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“That Collin is taking me to see the collection this week.”
“You know this is absolute madness, don’t you?”
“Yeah.”
David sighed. “Well, if anyone can pull it off, it’s you.” He took my hand and pride filled his eyes. “And you can send Ukinim and his mate back to hell. I believe in you, Ellie.”
I nodded. I was glad someone did.
The wait was agonizing. We came up with a skimpy plan for dealing with Marino’s guy and one that wasn’t much better for fighting the badgers, but at ten minutes after eleven, I was beside myself, pacing the living room floor frantically.
“Marino’s guy doesn’t seem like the fashionably late type. Where is he?”
David leaned his back against the kitchen counter. “I don’t know. Maybe they changed their mind about you.”
Dread cramped my stomach. “No. Marino doesn’t change his mind.”
My cell phone rang in my purse. I dug it out and anxiety stole my breath when I saw the unfamiliar number. “Hello?”
“Ellie, this is Tom.”
“Hey, Tom. What can I do for you?” My gaze searched out David, and he moved across the room toward me.
“Just thought I’d let you know that we picked up two known associates of Joseph Marino crossing the bridge to the island about thirty minutes ago.”
I sat on the sofa, my body tense. “You’re kidding.”
“It was a routine traffic stop, but when we ran their licenses we turned up some outstanding warrants. They’re currently in the Manteo jail.”
Would Marino blame me for this one? “That’s great, Tom, but why are you telling me?”
“I thought you’d like to know that this mess might be over now.”
I closed my eyes, resisting the urge to sigh. Little did he know, tonight’s mess had only just begun.
Chapter28
It was much easier to get into the park than I expected.
When we mapped out a quarter mile east of my apartment, it put us squarely in the English camp of the re-created settlement of the first Roanoke colony of 1586 that had consisted entirely of men. The section featured a guardhouse, a blacksmith shop, a woodworking lathe, and an officer’s tent.
“So cliché,” I muttered for the fifth or twentieth time.
“Yes, Ellie, I know,” David murmured softly, keeping his flashlight beam low so we wouldn’t be seen by anyone across the cove in Manteo.
I clutched the strap of my backpack, which carried the watches. The ring was around my neck on the chain. I still didn’t know how to use them, but I hadn’t known the words of protection and how to use the symbol on my hand until I needed them. I hoped the same would prove true tonight. “How are we supposed to lure them here?”
“You’re the bait, love.”
“That’s reassuring.” But true. “If things get too intense, maybe we can lure them to the water and Big Nasty will come save me.” I snorted. “It’s a sad day when you hope a giant evil snake will save you.”
“Indeed.”
When I got nervous, I got chatty. Obviously, David got quiet.
When we reached the middle of the English camp, I looked around. “I haven’t been here in years.”
He spun around, taking in the buildings. “I’ve never been here.”
