Page 58 of Forged in Deception

Ben’s discovery of the man’s real background had officially put Bajwa even more firmly on his radar.

It seemed obvious to Asher that he was no mere victim, caught up in Senera’s demands.

He had every reason to want to push DX8 through to market, no matter the cost.

“Anyone feeling nervous?” Lily said, pulling Asher from his musings. “I’m actually feeling pretty optimistic about tonight.”

“Me too,” Cora agreed. “My first trip wasn’t great–I felt pretty rough after Destiny freaked out, and I couldn’t get back on track. But I think it’s going to be a lot easier without that chaos in the background. Poor Destiny. However scary it was for us, it was fifty times worse for her.”

Asher wanted to tell them they were crazy for taking DX8 again at all after what happened, but he refrained. “You guys are right. Psychedelics rely so much on what our brains are already doing. We need some peaceful vibes tonight. More rain sounds, less pounding drums. Maybe Bajwa can rig up some incense or something.”

“Totally,” Cora said, her brown waves bouncing against her shoulders as she nodded her head. “And maybe some better blankets. I was freezing my butt off in that hut.”

Paul grunted. “I guess I’m the only nervous one. But I talked to Ms. McKenna, and she assured me that Destiny’s reaction was rare and that she’s already out of the hospital. I figure I’m already here. Gotta ride it out til it’s over.”

Asher nodded mutely, stealing yet another glance over at the retreat staff section of the table as he sent up a silent prayer for guidance and for strength.

Paul was right. They did have to ride this thing out until it was over, which would happen only when Asher and Karlin had the evidence they needed to bring Senera to justice, ensuring no one else could be hurt by DX8 ever again.

And until then, they would continue to walk the careful line between truth and deception.

Human lives–and perhaps even human souls–depended on it.

KARLIN

Karlin stirred her teaspoon around and around in her mug, trying and failing to pay attention to whatever Bajwa was talking about.

Instead, she kept glancing over at her patients sitting further up the table. They were all deep in conversation and wearing serious faces. Even Axel looked uncharacteristically solemn, but she would talk to him later.

For now, it was Paul who worried her the most.

He’d managed to catch her alone for a moment when she’d arrived at the dining hall, confessing his worry over taking DX8 tonight. Not for the first time, she wondered why he was sodesperate to take this drug, but she felt foolish having to ask him directly.

All she’d wanted to do was to tell him to leave, right now, and never come back, but of course, she couldn’t do that.

In a strange way, they were all trapped here, all waiting for the ties that bound them to break.

We’re in Your hands, God. Please, let us all go home safe when this is over.

Karlin shoved her last forkful of egg white omelette into her mouth. The thought–the prayer–had arisen unbidden, and she wasn’t ready to think about what that meant.

Just then, Bajwa set his napkin on his plate and moved to get to his feet. She reached out and touched his shoulder, intercepting him before he could get everyone else’s attention.

It was time to put her plan for today into motion. It was risky, but she had a good opportunity and couldn’t afford to waste it.

“Excuse me, Dr. Bajwa?” she asked in a whisper. She shouldn’t have bothered. Ned was even more tuned out than she was. “If you can spare me, I’d really rather not join our planned Palo Duro Canyon hike today. I’m feeling a bit under the weather, probably due to stress and exhaustion, and Axel mentioned the same thing to me this morning. He didn’t ask, but I think it would probably be wise to excuse him as well.”

She held her breath, watching as the gears in his mind began to turn. If he suspected that anything strange was going on between them, now would probably be the time that his face would reveal it.

Instead, he merely looked annoyed.

“You’re still tired? Surely you got way less sleep than this in grad school?” he asked, chuckling a little, though it didn’t sound like he was kidding.

She decided to roll with it.

“I mean, Axel looks like he’s used to rocking out with his band in his mom’s garage all night,” she joked. “Looks can be deceiving. What happened with Destiny was a lot. I’m also wondering if maybe we both picked up some bug at the hospital. Wouldn’t surprise me.”

Bajwa considered this.

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