Down to the Wire by Shannon Greenland Read Free Book Online Page B

slapped David on the back. “Let’s try again.”

    Wirenut gave David the remote control. “Now extend your left arm down the tunnel, pointing the expander.”
    I held my breath. They’d been at this more than two hours. Please let him get it right this time.
    David inserted his arm into the tunnel surrounded by lasers.
    Quiet.
    Peace and quiet.
    No alarm.
    I nearly cried with excitement.
    “Keep it steady,” Wirenut whispered. “On the expander there is a blue button. When you press it, a metal wire will snake out. The wire cannot touch the lasers. Your destination is that tiny hole below the vault’s lock. Do you think you’re ready?”
    David barely nodded.
    “Press the expanding button now.”
    David pressed the button. The wire snaked out, becoming firm and straight as it left the remote control. One inch. Two. Three. Four. My heart banged with each inch interval. Steady, David, steady.
    His hand shook ever so slightly.
    DingDingDingDingDing.
    Wirenut ran his hand down his goatee. “Let’s do it again.”
    With a huge sigh, David cracked his neck. “Give me a sec.” He walked to the other side of the room and stood with his back to us, staring at the wall. I heard him sigh again.
    I felt bad for him. He was trying so hard and barely succeeding at anything.
    David turned back around. “Okay, let’s do this thing.”

    “Got drinks and sandwiches. Anyone interested?”
    David whipped around. “I didn’t even hear you leave.”
    I carried the tray over. The guys had taken only one break since beginning ten hours ago. Both of them looked as exhausted as I felt. And I was just observing and taking notes.
    They each grabbed a bologna and cheese sandwich.
    “Nothing like bologna for breakfast.” David took a huge bite of his. “So, who taught you all this stuff?”
    Wirenut popped open a soda. “Nobody. Taught myself. It’s mylife. Security, electronics. All I’ve ever done is study it, tinker with it. It fascinates me.” He smiled a little. “And I’m good at it.”
    “Impressive. Really impressive. We’ve been at this for hours, and I can’t get it. And I’m a real quick study. It’s not just about breaking a system. It’s about your body’s position. The angle at which you do things. It really is incredible, Wirenut. I knew you were skilled, but I didn’t understand the scope of it until now.”
    Wirenut shoved a hunk of sandwich in his mouth, obviously embarrassed, but loving the admiration. His shy avoidance made me grin.
    We finished off our sandwiches and downed the sodas.
    David and Wirenut got back into position as I gathered up the garbage and headed out the door, dreading what I knew would come next.
    DingDingDingDingDing.

    Wirenut and I watched, holding our breaths, as the wire snaked through the tunnel, across the room, and straight into the tiny hole below the vault’s lock.
    The lasers flicked off, and the three of us just stayed in our spots. Them standing, me sitting. Nobody moving. Unable to wrap our tired brains around the fact that David had done it. He’d actually done it. Finally. After sixteen hours.
    Slowly, the guys turned and looked at each other.
    “Crud!” Wirenut jerked the stopwatch from his pocket and pressed the button. “Go!”
    They raced across the floor, reeling in the expandable wire. Wirenut yanked a tool kit from his back pocket and spread it on the ground in front of the vault.
    “Nitrox.” He shoved the can at David. “Quick. Got to make up for lost time. Squirt it on the control panel.”
    David did. The panel popped off and clanged to the floor.
    DingDingDingDingDing.
    I dropped my head.
    Wirenut sighed. “My bad. You have to catch it before it hits the floor. Anything over twenty-five decibels sets off the alarm. I’m so tired I forgot that detail.”
    The door opened and TL stepped into the room. “Chapling downloaded intel. Someone tried to release quid pluolium in an office building.”
    My stomach tightened. “What? Why?”
    “To