Page 20 of It takes a Psychic

She narrowed her eyes. “I think you owe me a little more information about this so-called private museum.”

“Such as?”

She drummed the fingers of one hand on the bench. “Does it have a name?”

“Sure. The Rancourt Museum.”

“Never heard of it.” She frowned. “Rancourt is your name.”

“You could say the museum is one of the family businesses. A Rancourt has served as director since it was established on the Old World. In those days it was officially part of what was then called the Foundation, a front for a government entity named the Agency for the Study of AtypicalPhenomena. But here on Harmony it went private and became the Foundation for the Study of Atypical Phenomena.”

“I’ve never heard of that, either.”

“The Rancourts and the Foundation prefer to keep a low profile.”

“Obviously.” She considered how to proceed. “So you’re in charge of the museum?”

“I am.”

“Will you do me the professional courtesy of allowing me to examine the pyramid at some point in the near future?”

“I think that can be arranged.” Oliver slid her a quick, searching look. “I get the impression your interest is not just academic. Sounds personal.”

She hesitated and then decided to go with a bit more of the truth. “You’re right. The pyramid does appear to be made out of the same type of crystal as the ones my sister and I wear. Neither of us has ever come across any similar stones. Naturally I’m curious to take a closer look at the one in Pandora’s box.”

“I’ll make arrangements.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“But it will be a while before that can happen.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Why am I not surprised that there’s a but?”

His jaw tightened. “I’m not trying to wriggle out of our agreement. The problem is that I’ve got another priority at the moment. I’m not sure how long it will take to sort this other situation. A few days, with luck.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I give you my word I’ll get you into the Rancourt Museum so that you can examine the crystal.”

“Okay.”

“You aren’t a very trusting person, are you?”

“Depends on who I’m expected to trust. Let’s face it, I’ve only known you for a few hours.”

“You have my word on this.”

“Okay.”

Maybe he intended to vanish from her life five minutes after he left her in the Dark Zone, but there was not much she could do about it. She could only hope he would come through for her.

Oliver checked the locator again. “We’re in luck. Looks like there’s a hole-in-the-wall very close to your loft.”

She glanced at the coordinates. “I know it. It’s in the basement of an abandoned warehouse. You can just drop me off at the exit point.”

“I’ll see you home.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, but I’ll be fine. I know the neighborhood.”

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