“My uncles are aware of that,” Slater said. “They have put some safeguards in place to prevent abuse of the system. There’s something else I want you to consider. There’s a fortune in hot artifacts in the Fogg Lake lab. We all know that now that it’s been found, there’s no putting the toothpaste back in the tube. Too many people are aware of the discovery. The rumors will soon start to circulate throughout the hot artifacts market. You can barricade the road into Fogg Lake, but you won’t be able to stop the raiders. Once they get wind of this lab, your town is going to be crawling with a lot of ruthless people, some of whom will be willing to kill to get their hands on just a single valuable artifact.”
Euclid gripped his suspenders and rocked on his heels. “You’re going to tell us that we’d be better off if the Foundation folks set up an on-site operation here in town than we would be if those damn raider crews came around looking for the lab.”
“I believe so,” Slater said. “But this is your community. You will have to make that decision. I will give you my word that the Foundation authorities will make every effort to keep the work as low profile as possible. I would suggest you make the decision quickly, though. Fogg Lake is good at keeping its secrets, but no community can keep this kind of secret for long.”
Euclid grunted and turned to the audience. “You’ve all heard what he has to say. I think it’s time for Harmony to speak.”
Harmony rose from behind the desk. Although the library was warm, she was wearing her long black cloak and knee-high boots. Her mane of silver hair was brushed back behind her ears. An expectant, respectful hush fell over the crowd.
For a few seconds she was silent. Her eyes got an otherworldly look. Then she blinked a couple of times, gave a small sigh and looked out over the crowd.
“Sorry,” she said. “I’ve got nothing.”
There was a gasp of dismay.
“But if you will recall, I am a librarian and the keeper of this town’s archives,” Harmony continued in brisk tones. “I am well acquainted with the history of this place. I will give you my professional and personal opinion. I am convinced that we will be better off inviting the Foundation into town. If we try to keep them out we’re going to end up dealing with a bunch of low-rent raider crews. We all know those guys are dangerous. It’s not like we have our own police force to handle that kind of trouble. The Foundation can provide some security.”
Harmony sat down behind the desk.
Euclid looked out at the throng. “All right, people, talk amongst yourselves for a while. When you’re ready, we’ll take a vote.”
Conversations started up immediately. Neighbor turned to neighbor and launched into earnest discussions.
Catalina and Olivia got to their feet and joined Slater. The three of them stood quietly. Catalina knew they were exhausted. Following the violent scene in Nyla Trevelyan’s lab, they had left the two triplets and Nyla, all three of whom were still unconscious, in the chamber while they used the boat to return to Fogg Lake.
Slater had roused Euclid, who, in turn, woke up a few more people who had boats and guns. They had made their way back into the flooded caves and retrieved the two triplets and Nyla. The three were now secured in the basement of the library. Euclid had sent out a team to get the old landline telephone system up and running. The two repair people had reported that the line had been cut, presumably by Nyla and her clones. The problem had been fixed but Slater had not yet contacted Las Vegas. He was waiting for the community to make its decision.
A short time later the crowd became quiet. Euclid picked up the wooden gavel and banged it on a desk.
“Ready to vote?” he asked.
Murmurs of agreement went around the room.
“All in favor of letting the Foundation take charge of cleaning out the Fogg Lake lab say aye,” Euclid intoned.
There was a loud chorus of ayes.
“All opposed?” Euclid said.
There were a handful of sullen nays.
“The ayes have it,” Euclid declared. “Looks like there will be a few changes here in town.”
There was a short pause. Harmony got to her feet. Once again the room fell silent. Everyone looked at her. Catalina felt energy shift in the atmosphere. A hush gripped the room for the second time.
“We have made the right decision,” Harmony said. She did not raise her voice, but now her words reverberated throughout the library with the power of a great bell. “A storm is brewing. Past and present will collide. A vortex of evil will threaten this town and all who are connected to it. We must protect our own. To do that we will need allies. The Foundation has the resources that will be required.”
Everyone in the room held their breath.
Harmony blinked a couple of times and then sat down.
“That’s it,” she said. “That’s all I’ve got.”
CHAPTER 35
Catalina was with Olivia and Slater at the bar of the Lake View Café when the three big SUVs rumbled into Fogg Lake. She and Olivia each had a glass of wine. Slater was drinking a beer. There were a couple dozen other people seated at tables and on nearby stools. It was early evening. There was still a little light left in the sky, but the fog was starting to pool in the streets.
Everyone put down their drinks and turned to get a look at the newcomers. Several people got up and moved to the windows for a better look.
“Guess who’s here,” Catalina said. She took a sip of wine. “Not exactly a subtle, low-profile arrival.”
“There is no subtle, low-profile way to arrive in Fogg Lake,” Olivia said. “As soon as you cross the bridge over the river, half the town knows you’re coming. The rest figure it out when you drive past the general store.”
Outside on the main street people emerged from houses, cabins and small shops to get a better view.
The caravan of SUVs halted. The doors of the lead vehicle opened. Catalina nearly fell off her bar stool when she saw Victor Arganbright climb out from the passenger side.
“Will you look at that,” she said. “Victor himself decided to honor our fair town with his gracious presence.”
Olivia chuckled. “Now, play nice, Cat. You heard what the Oracle said. We need the Foundation’s resources to help us deal with whatever is coming down the pike.”
Slater put down his beer and got to his feet. “Besides, you can bet Uncle Victor is damn curious. The Fogg Lake lab is the biggest, most important discovery the Foundation has made to date.”
Catalina sniffed. “The Foundation did not make the discovery. Olivia and I did.”
Slater inclined his head. “I stand corrected.”
A handsome, elegant-looking man got out from behind the wheel of the lead SUV.
“Your other uncle?” Catalina asked.
“Lucas Pine.” Slater got to his feet. “And I will just say that we can all be grateful he accompanied Victor here today.”
“Why?” Catalina asked.
“Uncle Lucas is the diplomat in the family,” Slater said. “If you ladies will excuse me, I’d better go take charge of things out there before Victor accidentally says something to offend the locals.”
Catalina waved him off. “Good luck.”
Slater walked through the restaurant and went outside to greet his uncles. He was joined by Euclid Oaks and the members of the town council. They all went forward to meet Victor and Lucas.