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Asher laughed. The older woman ran the daytime security crew at FBS, and Grace’s chaotic office management style often drove her crazy. “Why?”

“She thinks that maybe Grace will quit and become a housewife.”

“You know, she might,” Asher mused. “I can see that. Knowing Grace, she’ll be all in. Martha Stewart in hot pink heels and some kind of designer apron that costs a week’s pay.”

Ben sighed dramatically, but Asher could imagine him smiling on the other end of the line. His brother loved Grace deeply, even if it had taken him forever to realize that she was perfect for him.

“Hey, did you ever get in touch with Jacob?” Ben asked.

“I did right before I left,” Asher said, “but not since then. Things got busy here. Why, is everything okay?”

“So far. He called Dad to let him know that he finally made it to his dream destination of rural Libya. He might be out of touch for the next while.”

Asher made a face. “Gotta love our little bro. Some dream of a peaceful resort, others dream of a sand-filled tent and no running water.”

“He’s helping so many people,” Ben said solemnly. “I could do more of that.”

Asher sighed. He had a point.

“Yeah, me too,” he agreed.

Silence fell between them for a moment. All of the brothers made fun of one another constantly, including Jacob, but the truth was, he was an easy man to admire.

The rough past he’d lived as a teenager and young adult made even Asher look like an absolute angel.

But eventually, Jesus had fully taken hold of Jacob’s heart, and he’d chosen a radical life of protecting their brothers and sisters in Christ in dangerous areas overseas, even though his mission often put his own safety in danger.

He should have made the time to call his brother sooner, he knew, but he had kept putting it off. Jacob had a way of bringing out the deeper things in people, and he knew he wasn’t immune to his probing questions.

If anyone was going to get him to talk about what had really happened in Afghanistan, it was Jacob.

And some part of him wished he had taken the opportunity by now.

“Well, let me know if you learn anything else about Bajwa or Senera,” Asher said at last. “Thanks, Ben.”

“No problem.”

The brothers said their goodbyes, and Asher made his way toward the dining hall, picking up his pace a little when he realized just how high the morning sun was getting. Eggs were basically the only protein to speak of, and if he didn’t hurry, they’d all be eaten.

By the time he grabbed his plate, however, he’d forgotten all about his breakfast preferences and began piling it high with whatever food item happened to be closest. Karlin was standing off near the edge of the buffet table by herself, sipping a mug of tea.

Everyone else was sitting at the long table, absorbed in the buzz of breakfast conversation.

Asher’s heart swelled as he strode over to her, trying his best to look totally casual and totally not-suspicious.

All he could think about was the morning they’d shared at the canyon, and how much she’d finally been willing to let him in.

Even if the morning had been soured somewhat by the news about her brother’s relapse.

Still, he’d only gotten to see her for approximately five seconds yesterday, and the unresolved tension between them was driving him crazy.

“Good morning,” he announced, resting his tray on the edge of the table beside her.

“Shh,” she said in response, narrowing her eyes. “We’ll talk today. I have a plan for our next meeting.”

“You know, I really was just saying good morning,” he said, picking up a strawberry and popping it into his mouth. “I don’t think that’s suspicious.”

“It’s not,” she said under her breath, “but the way you beeline toward me the second you enter the room totally is.”

He considered arguing with her for a moment, but decided that straight-up honesty would be way more fun.

He waited a second for everyone else in the room to be focused on their breakfast before leaning over and whispering in her ear. “In my defense, I’m kind of struggling to keep my distance, now that I know what it’s like to hold you in my arms.”

She pulled away quickly, tea wobbling back and forth in her mug, threatening to spill over the edge. Her cheeks were visibly pink, which only made Asher smile.

“You seriously need to shut up,” she hissed at him.

“You’re pretty. Like, really pretty today, more than usual. Probably that much-deserved beauty sleep.”

“Seriously? Just. Shut. Up!”

“Now who’s being suspicious?” he asked innocently, turning his back on her and picking up his tray.

He headed off toward the others, trying to wipe the goofy grin off of his face. Man, driving her crazy was way too much fun.

“Hey, Axel,” Cora said as he sat down beside Paul. The others greeted him and he tried to make small talk, but he found himself distracted by Bajwa, who was speaking in hushed tones to Karlin and Ned a little further down the table.

Ben’s discovery of the man’s real background had officially put Bajwa even more firmly on his radar.

It seemed obvious to Asher that he was no mere victim, caught up in Senera’s demands.

He had every reason to want to push DX8 through to market, no matter the cost.

“Anyone feeling nervous?” Lily said, pulling Asher from his musings. “I’m actually feeling pretty optimistic about tonight.”

“Me too,” Cora agreed. “My first trip wasn’t great–I felt pretty rough after Destiny freaked out, and I couldn’t get back on track. But I think it’s going to be a lot easier without that chaos in the background. Poor Destiny. However scary it was for us, it was fifty times worse for her.”

Asher wanted to tell them they were crazy for taking DX8 again at all after what happened, but he refrained.

“You guys are right. Psychedelics rely so much on what our brains are already doing. We need some peaceful vibes tonight. More rain sounds, less pounding drums. Maybe Bajwa can rig up some incense or something.”

“Totally,” Cora said, her brown waves bouncing against her shoulders as she nodded her head. “And maybe some better blankets. I was freezing my butt off in that hut.”

Paul grunted. “I guess I’m the only nervous one. But I talked to Ms. McKenna, and she assured me that Destiny’s reaction was rare and that she’s already out of the hospital. I figure I’m already here. Gotta ride it out til it’s over.”

Asher nodded mutely, stealing yet another glance over at the retreat staff section of the table as he sent up a silent prayer for guidance and for strength.

Paul was right. They did have to ride this thing out until it was over, which would happen only when Asher and Karlin had the evidence they needed to bring Senera to justice, ensuring no one else could be hurt by DX8 ever again.

And until then, they would continue to walk the careful line between truth and deception.

Human lives–and perhaps even human souls–depended on it.

KARLIN

Karlin stirred her teaspoon around and around in her mug, trying and failing to pay attention to whatever Bajwa was talking about.

Instead, she kept glancing over at her patients sitting further up the table. They were all deep in conversation and wearing serious faces. Even Axel looked uncharacteristically solemn, but she would talk to him later.

For now, it was Paul who worried her the most.

He’d managed to catch her alone for a moment when she’d arrived at the dining hall, confessing his worry over taking DX8 tonight. Not for the first time, she wondered why he was so desperate to take this drug, but she felt foolish having to ask him directly.

All she’d wanted to do was to tell him to leave, right now, and never come back, but of course, she couldn’t do that.

In a strange way, they were all trapped here, all waiting for the ties that bound them to break.

We’re in Your hands, God. Please, let us all go home safe when this is over.

Karlin shoved her last forkful of egg white omelette into her mouth. The thought–the prayer–had arisen unbidden, and she wasn’t ready to think about what that meant.

Just then, Bajwa set his napkin on his plate and moved to get to his feet. She reached out and touched his shoulder, intercepting him before he could get everyone else’s attention.

It was time to put her plan for today into motion. It was risky, but she had a good opportunity and couldn’t afford to waste it.

“Excuse me, Dr. Bajwa?” she asked in a whisper.

She shouldn’t have bothered. Ned was even more tuned out than she was.

“If you can spare me, I’d really rather not join our planned Palo Duro Canyon hike today.

I’m feeling a bit under the weather, probably due to stress and exhaustion, and Axel mentioned the same thing to me this morning.

He didn’t ask, but I think it would probably be wise to excuse him as well. ”

She held her breath, watching as the gears in his mind began to turn. If he suspected that anything strange was going on between them, now would probably be the time that his face would reveal it.

Instead, he merely looked annoyed.

“You’re still tired? Surely you got way less sleep than this in grad school?” he asked, chuckling a little, though it didn’t sound like he was kidding.

She decided to roll with it.

“I mean, Axel looks like he’s used to rocking out with his band in his mom’s garage all night,” she joked. “Looks can be deceiving. What happened with Destiny was a lot. I’m also wondering if maybe we both picked up some bug at the hospital. Wouldn’t surprise me.”

Bajwa considered this.

“I know Axel wants to really be operating at one hundred percent for his first DX8 journey tonight,” she added. “Especially since we will have to give him a higher dose than last time.”

“True,” Bajwa conceded. “We’ve never had a patient totally fail to react to a normal dose before.”

“Hey, at least it’s interesting research data, right?” she said, offering a smile that Bajwa did not return. The man didn’t look suspicious, but for whatever reason, he did seem a little anxious. He kept glancing around the room and shifting in his seat while she spoke.

“Fine, you both will stay here today,” he said at last. “In that case, I’d really appreciate it if you can help Ned with the food inventory before you get some rest.”

“Will do,” she said, trying to hold back her grin. Finally, something was actually going right with this investigation.

Bajwa stood up at last, and she half-listened as he told the others about the hike that they would be taking for most of the day.

As soon as the group started to head for the door, she beelined straight for Axel.

“Thanks, Ms. McKenna,” he said loudly, presumably for the benefit of anyone listening. “I haven’t felt great. I just want to crash until tonight.”

“Go to your cabin and stay put,” she said under her breath. “I’ll come get you soon.”

“Will do, ma’am.” He made a salute motion with his hand and headed outside with the others.

So far, so good.

“Ready to start on inventory, or do you need a minute?” Ned asked from somewhere behind her shoulder, almost making her jump.

She turned quickly. “Oh, no, I can start whenever you’re good to go,” she said, plastering on a smile.

Ned didn’t exactly look thrilled to have her help, but oh well.

She was glad for the distraction. This afternoon would present the best chance she and Axel would have to search the main Senera Pharmaceuticals compound, as most of the staff went home early on Fridays. With any luck, Ned would do the same.

And if they were careful, neither Bajwa nor anyone else would suspect a thing.