Pulling up my big-girl pants, I snatch Sam’s elbow as I walk out the door. “Time for Plan B.”
After I stumble out the front, I fall on my ass and giggle. “Chromium, N-nickle, C-copper. Oh-oh. Here comes a copper, now. Get it, Samantha? Did you hear how clever I was?”
Flat on my back, I stare up at a frowning, middle-aged, camo-faced militiaman whose grip tightens around his AR-15. “What are you twodoingout here?”
On my knees, I wobble to stand. “Sorry, offisher. My friendsh and I needed some fresh air.”
My partner-in-crime wraps her arm around my waist, tugging me to her side. “As you can see, she’s had a little too much to drink, sir. I apologize. C’mon, girl, let’s go find the others, okay?”
No fool, the man scowls, cradling his weapon. Unlike the other wannabes, this warrior in front of us has the confident stance of a Navy SEAL. His bone-frog tat tells me he’s seen deadly combat.
“Lilac-lac-lac-laaa. Where are you?” Singing out of tune at the top of my lungs, I swallow the bile at the back of my throat and stumble to the commissary.
When the women exit the building, I hug the one with the pregnant belly. “How’s the baby-making going?”
Brows furrowed, Slate’s wife stares at me, spies Sam’s grin, then frowns. “How much of our wine did you consume?”
Her voice echoes off the concrete, catching the attention of another guard, who smiles and waves. “Are you girls lost?”
Seeing as how I’m supposed to be shit-faced, I rack my brain for something stupid to say. “Whoa. What’s with the face paint? Are we being invaded?”
His bright teeth shine in the moonlight. “No, miss. While you women enjoy your pampering, we practice our skills. It’s nothing to worry about.”
His automatic weapon tells a different story. “And what about that… that gun?”
While I point at his deadly rifle, he glances down and shrugs. “All blanks, ma'am, couldn’t kill a squirrel if I wanted to. Now, ladies, I don’t want to scold you, but Dr. Lewis has a full day scheduled tomorrow. Best you go back to your rooms.”
Donning a beatific smile, Blakely pushes us forward. “Thank you. You’re so kind. We’ll head there right away. We never would’ve left our room if it wasn’t for our dear, dear friend’s cravings for ice cream.”
The man nods and shuffles his feet. “I understand, ma’am. My wife was the same way.”
Worried we may be losing our window of opportunity, I slap my hand to my mouth and run behind the building. Dropping to my knees, I shout, “Sorry. Going to puke. Please don’t watch.”
Seconds later, Sam squats beside me, pats my back and holds my hair. “Nicely done, my friend.”
“Is he gone?” When I glance up, the other five ladies have joined us.
“Yeah. Guess he’s not fond of upchuck. Hold on, I see something weird.” The PI clicks a keychain-sized flashlight.
Its circle of light changes from bluish to yellow to flashing red. When it switches to ultraviolet, she shines it over the ground nearby. Hissing, she disappears behind the dumpster.
As I start to follow, she races back, breathing heavily. “Everyone, we need to go. Now!”
Halfway up the hill, I stop and grab her back pocket. “What exactly did you see, Sam?”
Head on a swivel, she leans her mouth toward my head. “A newly dead woman.”
Oh, my Lord.At first, I want to ask, ‘Are you sure?’but the shock on her face says it all. “Was it Dolly?”
“No, younger, about mid-thirties.” She turns to the rest who listen in on our conversation. “You guys, do any of younotthink we are in, way over our heads?”
Before we can answer, Dr. Lewis shouts from where he stands right outside our cabin. “Hello, ladies, is there a problem I can help you with?”
“Don’t say anything to anyone.” As if Sam’s warning wasn’t enough, the cult leader shoots us one of his creepiest smiles.
Does he know there’s a corpse nearby? And if so, did someone tell him we saw it?
A sudden buzzing overhead causes us all to gaze up.
