Page 29 of (Mostly) Human Resources

“No,” Alexys deadpanned.

“Great, well, if you need me, you know where to find me.”

Unable and unwilling to give him the last word, she muttered, “I won’t beneedingyou.”

He flashed her a sly grin before shutting the door behind him. Alexys tried, one final time, to reach Elliot by phone.

Again, it went straight to voicemail.

CHAPTER 16

“Some of my best information comes from local people. No one knows an area better, knows the history of a place better, than the people living there.”

Journals of Warden Michael Keane

Alexys tried to sleep, but her mind refused to break from the restless thoughts chasing each other in endless loops.

Worry over Elliot, confusion over how all the new information she’d found was supposed to fit together, fear that Kristin would realize she was actually a total fraud and a failure.

A soft snore from the bed next to hers made her frown.

How could she possibly forget about the biggest headache of them all? The knowledge that Nic was sleeping just a few feet away from her? That alone was enough to keep Alexys awake all night. Not that she was thinking about him in bed. Because she wasn’t. It was hissnoringshe was thinking about. That, and the fear that she’d have one of her nightmares and Nic would bear witness to it. She could just imagine all the questions, the interrogation.

How long have you experienced night terrors? Do you ever wake up in a strange place? Is there a history of supernatural attachment in your family?

Alexys sat up. She couldn’t take it.

Climbing out of bed, mindful not to wake Nic (not that he deserved such courtesy), she threw on a sweatshirt and headed down to the lobby. It was eerily quiet, not a soul in sight, apart from the man on the desk. Again, some probable relative of bubblegum girl and clueless teenage boy, but this guy was much older—a father or possible uncle.

He was surprised to see her out of bed, she hadn’t had the wherewithal to check her appearance in the mirror, but he stood up a little straighter once she’d approached the desk.

“Evening.” Alexys smiled politely. “I’m sorry to bother you so late, but I was wondering if you could print a map for me? I’m worried I’ll lose cell reception up in the mountains.”

The man shrugged, turning to his computer screen. “Yes, ma’am, can do. Where you heading?”

“Mercyhill,” she said. The man quirked an eyebrow at her.

“Mercyhill?” He shook his head. “Second request this week. What could anyone possibly be wantin’ with a tiny old place like that?”

“Second request?” Alexys asked.

“You’re not some snotty journalist, are you?” He spat the word “journalist” like he had been personally victimized by one and would rather die than see one in person again.

“No, sir.” She panicked and fished through her thoughts for another lie. “I’m a historian.” Easily the worst option she could have gone with.

His suspicion lessened, but only just. “Who with?”

“Entity?” She didn’t mean for it to sound like a question, but she really didn’t want to get sidetracked by local rumors or caught in a lie. “I’m working on a research project that focuses on that area.” She wasn’t about to tell a complete stranger that she was looking for a lost employee. Or that he just happened to be a monster hunter looking for a creature that may or may not exist and could most definitely kill him if it did. Just your average work trip, thanks.

“What could a historian want with a tiny town like that?” Alexys bit back a sigh. All she wanted was a printed map and to go back to bed. She was beginning to regret listening to Silas.

“Just its rich history of Appalachian culture and folklore.” The words came out in her voice, but they sounded too much like Nic for her liking. “I’m an assistant, the lead researcher is upstairs. I was just asked to get the map.”

The lies were stacking up like stones, and they all sat heavily in her gut. At the rate she was going, indigestion would be yet another thing to keep her up the rest of the night.

The man grunted, and Alexys wasn’t sure if it was a positive or negative sound. It must have been positive because he turned to the computer and pulled up the map.

He grumbled, mostly to himself, “Last thing that place needs is more strangers ruinin’ the peace and quiet.”