“It will be fine.” Pat said simply.
“Okay.” Zion clapped his hands together and began explaining schedules and hospitality bags. “Meals are always at the same time every day. Breakfast at 7 am, Lunch at 11 am, and dinner at 5 pm. Any food between meals will typically be out on the table such as fruit and granola bars.” Zion walked over to a thermostat and explained that it was for this room only. “The bathroom is controlled by the main thermostat. Also, in the linen closet is a hospitality bag with basic essentials. If you need something we don’t have, let Rachel know and she will get it. Any questions?”
Pat had several questions. He wanted to know what was next. He wanted to know more about what they did here. He wanted to know how he went from being at the doctor to being strapped to an operating table. He was curious about where Justice had gone. He wanted to know more about Mayre and hoped she was doing okay. These were all things that he didn’t know how to articulate and was scared he’d find out too soon. Zion knew a lot more than Pat expected, but he wasn’t going to be able to answer all of Pat’s burning questions.
Pat shook his head and said, “Thank you for everything. How much do I owe you?” The phrase came easily and was something he had always heard his dad say. The Sherwood men never liked to owe people anything so they paid all their debts immediately. Money was no object.
“You do not need to pay me. We give all we have here out of our abundance and all we ask is that you help us with things around the house.” Zion smiled again. “You’ll be helping me get to the root of this mystery and that is payment enough.”
“Of course.” Pat conceded.
“Good deal. I’ll leave you to it. Let me know if you need anything.” Zion then left Pat alone with his thoughts.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
HARMONY AND CLIVE walked off the houseboat as Arrow tied it to the dock and lowered the anchor. A large green sign sat propped up by the steps leading from the dock to the shore which said, “Welcome to Quincy!” and a picture of a guitar surrounded by wavy musical notes.
“It’s not too far from here.” Arrow said knowingly. “We’ll take a bus.”
“A BUS??” Clive exclaimed, his voice raising a few octaves. “Isn’t that too exposed?” After a wearying journey with just the three of them, Clive was losing a bit of his charisma. Lines stood out on his forehead and dark circles framed his eyes. His hair was also losing some of its luster.
Arrow stared at Clive for a long, penetrating moment. His sober gaze was much more intimidating and Clive almost missed drunk Arrow. “Trust me. We will be the least noticeable bunch at this particular stop.” He then glanced over at Harmony and smirked slightly. She returned the amusement by smiling back.
“What?” Clive demanded. “Are you laughing at me?”
“You’re in rare form, mate.” Arrow said in a fake Australian accent and popped him on the shoulder. “It’ll be okay.”
Arrow then began trudging across the deck to the gravel parking lot. Clive was not far behind demanding Arrow define what he meant by his statements. Harmony trailed behind the men. It was a chilly day with a slight breeze that was telling secrets to the pines. In a gap was a road only just large enough to let a single car pass comfortably. They walked alongside it and up the hill to a bus stop encased in glass. The only occupant of this stop was an older woman in black leggings, a large orange sweater, and a baseball cap. She didn’t look up as they approached but continued gazing into her phone.
“How far is the place from here?” Harmony asked.
“Shh…” Clive hissed.
She stared at him in shock and then looked back at Arrow.
“Simmer down.” Arrow snapped at Clive. “About 20 minutes.” He said in response to Harmony’s question.
“This isn’t safe. I could be on every news outlet. I’m going to get reported.” Clive whispered.
“Or maybe not. Don’t get a big head now.” Arrow snorted.
Just then, a gray bus came trundling around the corner and down the quiet street. The old woman stood and walked near the curb. She was the first to climb up the bus steps. She waved her phone screen across the doors and they opened for her. Arrow pulled out his phone and started it up. Pulling up the app for the bus station he was able to purchase three passes for each of them.
“How did you already have the app?” Clive asked as they boarded the bus and took a few seats towards the middle.
Arrow waved the question away with his hand as he sat beside Harmony and powered down his phone again. The trio rode in relative silence with Clive interjecting random comments occasionally to calm his nerves. The old woman had taken a seat close to the driver and at the very back of the bus was a construction worker sleeping under the shade of his hard hat. The only suspicious-looking person was a haggard, hairy man sitting directly behind them. He had nothing with him except the clothes on his back and seemed most alert to what was going on around him which made Clive nervous.
After a mostly silent 20-minute drive, the bus pulled up in front of a stop near a gated driveway. The sign beside the place read “New Creation Rehab” and it suddenly clicked in Clive’s brain. This is where Arrow had been after being in prison. Clive looked over at Harmony, but her face was twisted up in confusion.
Arrow led the way off the bus and they approached a speaker. Arrow pressed the button, said his name and the gates opened. They walked inside and before them was a beautiful enclosed property with several brick buildings all surrounding a fountain and beautiful flowers reaching the end of their season. People milled around the property working, playing, and reading. It had the feel of a private university by how long the walk was from the gate to the front of the largest brick building. As they approached the steps to the entrance, a stocky man with caramel hair came rushing from the place and embraced Arrow warmly.
“Arrow.” The man sounded like he was about to cry. “It is so good to see you again.” The man held him at arm’s length and the height difference was striking. Arrow towered over the man who now had tears running down his cheeks.
“It’s good to see you, Zion. These are my friends.” Arrow gestured over to Clive and Harmony.
“Lovely to have you.” Zion said letting go of Arrow and approaching Clive first to shake hands.
“I am Dr…” Clive began then stopped. He glanced over at Arrow for reassurance to continue.
“He’s good people, buddy.”
“I’m Dr. Clive Evers.” He said finally.
“Dr. Evers. It is a distinct honor. You have made so many great strides in science and medicine.” He smiled a genuine smile that flashed in his eyes and Clive knew he was trustworthy.
Then he turned to Harmony. “And you?”
“I’m Harmony Latham.” She said softly. “Not a doctor, but I’m here.”
“No worries. Everybody is welcome here.” Zion said warmly. “Will you need to stay here overnight or are you just planning to visit?”
Arrow looked at Harmony then at Clive. When neither of them volunteered to speak, Arrow said, “Clive is in some trouble. I told him this was a safe place. On our way here we met Harmony. We hadn’t planned much further ahead than that.”
“I don’t need rehab.” Clive said a little louder than he meant to.
“I don’t either.” Harmony interjected.
“Of course.” Zion laughed good-naturedly. “You don’t have the hallmarks of somebody struggling with addiction.”
