She smiles. “You’re really going to like what we’ve found there, Mr. Hemslock. The cave system we’ve plotted is very, very different from the one the previous investigators provided us with. I can’t explain it. Caves don’t shift like this in a few years’ time. It’s almost as if we’re exploring an entirely new system, and that’s impossible. There’s at least three more caverns inside that aren’t on the plane crash reports, and we haven’t even explored it all.”

“That’s music to my ghost-hunting ears, Christie,” Hemslock says with a wink at her. “While I appreciate the effort, I wish we could have gone into the cave blind.”

“We’re expendable and you’re not, sir,” the woman says dryly. “Once Mr. Galant wakes, he would agree.”

Goatee cleans himself up well and is back to his impatient, slightly sneering facade. He’s smoking, likely an attempt to ease his nerves, but at least there’s no bottle in sight.

Chase wanders to me, taking in my appearance. “You look like you could blend in with the rest of them,” he says, an attempt at humor.

“I hope not.” I don’t know why I sound so defensive.

Chase raises his hands. “I’m not here to argue, okay? I just wanted to tell you to be safe.” His gaze drops to my hands. He moves like he wants to take mine in his, and then stops himself. “Be careful in there,” he says instead.

“I’m always careful.”

“Would it kill you to say thanks, for a change?”

I grin at his obvious sulking. “Thank you.” I start to turn, stop. He still looks far too tense, like he’s using great effort to rein in his temper. This mood didn’t start from his argument with his father. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he says, suddenly evasive.

“I don’t think so. Tell me.”

He gives in. “It’s Riley again. She’s spreading rumors that I was the one cheating on her first. With you. Before I even got here. Before she even cheated.”

“I met you only a few days ago.”

“Her new theory is that we met in California, then I flew you out here so we could have some privacy. And all because she saw a fucking pair of legs in my selfie.”

“I’m sorry.”

He sighs. “You have nothing to be sorry about. This is all on her. That’s why Jordan and Rory have been calling me all morning—to let me know. People are going to believe her even though she’s the one who cheated!” Chase whirls toward the cave entrance. “Fuck you, Riley!” He shouts, the echoes receding into the darkness. A few of the crew members look our way, startled, but Chase doesn’t seem to care. “I hope you get an STD, you cheating ho!” He shouts, and then marches away, kicking angrily at a few rocks in his path.

Askal crouches beside me, whining questioningly. “Go with him,” I say. “Make sure he’s okay.”

He understands and trots off after the boy.

Hemslock chuckles nearby. “Teenagers, right?” His gaze drifts toward the cave’s entrance as well, and then starts, as if he’s seen something there. I look, but only darkness beckons us.