Page 56 of Freeing Lark

“I don’t talk about her.”

“Constantly,” Hoot said.

Eggs pointed at him. “Don’t.”

Hoot grinned. “You keep insisting you don’t like her.”

“I don’t.”

“Then why do you know her schedule?”

Eggs hesitated. “What are you talking about?”

“You always show up to Hooch & Harmony on nights when she’s working,” stated Hoot.

Eggs went silent. Spark laughed. “He’s got you there.”

“Shut up.”

Hoot smiled. For a few minutes, the teasing made the strange tension disappear. But eventually they left the island without finding anything. No answers. Only more questions.

* * *

Three days later, Haley’s computer chimed. Hoot looked up from his desk. Haley frowned at her monitor. “Fuck me.”

Everyone within earshot immediately paid attention. “Must be Jester again,” Spark assumed. Jester was a problem. A brilliant, infuriating hacker who had a particular talent for appearing inside Haley’s electronic defenses without permission. She’d built some of the best cybersecurity systems Hoot had ever seen. Jester treated them like unlocked doors.

“How the hell is he still getting in?” Haley muttered.

Voodoo grinned. “Maybe he’s better than you.”

“Fuck you.”

Hoot leaned over her shoulder. “What does he say this time?”

Haley read the message. “He’s been monitoring chatter about Lark and her Liberty Bell.”

Hoot’s stomach tightened. “What kind of chatter?”

“Someone’s been asking questions about why she’s on that island.”

Eggs’ expression hardened. “Who?”

“No name.”

“Can Jester trace it?”

Haley rapidly typed something before shaking her head. “Apparently not.”

“Or he’s not telling us,” Spark said.

Haley frowned. “That’s always possible.”

Hoot looked at the screen. “Why would anyone care about a woman building a penny bell?” Nobody answered. Because they were all thinking the same thing. Between the symbol, the island, and Calloway, there were far too many coincidences.

“Does Jester have any suggestions on what to do?” Flint asked.

Haley typed again, then scrolled. “Nothing yet.” Her computer chimed again. Everyone froze.