Page 21 of Signs and Wonders

An ambulance siren shrilled, interrupting them until it passed by, lights flashing.

“Let’s go inside,” Cameron said, and to Seth’s surprise, Tyler didn’t object. “I doubt the neighbors are listening, but let’s not give them more of an earful than we already have.”

The 1930s house had an arts-and-crafts feel with dark wood trim, stained glass transoms, and an elaborate mantle over the fireplace in the living room. Modern furniture and accent pieces made the room feel eclectic instead of stiff.

Seth hadn’t known Cameron had a partner until the brawl in the street. That fact made the job of protecting him easier in some ways—and more difficult in others. A target with a lover was more likely to take precautions instead of resisting protection. At the same time, it meant needing to convince—and protect—two people instead of one. While Tyler seemed to be listening, Seth figured he might be the more difficult to persuade, although his clear devotion to Cameron gave him a reason to pay attention.

“Your house is lovely,” Evan said. “It has a lot of personality.”

“You mean it’s ‘old,’” Cameron said with a laugh. “Thank you. Buckhannon doesn’t have a booming real estate market and not much new construction. This was my grandmother’s, and she left it to me. I always loved the woodwork.”

He gestured to the living room, and they followed him. “You asked about the camp,” Cameron said.

Seth and Evan settled onto the couch, leaving wingchairs for the others.

“Can I get you a cup of coffee?” Cameron asked. “I keep a fresh pot all the time. I practically run on the stuff.” Seth and Evan took him up on the offer and waited with Tyler while Cameron went to the kitchen. He returned a few minutes later with three mugs. Apparently Tyler wasn’t as much of a fan.

“A lot of folks in these parts have nostalgia for it because it offered the closest thing to a vacation many working people in these parts were likely to get. So I understand that. But there were things that went on that aren’t popular to acknowledge. Mom and Grandma used to tell stories about it.” Cameron settled into his chair with his drink.

“Like what?” Evan paused to sip his coffee.

“People went to the camp because of the music and potluck meals and to hear a speaker who got them all fired up,” Cameron said. “Gave them a high like going to a big concert. There wasn’t much else to do. So if folks got some Jesus with their excitement, they didn’t mind because it wasn’t like they were going to do anything differently come Monday.”

Seth noted Cameron’s cynicism and couldn’t fault him. He’d seen that sort of thing himself, and Evan had lived it.

“Of course, the preachers never took on the coal barons who didn’t pay fair wages and ran the company towns with unsafe mines or the Pinkertons who busted up the strikes. Those folks were too dangerous to preach about. So they had to find their ‘sin’ somewhere else,” Cameron said.

“Way back in the day, praying out demons was a big draw,” he added. “They’d drag in some poor woman who probably had mental health issues or a medical condition that caused strange behaviors and did this whole elaborate ritual to cast out the demons they said were making her sick,” Cameron said with distaste. “People would drive from far and wide to see that.”

“Of course, it was all huckster stuff,” Tyler put in. “But that didn’t stop them from passing the hat afterward.”

“There were rumors that sometimes a kid’s parents would drag him for a private session with the preacher to drive out ‘impure’ thoughts,” Cameron went on, and his lip curled at the phrase. “Which probably meant he got caught jacking off, or his folks thought he might be gay.

“My grandma told me that there were whispers about the deacons getting handsy with the girls. Seemed like every year, one or two teenagers ‘ran off’ during tent revival season. Some people said they joined up, like with the circus. No one seemed to look for them real hard.”

“Religion is a big deal in these parts,” Tyler spoke up. “It’s all the hope most folks have. This is a coal town in a coal region. The mining companies rule like kings—always have. A lot of people don’t have much to show for a life of hard, dangerous work. The church has always done a better job of promising that things will be better in the afterlife than making them better in the here and now.”

“Mines aren’t the only thing under the surface here,” Cameron added. “Lots of stuff stays buried in the dark. Plenty of secrets and a barrel full of lies. So the idea that Fletcher Swain might be a dark witch who practices human sacrifice is kinda on brand.”

“And yet you both stayed.” Seth sipped his drink and waited for Cameron to go on.

“For now,” Cameron said. “I did the Culinary Arts program at the community college because it was all I could afford. Then I lucked into the job at Lacey’s—the only place around here with decent tips. I was waiting for Tyler to come back from the Army, and then we figured we’d leave town, maybe go to Pittsburgh. Somewhere with possibilities.”

“I just got out a couple of months ago,” Tyler said. “With my experience, getting a job in law enforcement or security won’t be hard—but not here.”

“Why not?” Evan asked, although Seth suspected they both knew the answer.

Tyler snorted. “Old boys’ network. Everyone knows that the local bigwigs have the cops in their pockets. Those folks can do no wrong. Other people don’t seem to catch a break.”

“So you were planning to leave town fairly soon?” Evan asked, with a look to Seth that spoke volumes.

“Tyler’s already looking for a job in Pittsburgh. Getting a stint as a bartender shouldn’t be too hard for me,” Cameron replied. “Thought I’d rent this house out for more income.”

“Have you said anything to anyone about leaving?” Seth asked, picking up on Evan’s unspoken train of thought.

“A couple of people. Didn’t want to say anything out loud until we were set,” Cameron answered. “My boss won’t have any trouble finding a replacement with two weeks’ notice. Ty’s been subbing as a security guard at the mall while he puts in applications.”

“If Swain found out you were planning to leave, he would have moved up his timeline,” Seth warned. “He wouldn’t want you to slip away. He probably knows we’re here—and that we’re looking for him. We’re going to have to move pretty quickly on this—and until it’s settled, you’re in danger,” he told Cameron.

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