North shook his head. “You don’t understand. Griffin Chastain wasn’t inventing weapons. He was designing paranormal medical devices. His research was all about using dark light to help balance and heal the human aura, specifically the auras of people who have some extra senses. People like us.”

Victor looked dubious. “That may have been his intention, but it’s obvious the technology he created can be used to injure or kill.”

Byron Raines spoke up. “Hasn’t that always been true of the healing arts? Any medicine or medical device that is powerful enough to save a life is usually powerful enough to injure or even kill. From potent medications to a surgeon’s knife, it’s always about balance and intent.”

“Byron is right,” Lucas said. “In any event, we don’t have a lot of options here. We now know for certain the technology exists. It’s out there. No putting that toothpaste back in the tube. Who knows what dangerous devices will turn up from the era of the lost labs? There will be other people like Loring who will try to weaponize artifacts. We’re going to need defenses, including technology that can heal the damage done to auras. Our best bet is to take control of that research. It fits into our core mission.”

Chandler looked at Lucas and Victor. “There’s no one better qualified to take charge of the R and D of my father’s work than his grandson.”

Victor exhaled heavily and then nodded. “You’re right. The Foundation will provide you with a lab, North.”

“Thank you,” North said. “The first step is to find the rest of the devices Rancourt stole from the Fogg Lake lab.”

“Got a plan?” Sierra asked.

“Same plan I had back at the start of this thing,” North said. “Just haven’t had time to follow through on it.”

“What’s that?”

“Follow the money.”

Victor raised his brows. “The forensics accounting department may be able to help you out with that project.”

CHAPTER 43

Lily followed Sierra out into the hall.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” she said. “You saved my son and my husband. I am so grateful I’m afraid I’m going to burst into tears any second now.”

“North is the one who saved Mr. Chastain,” Sierra said. “I’m just the go-between. I was hired to help track down the artifact and arrange for North to acquire it. I did my job, that’s all.”

Her parents were standing nearby, sipping coffee. She was aware that Byron was studying her with an assessing gaze, as if he were analyzing her words the way he intuitively analyzed a poem. Her mother had a knowing look.

Lily smiled a misty smile and shook her head. She looked through the observation window of the hospital room. Inside, North and Chandler were talking with Victor and Lucas. It was obvious the conversation was serious in nature.

“North told me you discovered that someone deliberately sabotaged those damned glasses he’d worn for the past few weeks,” Lily said. “There’s no telling what might have happened if you hadn’t come into his life when you did.”