She nodded. “I’ve done some IR work myself for a mixed-media piece I did a few years ago. It’s not at the level of a full-bore museum scanner, but depending on the paints used, it could work. You just have to try different focus points to find the layer underneath. I want to go over to the Reiver train now and check it out.”

“Now?”

“Why not?”

“Well, perhaps because we’re waiting for people to arrive who want to kill us?”

“You told me there’s an entire squad of MI6 agents out there making sure that won’t happen.”

“It won’t happen.”

“So if we’re stuck here, why not make use of our time? We’re here, the mural’s here, let’s do this.”

He leaned his jaw on his fist, his lips curving with amusement. “It’s still early. We have plenty of time to do anything we feel like doing.”

“No, we don’t.” She sat up. “We’re on borrowed time just as Farrell and Fiona were. Only this is our decision. I was just lying here and wondering if they were struggling to find a way out, too, when Farrell was painting that wonderful mural.”

“Maybe. We don’t know.”

“But maybe we could if we tried.” She smiled at him. “I think I want to try, Caleb.”

He suddenly laughed out loud. “I know that glint in your eye. You’re not going to take no for an answer.”

She leaned down and gave him a kiss before she tossed the blanket aside. “I’m glad you realize that. It’ll save us both a lot of time and aggravation.”

*  *  *

Reiver Car

“It looks different, doesn’t it?” Jane walked slowly down the aisle toward the painting, her gaze intent. “Earlier I thought it gave off an aura of eternal power, but that’s not what I see now.”

“What are you doing?” Caleb asked as Jane bent over to get a closer look at the mural. “May I help?”

“No.” Jane crouched in front of the mural. “It’s strange…”

“What’s strange?” Caleb asked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s the same mural we saw yesterday.”

“Yes, but the light’s different now. It’s amazing the difference it makes. In my exhibitions, I always specify the type and color temperature of the lightbulbs they use. Yesterday this looked warm and welcoming. Now it looks a little…menacing.”

Caleb studied the mural and then nodded. “I think I see it. Or could it be just a warning?”

“Either way, it’s a powerful piece of work.” Jane set her tripod on the floor and rooted through her bag for the camera. She pulled it out and inspected it.

“How did the modification go?”

“Well, I think. It may not be as effective as a museum infrared camera, but it may show us what’s on the layer beneath this one.”