Stiffs and Petroglyphs: Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Harper and Moon Investigations Book 3) by Trixie Silvertale

Author:Trixie Silvertale [Silvertale, Trixie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781952739330
Publisher: Sittin' On A Goldmine Productions LLC
Published: 2023-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Erick

The early morning rousting from the rack and bland food remind me too much of my time in the Army.

To be fair, there was more discipline, and no mention of chakras or intentions, but the general concept of everyone doing as they were told and functioning as a group is the same.

Mitzy opts to skip breakfast and double-down on her fake illness from last night. The ever-watchful eye of Kyle has prevented her from any serious sleuthing.

Today, she plans to venture outside the camp and see if her special abilities can give her any help in locating Luminous.

I hate that she’s headed out on her own, even if she claims the desert was her first home. I emptied out my backpack, filled it with some stolen rye crackers and an apple from breakfast, and it didn’t take much to encourage her to lug my canteen along as well. She has her secret back-up phone, and promised to call the Tribal Police if she gets into trouble.

Fine by me. My mission is to make a great excuse for her and continue to keep everyone preoccupied with all this sweat lodge nonsense until she gets back.

“Good morning, Shaman Kyle. I’m sorry to report that Mitzy won’t be joining us. Her stomach is still acting up, and she’s really feeling warm. I don’t think several hours in a sweat lodge will improve her situation.”

“Sorry to hear that. I know the local medicine man. Would you like me to get in touch?”

I wasn’t expecting this twist. “No thanks. Let’s give her the day. If she’s not squared away by tonight, I might take you up on that.”

Holding my arms out to my side, parallel with the ground, I hold my breath while Shaman Kyle gives me the sage-smoke treatment.

The others are already inside, so I quietly take my place. A quick check of occupants reveals Mitzy isn’t the only one missing.

“Ivan, where’s Winter?”

Ivan blows air through his lips and shakes his head. “He was a little too eager to break the rules last night. He and Two Trees had an after-drum-circle psychedelic experience.” The light filtering through the open flap allows me to catch Ivan’s smirk.

Last night, about the time Two Trees mentioned edibles, was when Mitzy and I headed back to the yurt.

“Understood. Maybe that’s what has Mitzy under the weather. It would be just like her to sneak out after I nodded off.” Ivan and I share a chuckle before Two Trees, looking none the worse for wear, begins loading the hot stones into the pit.

I count ten today, as opposed to the previous seven. Kyle pours the water on, closes the flap, and issues his version of wise advice.

Heat doesn’t bother me. I’m not going to pretend I’d choose this as a vacation, but two tours in Afghanistan taught me how to endure pretty much anything.

Before my eyes are fully adjusted, my ears reveal a secret. Based on distance from my position, I’d have to guess Desiree and Jonathan snuck some drinking water into the lodge.

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