“Because he’s suspicious?”
“Because he’s Swift.”
“That explains nothing.”
“It explains everything once you know him.”
We kept walking until the hallway narrowed and the air changed.
Cooler.Damper.Dustier.
My steps slowed.
Wheels noticed immediately.“Basement’s down there.”
At the end of the hall was a heavy door.Plain.Old.Painted dark gray.It looked like any basement door in any old commercial building, except now I knew what might be under it.
My mouth went dry.
“We’re not going down there,” Wheels said.
“I wasn’t planning to.”
“Good.”
I looked at him.“Good?”
“You look like you might bolt if I open that door.”
“I might.”
“At least you’re honest.”
I stared at the door a second longer.Somewhere below us, Hodge and the others were probably already searching, looking for cracks, old brick, weird walls—anything that might prove the blueprint wasn’t just some forgotten piece of paper.
A few hours ago, I’d been the only one carrying that secret.Now four bikers were in the basement looking for it.I didn’t know if that made me feel better or worse.
“Do you think they’ll find it?”I asked.
Wheels leaned his shoulder against the wall.“The tunnel?”
“Yeah.”
“Eventually.”
“That confident?”
“Hodge likes hitting things.Method pays attention.Sully’s nosy, and Chewy doesn’t quit once he gets curious.If there’s something down there, they’ll find a sign of it.”
“And then what?”
“Then Twister decides what happens next.”
That answer was so simple.The kind of answer that came from someone who believed in the man giving the orders.
“You trust him,” I said.
Wheels didn’t hesitate.“With my life.”
