“If he suddenly snaps out of the trance he may go rogue,” Olivia warned.

“Don’t worry,” Dexter said. “The team will make sure he’s locked down at all times.” He turned back to Harlan. “Never thought I’d see the day when Arganbright and Pine would work with Stenson Rancourt’s son.”

“They know how to set priorities,” Harlan said. “And right now the priority is Vortex.”

“Understood.” Dexter’s eyes tightened. “So the rumors about that old lab are true, then. That’s probably not good news. If the stories about what was going on there are close to accurate, Vortex was shut down and destroyed for some damn good reasons.”

“Yes.” Harlan started toward the trailer.

Dexter looked at Olivia. “You two got quarters lined up for tonight? This town is full. The Foundation rented every available cabin and spare bedroom. We can always find space for a couple of sleeping bags, though.”

“Thanks, but that won’t be necessary,” Olivia said. “I didn’t rent out my mother’s house, because I haven’t had time to pack up her things. There’s plenty of room. Harlan and I can stay there tonight.”

Something in her voice evidently snagged Harlan’s attention. He paused and turned around, frowning. She thought she saw a question in his eyes, but in the end he did not comment.

“Where will I find you after I talk to Arganbright and Pine?” he said instead.

“The library. I want to talk to a real oracle.”

CHAPTER 30

Harmony chuckled as she poured tea into two mugs. “I would love to have seen the expressions on Victor’s and Lucas’s faces when Harlan Rancourt showed up at their front door.”

Olivia wrapped both hands around one of the mugs. The warmth felt good. They were in Harmony’s private quarters on the second floor of the Fogg Lake Library. It was a cozy space complete with a pleasant fire on the hearth and a cat stretched out on the window seat. Harmony had introduced the cat as Agnes.

Harmony was the town librarian. Traditionally the apartment went with the job. Among other responsibilities, she was in charge of the local ancestry and historical archives.

She was also a true oracle.

“I’m sure Victor and Lucas were stunned,” Olivia said. “But it certainly didn’t take long for them to decide they were willing to do a deal with the son of Stenson Rancourt if it gave them a shot at finding Vortex.”

“They think they’re using him?”

“And he thinks he’s using them,” Olivia said. “For now, at least, they all seem to view it as a win-win. It’s going to be very interesting to see what happens if and when we locate that old lab.”