Page 37 of The Shop on Hidden Lane

Luke spoke up quickly. “We’re getting off topic here. Sophy and I are going to play this by ear. We have no idea what we’re heading into. We’ll take it one step at a time. This trip to Fool’s Gold Canyon could be a dead end, but it’s the best lead we’ve got.”

“I know,” Harry said. He paused before adding, “Don’t forget the water.”

“Already ordered,” Luke said. “A twenty-four-bottle case. It will be in the vehicle.”

“Good,” Harry said. “You two be careful. Don’t hesitate to call in backup if you need it.”

“We won’t,” Luke said.

He disconnected.

Sophy looked at him, brows raised. “What was that about water?”

“We’re going into the desert,” Luke said.

“Please don’t tell me you’re thinking we might have to camp out. I’m not really the camping type.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Seventeen

“Welcome to Fool’s Gold CanyonArt Colony, Mr. and Ms. Ainsley,” the security guard said. He appeared to be in his sixties. He examined the passes and handed them back to Luke through the open window of the SUV. “The inn is the first right after you go through the gates. Park in the garage. You won’t need your vehicle again until you leave. No cars are allowed on the grounds beyond the inn. Feel free to use any of the golf carts that you come across. There’s a bunch of them scattered around for the guests.”

“Thanks,” Luke said.

“There’s no cell service here in the vortex canyons, so you might as well forget using your phones.”

“Understood,” Luke said.

Sophy studied the massive steel gates in front of the SUV, aware of a chill in spite of the balmy evening air. The unsettling sensation had gotten steadily stronger during the long drive through miles of empty desert as night took control.

She knew that the desert was not truly empty. It came alive after dark as a varied population of creatures—snakes, bats, owls,insects, spiders, small rodents, and more—took the night shift. Nevertheless, there had been times during the past couple of hours when it felt as if she and Luke and Bruce were the only living beings on the planet. There were no streetlights on the old highway. No truck stops. No motels. No fast-food restaurants.

The first reassuring signs of life had appeared when they stopped for gas in the tiny community of Fool’s Gold about ten miles back.

Now they had arrived at a small valley nestled deep in the red rock canyons.

As if he sensed her unease, Bruce leaned around the edge of the seat and nuzzled her. She reached up and ruffled his fur.

“Good-looking dog,” the guard said.

Bruce grinned, flashing his fangs.

The guard frowned. “Does he bite?”

“Of course not,” Sophy said. “He’s really quite friendly.”

Bruce went into what he evidently considered his adorable mode. Unfortunately, that look gave the guard another glimpse of fang.

“I don’t recognize the breed,” the guard said, wary now.

“Neither does anyone else,” Luke said.

“You’ll need to make sure he’s on a leash while you’re here.” The guard stepped back. “I’ll open the gates. You picked a good time to arrive. The colony is amazing after dark.”

He went back into the guardhouse. The small space was crammed with a lot of exotic high-tech equipment. It looked like the flight deck of a fighter jet.

“They take security very seriously around here,” Sophy said.