight
The Paid Companion
Wait Until Midnight
Late for the Wedding
Don’t Look Back
Slightly Shady
Wicked Widow
I Thee Wed With This Ring
Affair
Mischief
Mystique
Mistress Deception Desire
Dangerous
Reckless Ravished
Rendezvous
Scandal
Surrender
Seduction
TITLES BY JAYNE ANN KRENTZ WRITING AS JAYNE CASTLE
Sweetwater and the Witch
Guild Boss
Illusion Town
Siren’s Call
The Hot Zone
Deception Cove
The Lost Night
Canyons of Night
Midnight Crystal Obsidian Prey
Dark Light
Silver Master
Ghost Hunter
After Glow
Harmony
After Dark
Amaryllis
Zinnia Orchid
THE GUINEVERE JONES SERIES
Desperate and Deceptive
THEGUINEVEREJONESCOLLECTION,VOLUME1
The Desperate Game
The Chilling Deception
Sinister and Fatal
THEGUINEVEREJONESCOLLECTION,VOLUME2
The Sinister Touch
The Fatal Fortune
ANTHOLOGIES
Charmed (WITHJULIEBEARD,LORIFOSTER,ANDEILEENWILKS)
TITLES BY JAYNE ANN KRENTZ AND JAYNE CASTLE
No Going Back
AnimprintofPenguinRandomHouseLLC penguinrandomhousecom
Copyright©2024by JayneAnnKrentz
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Library ofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Names:Krentz,JayneAnn,author
Title:Thenightisland/JayneAnnKrentz
Description:NewYork:Berkley,2024 |Series:Thelostnightfiles;2
Identifiers:LCCN2023025944(print)|LCCN2023025945(ebook)|ISBN9780593639856(hardcover)|ISBN9780593639870(ebook)
Subjects:LCGFT:Thrillers(Fiction)|Novels Classification:LCCPS3561R44N542024(print)|LCCPS3561R44(ebook)|DDC813/54 dc23/eng/20230613 LCrecordavailableathttps://lccnlocgov/2023025944 LCebookrecordavailableathttps://lccnlocgov/2023025945
Coverdesignby RitaFrangieBatour
Coverimageby NicoleMatthews/Arcangel Adaptedforebookby Kelly Brennan
Thisisaworkoffiction Names,characters,places,andincidentseitheraretheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andany resemblancetoactualpersons,livingor dead,businessestablishments,events,orlocalesisentirely coincidental pid prh 61 145852931 c0 r0
Cover
Titles by
Jayne Ann Krentz
Title Page
Copyright Dedication
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-One
ChapterTwenty-Two
ChapterTwenty-Three
ChapterTwenty-Four
ChapterTwenty-Five
ChapterTwenty-Six
ChapterTwenty-Seven
ChapterTwenty-Eight
ChapterTwenty-Nine
ChapterThirty
ChapterThirty-One
ChapterThirty-Two
ChapterThirty-Three
CONTENTS
ChapterThirty-Four
ChapterThirty-Five
ChapterThirty-Six
ChapterThirty-Seven
ChapterThirty-Eight
ChapterThirty-Nine
ChapterForty
ChapterForty-One
ChapterForty-Two
ChapterForty-Three
ChapterForty-Four
ChapterForty-Five
ChapterForty-Six
ChapterForty-Seven
ChapterForty-Eight
ChapterForty-Nine
ChapterFifty
ChapterFifty-One
ChapterFifty-Two
ChapterFifty-Three
ChapterFifty-Four
ChapterFifty-Five
ChapterFifty-Six
ChapterFifty-Seven
ChapterFifty-Eight
ChapterFifty-Nine
ChapterSixty
ChapterSixty-One
ChapterSixty-Two
ChapterSixty-Three
ChapterSixty-Four
About the Author
As always, for Frank, with love.
And for author and friend Christina Dodd, with thanks Yes, I know you are not a vegetarian, but your relentless quest for the next great meal inspired Talia’s motto: Neverwastecaloriesonboringfood. (I’ll buy the wine the next time we get together.)
CHAPTER ONE
THERE WOULD BE nightmaresagaintonight.
She’dalwayshadaknackforfindingmisplacedkeys,glasses,andpets Shewasfinewiththat Buthernew psychic abilityfor trackingdownthe bodies ofthose who had died byviolence was not onlydepressingbut frequentlyled to anxietyattacksanddisturbingdreams.
Why couldn’t it have been a talent for something more positive like, say, picking winning lottery numbers? Why did it have to be dead bodies?
TaliaMarchclenchedthedeadman’sgoldcufflinkinonehand,gatheredhernerve,andflattenedherotherhandagainstthe metal side ofthe industrial-sized trashbin She was braced mentallyand physically, her core Pilates-tight;nevertheless, the joltofpsychiclightningrattledhernervesandhersenses Inthepastfewmonthsshehadlearnedthattheenergylaiddownby violencealwayscameasashock.
She hadfinallyfiguredoutthatwhatshe detectedwithher new abilitywas the psychic stainofthe killer’s emotions or lackthereof andthepainandfearofthevictim Itmadeforatoxicbrewthatseepedintothecrimesceneand,toher,wasas obviousasapoolofblood.
Shewasawareofaweakfrissonemanatingfromthecufflink.Theownerwasdeadbuttheitemthathehadwornfrequently inlifewasstillinfusedwiththehollowechoofhisvibe
She could workwithalmostanyobjectthathad belonged to the missingor the deceased, butover the course ofthe past several months she had learned that some materials absorbed and reflected paranormal energymore efficientlythanothers. Goldwasaparticularlystrongconductor,almostasgoodascrystal
“Shit,”shewhispered Shetookaquickstepback “He’sinthere”
Roger Gossard, the head of Gossard Consulting, a crime scene consultingcompany, studied the trashbinwitha pained expression.“Areyousure?”
“Youhiredmeformybestguess,”shesaid “Thisisit”
Roger gruntedbuthedidnotargueor demandmoredetails.Heknew better thantoaskher toexplainher conclusion.He looked at the unhappy man wearing a security guard uniformemblazoned with the logo of the company that controlled the loadingdock
“Okayifwetakealook?”Rogersaid.“Weneedtofindoutforsureifthere’sabodyinsidebeforewecallthepolice.” Thesecurityguardshrugged.“BosssaysI’msupposedtocooperatebutI’mtellingyourightnowI’mnotgoingintothatbin tolookforadeadbody You’reonyourown” “Right.” Roger switched his attention to the two members of his team who were waiting for instructions. “Bailey and Thomas,takealook.Weneedtomakesure.”
Grim but resigned, the pair pulled on heavy gloves, climbed into the bin, and went to work sorting through the trash generatedbytheseveralhundredofficeworkersemployedinthebuilding
Talia retreated to the frontofthe loadingdockand contemplated the view ofthe alley. The rainwas comingdowninthe steadywaythatwastypicalofSeattleinthelatefall.Theheavyskiesindicatedtheweatherwasnotgoingtochangeanytime soon TheBigGraywasjustgettingstarted
Inthe pastshe had beencomfortable withthe drama ofthe city’s darkseason. Butthe nightshe had lostto amnesia had changedalotofthings.Nowshewasawareofarelentlesssenseofurgencysimmeringjustbeneaththesurface,asensationthat wasintensifiedbythelatedawnsandearlytwilights
She tuned out the noise of the trash bin excavation process and opened her phone There was no new text from her mysterious informant. She was startingto lose hope. Maybe she had beenconned. Itwas a discouragingthoughtbecause the leadhadappearedsopromising.
“LookslikewefoundClayton,boss,”Baileycalled “Wrappedinplasticsheeting Notaprettysight”
Thesecurityguardbackedawayfromthetrashbinasifitwasradioactive.
“That’s far enough,” Roger said. “Don’t touchanythingelse. I’ll call Seatonand let himknow. He’ll be thrilled. It’s no longeramissingpersonscase He’sgotagenuinehomicideonhishands”
“Noquestionaboutthat,”Thomasmuttered.“Lookslikesomeoneusedahammeronhim.”
Roger tookouthisphoneandmadethecall.WhenhewasfinishedhewalkedtowardTalia,watchingher asifshewasa memberoftheAddamsfamily Thiswasn’tthefirstcaseshehadworkedonforhimandsheknewwhatwascomingnext He nolongerneededher.Shewasnowaproblem.Hewantedhergonebeforethepolicedetectivearrived.
Rogerwasgood-looking,smart,well-dressed,andambitious.Everythingabouthim,fromhisexpensivebusinesssuittohis salon-styledhair,projectedtheimageofamanonthefasttracktosuccess.Hemadenosecretofhisgoal.Hewasheadedfor thetopofthepsychological forensics field,buildingareputationas aconsultantwhobroughtstate-of-the-arttechnologyand thelatestscientifictheoriestothebusinessofcrimesolving.Theverylastthinghewantedwasforhisclientstofindoutthathe occasionallyemployedapsychic.
Hestoppedinfrontofher “Youwereright,”hesaidquietly “RayClaytondidnotwalkoutonhiswifeanddisappear She murderedhimwiththehelpofherlover.”
“You’llhavetoprovethatlastpart.”
“It’s not myproblem It’s up to Seatonto close the case But now that we found the bodyfor himthat shouldn’t be too difficult.Therewillbealotofevidence.”
“Therealwaysisonthebody.”
Rogerloweredhisvoicealittlemore “Youcangonow”
Shegavehimanicysmile “Don’tworry,I’mnotgoingtohangarounduntilthecopsgethere WeallknowSeatonwould havea few questions ifhe saw me.Itwouldn’tdofor GossardConsultingtoadmitthattheybroughtina psychictofindthe missingbody.Badforthebrand.”
Rogerwincedandglanceduneasilyoverhisshoulder “Keepyourvoicedown Itoldyou,BaileyandThomasthinkyou’re aforensicpsychologistwhofiguredoutthemostlikelydumpsiteafterstudyingmyprofileofthewife.”
“Iwon’tblowyourcover.AjobisajobandIneedthemoney.”Talialookedatthetrashbinandthenquicklyavertedher gaze “Besides,it’snotlikeIwanttobeherewhentheyretrievethebody”
Rogerfrowned.“Areyouokay?”
“Absolutely.” Well, except for an incipient anxiety attack and the knowledge that the night ahead will be very long and very dark What the hell Not my first dead body I’m a professional Don’t try this at home “I’ll ride offinto the sunset now”
“Don’tforgettosendyourbill.”
“Oh,Iwon’t.”Sherealizedshewasstillholdingthegoldcufflink.Sheunclenchedherfingersandheldoutherhand.“You canhavethis Iwon’tneeditanymore”
“Right.”Rogerpickedupthecufflinkandslippeditintoapocket.
She wentdownthe loadingdocksteps,pulledupthe hoodofher jacket,andwalkedtowardthe far endofthe alley.The relentlesshowlofasireninthedistanceannouncedtheapproachingpolicevehicle ThebigSUVroaredintothealleyjustas shewascrossingthestreet.Shedidnotlookback.
ItwasagoodthingthatRogerhadnotaskedforanexplanationofhow shehadlocatedthebodyofRayClayton,because shedidnotunderstanditherself Shewasnotsureshewantedtocomprehendit Hernewabilitywasunwelcomeonsomany levels.Shehadnotbeenforcedtolookatthefaceofthedeadmaninthetrashbintoday,butthatwouldnotprotectherfromthe psychicfallout.
Tonighttherewouldbenightmares.
CHAPTER TWO
COME ANY CLOSER andI’llkillher,”MartinPilcheryelled.
Luke Rand opened his senses to the nightmarishcurrents ofenergythatshivered throughPilcher’s threats Itdidn’t takeanypsychictalenttofigureoutthatthemanwastotallyunhinged.
Pilcherwasinthedoorwayofthesmall,shadowedhouse.Hetightenedhisarmaroundhiswife’sthroatandputthebarrel ofthepistolagainstherhead
“I’mnotfuckingaroundhere,”hescreamed.
“He’sgoingtodoit,”Lukesaidquietly.“We’retalkingacoupleofminutesatthemostbeforehepullsthetrigger.”
“Shit”SamHobbs’sexpressionwasgrimbutresigned “I’llsignalWilsontotaketheshot” “Itwon’twork,”Lukesaid “Wilsoncan’tgetaclear shot Bestcaseis thebulletpunches throughPilcher andstrikes the wife.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” Hobbs’s jaw tightened. “I don’t have a choice. We don’t have time for any more negotiation”
“LetmetrybeforeyougivetheordertoWilson.” Hobbshesitated.“Okay,you’vegotoneminute.”
“Understood,”Lukesaid
HeandHobbswerestandingbehindoneofthethreepolicevehiclesparkedinthefrontyardofthehouse.KatyPilcherhad triedtohideintheruraltowninNorthernCaliforniaafterobtainingarestrainingorderthatwassupposedtokeepherstalker husbandfromcontactingher ButPilcherhadtrackedherdown Katyhadmanagedtodial911justasPilcherbrokeinthrougha window
Whenthepolicearrivedonthesceneitbecameahostagesituation.Nowitwasabouttomutateintoamurder-suicide. Somuchfortherural community’spromiseofsafety,Lukethought.Lessonlearned.KatyPilcher wasn’ttheonlyonewho hadchosenthesmall,remotetownasahideout
Inhindsight,ithadbeenamistaketoacceptHobbs’sinvitationtoplaypokeronFridaynights,butithadseemedlikeasmall risk. Unfortunately, over cards and whiskey, Luke had mentioned that he had done some hostage negotiation. Now he was paying for that slip of the tongue Fifteen minutes ago Hobbs had called, asking for assistance at the scene of a crime in progress.
Lukefocusedonthemaninthedoorway.“Noonehereisgoingtomakeanymoves,Mr.Pilcher.Whatdoyouneed?”
Onthesurface,thewordssoundedcalmandreassuring,buttheyformedaninvisibleTrojanhorsecarryingthecurrentsofa psychictrap.
“Ineedyouandeveryoneelsetoleaveusalone,”Pilchershouted.“Thisisnoneofyourfuckingbusiness.She’smywife. ” Luke ignored Katy’s panic-strickenface. He had the fixnow. He concentrated onthe dangerouslyunstable frequencies of herhusband’saura
“All right, Mr. Pilcher,” he said, infusingthe words withthe counterpointcurrents thatwould send Pilcher’s vibe into a wildlyoscillatingmode.“Weunderstandthisisaprivatematter.Giveusalittletimetoclearoutofhere.”
Hobbsscowled “Whatthefuckareyoudoing?”
“You’vegotthirtyseconds,”Pilcherscreamed.“Ifyou’renotgone,I’ll ” Hewentsilent,hismouthopen,hiseyeswideashestaredatsomethingonlyhecouldsee. “Shit,”Hobbswhispered “What’sgoingon?”
Lukedidnotreply Hehadthefocus HecontinuedtalkingtoPilcher
“It’sover,Pilcher,”hesaid,continuingtolacehiswordswiththefrequenciesthatwouldsuppresstheerraticwavelengths oftheotherman’saura.“Youdon’twanttokillyourwife.”
“Stop,”Pilchersaid Buthesoundeddazedanddisoriented “Whatareyoudoing?” “Thesituationhaschanged,”Lukesaid.“LetKatygo.Youdon’tneedher.”
PilcherhauledKatydeeperintothehouseandawayfromthedoor.Nowneithercouldbeseen.
“Youdon’twanttohurtKaty,”Lukecalled,forcingasmuchenergyintothewordsashecouldmanage Hewasstilllearning thelimitsofhisnewtalent.“Therewillbenothingbutpainifyouhurther.Morepainthanyouhaveeverknown ” Themuffledroarofagunshotinsidethehousereverberatedthroughthewoods.
“Fuck,”Hobbsmuttered Heraisedhishandtosignaltheofficerstomovein “Don’tshoot,”KatyPilcherscreamedfromtheshadows.“Please.It’sme.Ithinkmyhusbandisdead.” “Tossthegunoutside,Ms.Pilcher,”Hobbsordered.
Thepistolsailedthroughthedoorwayandlandedonthefrontsteps.
“Comeoutwithyourhandsup,”Hobbsordered
KatyPilcheremerged.Shecamedownthesteps,movingawkwardly.Anofficerinterceptedherandpulledhertothesideof thehouse,outofthelineoffire.
Buttherewerenomoreshots
Adeepsilenceemanatedfrominsidethehouse.TheofficerwhohadtakenKatytosafetyshoutedfromhispositiononthe sideofthestructure.
“ShesaysPilcherhadsomekindofseizure Hecollapsed Shegrabbedthepistolandshothimbecauseshewasafraidhe wouldrecoverandkillher.”
Hobbslookedattheshockedwoman.“Arethereanymoregunsinthehouse,Ms.Pilcher?”
“No,”shesaid “Iswearit IthoughtaboutgettingonetoprotectmyselfbutIdidn’t Ijusthopedhewouldneverfindme” Shestartedtocry
Hobbs gave the orders to secure the house and moved forward. Luke watched the officer escortKatyPilcher to a patrol vehicle.Shehalfcollapsedontherearseatandputherfaceintoherhands.
Luke walked to the vehicle, flattened a palmonthe roof, and leaned ina little He opened his senses, gotthe focus, and infusedacalmingnoteintohisvoice.
“Areyouhurt,Ms.Pilcher?”heasked.
Sheraisedherhead,loweredherhands,andlookedathimwithstrickeneyes “Hewasgoingtokillmethistime Notjust beatmelikehedidbefore.Hewasreallygoingtokillme.”
LukereflectedontheterribleenergyinPilcher’svoice.“Iknow.” “Ishedead?”Katywhispered “Ihopehe’sdead Idon’tcareifIgotojailsolongashe’sdead”
Hobbsemergedfromthehouse HesawLukeandKatyandcametowardthem Katywrappedherarmsaroundhermidsectionandrocked.“Martinwouldn’thavestopped.Iknowhim.Hewouldnothave stopped.Ever.”
Hobbsreachedthevehicle HegaveLukeanunreadablelookandthenheturnedtoKaty “Yourhusbandisdead,Ms.Pilcher,”hesaid.
Katyclosedhereyes.“Good.WillIgotojail?”
“No,”Hobbssaid “Itwasaclearcaseofself-defenseasfarasI’mconcerned,andI’mtheonewhomakesthatcallinthis town.ButIneedyoutotellmeexactlywhathappenedinthere.”
“I’mnotsure,”Katyadmitted.“Ithinkhehadastrokeoraseizure.Maybeaheartattack.HejustseemedtoforgetthatIwas there Hedroppedthegunandsanktohisknees,clutchingathischest Igrabbedthegunandpulledthetrigger” “Didyourhusbandhaveanyunderlyinghealthconditions?”Hobbsasked.
Katyshookherhead.“No.Heneverwenttodoctors.Hedidn’ttrustthem.”
“We’llknowmoreafterthecoronerexamineshim,”Hobbssaid.“Butnoquestionaboutit he’sdead,andyouwon’tface charges”
Katyclosedhereyes.“It’sfinallyover.”
“I’llneedastatement,”Hobbssaid.“Butitcanwait.”
“Idon’twanttogobackintothecabin,”Katysaid
“Isthereanyoneyoucanstaywith?”Hobbssaid
Katyshookherhead.“Idon’tknowanyoneintown.MydaughtermovedtoPhoenix.Pilcherisn’therfather.Shehatedhim. She’llbeverygladhe’sgone.SoamI.NowIcangostaywithJenny.Icouldn’tbefore,yousee.Iknewhewouldfollowme andmaybekillher,too”
“We’llmoveyoutoalocalmoteltonight,”Hobbssaid.HelookedattheofficerwhohadbroughtKatytothevehicle.“Call theClearwaterInnandtellValerieweneedaroomforacoupleofdaysforMs.Pilcher.”
“Yes,sir,”theofficersaid
Luketookhishandofftheroofofthepatrolcarandlookedattheshadoweddoorwayofthehouse.Theembersofathought hehadbeentryingtosuppressignited.
Did I flatline him?
He had notbeentryingto stop Pilcher’s hearttoday. His goal had beento render the manunconscious. ButPilcher was dead, and while that was certainly the most convenient outcome for his wife and the world in general, it left one huge unansweredquestion.Hadhebeendeadbeforehiswifepulledthetrigger?
LukenoddedtoHobbsandwalkedtotheSUVhehadleftonthesideoftheroad Hecouldfeelthecop’sspeculativeeyes onhimeverystepoftheway.TherewouldbenomorefriendlynightsofpokerandwhiskeyatHobbs’shouse.
HegotbehindthewheeloftheSUV.
Whathadhebecome?
Thefamiliar scenefromhis nightmares,theoneinwhichhegrippedascalpel andwalkedthroughthebloodoftwodead menlyingonthefloorofalab,flashedinfrontofhiseyes.
Heforcedhimselftofocusonstartingthevehicle Intheprocesshemanagedtosuppressthevision Buthecouldnotsilence thevoicesofthetwomenfromlastnight’seditionoftherecurringnightmare.
“Subject Ais not responding. We will have to terminate.”
“Wait He may pull out of it We can’t afford another failure He’s worth a fucking fortune ”
“Only if he’s a success If he does survive there will be a high probability of insanity The client is paying for a psychically enhanced assassin, not a monster with a lethal talent.”
“We can’t be sure the subject will be insane if he survives. If he is we can terminate later.”
“He’s a failure I’ll take care of this ”
“What the fuck? Stop ”
Afterthattherewereonlythechoked-offscreams.TheyechoedinLuke’sheadasheturnedintothegraveleddrivewayof thenondescriptrentalhouse Foramomenthesatquietlybehindthewheel
Thememoriesofhismissingnightseemedtobecomingbackslowlyinhisdreams.Theproblemwasthathehadnowayto separatefactfromfantasy.Butifevensomeofthebloodyvisionswerereal,hecouldnotavoidthelogicalconclusion:hewas apsychicallyenhancedassassinwhohadkilledtwopeople,escaped,andgonerogue Andnow,itseemed,hehadkilledagain ThistownwastoosmallforamanwithaJekyll-and-Hydeproblem Itwastimetomoveon
CHAPTER THREE
TALIA POURED A glass ofwine and carried itto the diningcounter. She satdowninfrontofher laptop, slipped onher black-framedglasses,andopenedthevideochat
PallasLlewellynandAmeliaRivers,theothertwomembersofthe Lost Night Files podcastteam,werealreadyinthe virtualroom.AmbroseDrake,theauthorPallashadmetinthecourseofinvestigatingtheCarneliancase,wasalsothere.They wereatightlyknitgroup
AlittlemorethansevenmonthsagosheandAmeliaandPallashadbeensummonedtoanabandonedhotelinthedesertwith thepromiseofjoboffers.Thethreeofthemhadnevermetuntilthatafternoon.Theyhadparkedtheircarsatthedustyentrance, introducedthemselves toeachother,andwalkedthroughthedoorwayoftheearly-twentieth-centurysanatoriumturnedfailed resort
Sherememberedthinkinghowdeeptheshadowswereinthelobby.Withtheexceptionoffleetingscenesinherdreams,that wasthelastclearmemoryshecouldsummonuntilsheandPallasandAmeliahadbeenawakenedbytheearthquakeandraging firethathaddestroyedthehotel
The quake had struck in the early hours of the following morning. She and Amelia and Pallas had been roused by the tremorsoftheearth,therumbleoffallingdebris,andthesmellofsmoke.Theyhadbeenboundtohospitalgurneysinalabthat lookedasifitdatedfromtheearlytwentiethcentury
Workingtogether, theyhad managed to escape, butinthe end the fire had destroyed whatever evidence there mighthave beenthatwouldhavegiventhemtheanswers theyneeded.Noonebelievedtheir story.Theonlythingtheyknew for certain wasthattheyhadchanged Theminorpsychicvibeeachhadpossessed apreternaturalsensitivitythathadseemedtobelittle morethanespeciallykeenintuition hadbeenenhancedindisturbingandunsettlingways AmbrosehadnotbeenwiththematLucentSprings,buthehadexperiencedasimilarepisodeofamnesia.Hehadawakened onabeachinSanDiego.LikeTaliaandtheothers,hehaddiscoveredthathissenseshadbeenenhanced. Thefourofthemwerenowboundtogetherbythemysteryoftheirlostnightsandthesecretstheyshared Theywerenotonly ateamworkingtofindanswers;theyhadbecomeachosenfamily.
“WearegettingalotofresponsetotheCarneliancaseepisodes,”Pallassaid.
“ProbablytheDarkAcademiavibe,”Ambrosesaiddryly “ThatparticularGothicsubgenreisbiginfictionthesedays” “Yououghttoknow,”Taliasaid.“You’retheauthor.”
ThepodcastseriescoveringtheCarneliancasehaddroppedaweekago.Ithadbroughtinalotofnewsubscribersaswell assomeinterestingleads,includingtheonefromtheanonymousinformantwhohadcontactedher
“WegotluckywiththePhoenixtip,”Pallascontinued.“AmbroseandItalkedtoawomannamedCharlotteAndrews.She’s a fanof the podcast. She remembered that Brooke Kendricktooka psychtest that sounds a lot like the one the four of us remembertakingbackincollege.”
“Youwereright,Talia,”Ameliasaid “Thatoldtestisthethroughline,theoneconnectionthatlinksallofus” “Fivecoincidencesisaboutfourtoomany,”Ambrosesaid.“Ifthepeoplewhograbbedusareworkingfromalistofnames ofpotential researchsubjects,thattesthastobethesource.Atthetimeweweretoldthatitwassupposedtoprovidecareer counseling,butitlookslikethatwasacoverforwhatwasreallybeingmeasured”
“Theyweresearchingforpeoplewhohadsomedegreeofinnatepsychictalent,”Ameliasaid.“Whatisequallyinteresting isthattheymusthavebeenconvincedtheyhadawaytomeasureanindividual’sparanormalprofile.”
“Once Ambrose suggested thatthe people who kidnapped us had to be workingoffa list, Iremembered thattest,” Talia said.“Iknewthathadtobetheconnection.”
“Whatmadeyousosure?”Ambroseasked.
Taliashrugged “DamnedifIknow Itjustfelt right”
Asmallbutdistinctthrillwhisperedthroughher.Shesippedsomewineandletherselftakeamomenttosavorthepositive sideofherabilitytofindthatwhichwaslostorhidden theflashofsatisfactionthatcamewithasuccessfulsearch,atleast one that did not end witha dead body It was whyshe had become a librarianafter graduatingfromcollege Astint inan academic library had been followed by a string of research jobs. Admittedly, none of themhad ended well commitment issues, according to her therapist. Nevertheless, the various positions in both the private and government sectors had all involvedfindinganswers Shehadenjoyedthatpart Successhadalwaysgivenheranicelittlerush,asensationverydifferent fromtheshockthathadstruckthatafternoonwhenshehadlocatedRayClaytoninatrashbin.
Unfortunately, tonightthe darkfalloutfromthe investigationearlier thatdaywould outweighthe small thrill she gotfrom confirmationthattheoldcollegepsychtestwasthesourceofthelist.
“Okay,wehavetheoriginpointofthelist,butthatdoesn’tgetusanyclosertofindingit,”shesaid “It’saplacetostart,”Pallassaid.
Amelia’s expressionsharpened. “The questionIkeep comingbackto is, whycome lookingfor us now? It’s beenover a decadesinceanyofustookthattest”
“Theobviousansweristhatthepeoplebehindthisthinktheyneedusfortheircrazyexperiments,”Taliasaid.
“Maybe ittookthis longfor someone to come up witha drugthathad the potential to kickour senses to the nextlevel,” Ambrosesaid
“Ormaybethelistgotfiledawayandforgottenyearsagoandsomeonerecentlyfoundit,”Pallasadded.
“Someonewhoisinthebusinessofrunningoff-the-booksdrugtrialsanddoesn’tmindtakingtheriskofkidnappingafew innocentpeopletouseastestsubjects,”Ambrosesaid
Therewasamomentofsilence NoonesaidtherestoutloudbutTaliaknewtheywereallthinkingthesamething:thedrug hadworked.
“Weneedtoknow moreaboutthattestandthepersonor persons whodesignedandadministeredityears ago,”Ambrose said “PallasandIcanworkthatangle”
“How?”Ameliaasked.
“Theold-fashionedway,”Ambrosesaid.“Startinterviewingwitnesses.We’regoingtoPhoenixtofollowupontheBrooke Kendricklead That’swhereshewenttocollege”
“Good plan,” Amelia said. “While Ambrose and Pallas check out the Phoenix angle, I’m going to go back to Lucent Springs.”
Therewasanothermomentofsilence
EvidentlyAmeliacouldreadtheirminds “Yes,Iknow I’vebeenbacktothehotel adozentimessincethatnight Andno, I’veneverfoundanythingusefulinthewayofclues.ButI’mmissingsomething.I’msureofit.ThistimeI’mgoingtoconduct interviews.I’llusethepodcastasacover.I’lltellpeopleI’mdoingadvanceresearchforapossibleepisodeonthehistoryof thehotel Someoneinthattownknowssomething”
Noonearguedwithher.Thiswasnotthefirsttimetheyhadspeculatedthatoneormoreoftheresidentsinthesmalldesert communityinsouthernCaliforniawerekeepingsecrets.ButAmelia’s morbidfascinationwithLucentSprings was becoming worrisome Talia was starting to fear that her friend’s obsession with the ruins of the Lucent Springs Hotel might be an unfortunatesideeffectofherrecentlyenhancedsenses.SheknewPallashadthesameconcern.
Therealitywasthatthefourofthemwerenotyetcomfortablewiththeirnewpsychicabilities.Theywereallintheprocess oftryingtounderstandhowtocontrolthenewformsofperception Eachoftheirtalentswasuniqueandeachhadaprofoundly disturbingaspect.Taliaknewthattheirnewsensitivitytoparanormalenergy,combinedwiththeunnervingamnesia,hadmade eachofthemquestiontheirownsanityatfirst.Theyhadsoonlearnedtokeepquietabouttheirconcernsbecausetheywerenot the onlyones who had begunto wonder aboutthe state oftheir mental health. Friends, lovers, coworkers, and families had questionedit,too
Some oftheir memories were startingtoreturninslivers andshards intheir dreams,buttheywere still a longwayfrom developingaclearpictureoftheirlostnights.
“Talia,didthefanwhocontactedyouanonymouslyaboutalistofnamesevercomethroughwithsolidinformation?”Pallas asked.
Taliatightenedhergriponherwineglass.“Notyet.Whoeversentthetextseemedseriousbutalsoextremelyparanoid.I’m startingtothinkmyinformantisjustanotheroverlyimaginativeormaybedownrightdeludedfanofthepodcast” “Orafull-onfraud,”Ambrosesuggested.
“Maybe,”Taliaadmitted.“Butitfeltlegit.”
“Itwasa text message,”Ameliaremindedher “Nofeelingsoremotionsinvolved” Therewasnopointarguing.Ameliawasright.Taliaswallowedsomemorewine.
“Ifthere’sonethingThe Lost Night Files hasprovenbeyondashadowofadoubtit’sthatwhenitcomestotheparanormal, therearealotofcard-carryingmembersofthetinfoilhelmetcluboutthereinpodcastland,”Pallassaid Taliathoughtaboutthebodyinthetrashbin.“SometimesIwonderifI’moneofthem.”
“No,”Ameliasaid,suddenlyfierce.“Youarenotdeluded.Noneofusare.Weknowthatbecausewehavecomparednotes. Wehavevalidatedeachother’sexperiences.Wewereall involuntarytestsubjectsinsomeone’sbizarreparanormal research experiment We’regoingtofindoutwhodidthistous”
“Andthenwhat?”Taliaasked.“Callinthepolice?Dowetrytohavethepersonarrested?Goodluckprovingthatsomeone kidnappedusandgaveusadrugthatenhancedourparanormalsenses.Doyourealizehowwildthatsounds?It’srightupthere withstoriesaboutbeingabductedbyextraterrestrials Noonewillbelieveus Anddon’tgetmestartedonhowajudgeorjury wouldreacttoourclaims.We’dbeluckyiftheydidn’tlockusupinapsychiatrichospital.”
“We’llworryabouttheendgameafterweidentifythekidnappers,”Ambrosesaid. “He’sright,”Pallassaid “Meanwhile,we’reinthistogether ” “Untilwegetanswers,”Ameliasaid. “Untilwegetanswers,”Taliaadded.
“Untilwegetanswers,”Ambroseconcluded Itwasnotjustthesignaturesignoffofthe Lost Night Files podcast itwasasolemnvow
CHAPTER FOUR
LUKE DREAMS ...
He stops at the doorway of the lab and looks back at the blood- splashed scene one last time The space is illuminated with a strange blue light. An odd mix of equipment is scattered around the room. The chemistry apparatus on the long workbench looks new, but the heavy-duty gardening tools stacked against one wall are old and rusty.
He knows he should remember the details He’s a professor of history Details are important But he does not have time to examine his surroundings closely, because two men in white coats are sprawled on the floor in a pool of blood Their throats have been cut. He is holding a scalpel in his right hand.
He turns and tries to decide how he will escape He is confronted by a vast chamber lit with a violet-and-acid-green radiance The space is crammed with luminous plants, glowing mushrooms, and curtains of thorn-studded vines Here and there he sees flowers that look like the open jaws of snakes.
He uses the back of his hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead. The atmosphere is too warm and too humid and it is charged with a disturbing energy that threatens to dazzle his senses Everything about the underground gardens is wrong Colors are too intense, the light is eerie, and the plants are rustling and murmuring to each other. He senses that they are trying to decide if he is prey.
Tightening his grip on the scalpel, he sets out on the path through the gardens of hell
ThedingofanincomingtextbroughtLukeoutofthenightmare.Foraflashofeternityhewascaughtinthefrozendimension thatmarkedtheborderbetweensleepandthewakingstate.
Hesurfacedonarushofadrenaline,swunghislegsoverthesideofthebed,andgrabbedthephone Hestaredatthenew message,halfafraidtobelievehiseyes
Today.Seattle.Addressandfinalinstructionswillbesentatfourthirtya.m.Cashonly.
Seattle
Hehadassumedthat,iftheinformantcamethrough,themeetingwouldtakeplaceintheanonymityofametropolitanarea, eitherPortlandorSeattle.Hehadstationedhimselfinamotelthatwasroughlymidwaybetweenthetwocities.
Hecheckedthetime Itwasjustgoingontwo Therewouldbenotrafficatthathour HehadtimetogettoSeattlebyfour thirty.
Hegotupandcrossedtheroomtotheduffelbagandthesmalldaypacksittinginfrontofthedoor.Theduffelcontaineda fewchangesofclothes,shavinggear,asecondpairofboots,andsomeotherbasics Hehadbeenlivingoutofitandundera newidentitysincehehadlostanentirenighttoamnesiathreelongmonthsago.Thepackheldtheessentialshewouldneedif he was forced to run the cash he had accumulated in a series of small ATM transactions, the pistol, and the documents requiredtoestablishyetanotheridentity.
Heknewhowtodisappear Hehadlearnedtheartsoonafterenteringthefostercaresystem Afewyearsspentasananalyst inthe intelligence world had provided himwiththe knowledge he needed to fine-tune the process. Youpicked up a lot of usefultipsinterviewingbadactorsforaliving.
Whenhehadbeenforcedtovanishthreemonthsagohehadworriedinitiallythathistwoyearsasacollegeprofessorhad robbedhimofhisedge.Hehadbeenrelievedtodiscoverhowquicklytheoldskillscameback.
CHAPTER
FIVE
TALIA PARKED ON asidestreetastheinstructionshadstipulated.Shecheckedthetimeagain,hitchedthesmallpackover oneshoulder,andgotoutofthecar Extractingthepeppersprayfromthepocketofherpuffy,thigh-lengthdowncoat,she locked up and went briskly toward the unlit house. There were no sidewalks and no streetlights in the semirural neighborhoodontheoutskirtsofthecity.Theonlyilluminationcamefromacoldmoon.
Itwasearlymorning notyetsixo’clock butthiswasthePacificNorthwestanditwaslatefall,sotherewasnosignof dawn.Shewasrunningonadrenalineandnervesandverylittlesleep.Thefactthattherewasathousanddollarsincashinthe packputherevenmoreonedge.
The textfromthe anonymous informanthadcome inatthree thirtyam,yankingher outofa dreaminvolvinga deadman staringupatherfromthebottomofanindustrial-sizedrecyclingbin Themeetingwastotakeplaceatpreciselysixo’clock Theaddresshadbeensentthirtyminutesago.Shehadbeenbehindthewheelofhercar,waiting,whenitarrived.
Therewasnoporchlightoverthefrontdoor.Sheusedhercellphoneflashlighttomakesureshehadtherightaddress.Her pulsewasracingandshecouldfeelacoldsweattricklingdownhersides
Followinginstructions,shewalkedalongaweedypathtotherearofthesmall house.Shewasrelievedtoseethatalight glowedweaklyoverthebackdoor,aspromisedinthetext.Shewentupthetwoporchstepsandknockedtwice.Hardlyableto breathe,shelistenedintently,expecting hoping tohearfootstepsinthefronthall Therewasnoresponse.
Acrushingdisappointment slammed throughher. It was followed bya surge ofanger. She had beenconned. Okay, so it wasn’tthefirsttimeadeterminedpodcastlistenerhadsuckeredamemberoftheteamintocheckingoutwhatprovedtobea phonylead,butthatdidn’tmakeitanylessinfuriating Therushofemotionskickedupallofhersenses Shewassuddenlyat fullthrottle.Currentsoficy-hotangersweptthroughher.Shewantedtoscreamatthetrickster. This is my life and the lives of my friends you are screwing with, you sadist.
Damn it, she would not succumb to pointless rage She fought a silent battle on the back porch and managed to regain control.Itwasherownfault.Shehadallowedherselftobelievethatthisleadwouldpanout.Ithadlookedsopromising.After oversixmonthsoffalsetipssheshouldhaveknownbetterthantothinkthisonewouldbeanydifferent.
Andhereshewasstandingonastranger’sbackporchinthedarkwithathousanddollarsinherpack Abelatedattackof commonsensestruck.Shestartedtoturnawayandgobackdownthesteps.Butsomethingstoppedher awhisper ofpanic, nother own.Itshadedrapidlyinto...unconsciousness? Sleep? Itdidnotfeel like the echoofa recentdeath,butitwasn’t good
Somethingterriblehadhappenedinsidethelittlehouseattheendofthestreet.Yetanotherreasontogetoutofthere.Now. Instead,shetookabreath,bracedherself,andgingerlytouchedthedoorhandle...
. . . The burn seared her senses. She yelped and yanked her fingers off the metal knob. The sudden move caused the unlatcheddoortoswinginwardonsqueakinghinges Thegloomofadeeplyshadowedkitchenloomed
For atensemomentshejuststoodthere,tryingtodecidewhattodo.Therewereanswers tobehadinsidethehouse,she was certainofthat. She needed those answers and she was willingto take risks to getthem, butthere were limits. She had pushedtheenvelopefar enoughthis morning Sheneededbackupandsheknew whotocall Roger Gossardowedher afew favors.
Anicyfrissonflickeredacrossthebackofherneck.Shewassuddenly,intenselyawareofanunnervingchill.Sheknewthat feeling Someonewaswatchingher
Itwaswaypasttimetoexitthescene
She turnedquickly,intendingtogodownthe steps andbacktothe car.Butshe froze whenshe saw the manblockingher pathafewfeetaway.
For aninstantshocklockedher muscles andsenther senses intoachaotictailspin Thenadrenalinesplashedthroughher Sheraisedthecanofpepperspray.
“Pleasedon’tusethatstuff,”thestrangersaid.“I’vegotenoughtroubleasitis.I’mnotgoingtohurtyou.”
Hisvoicesettledonher likeawarmsummernight,soothinghersenses,calmingher panic Clearlyshewasoverreacting Themanblockingherpathhadmadenoattempttograbherandtherewasnosignofaweapon.Hewasharmless.Shelowered thepepperspray.
Intheglowoftheweaklightoverthedoorshecouldseethathewasdressedinabatteredleatherbomberjacket,adarkTshirt,jeans,andrunningshoes.Adaypacksimilartoherownwasslungcasuallyoveroneshoulder.Giventhedeepshadows hiseyesshouldhavebeenunreadable.Insteadtheyseemedtoburn. Just a reflection,shetoldherself.
“Whoareyou?”shesaid.
“Anotherwould-bebuyer,likeyou Evidentlywewerenottheonlycustomersforthelist Lookslikesomeoneelsegothere firstanddecidedtomakesuretherewerenomoresales.”
CHAPTER SIX
HIS VOICE WHISPERED tohersenses,reassuringher.Shewasfeelingverycalmnow.Thatwasnotright.Sheoughttobe terrified She should be working the pepper spray for all it was worth and running for the car What the hell was happeninghere?
Andsuddenlysheunderstood.
Shepulledhardonhersenses,shookoffthemesmerizingeffectofhisvoice,andraisedthecanofpepperspray “StopthatorIwillusethisstuff,”shesaid.
Therewasabeatofsilence.Shegotthefeelingshehadsurprisedhim.
“Okay,let’strythisagain,”hesaid “MynameisLukeRand Whoareyou?”
She drew a deep breath His voice still gave her a bit of a rush, but it was no longer hitting her senses like a riptide threateningtodrawherunderthesurface.
Onsomeprimallevelshe liked thesoundofhisvoice.Thatwasprobablynotgoodnews.
“Whatdoyouknowaboutthelist?”sheasked,notbotheringtoanswerhisquestion
“Ifit’stheoneI’mlookingforit’salistofnamesofpeoplewhotookacertainpsychtestseveralyearsago.”
“Theinformantofferedtosellittoyou,too?”shesaid.
“And,apparently,towhoevergotherefirst”
“The list wasn’t the onlythingthe first buyer took.” She glanced backat the door, rememberingthe energyonthe metal handle.“Whoeveritwasgrabbedourinformantaswell.”
Luke Rand’s eyes gota little intense “Whatmakes youso sure the informantdidn’tdecide to disappear after makingthe firstsale?”
Thedisturbinglysoftwayheaskedthequestionrattledhernerves.Sheneededtostayfocused.
“Justaguess,”shesaidinhercoolesttones.Shecouldtellheknewshewaslying,buthedidnotpressher.Shehurriedon. “Youcametothesameconclusion,didn’tyou?”
“Yes.”
“So,iftheinformantandthelistaregone,whyareyoustillhere?”sheasked. “Ithoughtitwouldbeinterestingtoseewhoelseshowedup”
“Right.”Shepaused.“Thatwasactuallyaprettygoodidea.”
“Igetthoseonceinawhile.”
Sheignoredthat “Well?”
“Well,what?”
“Hastherebeenanybodyelsebesidesyouandme?”
“No.”
“You’renottheoversharingtype,areyou?” “No.”
Amomentagoshehadbeennervous makethatanxious.Okay,scared.Nowshewasgettingirritated.
“Iwonderhowmanybuyerstheinformantlinedup?”shesaid
“Thethingaboutalististhatit’seasytoduplicate,”hesaid.“Whynotsellittoasmanypeopleaspossible?Theonlything inourfavoristhatthemarketforthatparticularproducthastobefairlylimited.”
“Goodpoint”
“I’vegotfivegrandinthispack,”hesaid “Howmuchdidyoubring?”
Taliaflexedherfingersaroundthestrapofthepack,tryingtodecidewhattosay.Shefinallydecidedthatheprobablydidn’t intendtorobherforthecash.Likeher,hewashereforthelist.
“Athousand,”sheadmitted
“Yougotadeal.Iwastoldtobehereatpreciselyfourthirty.You?”
“Six.”
“ShewasgonewhenIarrived”
“She?”Taliaraisedherbrows.“Whatmakesyousosurethesellerisawoman?”
“IwentintothehouseandtookalookaroundwhileIwaited.Foundashort-termrental agreementdatedacoupleofdays ago Itwas signed Phoebe Hatch Mightor mightnotbe the persontryingto sell the list, butI’d saythe odds are she’s our informant.”
“Youjustwalkedintothehouse?”
“Thedoorwasunlocked.”
He did not sound concerned withthe finer points ofthe law, and she decided that, under the circumstances, she wasn’t, either.
“Whatdidyoufindbesidestherentalagreement?”sheasked,noteventryingtoconcealhersuspicions.
“Ididn’tfindthelist”
“WhyshouldIbelieveyou?”
“Hell,Idon’tknow.MaybebecauseI’mstandinghereinthebackyardofastranger’s houseatsixo’clockinthemorning arguingwithawomanwhoiscarryingathousanddollarsinapack Youdorealizethattotheaveragecopthiswouldlookalot likeadrugdeal?Ifsomeoneseesusandcallsnine-one-onewewouldprobablybothbearrested.”
“Youstuckaroundbecauseyouwantedtoidentifythecompetition,”shesaid.
“Itseemedlikethelogicalthingtodo Look,neitherofuscanaffordtowastetimediscussingmotives Doyouwanttotrade information?Ifnot,I’mgoingtobailbeforeoneoftheneighborsdecidestocallthepolice”
Sheglancedintothedarkenedkitchen.Sheandtherestofthe Lost Night Files crewweredesperateforanswers.Thiswas ascloseasanyofthemhadcometolocatingthelist.
“Allright,I’lltrade,”shesaid “Youwereherebeforeme Youwentinside Whatdidyoufind?”
“Notmuch.Thereareafewpersonalthings.Someclothes.Somebasicsinthebath.Butnotech.Whoevergrabbedhertook herphoneandanyotherdevicesshemighthavehad.”
“Theydidn’twantotherbuyerstolookforher,”Taliawhispered “Maybetheyplantomurderheranddumpthebody” “Iftheywantedtokillher,theycouldhavedoneithereandmadeitlooklikeaburglary-in-progressmurder.Itwouldhave beenthesimplestwaytosilenceher.Insteadtheytooktheriskofkidnappingher.Maybeshe’simportanttothemfor reasons besidesthelist”
“Youseemtoknowalotabouthowbadguysthink”
“I’musingatechniquecalledlogic,”hesaid.
“Iwasn’tcriticizingyou,”shesaidquickly.“Figuringouthowbadguysthinkisaveryusefulskillset.”
“Thank you I’m glad you approve Moving right along, you have my name but I don’t have yours Care to introduce yourself?”
Herintuitionsentachillofwarning.Shewasonceagainawareofanintriguinglyresonantvibeinhisvoice. He’s trying to make me think I can trust him Anditwasworking “Areyouinsales?”sheasked,deeplysuspicious.“Ormaybeyou’reaprofessionalconartist?” Hiseyestightened.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“Nevermind MynameisTaliaMarch Enoughaboutme Gotanyidentification?”
Hehesitatedandthen,evidentlyresignedtohumoringher,hepulledoutasmall,flatblackwalletandflippeditopen.She aimedherlightattheCaliforniadriver’slicense.TherewasaphotoofLuke’shard,uncompromisingfaceandanaddressina townnamedAdelinaBeach.
“Fine,”shesaid “Youarelicensedtodriveacar Thatdoesn’ttellmeanythinguseful” Withoutawordheflippedtoanother document.It,too,showedhisface.Thefineprintidentifiedhimasamember ofthe facultyofAdelinaBeachCollege.
“I’veneverheardofAdelinaBeachCollege,”shesaid
“It’sasmallschoolinacommunityoutsideofLA”
“Isthatright?Whatdoyouteach?”
“History.Okay,myturn.Whatdoyoudoforaliving,TaliaMarch?”
“I’mamemberofthe Lost Night Files podcastteam Oh,andIdoalittleprivateconsultingontheside”
“You’vegota podcast?”Lukestaredather,clearlyblindsided.“Whatthehell?”
Shesteeledherselfbecausesheknewwhatwascomingnext.“Weinvestigatecoldcasesthathaveaparanormalangle.”
“Shit JustwhatIneeded Apodcasterchasingaghoststory”
Okay, sure, she had beenprepared for the disdainand the irritation, but she got mad anyway. It had beena particularly stressfultwenty-fourhours,whatwiththebodyinthetrashbinandnowamissinginformant.Shewasnotinagoodmood.
“Consideringthe factthatyouare chasingthe same listI’mafter, Idon’tthinkyouhave anybusiness insultingme or the podcast,”shesaid.
“Youknow,wereallydon’thavetimeforthisargument.Isuggestwesaveitforlater.”
“At the rate this conversationis deteriorating, there maynot be a later. Your turnto hand over some information. Why, exactly,areyouafterthelistPhoebeHatchwantedtoselltous?”
“IwantitbecauseI’mprettysureI’monit.”
“Oh.”Forsomereasonthatcaughtherbysurprise. Should have seen it coming.
“Whataboutyou?”hesaid “Areyouchasingitbecauseyou’vedecideditwillmakeagoodstoryfortheconspiracytheory crowd?”
“Don’tpushyourluck,Rand.Iwantthatlistforthesamereasonyoudo.IthinkmyfriendsandIareonit.”
Luke’seyesgotalittlesharper,hotter “Well,now,”hesaidsoftly “YouandIhavealottotalkabout,TaliaMarch Isuggest wehavethatconversationsomeplaceotherthanhere.”
Compulsionshiveredbelowthesurfaceofthewords,urginghertoagree.Hewasright.Theyeachhadinformationtheother needed Thesmartthingtodowasgosomewhereprivateanddiscuss “Stopit,”shesnapped Outrageunleashedashotofadrenalineintoheralreadyoverhypednervoussystem “Ofallthecheap tricks.Historyprofessor,myass.You’reahypnotist,aren’tyou?Onewithagenuinepsychictalent.You’retryingtomanipulate myenergyfieldorsomething.Don’tdoitagain.”
Hewatchedherinsilenceforamoment Sheknewhewastryingtofigureouthowtohandleher
“I’mnotahypnotist,”hesaidfinally.“Itoldyou,IteachhistoryatAdelinaBeachCollege.That’sthetruth.”
Hehadthenervetosoundoffended andmaybealittledefensive.Hewasalsoirritated.
“Bullshit,”shesaid “Ourrelationship,suchasitis,hasgottenofftoaveryrockystart Don’tcompoundtheproblemwith mindgames.Incaseyouhaven’tnoticed,weareinthemiddleofsomethingdangeroushere.”
“That’swhyIsuggestedwegosomewhereelsetotalk,”hesaid,hisvoicetooevennow.
“No, you want to go someplace private so that you can try to interrogate me while giving up as little information as possible Idon’tworklikethat”
“Youarenotaverytrustingperson,areyou?”Lukesaid. “Nope. And obviously, neither are you. Let’s getsomethingstraight. There will be no interrogation. Either we agree to a mutuallybeneficialexchangeofinformationorthisendshere” “Fine.Pickacoffeehouse,anycoffeehouse.I’llmeetyouthere.”
Shegavethatamoment’sthought.“All right.Iknow aplacethatopensearlyandservesfreshlybakedbiscuitsaswell as coffee I’llgiveyoutheaddress Yougoonahead I’llmeetyouthere”
“You’retryingtoditchme.”
“Trustme,asappealingasthatsounds,Iamnottryingtogetridofyou.Iwanttotalktoyouasbadlyasyouwanttotalkto me ButfirstI’mgoingtotakealookaroundinsideHatch’shouse”
“Ithoughtyouwereconcernedwiththelegalities,”hesaid.
“IhavereasontobelievethatMs.Hatchmaybehurtorinjuredinsidethathouse.It’smydutyasaconcernedcitizentotake alook.”
“Hasanyonetoldyouthatyou’realousyliar?”
“Unlike,say,you?”
“Everyonehasatalent,”hesaid.
“Andyoursistheabilitytolie?”Shenodded “Makessense Probablyasideeffectofyourhypnosistalent”
“Iamnotahypnotist,”hesaidthroughhisteeth Heexhaled “Nevermind Ifyouinsistongoinginsidethehouse,I’llcome withyou.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t think it’s smart for you to hang around here alone Has it occurred to you that someone else may be watchingthishousetoseewhoshowsuptobuythelist?”
Startled,sheglancedaroundthestill-darkneighborhood.Therewerealotofplaceswhereawatchercouldhide. “Damn,”shewhispered “Exactly.”
Without a word she turned and went into the darkkitchen. Luke followed, closingthe door behind him. He tookout his phoneandturnedontheflashlight Shegottheicy-hotsensationthatsignaledanothershotofadrenalinehittingherbloodstream Shewas aloneinthehousewithamanshehadjustmet,oneshehadnoreasontotrust.Shetightenedher griponthecanof pepperspray.
“You’renotgoingtoneedthat,”Lukesaid,annoyed.
Shedecidedtoignorehim Sheopenedtheflashlightonherownphone “Theblindsareclosedineveryroom,”Lukesaid,“butkeepthelightaimedlow.”
“IfthepolicedoshowupI’msureyou’llbeabletohypnotizethemintothinkingwe’vegoteveryrighttobehere,”shesaid. Sheexpectedhimtodenyhistalentagainbuthesurprisedherwithaquestion “WhatmakesyouthinkI’mahypnotist?”heasked.
Hesoundedgenuinelycurious.Intrigued.Andwary.
“Somethingyoudowithyour voice”Cautiouslysheopenedher sensesandmovedslowlyacrossthekitchen “Iexpectit comesinhandy.”
Hedidnotrespondtothat.
“Isyourabilitytomanipulatepeoplewithyourvoicethereasonyouthinkyoumightbeonthatlist?”sheasked Hewassilentforabeat
“Yeah,”hesaid.“Itis.”
“Isthereanypracticaluseforyourtalent?OutsideofdoingstageshowsinVegas,Imean?”
“Therewasupuntilaboutthreemonthsago,”hesaidevenly “Whathappenedthreemonthsago?”
“It’scomplicated.”
Sheglancedbackathim,tryingtogetaread Shewasveryawareofhimnow,andnotjustbecausehewasstandinginthe sameroom.Shecouldpickupthewhisperofhisenergyfield.Itwasdistinctive,toputitmildly.Powerful. Focus, woman.
Shecontemplatedthebatteredfurnishings Theonlythingthatlookednewwasasmallplantonanendtable Everythingelse thesaggingsofa,floorlamp,andrug lookedasoldasthehouse
Thefamiliarsenseofknowingshiveredthroughher.
“Herewego,”shesaidsoftly.
“Whatisit?”Lukeasked,hisvoicesharpening “Idon’tknowyet,butthere’ssomethinghiddeninthisroom.”
Lukespearedtheflashlightaroundthespace.“Areyousure?”
“Yes,I’msure ThisiswhatIdo,LukeRand Ifindstuff WhetherIwanttoornot”
Sheaimedtheflashlightatthelittleplantontheendtable.Itlookedhealthyandvibrant.Well-tended.Agrocerystoretag withabarcodestampedonitwasattached.
“Thatdoesn’tfit,”shesaid Lukestudiedtheplant.“Explain.”
“Everythinginthis house indicates thatPhoebe Hatchwas usingitas a temporaryhideout. Itwas never intended to be a home.Butshewenttothetroubleofpickingupasmallpottedplantatasupermarket.Ithinkshewaslonely.Andafraid.She didn’tdaregetadogoracat,becausesheknewshemighthavetoabandontheanimal” “Soshepickedupacheaphouseplantinstead?”
“Yes,”Taliasaid.
Shesortedthroughthetendrilsofhotenergythatburnedinthespace Lukewatched,notspeaking,asshecrossedtheroom totheendtable.Shetookabreathandgingerlytouchedtheplasticpot.
Desperationanddeterminationlancedthroughhersenses.
“Shit,” she whispered She shookher fingers as if she had touched a hot stove “I hate whenthis happens” The small, instinctiveactiondidnothingtocooltheburn.
“Nowwhat’swrong?”Lukeasked. “Nothing”
“Youreallyareabadliar.”
“I’llpractice.”
Shestudiedtheplant Therewasnothingtoseeexceptpottingsoilandgreenleaves Butitconcealedasecret Sheusedafingertiptopokearoundinthedirt.Thesmallmemorycardwasburiedahalfinchbelowthesurface.Shedugit upandblewoffthebitsofsoil.
“Okay,Iamofficiallyimpressedwithyourtalent,TaliaMarch,”Lukesaid.
Thepotwasstillhot
“There’ssomethingelse,”shesaid.“Somethingjustasimportant.Personal.”
She explored the soil around the plantwithher fingers. Adelicate gold chainnecklace witha small crystal pendantwas concealedbeneaththesurface Shepulleditoutandexamineditinthelightofherphone
“Igetwhyshehidthememorycard,”Lukesaid.“There’sprobablysomethingimportantonit.Withluck,itwillbethelist we’relookingfor.Butwhyhidethenecklace?Itdoesn’tlookparticularlyvaluable.”
AnotherexhilaratingflashofknowingzappedTalia’ssenses “Trustme,it’svaluable,”shesaid.
“Nowwedefinitelyneedtotalk.”
“Sure,”shesaid,stillridingtherush “I’llgiveyoutheaddressofthatcoffeehouseIfoundearlier” Achillstirredthefinehairsonthebackofherneck “Stopthat,”shesaid.
“Donot,”Lukewarnedinadangerouslysoftvoice,“trytoloseme.Iwillberightbehindyou.” “Iwouldn’tdreamofdumpingyou,”sheassuredhim “Atleastnotintheimmediatefuture” “Isthatso?Whynot?”
“Simple.You’vegotinformationIneed.AslongasyouareapotentiallyusefulresourceIwillnotbeghostingyou.” “I’mflattered,ofcourse,butyoudorealizethatlogicworksbothways,right?”hesaid “You’vegotinformationIwant,soI willbestickingveryclose.”
“Inotherwords,weareusingeachother.”Shegavehimhershiniestsmile.“Icanworkwiththat.Let’sgogetsomebiscuits andcoffeeandseewhat’sonthememorycard”
CHAPTER SEVEN
TALIA TOOK THE memorycardandanadapter outofher small cross-bodybagandsetthemdownonthe table.“Idon’t mindtellingyouI’malittlenervous Whatifit’sjustalistofnamesandnothingelse?”
They were in a booth in a non-chain coffeehouse near Lake Union. The city was just waking up and people were tricklingthroughthedoorinsearchofthehomemadebiscuitsfeaturedonthemenu.SheandLukehadgiventheirorderstothe serveramomentagoandweredrinkingcoffeewhiletheywaitedforthefoodtoarrive
“If all we’ve got is a list,” Luke said, “then we will track down every name on it and gather as much information as possible. We will askquestions and we will keep askingthemuntil we’ve got enoughdata to build a storyboard that will provideuswithsomeanswers”
Shepursedherlips,thinking “Huh Thatsoundslikeasmartwaytogoforwardwiththeinvestigation”
“Thankyou,”hesaid,hisvoiceadegreeortwoabovefreezing.“I’maninstructor,remember?Iliketolaythingsoutina logicalmanner.”
“Iwasn’ttryingtoinsultyou”
“Yes,youwere.Nevermind.Loadthedamnmemorycard.”
“Right.”
Shesetherphonedownonthetablesothattheycouldbothviewthescreenandsetaboutthetaskofimportingthedatafrom thememorycard.
“There’sonlyoneitemonhere,”shesaid,excitementspiking.“Itmustbethelist.Thiswon’ttakelong.”
Aphotoappeared Itwasapictureofapieceofpaper Buttherewasnolistofnames Insteadtherewereawebsiteaddress andahandwrittennote
TaliaMarch, ifyoufindthisit meanstheygrabbedme. Ithinktheywillkeep mealiveforawhile, but intheendtheywillkill me. Iknowtoomuch. Pleaselookforme. Nooneelsewill. IhavelistenedtoalloftheepisodesoftheLost Night Files. Iknow what youcando Findmeandyou’llfindthelist
Lukegroaned.“Ihateitwheninformantsdecidetogoallcrypticandmysterious.”
“Whenyouruna podcastlike The Lost Night Files youget contacted bythe cryptic, mysterious type a lot,” Talia said “Mostofthetipstersarefrauds.Somearestraight-updelusional.Butonceinawhileyougettherealthing.”
Lukestudiedthenote.“IthinkPhoebeHatchisforreal.”
“SodoI”Taliatookthenecklaceoutofherpocket Thetransparentstonewaswarminherpalm Shecouldfeelthefaint buzz of energy that told her it had been worn by someone for a very long time years, probably. “This was important to Phoebe.Apparentlyshe’safanofthepodcast,sosheknowsthatweoftendiscussthepropertiesofcrystals.SheisawarethatI mightbeabletousethisstonetofindher.”
Luke studied her for a long moment, his gaze speculative “Do you really believe that crystals have some paranormal properties?”
Sheslippedthenecklaceoverherheadandgavehimherbrightestscrew-yousmile.“Yep.” “Iwasafraidyouweregoingtosaythat”
“Says the manwhois searchingfor a listofpeople believedto possess psychic abilities because he has everyreasonto suspectthathe’sonsaidlist.”
“Fairpoint”
“There’snosensefightingit,Rand.YouandIarestuckwitheachotheruntilwefigureoutwhathappenedtoPhoebeHatch andthelistthathasournamesonit.”
“Iusuallyworkalone”
“Notanymore.”Sheglancedatthescreenofherphone.“Weneedtocheckoutthiswebsite.”
“Onthatweareintotalagreement.”
Hewasalreadyonhisphoneenteringthewebsiteaddress Shedidthesameonherownphone Whentheresultscameup sheknewshewasnottheonlyonewhowasbewildered.
“Whatthehell?”Lukesaid.“‘Discover theUnpluggedExperience.Leavethestressofmodernlifebehindandjoinuson NightIslandforathree-dayretreatthatwillchangeyourlife Comewalkthegardenlabyrinth Youwilllearntousethedeep, insightfulsecretsoftheVennerMeditationSystemtoachieveinnerbalance.’Well,shit.”
“Youarenotkeenonachievinginnerbalance?”Taliasaid.
“Thisisabrochureadvertisingaretreatfor peoplewhoareburnedout,”Lukegrowled.“Whatdoes thathavetodowith Hatchandthelist?”
Taliatightenedhergriponthecrystal.Energyshiveredinthestone.
“Everything,”shesaidquietly.
Luke’sjawhardenedandhiseyesweregrimbutthistimehedidnotargue
She wentbackto her phone. “Accordingto the website, ‘NightIsland is a privatelyowned island inthe SanJuans. Itis under the control ofthe nonprofitWynford Institute for the StudyofMedicinal Botany. The Institute sponsors the Unplugged Experience Accessisallowedonlytoregisteredguests,andtherearenomorethantenatanygiventime’”
“Howdoyoumakemoneyonanoperationthattakesonlytencustomersatatime?”Lukeasked.
“Bychargingseveralhundreddollarsanight,probably,”Taliasaid.Shescrolleddown,searchingforthefinancialdetails, andstoppedwhenshefoundthem “Nope It’snotexpensiveatall ‘TheUnpluggedExperienceisdedicatedtopromotingthe benefitsofachievingharmonyandbalanceindailylife’There’salovelymissionstatement”
“Forgetthemissionstatement,”Lukesaid.“Ifoundsomereviews.TheUnpluggedExperiencehasbeenoperatingforabout six months. Evidently it hasn’t been a big success. No one seems thrilled by the meditation and labyrinth walking. One reviewer calls Clive Venner, the guruincharge, ‘a run-of-the-mill grifter witha New Age hustle’Says the Systemis justa worn-outcollectionofold-fashionedbreathingandmeditationexercises.Butpeopledoraveaboutthevegetariancuisine.” Talialookedup.“Really?Sothefoodisgood?”
“Apparently Ifyou’revegetarian Oneguestnotesthat‘thehomemadesourdoughbreadandmushroompâtéaretodiefor’ andanothersaysthat,‘whateveryoudo,don’tmissthechocolatecrèmebrûlée.’”
“Interesting.”Taliawentbacktoherphone.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Lukeasked,hisvoicesharpening
“Tryingtomakeareservation,”shesaid “IwanttoseehowharditistobooktheExperience Oh,wow Nothardatall I cangeta roomas earlyas tomorrow. Probablybecause it’s off-season. Atthis time ofyear tourisminthe SanJuans slows down.Hangon.”
“Stop,damnit Weneedtotalkaboutthis”
“Inaminute.I’mmakingareservationforthreedays,startingtomorrow.”
“That,”Lukesaidevenly,“isaverybadidea.”
Ashiverofcoldenergychargedtheatmosphere Sheglared “Iwarnedyounottotrytomanipulateme,”shesaid.
“I’mnot ”
“Yes,youare Irealizeyou’repissed It’sokaytobeannoyedwithme Alotofpeoplefindmeannoying” “Noshit.Iwonderwhy?”
“Foryourinformation,I’mnotfeelingallwarmandfuzzytowardyourightnow,either.” “I’mcrushed,ofcourse.”
“I’mnotjoking, Rand Idon’tcare ifyou’re irritated It’s notokayto tryto manhandle myaura or whatever itis you’re doing.Ifwe’regoingtoworktogethertherewillhavetoberules.Rulenumberoneisthatyouarenotallowedtomessaround withmyenergyfield.Isthatclear?”
Hestudiedherforalongtime,hiseyeshalf-closed Sheknewhewasonceagaintryingtodecidewhattomakeofherand howtodealwithher.
“Thinkofusastemporaryallies,”shesuggestedinanefforttobehelpful. Lukeblinked
Shesmiled,satisfied.“There.Seehoweasythatwas?NowIsuggestwestopwastingtime.Ifyoudon’tlikemyplantogo toNightIsland,canIassumeyouhaveabetterone?”
“Yes”
“I’mlistening,”shesaid,tryingtosoundencouraging.Itwasn’teasy,becauseshewasprettysurehedidnothaveabetter idea.
“IwillbooktheUnpluggedExperience,”hesaidevenly “Alone” “Forgetit.Youdon’thavetherightvibe.” “What’sthatsupposedtomean?”
Shefinishedenteringhercreditcarddetails,hitthesubmitbutton,andputthephonedownonthetable.“Nooffense,butyou just don’t look like the meditation retreat type No one will believe you booked a tech-free experience that consists of breathingexercises,labyrinthwalking,andvegetariancuisine.”
“Icanfakeit.Payattention,Talia.I’vegotafewrules,too.Ruleoneisthatyouarenotgoingtothatislandonyourown.”
“It’s notlike I’ll be walkinginto a mysterious Gothic castle ona remote island The retreatis sponsored bya legitimate nonprofitorganization.”
“Doyouhaveanyideahowmanynonprofitsaresmoke-and-mirrorsoperationsdesignedtoprovidecoverforbadactors?” Lukeasked
“Iwon’tbealone.Therewillbeotherguestsandastaffandadailyferryservice.”
Lukeglancedathisphone,frowning.“Acharteredferryservice,apparently.”
“So?”
“We’renottalkingaboutthestateferrysystem Acharteroperationrunsondemand Ithastobebookedinadvance” “Listentome,LukeRand.Awomanhas beenkidnapped,butwecan’tgotothepolice,becausewehaveabsolutelyzero proof.Atbesttheywouldletusfileamissingpersonsreport.Youreadhernote.Shethinksherlifeisindanger,andthatretreat istheonlyleadwe’vegot”
“Itoldyou,I’llcheckouttheisland,”hesaid.
“Notonyourown.I’mgoing,too.What’sthisallabout?Ithoughtyouhadseenthelight.”
“Whatlight?Areyoureferringtothatoncomingtrain?”
“Weagreedthatwewouldworktogether.”
“Weagreedtoexchangeinformation.That’sdifferent.”
“No,it’snot”Sheturnedtowatchtheserverapproachwithatray “Oh,good,herecomesbreakfast Waituntilyoutastethe biscuits Perfecttexture Theyuserealbutterandtheymakesuretokeepitverycold That’soneofthesecrets,yousee” “I’llmakeanoteofthat,”hesaid.
“Isensesarcasm.”
“Probablybecauseyou’repsychic”
CHAPTER EIGHT
LUKE RAND WAS alive.Notonlythat,heappearedtobestable.
Theassassinsatbehindthewheeloftherentalcarandstudiedthephotoonthephone Therewasnodoubt Theman who had appeared atHatch’s house and was now havingcoffee withthe podcastwomanwas the failure fromthe last roundofexperiments.Thefactthathehadsurvivedwasamazing;thathewasnotinsanewasevenmoreastounding.
Theassassinhitsendandtextedthephotowithasinglecomment Instructions?
Therewasapause Theassassinknew theindividual whohadjustreceivedthepictureverifyingtheidentityofthebuyer wastakingamomenttoprocesstheshock butonlyamoment Theinstructionscamethroughashorttimelater.
Terminate
With pleasure. Theexcitementthataccompaniedtheanticipationofthekillwasphenomenal.Theonlythingthatsurpasseditwastherush thatcameintheaftermathofasuccessfulhit
