Hidden Talents

An unpleasant chill uncurled within Serenity. “Why didn't you say anything the next day?”
    “Because I wasn't even sure if I had actually seen anything.” Zone blinked back more tears. “I was in a trance. I thought maybe my imagination had run wild. Ariadne took me to see the vision pools a few weeks ago. She warned me that sometimes you don't always see what you want to see in them.”
    “Did you have a vision in the caves?”
    Zone shook her head quickly. “No. For some reason, I didn't want to even attempt to have a vision there. But this morning I started wondering if maybe the power of the pools extends beyond the caves.”
    “I think I understand,” Serenity said quietly. “You're wondering if you had a pool-induced vision last night, is that it?”
    “Maybe the lines of force from the hot springs affect this whole area,” Zone said hopefully. “Maybe one can have visions outside the caves.”
    “No one,” Serenity stated categorically, “has ever reported having a vision outside the caves. And I, for one, am extremely skeptical about all tales of visions inside the caves.”
    “You are?”
    “Absolutely. That nonsense about the pools is nothing but an old myth that dates from the very first days of Witt's End. With no disrespect intended toward our illustrious founding fathers, I suspect that on occasion some of them smoked something other than tobacco in those caves.”
    “If didn't have a vision, then there are only two other possible explanations.” Zone's voice was thin and listless. “The first is that I'm going crazy. The second is that I really did see Royce.”
    “The third possibility is that you simply have an active imagination, which is only to be expected in a graphic artist,” Serenity said.
    “I wish I knew what was happening to me.”
    “One thing's for certain. You can't spend tonight alone. You'll be a nervous wreck.” Serenity was about to invite Zone to stay with her when she recalled the unorthodox plans Caleb had made for the evening. It would be difficult to explain to a houseguest why the hostess had to disappear for a couple of hours around midnight. “Let me think.”
    “I've got the pistol,” Zone whispered. “I'll be all right.”
    “Cold company. You need some human companionship tonight.” The door chimes sounded merrily. Serenity glanced toward the door as it opened.
    “Serenity?” Ariadne called. “Where are you?”
    “Aisle three. Crackers and dried fruit.” Serenity stepped into view, one arm still draped protectively around Zone's drooping shoulders. “I'm glad to see you, Ariadne. Zone, here, needs a favor.”
    “Sure.” Ariadne smiled her earth mother smile. “What's up?”

    By eleven-thirty that night, Caleb was having second thoughts about taking Serenity with him on the expedition to search Asterley's files.
    He'd had such thoughts all day long, but there was no denying they seemed louder and considerably more forceful now that it was time to leave. He'd gone over the logistics of the thing a dozen times since this morning, and he still could not envision any serious risk.
    It was highly unlikely that he and Serenity would be seen entering or leaving Asterley's cabin. The fog was back tonight. It would provide a welcome cover from prying eyes.
    Welcome cover? Prying Eyes? Searching a dead man's files?
    What the hell was going on here? Caleb wondered. Until recently he wasn't the kind of man who got involved in this sort of situation. He didn't accept small-time consulting projects involving tiny grocery stores, either. Nor did he sit around in hot tubs. Or spend the night in a cave. He didn't experience visions while gazing into hot springs pools. And he never, ever made love to women who were potential blackmail targets.
    His whole life had been turned upside down lately. He didn't understand how it had happened, but he had a strong hunch that it was far too late to do a 180-degree turn and reverse course.
    Furthermore, he had no particular desire to go back to his old life. Things were a little wacky at times in Witt's End, but for some reason he felt good here. He felt as if he had come to the right place.
    Caleb reached for the flashlight on the shelf near Serenity's front door. He accidentally caught sight of his own reflection in the mirror. Automatically he started to look away and then he stopped. He could see himself quite clearly in the mirror. His reflection was sharp and clear.
    “Caleb?” Serenity fastened her