The Steel Shark

Chapter 29

Vivian whistled when he slid open the bookshelf. “Did you press something?”

“Maybe,” he said. “Maybe not.”

Even watching him she hadn’t been able to see how he opened it. When they got back, she intended to figure it out, but for now she just added it to her to-do list.

He patted the edge of the tunnel, and Edison jumped in. Joe pushed the duffel into the hole and climbed in after it.

She hurried to follow. His last chance of leaving her behind would be to lose her in the tunnels, and she expected him to try. Her mother called it her suspicious nature.

He reached to pull the bookcase closed. That’d give the bodyguards a nasty shock. “Aren’t they going to freak out when they can’t find you? Maybe go to the press and make a fuss?”

“An email will be delivered to Mr. Rossi in a half hour, telling him I’ve left of my own free will. The police and bodyguards will be withdrawn from my house and taken out of danger.”

He turned around and crawled forward.

She got a quick glimpse before his flashlight pointed forward, and he started retreating at a good clip. The tunnel was of rough-hewn rock, with a ceiling so low she had to crawl on her hands and knees. Or rather, her hand, cast, and knees while dragging the pillowcase. This must be Tesla’s first test to see if he could ditch her.

As hard as she tried, the lead between them grew. If she’d had two good hands, she’d have been able to keep up. Did he plan to leave her trapped?

A puff of cool air crossed her face. He’d reached the other end and opened the door. She upped her crawl to double time and had almost made it to the opening that must be the end of the tunnel when a shadow moved across it.

Tesla was closing the door.

“Hey!” she hollered and pressed on.

Before the door closed completely, a light-colored form jumped in the way. A bark echoed down the tunnel. When she reached the door, Edison was half in and half out. Tesla whispered something, but the dog ignored him.

She climbed out and stood next to Tesla.

“Problem with the door?” she asked.

“I slipped,” he said. “Sorry.”

She bent and patted Edison on the head. “Good boy!”

The dog wagged his tail. With the dog on her side, she was basically unstoppable. Tesla had to know that.

Tesla closed the door. It looked as old as the one that led to the submarine dock — thick metal with a rubber seal on the inside. If the subway ever flooded this far up, water wouldn’t get into Tesla’s bedroom.

He locked the door with an old-fashioned key.

They walked down the dark tunnel for a few moments before he stopped and touched his fingers to his lips to warn her to be quiet. They must be close to the bodyguards stationed outside his official tunnel exit. Edison tucked in tight against Tesla’s heels, and they set off at a brisk trot.

Tunnels converged on tunnels, dark tracks gave way to well-lit ones and dark ones again. She had a good sense of direction, but she still lost track of the way back.

After a half hour of this, she spoke. “Is this really the most direct way to your submarine dock?”

Tesla looked sheepish. “I’m avoiding the trains.”

“You’re not going to shake me off,” she said. “And we had a deal.”

“I’m not trying to shake you off.”

But after that, he started heading in one direction, and it wasn’t long before her surroundings began to look familiar.

They had to flatten against the side of the tunnels four times to avoid oncoming trains. Every time, Edison’s head swiveled between the two of them, as if he was afraid to let either one out of his sight in case they did something stupid. Smart dog.

“We’re here.” Tesla unlocked the door to the dock and gestured for her to go in first.

She threaded her arm through his. “Let’s go in together.”

But it hadn’t been a trap. Wright’s green submarine was parked where it had been before. Wright stood on the dock. She wasn’t looking forward to another submarine ride with him.

“Is this going to be a tearful farewell?” Wright asked. “Because you’re running late.”

“She’s coming along,” Tesla answered.

Wright looked back at his sub. She knew it was a three-seater, so he couldn’t trot that out. “Going to be a tight fit with the dog and your luggage.”

Not that she had any luggage except for the pillowcase of stuff. She started to wonder about what was at the other end of the submarine ride. While Tesla loaded stuff, she fired off a quick text to her mother.

Don’t worry. Ask Mr. Rossi in an hour. Might be gone awhile.

She hoped she wouldn’t be too long. Andres had invited her to his art opening in two weeks, and she didn’t want to disappoint him. He was an intriguing guy. Cute, too.