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“These plants look a lot like the ones down below, but they aren’t as aggressive,” Talia said. “Maybe this place was used to create hybrids and cultivars that had the characteristics the researchers wanted. The successful specimens would have been introduced into the hot paranormal climate underground.”
“Another creepy thought,” Phoebe said. “Maybe not as bad as psychic assassins, but definitely creepy.”
Talia could not see Luke’s face, but she noted the renewed tension in his shoulders. Best to change the subject.
She looked up at the murky daylight filtering through the glass block ceiling. “If the clock down in the lab was accurate, it must be, what? One thirty in the afternoon?”
“Yes,” Luke said.
Talia groaned and leaned down to retrieve the jackets and Luke’s rain poncho. “You were right—if there was a ferry run today, we missed it.”
“The weather appears to have settled down,” Luke said, taking his jacket from her. He started along the path that led to the entrance. “So it’s likely the ferry was able to dock, in which case the otherguests will be gone. But with luck the landline will be working again. We’ll be able to call the mainland and get an emergency pickup.”
“What about Nathan Gill?” Talia said.
“If he shows up, I’ll deal with him, but I think he’ll be gone, too.”
“Why?” Phoebe said.
“When Talia and I disappeared into the conservatory yesterday, he had to know that his operation was falling apart. He won’t stick around to explain things to the authorities.”
“Unless he assumes we’re dead,” Talia said.
“That won’t reassure him,” Luke said. “He has no way of knowing how many people will come looking for us. Any way you look at the situation, there are now too many bodies to explain. Too many missing people.”
“We’re finally getting answers,” Talia said. She tightened her grip on the logbook. “I can’t wait to get hold of the rest of the podcast team. They’ll want to see this island for themselves.”
“If the person I’m going to contact, the one I think is responsible for what’s left of the old Bluestone Project, takes charge, there won’t be any more unauthorized visitors allowed on the island,” Luke said. “That rule will probably go double for podcasters.”
“We can’t give up on the investigation,” Talia said, outraged.
“We aren’t giving up on it,” Luke said. “But we’ve got to be smart about how we handle this new development.”
Talia cleared her throat.“We?”
Luke’s mouth tightened. “Looks like I’m on the podcast team.”
“I appointed you atemporarymember,” Talia reminded him.
“Like it or not, I’m permanent now. You need me, and I need you and the rest of your team.”
“Can’t wait to tell them that we have a new, self-invited memberwho thinks we should keep our mouths shut,” Talia said, swiping aside a wide leaf.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to me,” Luke said.
He stopped to open the front entrance of the conservatory. They moved into the airlock and then through the steel door. They worked their way through the labyrinth gardens.
“This really is one very strange place,” Phoebe observed with a shudder. She eyed a nearby fern. “Are these plants glowing, too?”
“Everything seems to be getting hotter up here,” Luke said.
He moved out of the labyrinth gardens and stopped at the edge of the driveway. Talia and Phoebe halted beside him. The van was no longer parked at the entrance of the lodge.
Luke walked to the top of the drive and looked down at the dock. “The van is down there. That answers one question. The noon ferry made a run.”
“The next question is, did they all leave?” Talia said, looking around.
“The guests definitely will be gone,” Luke said.
