“Seven-nine-five,” said Carter, inputting the code.
The coffin swung open so fast Carter jumped back. Sierra looked away.
Maybe, for a second, Adi also imagined finding a body inside.
But all it held was an old book and a sharp wooden stake. Carter plucked the stake from the velvet cushion while Adi picked up the book. The pages had been made to look old, with inked portions of maps inside. “An atlas.”
Carter leaned over his shoulder, and he was overly aware of the heat radiating from her body. “Page numbers? A code?”
“It probably has to do with the other map,” Sierra said.
Beck suddenly called out, “I found something else on this skeleton!” He dug around the neck bones. “I missed it before because it was under the garlic.” He triumphantly pulled out a crucifix necklace.
The moment he did, the skeleton’s jaw dropped open and a voice boomed around them.“Come, we must see and act. Devils or no devils, or all the devils at once, it matters not; we fight him all the same.”
“I recognize that quote,” said Adi. “It’s fromDracula. Actually . . . I think Van Helsing says it.”
Sierra grinned. “Nice touch. Any clues on the crucifix?”
Beck didn’t answer. Gripping the necklace in one hand, he stared thoughtfully at the skeleton, running his tongue over his front teeth.
“Beck?” said Sierra.
He reached for the skeleton’s jaw, closed it, then let it drop open again. The words repeated.“Come, we must see and act. Devils or no devils . . .”
When it finished, he squeezed his eyes shut, closed the jaw, then let it play again. His mouth was puckered, like he was biting into something sour.
Adi traded confused looks with Carter and Sierra.
Shrugging, Sierra took the crucifix from Beck’s hand. He released it without complaint.
“Doesn’t have a symbol or anything,” said Sierra, studying the wood.
“Wait . . . a symbol!” Adi grabbed the locked pouch from his jacket pocket. “There’s a crucifix symbol on this. It must open it somehow.”
Sierra fiddled with the crucifix and it pulled away from the chain, revealing the end whittled into a key. Adi brought her the pouch and they unlocked it.
“Holy water in labeled bottles.” Adi tipped the vials into his palm. “And a white rock or crystal or something.” It was a strange object, something that sparked an alert in his brain, but the loopy script on the bottles caught his attention first.River Jordan (I). Our Lady of Lourdes (II). Pool of Siloam (III).“Holy sites. Where’s that map?”
“I’ve got it!” Beck yelled suddenly. He turned to face them, beaming. “It’s the same voice that recorded the message in the alien room video. She used an auto-tuner then, so it was more muddled, but the flavors are the same. Mostly tart, a little fruity.” He paused.“Cranberries.”
Adi frowned. “You saidshe.”
“Yes, I did. The Real Game Master.” He paused, practically trembling. “It’s Vera!”
“Vera?”Sierra laughed. “No way.”
“And exactly why,” came a sardonic voice, “does that surprise you?”
In the set’s doorway, a figure loomed, illuminated by the lights of the corridor. The team leaped back. Adi was sure he wasn’t the only one picturing axe murderers in that moment—until he saw who it was.
“Speak of the devil,” Carter said.
“Took you long enough.” Vera crossed her arms. She was in a halter top, showing off her full tattoo, an inked chameleon curled around her shoulder. “I guess you deserve a Scooby Snack. Now, what the hell are you doing in here?”
“What do you think?” said Sierra, storming toward her. “The show is canceled. This room is going to be destroyed tomorrow. We’re here to findyourlast clue. But how about you save us the trouble and tell us who murdered my sister?”
“Save you the trouble?” Vera barked. “Why? Because you’ve made my life so easy? Go to hell, Sierra. I don’t owe you anything.”
