“It will be,” he says. “We’ll make sure it is.”
“I fear it’s not that easy, Eric,” says a soft voice from the shadows.
We turn to see Isabel, bottle in hand as she closes the storeroom door.
“Rey Sol Añejo,” she says as she lifts the tequila. “Bought specially for when you solved this mystery, Casey, because I knew you would.” She sets the bottle down. “You solved all the mysteries. Dead tourists who weren’t tourists at all. Dead settlers mistaken for hostiles. And the hostiles themselves—the biggest mystery of all. Solved in one fell swoop.”
She pours a shot of tequila and holds it out.
As I take it, she says, “But now comes the big question. Does it matter? Yes, I know what’s happening here. Phil told me your suspicions, and I think you’re right. They are shutting us down. The hostiles were the apparent reason but…”
“They were an excuse,” I say.
“Jury’s still out on that one,” says another voice, and I look to see the door open, Petra coming in, others following. Kenny and then April. Mathias and Anders. Phil bringing up the rear and shutting the door behind them.
“Surprise!” Petra says, throwing up her arms.
I chuckle, the sound a little ragged. “Not sure if this is a surprise party or an intervention.”
“Party?” April says. “I was told it was a meeting to plan—”
“—to discuss,” Isabel says as she passes out shots. “A meeting to discuss our future as a town. Or for now, just to say that we’re in.”
“You’re in…?” I begin.
“For your relocation plan,” she says. “Yours and Eric’s.”
Petra clears her throat.
“Yes,” Isabel says. “Some of us believe we’re jumping the gun, and it will all work out fine, but I’m told you believe in planning ahead. Having contingencies, just in case.”
“Who told…?” I look at Dalton.
He shrugs. “I said everything would be okay. I didn’t say how it would be.”
Phil says, “Like Petra, I believe this is indeed jumping the gun. But I also agree with you, Casey, that contingency plans are never a waste of time. I’m not saying I’d join you if you relocated, but I believe I can be of assistance on the management side of preparations.”
I look across their faces, and the tears well again.
April strides over, casting a cold look at the others. “Petra and Phil are correct. This discussion is premature, and it upsets Casey unnecessarily.”
I smile at her and shake my head. “I’m not upset, April. Just…” I’m not sure how to articulate what this means to me, seeing all these people—our friends—here to support the idea of Rockton, to support us and our ability to make it happen. So I just take a deep breath and say, “Thank you. It—it means a lot.”
“And hopefully will indeed be unnecessary,” Isabel says. “But in case it isn’t, I declare this the first meeting of the potential next Rockton. Drink up, and let’s talk.”