“Pretty much everything?” Bette repeated. “Is there something they don’t know?”

“They know where but they don’t know when. As soon as the Professor gets his budget approved, they’ll be camping out all over the Orange County. I know he already got a place somewhere at the Laguna Beach set up as their main hub. As I predicted, he thought my time travel story was a phony one but I think now he might be convinced by Helena that it really happened.”

“Alice, this is bad news,” Tina shook head in frustration. “What are we going to do?”

“Wait,” Bette interrupted quickly. “Professor Kroll doesn’t have his budget approved. Is there any chance he won’t get it until October? By then the portal will be sealed forever, if you are right about it.”

“I’m always right,” Alice replied with a scoff. “And I don’t believe so. He is looking for a government grant and I’m pretty sure this is where Helena comes in. She knows someone in the government who is very interested in the time travel project.”

‘So what are we going to do?” Tina felt panicky.

“Do nothing now. Just keep acting normal. I’ll be back by the end of the next week and we’ll discuss my Plan B. I’ll see what else I can find out while I’m here and…yes, can I help you?”

They heard Alice’s muffled words as if she was speaking to someone else. They heard the distant voice asking, “Alice?”

“You are mistaken. My name is Penelope. Penelope Orville, here’s my press pass,” Alice’s voice became more clear when she spoke directly into the phone again. “Ladies, I’ll talk to you later. Peace out.”

Alice disconnected and Bette and Tina looked at each other in silence. Finally Tina shook her head and blurted out, “Shit.”

The following week went by like a blur. Bette was busy at work getting the new exhibit ready for the opening night. The last one was a huge success and Franklin had all the confidence that Bette would outdo herself, now that she was back and the helm. The everyday activities and steady work flow helped to keep her fears at bay but she was constantly on guard, making sure she didn’t say or do anything out of the ordinary. She’d seen Candace around every day but the carpenter didn’t approach her even once. She was just there and everywhere, watching Bette’s every move.