“At least Megan offered us a starting point when you asked. More or less.”

“The crows know.” Hollis heard her own voice considering that with a calm that didn’t reflect the chill she still felt. “They really are part of this valley, aren’t they? The crows. I mean in an un-birdlike way. If they know where Megan is, why do you suppose they haven’t told anybody so far?”

When she heard herself saying that, Hollis immediately said, “Oh, man, does that sound as crazy as I think it does?”

“In our world and in Salem? No.” He was reassuringly prompt. “It’s a reasonable question. We know Nellie is able to communicate with them, no matter how reluctant she is about it. Bishop and Miranda clearly got a message from one of them. And you did, after all, get what Leo wanted to pass along last night. Without even trying.”

“It just popped into my head. Not a clear thought so much as a clear awareness of what he knew.”

“Assuming she spoke to the one on her balcony last night, I imagine Nellie can confirm the offer to help and maybe even other information. Though she’s reluctant enough that she might have kept the communication as brief and direct as possible.”

“I don’t know that I blame her. The way her evil uncle used those crows was worse than abuse. I’d feel guilty about that if I were her.”

“You feel guilty about it and you aren’t her.” He kissed her, taking his time about it, then said, “We’d better get a move on if we want breakfast before we start talking to crows and searching mountains.”

—

DARKNESS WAS SHADING toward dawn, coloring the sky in layers of pinks and purples, when he finished. He had chosen his spot carefully and knew the light from the two big camping lanterns had not been seen down in the valley. Or even from fifty feet away if it came to that.

He went over the site carefully after gathering up his tools, making certain he had not left any signs that would point to him. Not that he was worried about that. He’d seen them all roaming about yesterday, late, in town and on the lower slopes. But they hadn’t found anything.

This he wanted them to find.

But he hadn’t made it easy for them and was curious to see how long it took them. They were special, after all. The Special Crimes Unit. Supposed to be the best.

The first two, back in January, had been interesting to observe, if only from a distance. He granted they’d had certain skills, even Talents, but tested only against Duncan. Successful, with the help of Finn and Nellie Cavendish, against Duncan.

He wasn’t Duncan.

The six here now—he discounted the two working in Finn’s new law enforcement center—were a varied lot in terms of Talent. But they were powerful, every one of them, and each unique. He found that more fascinating than worrying.