What Hides Inside: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 2

wasn’t there this time, being out of town visiting family. Bo and Andre went to speak with the uniformed officer walking guard duty inside the school, while the others waited outside on the steps.
    It didn’t take long. The two returned within minutes. “We’re good to go,” Andre announced. “Let’s sort out the equipment and get started.”
    “I’d like each of us to carry a radio, even though we’re all staying together today.” Plucking a radio from the bag, Bo switched it on and clipped it to the waist of his jeans. “Probably not necessary, but it can’t hurt.”
    “Okay.” Sam took the bag and began handing radios to each member of the team. “Channel two?”
“Yes. They all have fresh batteries, but check and make sure you have a full charge before we go in.” Bo picked up a flashlight and turned it on. “Same goes for the flashlights, check them before we go into the tunnel.”
The group spent a busy ten minutes checking and distributing equipment. Once everyone was outfitted, they trooped inside and gathered outside the tunnel door.
“All right,” Bo said. “I have the EMF. Andre, ready with the video?”
“Check,” Andre answered.
“Thermometer?”
David held up the special thermometer. “Got it.” “Great. Cecile, you have EVP, right?”
She nodded. “I’m ready.”
“I’m ready to take notes,” Dean sang out before Bo could ask.
Bo laughed. “Good, thank you.” Switching on his flashlight, he grabbed the door handle and tugged it open. “I’ll take the lead. Y’all stay close.”
The team descended the stairs in silence. The heat was just as damp and stifling as it had been before. Sam wiped his sweating face on his sleeve.
“Why didn’t you assign me anything?” Sam asked as they walked down the corridor toward the entrance to the old tunnel.
Bo shot him an eloquent glance. “If you insist on trying to steal control of this portal from those things, you need all your wits about you. I don’t want you to have to think of anything else.”
“That’s not necessary, I can—”
“Yeah, I know.” Hooking a hand through Sam’s arm, Bo leaned close. “But humor me, okay? Unless there’s still a chance I can talk you out of this.”
“Sorry, you can’t.” Sam covered Bo’s hand with his and squeezed, using his body to block the action so the others couldn’t see it. “I swear I’ll be careful, Bo. I want to keep my skin intact as much as you do.”
Bo gave him a halfhearted smile. “If that’s the best I can get from you, I guess it’ll have to do.”
“I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” Squeezing Bo’s hand once more, Sam let go and drew away, wishing he could do more to reassure his lover. He hated being the cause of Bo’s distress. At the same time, though, it warmed his heart to have Bo worry about him. No one had shown such concern for his well-being in ages.
Since they’d already performed a thorough investigation of the main tunnel, the group headed directly to the older portion. As before, the temperature increased steadily as they neared the entrance to the original excavation. By the time they clambered through the broken brick wall, everyone but Cecile had stripped off sweaters and sweatshirts.
Cecile glanced from one coworker to another with an amused glint in her eyes. “You know, I think this might be considered a fringe benefit of the job.”
“What?” Bo asked, switching on the EMF detector.
“The beefcake.” Cecile grinned at them. “You guys definitely qualify as eye candy.”
“Ooo, eye candy, I like that.” Sidling up to Cecile, Dean bumped her hip with his. “You’re not bad yourself, little girl.”
She laughed. “Thanks. But I’m not half naked like the rest of you are.”
“Feel free to strip down if you want, babe,” David suggested with a leer. “We won’t mind.”
“I’m sure.” Fishing a napkin from the pocket of her denim skirt, Cecile mopped the sweat from her brow. “I wish I could. It’s hotter than ever in here.”
“All right, people, let’s focus.” Bo pointed his flashlight at the EMF detector. “Dean, take down the initial readings. EMF’s steady at five-point-oh-two.”
“Got it,” Dean said, scribbling on the notepad. “Temp?”
David let out a low whistle. “Ninety-eight. Damn.”
“Yeah.” Frowning, Bo glanced at Sam. “Anything?”
“Not yet. Hang on.” Closing his eyes, Sam took a few deep breaths, stretching out his psychic senses. “I can feel the portal. Or, well, I