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Tuesday, March 4Old Lincoln County HospitalMaple Street, Fayetteville, Tennessee, 11:30 p.m.

He didn’t want to do this.

But he had no choice. His future depended on it.

Well, that might be an exaggeration. But how could he expect a career breakout if he didn’t do something extraordinary? Something no one could ignore ... something big? Really big?

“You sure this is the right place, man?”

Nolan Baker turned to the friend he’d asked to help with this peculiar meeting. They had known each other all their lives. Played football together in high school—well, Joel played. Nolan spent most of his time on the bench. Even then he knew he wasn’t sports material. But his father wanted him to play, just as he had played.

The only thing Nolan had ever wanted to do was to report the news. So far he hadn’t made it beyond the local newspaper. This might be just the story he needed. To that end, he was here—the last place he’d ever expect to find his big break.

“The message said to meet him at the old hospital.” Nolan glanced around at the dilapidated building.

More than a century old, the former college turned regional medical facility had been abandoned for better than two decades. Thebuilding had fallen into disrepair, and vandals had broken windows, added graffiti, and basically trashed the place. Anything left inside had long since been stolen or damaged beyond repair.

The only thing that remained were the ghosts.

Riding out the shudder that quaked through him, Nolan suffered a sudden urge to get back into the car and drive away. He’d grown up hearing the tales about the “little girl” ghost and the many other apparitions sighted by those who lived nearby or who dared to venture into the place at night. The hospital had been the focus of a number of nationally syndicated television specials. Frankly, he wasn’t surprised the person supposedly behind the series of recent abductions wanted to meet here.

In his opinion, the setting screamed “faker.” This whole business was just a little too overdone. But, hey, he would take that big break any way he could get it.

“Well,” Joel said, obviously losing patience as he scanned the dark parking lot, “doesn’t look to me like he’s coming.” He set his attention on Nolan. “You want to keep waiting?”

“We’re here. Might as well.”

Joel was taller than Nolan, heavier as well. He’d always been a big guy. His job at the local John Deere dealership seemed to satisfy him. Married his high school sweetheart and had a kid, as well as another on the way.

The idea that Nolan hadn’t managed a steady relationship ever and had no house of his own, just an apartment over his parents’ garage, nudged him.

Nolan reminded himself he wasn’t jealous of his friend or anyone else. He much preferred the potential excitement and adventure his five-year plan offered. He would, however, be grateful when the excitement finally kicked in.

Time and the right opportunity were all he needed. And patience, of course.

The three unexplained disappearances around the county in the past four weeks had garnered statewide attention. Just this week, a big-time reporter from Nashville did an exposé that was set to go national. This really could be the opportunity that would launch his own career to the next level.

Nolan hadn’t shared the message he’d received with anyone. Not even Joel knew exactly what this meeting was about—only that someone claiming to have information about the abductions had asked to meet. This anonymous source wanted to provide information that might help the authorities find the truth. Joel was all too happy to help Nolan out. Maybe Nolan’s lifelong friend needed a little excitement that didn’t include changing diapers and keeping his wife happy.

In truth, this could turn into real danger. Because tonight he might actually meet the so-called Time Thief—if the message sender was telling the truth.

The sender had claimed he wanted to tell his side of the story. Nolan experienced another shiver, this one from the actual excitement that tonight might be his big moment—the launching point for the next level of his career.

A flash of light in an upper window made Nolan jump.

“Did you see that?” Joel asked. “That third-floor window.” He pointed to the one in question. “That’s the one where people sometimes see a strange light. I know a bunch who claim to have witnessed it.” He let out a long, low whistle. “Shit, man, I never believed it. But I definitely saw a light of some kind just now.”

Light flashed again.

Nolan’s heart thumped faster. “We should go up there. It could be him.” He glanced around the parking lot. “Makes sense he wouldn’t want to meet out in the open like this.”

Joel released a big breath. “If that’s what you want to do, I’m with you, buddy.”

It didn’t sound as if that was what his friend wanted to do. Nolan glanced away and smirked. Maybe Joel wasn’t such a brave, tough guy after all. The little flare of glee he felt at the notion was undeniable.

Nolan pushed all else aside and gave a single, succinct nod. “Let’s go.”