My stomach sank as I deduced what she was about to say, and how well it sat with Erin’s and Michael’s theories, but the sound of wrenching metal distracted us as Crawford flung the door open. He was red-faced, sweating, worked into a state. One hand held the broken door handle, padlock still affixed, while the other clutched a heavy policeman’s torch. He looked back and forth between the three of us. His mouth tried to form a couple of different words, but it seemed he could choose nothing to best represent his fury, so he just yelled, ‘Out!’

We filed out like children, heads down, mumbles of ‘Sorry, Officer’ as we went. The storm had died down slightly since we’d arrived, and I could see the guesthouse again, looking more like a gingerbread house than ever: freshly iced.

Crawford tailed us gruffly down the hill. My editor told me it’s impossible for someone to walk gruffly, but they’ve clearly never had Officer Crawford huffing two steps behind them, so I’ll stick with the adverb. I held the truck keys up to Erin, who gave an agreeing nod, as we started towards the parking lot. She then turned to Sofia, whispering so Crawford couldn’t hear.

‘What was your second theory?’

‘The Black Tongue is announcing themselves. They want us to know they’re here.’

CHAPTER 24

The rear of the truck had one of those rippled roller doors that slid into the roof. An empty coffee cup sat on the lip. The key turned easily. I spun the handle ninety degrees. It felt like a big moment, so I paused, looking at the three others who were crowded around. Erin was wringing her hands, anxious to know if this would be enough to win me over, and perhaps for me to tell her what Michael hadn’t. Sofia had adopted a smug pout, looking forward to Michael’s secrets being exposed. Crawford looked impatient. He’d tried in his best, most authoritative voice to demand we head directly to the guesthouse, but I’d figured that he wouldn’t try to stop us with any passion. I’d been right: on being rebuffed, he’d tagged along to make sure we didn’t do anything else stupid. Me? I was preparing to be disappointed. Like I’d told Michael, nothing short of a spaceship would blow me away.