Page 25 of Signs and Wonders

“I’ve got a pre-paid credit card for the video machines and enough small bills for poker and betting,” Tyler said. “Should be enough if I dawdle to last all day without people wondering why I’m hanging around.”

Evan had spent enough time in rural towns to understand Tyler’s caution. He and Cameron had to walk a fine line. Being ‘good friends’ was one thing, but people could get ugly if they suspected more between them.Another reason they want to get out of town.

“People gamble at breakfast?” Evan rarely was awake enough to do his email before coffee, let alone play games of chance for money.

“Folks would play twenty-four-seven if we were open,” Cameron said. “And the die-hards go to the big casino in Wheeling, where they can go ’round the clock. I try not to judge. Folks around here don’t have much cause for optimism, and the idea of even winning a small amount keeps them going.”

He sighed. “I only worry when I hear that someone can’t pay their bills because they’re spending all their money on the games. It happens. Sometimes a family member will come in to ask us to cut the person off. We can’t do that unless the gambler asks us to. Otherwise, they’ll just go somewhere else.”

Tyler gave him a supportive smile. “Which is another reason to get out of Buckhannon,” he said, taking Cameron’s hand.

Seth dropped them off at the door. A few minutes later, he and Evan came in and started marking small sigils and runes by the windows and on the doorframe with a Sharpie. Evan knew the symbols wouldn’t hold off Swain himself, but they might deter any lieutenants he sent who intended to use lesser magic. They wouldn’t stop non-magical henchmen, but Evan hoped they would be reluctant to kidnap Cameron in front of witnesses.

“You’ve got your charms?” Seth quizzed them. Both men nodded.

“Yes,” Cameron said. “We won’t go outside until you come back for us. Tyler will stay for my whole shift.”

Seth clapped Cameron on the back. “Good. We’re going to do our best to wrap this up as soon as we can.”

When they went back to the campground, they found a familiar Crown Victoria parked behind the RV. Brent and Travis were walking back from the concession stand with cups of steaming coffee.

“We weren’t sure when you’d get back,” Travis said, as they traded handshakes and backslaps.

“Come on in. Their coffee is good—but mine is better.” Evan murmured the words to open the warding on the RV to admit guests and unlocked the door.

“I told Brent you’d have wardings.” Travis lightly slugged his work partner in the shoulder.

“Would they turn a burglar into a toad?” Brent joked.

“Worse.” Seth put his keys in a bowl near the door. “Explosive diarrhea. Totally legal, and makes it really hard to escape.”

“Cruel but effective,” Travis said with a laugh.

Seth ushered them into the RV’s living room and turned on the electric fireplace as Evan went to make a fresh pot of coffee.

“Any trouble with the drive?” Seth got mugs and fixings, then grabbed a bag of chocolate chip cookies and brought everything to the table.

“Nah. It’s a pretty straight shot except for the last little bit.” Travis reached for a cookie. “I forgot how pretty this area is.”

“Not to mention how far in the middle of nowhere.” Brent helped himself to a cookie as well. “But I did have a vision that might mean something.”

Evan looked up. “Oh yeah?”

“I saw a pool of water in a cave,” Brent said. “That’s it—just a glimpse. I know it isn’t much, but I’ve learned to mention even the little stuff because it usually slots into place at some point.”

“Thank you,” Seth said. “If it was important enough for you to see, it’s something we need to keep in mind.”

“And if you think we’re in the boonies, we aren’t as far out as Swain’s Mountain Laurel Lodge.” Evan leaned against the kitchen wall. “They’re really cut off. At least here, we can use a microwave.” Evan brought the pot of coffee when it finished brewing, and they gathered around the table. Seth caught their guests up on everything since the last phone call.

“Brent’s friend Drake is planning to meet us at our hotel room later this morning,” Travis told them. “We figured we’d order pizza and eat lunch there so we didn’t have to worry about being overheard or compromising Drake by being seen in public together.”

“We had some thoughts about how to tackle everything and try to beat Swain to the punch,” Seth told them as they fixed their coffee. He filled them in on his strategy, and Travis nodded.

“That works,” Brent said. “When do you want to go back to the old camp?”

“This afternoon, if Travis is up for it,” Evan said. “Swain’s already made one attempt on Cameron, and I don’t think he’ll wait long before he makes another move. With luck, the ghosts can tell us more about where he does his sacrifices. And maybe Travis can help them get peace.”

Evan shared the materials Parker sent, and they looked over the map of the lodge compound that he had printed out.

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