By "two groups," Jack meant that he and Hope would form one group, while Dr. Morgan and Paul would form the other. Each group would carry a set of medicine needed for the Reverse Spirit-Infusion Ritual.
"But," Hope asked, "won't splitting up leave us weaker and more likely to run into trouble?"
Dr. Morgan disagreed. "Jack and I both think it's the best approach. We believe there aren't many kidnappers. If we approach from two directions, they won't be able to deal with both groups at once."
"That means one group will face much greater danger," Hope said.
Dr. Morgan nodded. "There's no telling which one."
Hope thought over Dr. Morgan's words and wondered why they had changed clothes. Then something occurred to him.
Changing clothes—making sure they took off every piece of clothing and jewelry—
Was it because they suspected some kind of surveillance?
A listening device, perhaps. Such devices probably didn't exist yet, but something similar could easily exist in the occult.
He glanced cautiously at Jack, then Dr. Morgan, and finally Paul.
Dr. Morgan and Jack had probably worked it out already, but Paul might not know.
Splitting into two groups—even after changing clothes, they couldn't be sure no one was watching them. If one of them was under surveillance and they stayed together, they could all be caught at once. Separately, at least one group would be relatively safe.
Hope stopped arguing, though his nerves tightened again.
Jack coughed twice.
Everyone looked at him.
"I need to remind you," Jack said. "What we're about to do is extremely dangerous. You've all seen that monster. It can kill us, and it wants to. The people who kidnapped our friends bear us nothing but malice, too. They truly want Professor Armitage dead."
He paused, then continued. "I've also