Forging Day (Crucible of Change Book 1) (21 page)

And how many officials made a swarm? In my estimation, ten qualified.

Ted got the gate again, but Mikah waited for them at the front door. Once it looked like everyone was going to be polite for now, we all assembled back in the dining room. Mikah offered sandwiches and tea, leftover from our party-slash-wake.

The way the other officers were deferring to the older man, I wasn’t surprised when Sharon introduced him as Captain Dodge. “I didn’t think they’d call you out tonight, sir.”

“When one of my officers vanishes without a trace for a solid month, and then turns up out of the blue, I kind of want to know what’s going on,” he said.

“I understand, sir. It wasn’t my intention to vanish.”

Captain Dodge ran through quick introductions of the other officers. Three were here to handle the van. They were going to load it up and take it to impound. The other three were techs to go over our persons, on the chance we’d been kidnapped. I recognized Lieutenant Clark from when my dad was on the force. He was Sharon’s immediate boss.

The other two guests screamed FBI or CIA or some other kind of alphabet soup. They both wore tailored dark suits with white shirts and black ties, but somehow avoided the Mormon vibe.

“I’m Agent West,” the woman said, “and this is Agent Miller.” The man nodded. “Our interest is in the Redwood Grove. We understand you’ve been inside.”

“Wait your turn,” growled Captain Dodge. “We’ll get to that bloody grove soon enough.”

“Sir, we weren’t taken anywhere against our will. We left midafternoon on June fourteenth to deliver something to the gentleman in the grove. When we came out, it was dark, but I would have sworn we were only in there thirty minutes, tops. Check the info in the van. We drove about six miles round trip. I would not be surprised if the instruments still show the month as June.”

Captain Dodge nodded to the three techs. “Go check it out and then take it in. I want to know everything that van has touched.”

Agent West pursed her lips and didn’t look happy. I bet she’d wanted to get her hands on that van first. Since I didn’t care who got the van, I was more than happy to let them fight it out.

“I appreciate your candor, Officer Curtis, but now, while any evidence is fresh, we’d like the techs to have their chance before it’s lost.”

“What kind of evidence? We drove to the zoo. We got out. We came back. You want to look at the dirt on my shoes? Here.” I took off a shoe and tossed it to one of the techs.

“Olivia!” said Sharon. “What are you doing?”

“The only thing that touched the Grove was my shoe.”

“We’d like all of the clothes you were wearing and our techs to comb through your hair and go over your bodies for evidence,” said Captain Dodge.

“Not gonna happen,” I told him.

I was reaching for the other shoe, when Agent West spoke up. “That won’t be necessary. If I might have that other shoe though, Ms. Mitchell, I’d appreciate it.”

I took it off and tossed it to her. I pretended not to notice the Captain’s face getting red.

“There is one other thing,” said Agent Miller. “We’d like to do scans of the three of you for any unusual radiation signatures.” He held up something that looked like those wands they used at airports, but with little blue lights on it. “It isn’t invasive. We don’t even need to touch you.”

“Can you do it right here? I’m not going off with anyone right now.”

He almost smiled, but not quite. “We can do it right here. If you’ll just stand up over here,” he pointed in front of himself, “and hold out your arms, it’ll take less than a minute. It’s completely painless.”

I watched Agent West and the tech each put one of my shoes in a brown paper bag and label it with my name and the date. Agent Miller was right. It took less than a minute and I didn’t feel a thing. The device didn’t make any discernable noise, and I didn’t see any crazy flashing lights, but he seemed satisfied with the results all the same.

Korembi and Sharon offered up their own shoes and each stood for their own scan.

Captain Dodge told Sharon, “This is Thursday. I’d like a full report on my desk by first thing Monday morning.” He glared at the lot of us before he turned and left.

I stuck out my tongue as he walked out of the room. Sharon looked appalled, but one of the techs was biting his lips like mad, trying not to laugh.

Lieutenant Clark finally spoke up after the front door closed. “If you need a few days, just let me know. I’ll talk to the Captain.”

“No,” she said. “Unless there’s a problem, I’ll be at work tomorrow. Hopefully I still have a desk.”

“Don’t worry about that,” he said. “Everything will be taken care of. We’ll bring you up to speed in the morning. In the meantime, get some rest. Can I drop you at home? You left your car at the station. I can send a squad car to pick you up in the morning.”

“I think I’d like that,” she said. “I’m feeling a little shaky, all of a sudden.” She did look a little pale. “I think I’ll be late,” she said in an odd voice. “There’s something orange that’s going to cause a delay.”

“Whoa, Sharon. Way to go weird on us,” I said.

She gave me a crusty look. “Olivia. Korembi. I’ll be in touch. You all take care. Cordelia, it’s good to see you again. I wish it had been under different circumstances.”

In just a few minutes, it was down to us and Agents West and Miller, who gave no signs of leaving.

“Was there something else?” asked Mikah. “It is getting fairly late.”

“I would still like to ask you a few questions about the Grove, if I might, and if you have a smart phone, I’d like to see it,” said Agent West.

“As long as you’re not keeping it,” I said, and handed it to her.

She turned it on and showed me the date on the splash screen. It was freaky. It kept racing backward and forward between June and July. “I suggest you back up anything important and then wipe it and do a fresh install. We’ve seen this before.”

“I’m tired, so I’ll be quick,” I said. “We saw Oaken three days ago, before he first went into the Grove, and he looked like he’d had a good ten years of hair growth since then. Oh, and what else? Yeah—they said the God and Goddess had called them to the Grove in the first place. It was really dark and shadowy in there. Where we were, anyway, you couldn’t see the sun through the trees, and we couldn’t see anything more than ten feet from the van, even with the headlights on. Did I miss anything, Korembi?”

“Not really. Oaken did say that if we stayed much longer, our friends would think us lost.”

“I do have another quick question,” said Agent West. “How did you make contact with your friends inside the Grove? As far as we can tell, the Groves are impenetrable.”

“I called Cliff on his cell phone,” said Korembi. “We talked a few minutes and he agreed the dinosaurs could come there to live. Once we had the van, I called back and let him know we were on the way.”

“Dinosaurs?” For just a second, Agent West didn’t look quite as bland.

“Uh, yeah. We had some dinosaurs. They needed a home,” I said.

“You don’t be wantin’ to clean a raptor’s litterbox, mon,” added Korembi. “It not be a pretty sight.”

It looked like Agent Miller was dying to say something, but somehow he contained himself. I expected more questions, but instead the Agents exchanged looks, stood up and gathered their things. “We appreciate your cooperation. If there’s anything else, we’ll be in touch,” was all Agent Miller said.

“Have a good what’s left of the evening,” said Agent West.

Finally, we were alone.

Cordie hugged me again. “Don’t ever do that again. I can’t stand to lose you too.” She was crying again and looked about ready to fall over.

“Cordie, I promise. I’ll be good. You better stay here tonight. You don’t look like you can drive.”

She wiped her eyes. “I have been staying here. Mikah insisted. I’ll see you in the morning, right? You promise not to disappear again?”

“I promise. I’m going to take a shower and go to bed. I’m not going anywhere.”

She gave me one more squeeze, and finally let go. “Why don’t you let me see you to your room? I can tuck you in like old times.”

“I appreciate the offer, sis, but I was kind of hoping to get a minute to talk with Kat.”

“It’s late,” Cordie spat out. “I’m sure Kat and her girlfriend want to get some rest.”

Kat looked stricken and the Goth-girl patted her shoulder.

I took a deep breath and held out my hand. “I think we might have met once a few years ago. I’m Olivia. And you must be Gracie.”

She looked at me warily, but still gave me a firm hand shake in return. “Glad to formally meet you Olivia. The rumors of your demise were greatly exaggerated.”

“I’m tricky that way,” I said. “I have more lives than a cat, so to speak.”

“Cordie, please go on up to bed. I don’t need a teddy bear. I’ll be fine.” I turned back to Kat. “I’m sorry I disappeared like that. I…hope we can get some time to catch up in the morning.”

I left the room with my dignity mostly intact, and then ran up to my room as soon as I cleared the corner. I remembered what Kat had said, about having room for more than one love in her heart, and I’d agreed, but right now it still hurt.

I pulled the door closed behind me, and turned on the light. Tessa was stretched out on my bed, wearing nothing but a smile.

“She does love you, you know,” she said. “Kat was devastated when you disappeared. She wouldn’t eat or sleep—she just held that cat of hers and stared out the window. Berto finally found her friend’s number and got her to come over.”

I stared at her. “Tessa, what are you doing in my room?”

“Talking,” she said. “Now get undressed and come join me.”

I don’t know why, but I did. I wanted someone to hold me tonight, and I wouldn’t admit that to Cordie if my life depended on it.

She kissed me, and then pulled me snugly against her, spooning around me. “Your sister was already a wreck when she arrived from Atlanta. From what I could tell, Mikah had told her that you and Kat were an item. She and Mikah got back from the airport about when Gracie had finally coaxed Kat into eating something. She walked in and saw Kat kissing Gracie, and not in a sisterly way—if you catch my drift, and your sister blew a gasket. Verbal unpleasantness was exchanged. Names were called. Frost was in the air.”

She rubbed the tension out of my neck while she talked, and dropped the occasional kiss on my ear.

“Kat’s been staying at Gracie’s apartment for the last few weeks, while your sister stayed here. I called this morning and let her know today was the day you’d be back. She didn’t believe me. No one but Berto did, actually, but she still came.”

I rolled over to face her. “How did you know I wasn’t dead, and that we’d all be back today?”

“I had a feeling. A little dove whispered in my ear, you might say.” She kissed me gently on the lips, and I felt myself responding.

“This thing you have with Kat,” she whispered, “doesn’t have to be broken. It changed, is all. The only people that never change are the dead. Talk to her tomorrow. You won’t regret it.” She kissed me again, deeply this time, and I kissed her back.

“Enough about other people, already,” she said. “I’ve learned a few tricks while you’ve been off not having adventures. Let me show you some of them. I promise I won’t bite, unless you ask nicely.”

It was an offer I couldn’t refuse. My shower could wait until morning.

Project Underhill

Memo

To: Senator Rxxxx

From:Agent West

Contact made with the three people known to have returned from a Grove. All data from O.M., S.C. and K.B. was personally couriered to the Underhill team. You will have an update when we know more. FYI—the people made contact with their associate in the Grove by CALLING HIM ON HIS CELL PHONE. With all due respect, Senator, did anyone, at any point, attempt to use the freaking telephone to make contact? You should also add dinosaurs to the known occupants list of the Denver Grove.

Memo

To:Major Parker

From:General Dxxxx

I was told you denied compassionate leave to a Sergeant Leonardo Mitchell. His sister just returned after being missing, presumed dead. This sister is flagged as one of the Grove Three, and is also one of the Changed. The other sister is with public health and was part of the CDC conference. Sergeant Mitchell is currently deployed to Underhill. I don’t believe in coincidence. You are to grant leave immediately and for an indefinite term. We feel this is an excellent opportunity to gather as much intelligence as possible on the Grove phenomenon. The Sergeant is not being requested to spy on his family and this should not even be raised as an issue. Make certain he is collecting the maximum amount of passive data during his leave. He is required to keep his phone on his person at all times, should his unit need to reach him in case of emergency.

Catching up with the World

I woke up alone in bed. My muscles ached a bit, but in all the right ways. Tessa was right. She had learned some new tricks. Whatever she did to make me so weak before hadn’t happened this time. Maybe she learned more control or maybe she
ate
before I got home—or maybe a little of both.

I definitely needed that shower. It felt wonderful to get clean all over. I had a little twinge of anxiety about going downstairs, but my growling stomach won the argument. I didn’t know what I was going to say to Kat, but I couldn’t put off talking to her. Hopefully Cordie went to work today.

Nope. Kat and Gracie were at the far side of the library in one of the nooks. Cordie was sitting on the sofa, pretending to read. Everyone stared when I walked in.

“Morning, all—or whatever time it is. Just going to get some food.” I hustled through the room as quickly as I could, without trying to look like I was running.

Cordie dropped her book and followed me into the kitchen. “You sit down and let me fix you something,” she told me.

“Okay. Sure. Um, how about orange juice and something from the leftovers from last night?” I sat down and watched her try to look domestic.