AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, but it would only be effective for about thirty days at the most,” Gabe replied. “The batteries don’t last and have to be replaced.”
“What about us?” Zane asked.
Obviously trying not to scare Caleb and Amy, who was waiting for Caleb, Gabe chose his words carefully. “My guess is they wouldn’t have had one in either one of you. If there was a deal going down, the boy would be important. And these kinds of trackers aren’t cheap. In fact, most are experimental.” He glanced at Zane first and then at Lex. “Something like this could cause sepsis if it’s left under his skin too long.”
“Sepsis?” Lex echoed. “What’s that?”
“A severe infection,” Gabe replied, looking grim.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking Lex?” Zane asked.
“About the couple of kids that suddenly got sick before they disappeared?” Lex sighed. “That was when they started separating all of us, so it was hard for the three of us to keep track of each other, let alone all the other guys that were there with us. But Zane and I figured after a while that what happened with those kids had to be because they were drugging us with dirty needles.”
Zane nodded his agreement. “Plus, that’s when they switched to drugging our water instead.”
Gabe grimaced and sighed. “I’d better give Jake another call.”
“Do you happen to know where Izzy is?” Zane asked Amy as Gabe left the room.
“Harry and Izzy are taking flying lessons,” Amy answered.
“What?”Zane and Lex responded in unison.
“Dad says that it’s never too early for us to explore our career choices,” Amy said with an impish grin, helping Caleb put his shirt back on.
Lex just shook his head in amusement as he stood from his chair.
“Want to help me make the beds and put away our new clothes?” Lex asked Zane.
Standing, Zane rolled his eyes. “I guess.”
Lex laughed, realizing what was on Zane’s mind. “I miss Izzy being around too.”
Making their way out of Gabe’s office, Zane looked taken aback.
Because of course, Zane was falling for her. It was written all over his face.
ChapterTwelve
During the next few weeks, they more or less stuck to the same routine. Dr. Donnelly returned to check on Lex several times, and he was apparently happy with his progress, especially after prescribing a more potent antibiotic.
They’d managed to contain the lice, and before long, they were washing the bedding less often, although still every three or four days to play it safe.
Izzy was going to help Zane choose what room he wanted to move into, and Caleb would be moving into the room beside Amy’s.
Lex wasn’t sure where he was supposed to go, so he didn’t ask. He was actually feeling a little blue. Caleb didn’t seem to need him anymore. He was busy with Amy and always seemed to be following her around whenever he got the chance. Even Zane hung around with Izzy and Harry more than he did with Lex.
But who could blame him? Zane was doing something he’d never dared dream about—becoming a musician, a very talented one at that, Lex realized. Despite never mentioning it to anyone, Lex had always seemed to have an ear for music. It had been his idea for them to head to Crystal Rock for the music camp auditions after noticing the poster when they’d been on the road nearly a month earlier.
But truthfully, Lex felt adrift.
Now that he seemed healthy, maybe it was time for him to be on his way. The future could still bring trouble, and Lex couldn’t help thinking that there would be less chance of danger for Caleb and Zane, along with the Giordanos, if he was out of the picture.
It was still early enough in the summer that he could make some progress on the road. Maybe he’d head south before winter.
Although he felt a large pang of regret as he walked alone along the pathway outside, he decided he might just as well leave tonight.
* * *
