Free Road Less Traveled by Cris Ramsay Page A

looked again.
    Nope.
    Carter frowned and studied the picture. Was he wrong about the angle, or the distance? No, he was sure of it—he covered that same ground at least twice a day, and often more like three or four times. And yet—
    It wasn’t there.
    He had no idea what that meant.
    But he had a feeling it was something big.
    He considered pointing it out to Dr. Russell, but wasn’t sure she was in any shape to hear him.
    Instead, he went looking for the one person he knew was always willing to listen to what he had to say.
    Â 
    â€œCarter, this had better be important,” Allison said as she let him drag her toward Dr. Russell’s lab. “I’ve got a conference call with some of our researchers in Iceland in half an hour. They’re researching magma coolant systems, which we could use to prevent volcanoes from erupting even as we use their heat to power whole continents.”
    â€œI have no idea if it’s important,” he admitted, leading her into the lab. The door was still wide open. “That’s why I need you to tell me.” He stepped inside and moved off to one side, then gestured at the monitor. “What do you see?”
    â€œDowntown Eureka, same as before.” Allison kept her voice down so as not to disturb Dr. Russell. The blond researcher was still slumped over the main console.
    â€œYes, but look more carefully.” Carter waited. Allison stared at the screen, but finally she shrugged. “Okay, it took me a while, too,” he admitted. “But look. That’s the crosswalk, right? With the sign that’s always going out and Henry’s always having to fix it? But why is there a speed limit sign next to it? We don’t have one there—it’s a block farther down.” Allison frowned. “And what about the statue of Archimedes?” he tried again. “Look at the base. Remember we were having that problem with pigeons, after that one experimental bird got loose and started breeding? And Henry and Taggart whipped up a little sonic doohickey to keep them from using the statue as their own private birdbath? Where is it?”
    Allison nodded. “I don’t see it.”
    â€œRight. Now, are you ready for the big one?” Carter rubbed his hands together. “Look at the buildings. There’s my office, right? And next to it is the hardware store. And next to that is the dry cleaner’s. And next to that, just at the edge of the picture, is—”
    â€œCafé Diem,” Allison answered at once. “I know the town’s layout, Carter. But what—” She stopped midsentence, and stared. Then she walked a few paces, so she could see that edge of the screen more clearly, and stared some more.
    â€œOh. My. God.” The words were barely a whisper.
    â€œI know,” he agreed. “But what does it mean?”
    â€œWhat does it mean? Carter, it means—Dr. Russell!” The researcher bolted upright at Allison’s shout, and was out of her chair in an instant. If this had been the army, she would have saluted.
    â€œYes, Director!”
    Allison smiled and lowered her volume. “Doctor, look at the screen. Look carefully.” They all turned to watch, just as Jo crossed into view. His deputy looked the same as ever, though Carter noticed she was completely dry. He wasn’t sure how she’d managed that—his clothes were still damp, and his hair was still wet as well. But Jo looked none the worse for this morning’s deluge as she crossed the street—and headed into a small coffee shop.
    A coffee shop that Carter was absolutely sure didn’t actually exist.
    â€œOh. Oh, my.” Russell gaped at the screen, then turned to Allison. Her eyes were shining again, but this time it wasn’t from tears. “It worked!” she all but shouted. “It worked!”
    â€œIt certainly did!” Allison agreed. The two of them were practically