Part 24 (1/2)
”Reddy?”
He didn't stir.
With unspoken coordination, Holger moved to one side of the bed while Bear went to the other. They each took an arm while Holger put his hand over Reddy's mouth to forestall any exclamations. The boy jerked at their touch. Finding himself held, he strained under their grip. They held on. Reddy tried to bite Holger's hand.
”It's all right, Jack,” Bear said urgently. ”It's Bear and Kun. Friends, Jack. Friends.”
s.h.i.+t! Didn't this guy know about bugged rooms? No, he probably didn't. At least the kid had stopped fighting them. To minimize the damage done, Holger whispered, ”Keep quiet, Reddy. We don't know who's listening. No more names, okay?”
Reddy nodded agreement, and Holger removed his hand. To Holger's amus.e.m.e.nt, Bear looked around, searching for listeners or their hiding places. Sorry, old man, no arrases to hide behind, but then today's lurkers don't need them.
”You used my name,” Reddy complained.
”They already know who you are. Can you walk?”
”Yeah,” he replied.
”Run?”
”I can try.”
”Good boy.” Holger handed him a bag. ”Get dressed. We're going to get you out of here.”
Reddy stripped out of the hospital-style gown and drew on the clothes they'd brought for him. Bear paced the room. Still looking for listeners? Reddy's voice was m.u.f.fled by the turtleneck sweater he was pulling on.
”What about Trashcan Harry? They've got him, too.”
”He'll have to look out for himself,” Bear said without stopping his prowling.
”We can't leave without him,” Reddy said.
”We're going to have to,” Holger said. ”We haven't got more than twenty minutes left before they find out we've penetrated their security, and we have no idea where they're keeping him. There's no time to go looking for him. He might not even be here.”
”How did you know I was here?”
”Spae had some luck locating you. She couldn't find him. Said everything around him was a jumble.”
”Forget him, Jack,” Bear said.
Reddy shook his head. ”I don't think we should leave him.”
”You want to stay here?” Holger asked.
”No.”
”Then we go now.”
Kun went through the door first, pointing a gun at something down the corridor. He looked to be aiming at the vid camera, but nothing happened that John could see. Kun waved Bear and John on out.
A frantic, familiar presence engulfed him when he stepped into the corridor. Faye!
John, I'm so glad you 're safe! I couldn't get in there. They had something that kept me out. When they took you, I was so worried! They had something then, too. That's why I didn't know they were there until it was too late. I'm so sorry! I helped Holger, though. I showed him what they used on you. And I helped Dr. Spae find you. She said you were all right. You are all right, aren't you? I couldn't get near you!
Whoa, slow down. You can tell me about it later, when we really are safe. We've still got to get out of here.
Bear gave John a push to get him moving after Kun. John stumbled into motion.
Are you going to leave Trashcan Harry?
John stopped. He's here?
Downstairs. He's hurt.
”Reddy, stop talking to yourself.” Kun sounded annoyed with him. Too bad.
”I'm not ta- Never mind. Harry's here. He's downstairs.”
Bear looked at John suspiciously. ”How do you know that?”
”Does it matter? I know. We've got to get him before they do worse to him.”
”We're leaving,” Kun said.
”I'm not. Not without Harry.”
”I can drug you and have Bear carry you out.” ”Some rescue.” John looked beseechingly at Bear. ”How i an you abandon him? I mean, I know you don't like him, hut he helped us when we were in trouble.”
”We're wasting time,” Kun said impatiently.
Hear stared into John's eyes. His expression was hard, closed. Finally he asked, ”Is he guarded?”
No.
”No.”
Bear turned to Kun. ”Much as I hate to say it, we should try.”
Kun looked as if he wanted to kill something.
It wasn't in the plan. It wasn't in the schedule. But they were doing it anyway. He could hear Spae's voice insisting that they had to keep the sleeper's goodwill. It was the reason for the whole expedition to ACE. For goodwill, I lolger told himself over and over. For goodwill.
It would take more than goodwill to get them out of the facility if they didn't find the old b.a.s.t.a.r.d and get him out soon.
Following Reddy's directions, they avoided two guard posts and a roving patrol. The room Reddy said held Black was locked, as his had been. But having opened Reddy's lock, this one was easier. The lock snicked back and they entered.
The room stank of sweat and excrement and fear. And chemicals. Familiar chemicals. From behind a perspex barrier, a single bulb burned mercilessly down on the huddled lump in the corner. No bed here, no bedside monitor. Nothing but a lump, lying in a puddle of his own waste.
”Harry?” Reddy sounded appalled.
The lump stirred at the sound of the kid's voice. A bloodshot eye appeared among the twisted swathes of the threadbare blanket. Groaning, Trashcan Harry uncoiled and sat up. The man looked as though he'd gone four rounds with a heavyweight trash compactor.