Page 96 of The Shop on Hidden Lane

“Disappointed?”

“Nope.”

He watched her wield the hatpin, probing gently. The padlock sprang open. She removed it and got to her feet. Deke was already pushing the door open. He and Bea spilled out.

Sophy tucked the hatpin back into her hair clip and wrapped Bea in a huge hug.

“I’ve been so worried,” Sophy said.

“So have I,” Bea said. “I knew that old hatpin would come in handy someday.”

“Gotta love the Harper talent,” Deke said. He glanced at the motionless man on the floor and then looked at Luke. “What kept you? Bea and I were getting damned tired of MREs.”

“Sorry for the delay,” Luke said. “What the hell is going on?”

“Long story.” Deke stepped over the unmoving Smoking Ghost. “But first things first. We need to get out of here.”

“Deke is right,” Bea said. She pulled free of Sophy’s arms. “The fools running this project are trying to tap into serious vortex energy. They have no idea what they’re doing.”

Luke led the way toward the hall that would take them backinto the old lab. He glanced at Deke. “Any chance you know where your pistol ended up?”

“No, and we don’t have time to look for it. Is that wimpy little tranq pen all you’ve got on you?”

“Afraid so.”

“How many times have I told you to carry a backup?”

“I worked in data analysis, not in the field like you. Dots. I’m good with dots.”

“Luke is an off-the-charts lucid dreamer,” Sophy said to Bea.

“Is that right?” Bea sounded impressed. “That will be a very useful talent for a CEO.”

“What the hell?” Deke shot Luke a concerned look. “Are you still having those weird dreams like you did when you were a kid?”

“I never stopped having them,” Luke said. “I just stopped talking about them.”

“Why?”

“Take a guess,” Luke said.

“Your parents weren’t serious when they talked about sending you to a shrink because of your dreams.”

“Yes,” Luke said. “They were.”

Bruce growled another warning before Deke could respond.

“Freeze or the women die first.”

Luke recognized the voice of a professional in the security business—someone who knew how to use a gun and would not hesitate to pull the trigger. He knew Deke did, too.

Both of them stopped. Bea and Sophy did the same.

“Turn around. Slowly. Control the dog or I’ll take him out.”

Bruce shivered with anticipation.

“No, Bruce,” he said quietly.