Chapter 52
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
For a moment, Oscar thought Montague had been sensible to bring it with her, so as not to risk it getting broken if the trailer blew over. Then he realized the duct tape had been slit along the edges, so the box could be opened easily.
“What the hell are you doing with that?” Dr. Lawson barked.
Ethan shook water off the umbrella and set it aside, as Montague carefully stepped over the salt lines and into the dining room.
“I mean to take a page out of Mr. Fox’s book,” Montague said. “Just as you released the nurse’s ghost at the asylum to fight that of the doctor, I propose we free Ullman to protect us from Gloria while we wait out the storm.”
“Are you insane?” Lawson stared at her, aghast. “The nurse wasn’t a murdering cannibal!”
“Gloria killed Robin, or have you forgotten?” Montague’s expression went ice-cold. “We’re trapped on this island, in this house, where she’s free to do the same to us. Given the storm and the condition of the building, we can’t chance her adding us to her list of victims.”
Something broke upstairs—a window being blown in, possibly.
The storm was definitely growing worse by the minute.
Thunder boomed, getting closer. If there was more electro-magnetic energy in the air, any spirits would be able to feed on it.
Presumably including Gloria, though if salt didn’t work on tulpas, maybe not?
“Gloria or Robin brought us a tape,” he told Montague. “I think we’ve been given another chance. If we just agree to do what Gloria wants—”
“I’ve already made it clear that isn’t acceptable.
Why are you being so difficult?” She held up the box in her hands.
“Go along with my plan, abide by your NDAs, and everything will remain as it has been once we leave. I will continue to support you financially—and of course that includes grants for survival research, Dr. Taylor.” Her expression softened.
“I’m not an unreasonable woman. I believe in your work—I want it to go on. ”
For a long moment, there was no sound except for the rain pounding against the windows, the wind hissing past the eaves. Oscar took a deep breath. Then he rose to his feet and faced Ms. Montague.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I just can’t do it.”