Mia and Murphy looked at each other while they waited. He knew something was up with her. She decided to try something. She pushed a thought in his direction.
“Wings?” he said.
She nodded.
“How are you doing this?”
“It’s similar to mind reading, but I’m not listening, just talking. I can’t read your mind.”
“Good. Tell me about the wings,” he said.
Mia closed her eyes and sent the memory to Murphy.
“Audrey is a true friend, Mia. I’m worried about the wings.”
Mia forgot herself and asked “Why?” aloud.
“You need someone to show you how to use them. I can’t help you there. I barely survived showing you how to row a boat.” He pulled his hat down over his brow and smiled.
Audrey burst out of the room. “Sorry, but I stopped to wash my pits.”
“Thank God, I thought someone let a skunk in the hotel,” Mia teased.
“Bad Mia,” Murphy pushed through the veil for Audrey’s benefit.
Mia sent some colorful euphemisms his way.
A thunderclap hit near the hotel, and the ground shook.
“I hope this place has a few lightning rods,” Mia said as she increased her speed.
Audrey kept close to Mia’s heels. “I’m sure that’s the first thing one thinks up when you build on top of a hill.”
“You’d be surprised,” Mia said.
Murphy stopped. Mia barely missed running through him. She caught Audrey in her arms. “Murphy’s stopped,” she hissed.
Murphy waved them back. He joined them. “Another hole has opened up in the floor.”
Mia repeated it to Audrey.
“Can we jump it?” Audrey asked.
He nodded. He walked up to the hole and counted footsteps across it as he moved to the other side. “Five feet.”
“It’s five feet across,” Mia told her.
“I can do that. Let’s tie the bags together, and we’ll pull them after us,” Audrey suggested.
“Sounds like a plan,” Mia said, uncoiling the rope from around her waist. “You go ahead. Murph, back her up just in case.”
Mia watched as Audrey backed up and started to run. She took off and made the gap with two feet to spare. Mia made sure she had enough rope to give herself the same running room. She ran and took off sailing over the gap and into Murphy’s arms. Together, they pulled the bags to the end. They pulled them off the edge and managed to bear the weight and pull them in. Mia leaned over and shone her light into the open space. “How are they setting these off?”
“I haven’t a clue,” Audrey answered. “I’m worried about how many there are and why they were built in the first place.”
“Thunder,” Murphy said.
“Murphy thinks this one opened when the ground shook.”
“The inside of this building is unstable. How the hell did they expect to have families stay here? I’m not going to recommend it. Plus, I’m going to put a bug in the ear of the local building inspector,” Audrey added.
They turned the corner and could see the bar. Murphy cautioned them to stay back until he checked inside. He came out and waved them in. Mia shut the door and moved the bar top in front of it.
Mike came up and took her bag. Mia told him, “I have your items in my pocket.”
He nodded.
Audrey was telling the men about the floor opening up after the last big lightning hit, when Mia arrived. Mia slid in beside Ted and put her hand on his forehead. It was cool to the touch. She took his pulse next. “You may want to ease up on the coffee. Your heart is racing.”
“It’s just because you’re here, Mighty Mouse.”
“Charmer. I’m still taking away your joy juice for a while. I imagine you have to pee.”
“Nope, already went.”
“How?”
“Mike passed the bucket while you ladies were gone.”
“Gross.”
“Mia, could I have your help over here, please?” Mike asked.
Mia kissed Ted and got up and trotted into the hallway. Mike was leaning against the wall sweating. Mia dug in her pockets and produced the medication. He opened all three bottles and counted out a few of each of the pills. He swallowed them without water.
“I could get you a glass of water…” Mia said and made a move to get it.
“No, I’m used to it. I’ll chase them down later. Thank you.”
“No problem. I’m going to go back in.”
“Burt found something interesting. He’s located the graves, on paper that is.”
“I’m not sure how that helps us?” Mia asked.
“Humor him. He’s feeling pretty emasculated right now,” Mike suggested.
Mia smiled. “I can learn a lot from you, Mike. Can you teach me to fly?”
“No. Thanks for keeping quiet about these,” he said, pocketing the bottles.
“I didn’t read what they were. I felt that it was what you wanted. I figured, as long as you weren’t popping little blue pills, I was safe.”
“Cooper, you’re an asshole.”
“Yes I am,” Mia said and walked back into the main bar. She felt Ted’s eyes on her. She smiled at him, rolling her eyes to let him know that there wasn’t anything to worry about between her and Mike.
She walked over to where Burt had rolled out an old blueprint, anchoring it with highball glasses. “Mike said you found something?” she said.
“I found where the graves are. The ones that Cyryl threatened you with,” he explained. “This is where we are,” he said, pointing. “And this is where the graves are.”
“They seem far enough away from the cavern.”
“I thought, maybe Murphy could go down there to make sure they are peaceful. We don’t need the undead adding to our problems.”
“Or we could recruit them,” Mia said thoughtfully. “I’ll show Murphy after he’s had time to recharge.” Mia sat down next to him. “You better get some rest too. The rain is going to keep the baddies away for a while yet. I’m going to need you at full power. The nerds aren’t going to be able to do much to help us out.
