I stepped back into the hallway, then hesitated. While the stench of decay should give ample enough warning that there were cloaks on the move, I wasn’t about to risk anything else sneaking up on us. I directed my sphere back to the doorway and fanned the energy out until it covered the entire exit. It didn’t contain much heat and certainly wouldn’t damage either the door frame or the walls around it, but if anything went through it, I’d feel it.

I found Jackson in the third lab. “Anything?”

He shook his head. “Another laptop, but that’s it.”

I frowned. “No notes? Because Baltimore preferred to jot his findings down as he was going, and he hated using computers during that stage of the process.”

“Not a one.” Jackson touched my back and ushered me out the door. “We’ll check the final one, then head up to the next floor. Hopefully we’ll have more luck there.”

“Sensing movement again,” Sam said. “Coming solely from the rooftop this time.”

“I’m guessing the damn cloaks are the reason Rinaldo and his witch didn’t want—”

“No,” I said before Jackson had finished. “Frederick was surprised by the cloaks’ actions in the Carlton Gardens. He wouldn’t have been if he’d already clashed with them.”

“Sensors indicate they’re almost on you,” Sam said.

“Your sensors must be copping interference again,” Jackson said, “because there’s no sign of them.”

“Then something odd is happening, because there’s no interference, and we’re reading them as being right on top of you.”

I wasn’t sure how much odder it could get than the decaying dead finding life, but I sure as hell didn’t want to find out.

“I’ve got the door alarmed, Sam, so they must be waiting in the stairwell.”

“That’s not what I’m reading.” Tension filled Sam’s voice. “Be careful when you enter that last lab.”

I’m thinking I’m not included in that “you.” Jackson pressed his back against the wall and reached for the door handle.

I doubt he wants you dead, Jackson. Too much paperwork involved.

I waited as Jackson pushed the door open. Nothing moved in the darkness beyond, and the air was free from the putrid smell of rotting cloaks. Jackson sent his sphere in, and I flared it brighter. Aside from a couple of metal tables, the place was empty. We nevertheless entered cautiously. The only thing that stirred was dust. The room hadn’t been used in a very long time.

“Well, this is a bust. Onward and upward.” Jackson spun around and headed back out.

I started to follow him, then paused as I spotted something small and white sitting near the second table’s leg.