AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, sir. My apologies, sir,” said Dunn.
“It is imperative that I speak with Enforcer Merrick,” said Cadwaller with an audible sigh.
We all looked at each other. This conversation would have to end suspiciously, whether we wanted it to or not.
Dunn’s chin quivered. “I am sorry, but she . . . cannot speak.” His voice trailed off into a pained whisper.
I reached for the radio.
Dunn’s hands gripped it, trembling, before he finally let it go. He sank to his knees on the deck, his emotion overtaking him.
“I’m sorry,” I said, “but that was too close.”
Cadwaller’s voice kept calling through the radio.
I crouched next to Dunn and spoke softly. “How do we silence it?”
He shifted a black button on the radio until the angry voice halted mid-sentence. Then he dropped his head to the wooden planks.
“Well,” said Cait, “that’s gotta look suspicious.”
I frowned, reluctant to agree, but she was right.
Dominic Dunn was too fragile to be trusted.
Chapter
Seven
Before the sunbroke over the sea's dark horizon the next morning, I paced the deck with the radio in my hand. I’d already been up for hours, tormented by fears of what would happen to my father, thoughts of Graham, and what would happen if we didn’t figure out how to ease Cadwaller’s suspicion.
Dunn had reluctantly educated me on how to use the radios once I’d pressured him enough. He told me about the buttons, how the channels worked, and the way the blue panel had to be in sunlight for a while to function.
I tried to get information about my father from him, too. I was eager to know what kind of trouble he might be in and where to find him if I managed to get back into Cambria, but Dunn stayed stubbornly silent, ever loyal to the Academy.
So, I waited for the sun while I made my plans.
If Dunn wouldn’t speak, I needed to talk to the Enforcers on the radio to find out where my father was being held. I just hoped my voice could pass for Merrick’s. I tried to remember how she spoke. I knew I could get down the accent, but that didn’t mean I could convincingly sound like her.
Shortly after the sun rose, the radio played a few tinny musical notes, indicating that it was powered up. I checked thedial to make sure it was still tuned to channel C, as the other radio had been.
I hesitated, breathing deeply, hoping the right words would come to me. Then I pushed the button and spoke, my voice deep and formal. “Come in, Enforcer Cadwaller. This is Merrick.”
I released the button, as Dunn had instructed, waiting for a reply. I paced the deck, then tried again, repeating myself when no one answered. Maybe it was too early. Maybe I was doing something wrong.
Or maybe they could tell I wasn’t Merrick.
“Come in, Enforcer Cadwaller,” I said again, trying to keep my voice steady and convincing.
“Enforcer Merrick?” A male voice finally spoke from the radio.
My palms went slippery, but I breathed and calmed my voice before replying. “Good morning, Enforcer Cadwaller, this is Enforcer Merrick, as requested.”
The radio was quiet for a long moment.
“This isn’t Cadwaller,” the man said, amusement in his tone. “You’re speaking to Immortal Ruskin—very early in the morning, I must say, so you’re lucky I’m an early riser.”
It was Cael.
