Illusion Town by Jayne Castle

into those pictures and the rest of the art in this room makes me think that they were all done by people who were trying to capture their dream-walking experience,” she said.
    Elias met her eyes. “This is your own personal research collection, isn’t it?”
    He understood, she thought. For some reason that lifted her spirits.
    She touched her necklace beneath her pullover. “I’m hoping that sooner or later I’ll come across an object or a piece of art that will give me another clue to my ancestors.”
    â€œHave you found anything besides the necklace so far?”
    â€œNo, but the new genealogist I hired, Dr. Wilcox, thinks that if he gets a complete para-psych profile it will point him in the right direction. It’s just a matter of time, he says.”
    Elias gave the chamber a thoughtful look. Then he turned back to her.
    â€œYou’re sure you didn’t tell Wilcox or Barnett about your necklace.”
    â€œNo, absolutely not. Didn’t want to take the risk.”
    Elias nodded. “Good thinking. What about the Midnight Carnival? Did you mention it to either of them?”
    â€œNo one except you and my aunts knows about the necklace and the carnival. I haven’t told anyone else that I filed a claim on a certain sector of the Underworld, either. Once I do a deal with Arcane for the carnival, though, I will tell Wilcox about the necklace. I’m sure he’ll think it’s important.”
    â€œA claim is public information once it’s filed,” Elias said.
    â€œYes, but the description boils down to a set of coordinates that define a sector. There’s nothing on the forms that describes what I found there. Besides, who would even think to look for a claim filed by me? Thousands of claims, large and small, get filed every year. The vast majority are worthless. Very few private prospectors get rich in theUnderworld. The big companies like Coppersmith control the really hot sectors.”
    â€œGood point. Speaking of a hot Coppersmith project, we should be on our way.” Elias took one last look around the chamber and then he walked toward her. “Ready to leave?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYou’re sure?”
    She narrowed her eyes. Whatever he saw in her expression must have satisfied him.
    â€œRight,” he said. “Let’s go.”
    They made their way back through the basement of her shop and up the stairs to the showroom floor. Elias took another look around as they moved through the space.
    â€œI meant it, you know,” he said. “After we rescue the team I will make sure we find the guy who broke into this place. Coppersmith Security is very, very good at that sort of thing.”
    â€œAll right,” she said. “Thanks. If you catch the guy I will consider that full payment for this job.”
    â€œNo, you’ll get paid as agreed,” Elias said. “A contract is a contract.”
    She gave him a sidelong glance. “I’m not looking for any favors from you and your company, Elias.”
    â€œFinding the guy who broke into your home won’t be a favor. Think of it as a wedding gift.”

Chapter 11

    The buzzer on the rear door of the shop sounded just as Hannah and Elias were preparing to go out the front door.
    Buzz . . . buzz . . . buzz-buzz-buzz
.
    Virgil chortled. Hannah came to a halt.
    â€œJust a second,” she said. “That’s Runner’s code. I need to answer it.”
    She dropped her pack and her sleeping bag at the front door and made her way through the chaos of the sales floor. She went into the back room.
    Whoever had tossed the place had obviously hit a wall in that room. It was so crammed with boxes, crates, and cartons stuffed with antiques and collectibles that even the most determined burglar would have been forced to abandon any attempt to search it. Judging by the pattern of the hot psi-prints on the floor the intruder