Dom looked between us like he sensed the tension but didn’t want to pry. “Well, you two know where to find us.”
We moved deeper into the crowd. Harmony squeezed my hand subtly. The noise seemed to rattle her a bit. Maybe because anyone could be here. Anyone could be watching. A woman from the bakery waved politely. Harmony waved back, but her smile was thin. People still gave her looks because of her last name, it was less openly hostile than when she first returned, but not warm by any means. Kind of like the sight of her caused them to become cautious, or maybe suspicious and uncertain. And that was despite the fact her work in the floral shop was phenomenal, and her help at the community center didn’t go unnoticed—since it was a busy place—and a lot of the townspeople used the exercise facilities and swimming pool.
Near the craft tents, a pair of teenagers were whispering. One nudged the other and nodded toward Harmony. I tensed.
Harmony squeezed my hand again. “It’s fine,” she said under her breath.
It wasn’t fine. It was annoying the hell out of me, But I didn’t push. We passed the north camera pole, one of the ones Noah Tremblay had installed. A small blinking light should’ve been on, but it wasn’t. Harmony didn’t notice. But I did, since Becket had complained about digital blind spots earlier. Maybe this was one of them, which made me pulled Harmony closer to me out of instinct.
“Cold?” I asked.
She shook her head, but leaned into me anyway. That’s when someone tapped my shoulder. I spun instinctively. It was a teenager I recognized as one of Asher’s students from the center. “Coach Thorne said to tell you. . .uh. . .he saw Mercier down by the river booths.”
Harmony stiffened. I had to hand it to Asher, he had natural instincts when it came to protecting people. Maybe all of my brothers had that ingrained in them from Dad since we were little. Nonetheless, I appreciated that he cared.
Nico.
I forced my expression neutral. “Did he say anything else?”
The kid shrugged. “Nah. Just said you’d want to know.”
I nodded and sent him back toward the center tent. Harmony’s grip tightened.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said, but the word wobbled.
I guided her toward the quieter side of the festival, away from the crowds. Near the maple candy stand the noise dimmed somewhat. She took a deep breath, then another, as if trying to steady herself.
Before I could say anything, my cell rang. It was Becket.
I answered immediately. “What’s up?”
“I found something,” he said. “My contact just notified me of more activity on Harmony’s old relay. Still nothing direct, but someone’s pinging the fail-safe structure. Testing it. Harder this time.”
Harmony’s head snapped up.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“Means someone knew she logged in,” Becket said bluntly.
Ice crawled through me. “When?” I asked.
“Late last night.” He hesitated. “Eric… did she go anywhere?”
My mouth went dry. “Yes.”
Harmony’s eyes widened, not with guilt. It was in fear.
Becket sighed. “And she didn’t tell you.”
Harmony swallowed. “Becket?—”
“No judgment,” he cut in sharply. “Just facts. Someone poked the relay after that. This isn’t random. This is deliberate.”
My stomach tightened.
“And, Eric,” he added quietly, “Noah’s name came up.”
