Page 48 of Signs and Wonders

“I don’t imagine we could get much of a TV signal here anyhow,” Evan observed, referencing Brent’s earlier comment. “Although DVDs would still work.”

“I guess we’re supposed to focus on relaxing,” Brent said. “I’m glad I brought a book.”

“Thanks to Linda, we’ll get a tour of the spa so we know where to go when we try to steal the anchor,” Evan said.

Brent smirked. “Nice move, getting her to bring it up. You sound pretty sure that’s where we’ll find the relic.”

Evan shrugged. “I could be wrong, but it would make sense to be there. Everyone will think it’s decorative, but it’s also handy when Swain needs it for his other activities.”

“I did have another vision—just a flash, but worth mentioning,” Brent said. “I saw lights, sirens, and smoke. I don’t know what it means or where it was—like I said, it was just a glimpse. But I wanted you to know.”

“Thanks,” Evan said. “It doesn’t sound good, but at least it won’t be a complete surprise.”

“We’d better go do the shava-whatever. Don’t want them figuring us for the problem kids too soon.”

“Shavasana,” Evan said as they left the room and hurried to catch up with the others. “Corpse pose. It’s how a yoga class ends.”

“Corpse pose? That’s reassuring.”

“Don’t knock it ’til you tried it,” Evan replied. “I went to some community programs when I lived in Richmond. I probably would have done more, except someone was trying to kill me.”

“Don’t ya hate when that happens?” Brent snarked.

“So we size up the spa and look for the anchor when we get the tour, then play along with all the activities until we have a chance to slip away,” Evan said. “We’ll have to wait until after guests can use the spa since we don’t want interruptions. Then we slip inside, steal the relic, look for the secret door to the rest of the caves, and get out before we’re seen.”

“Easy, peasy.”

“We’d probably be safest if we stole a car and left the lodge, but that’s going to be tough to do,” Evan mused. “We can’t call Seth and have him pick us up.”

Brent looked thoughtful. “I wonder…Danny might be able to let Travis know to come get us, and then confirm to me that they’re coming.”

“That could work. Do you think Danny can travel the distance?”

“He’s done similar things before. It’s worth a shot. At worst, we sit tight until dawn and then fake a medical emergency,” Brent said.

“That should work.” Evan did his best to sound confident, though he couldn’t help feeling that nothing was ever that simple.

10

SETH

Seth’s phonerang late in the afternoon. He frowned when he recognized Tyler’s number. Before he could say anything, Tyler spoke.

“Something’s wrong. Cam’s not himself.”

Seth could hear the barely suppressed panic in the other man’s voice. He glanced at Travis, clueing him in that there was trouble. “Okay, start from the beginning.Howare things wrong? I’m putting you on speaker.”

“Cam was fine when we left the house this morning.” Tyler pitched his voice low as if he was worried about being overheard. “He was okay when we got to Lacey’s. I checked all the doors and safeguards the way you showed me, and everything looked right. So I settled in at a table while he and the crew got ready for the day.

“Then about an hour ago, a delivery came in. I offered to help, but Cam had both kitchen workers, so he said for me to sit tight. It didn’t take long, but when Cam came back, I had a funny feeling. Like itwashim, but itwasn’t.” Tyler sounded frightened, and Seth couldn’t blame him.

“What seemed off?” Travis asked.

Tyler paused, and Seth guessed the other man was taking a couple of deep breaths to get himself under control. “I’ve known Cam nearly all my life, and we’ve been together for a while now. So it’s little things that aren’t quite right. His smile is close—but not quite. He moves differently. My Cam is a loveable klutz. This one seems more graceful. His mannerisms are just a hair wrong. I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

“What about the other two kitchen workers? Can you talk to them and find out whether something odd happened with the delivery?” Seth suggested.

“I tried to go into the kitchen—came up with some excuse—and Cam blocked my way,” Tyler said. “I couldn’t do much without making a scene. It’s very unusual for me to go into the back, so insisting would have seemed strange.”

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