Page 367 of Hidden Depths
Mom laughed bitterly.
“You stayed away for years and called it friendship. Forgive me if I’m uncertain what you consider a lie.”
The words struck him.
I saw it.
So did Mom.
Regret flickered across her face, but before she could speak, Ward raised one hand.
“Quiet.”
A faint electronic chirp came from beyond the hidden door.
Ward entered first.
Ben followed.
I started after them, but Nathan caught my shoulder.
“Stay with your mother.”
“Ward told me to stay between you and him.”
“And for once, you intend to listen?”
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
Mom almost smiled.
The expression vanished when we entered the chamber.
It wasn’t another natural cave.
Someone had built a control room inside the mountain.
Old electrical panels covered one wall. Most had rusted beyond use, but several small lights still glowed.
Five metal plates stood in a semicircle.
Each was the size of a human hand.
The same initials were etched beneath them.
S. C. I. W. H.
Mom stared at the plates.
“He changed it after Hazel was born.”
“How do you know?” I asked.
“He couldn’t have known there would be five of you before then.”
Nathan moved toward the first plate.
Ward stopped him.
