“Maybe Christopher got rid of all of them,” Reader suggested. “I couldn’t answer Ben when he tried to reach me because we were engaged with the enemy.” Hadn’t heard anyone call Siler anything other than Benjamin, Siler, or Nightcrawler, if it was me. But Siler didn’t act like this nickname was an unpleasant or even pleasant shock, and he didn’t do the usual A-C Wincing At A Nickname thing, either. Interesting. Chose not to ask how often he was helping out Alpha Team these days, but it probably bore some research later.
“Christopher did not get rid of anyone, because not only are there no bodies left in the stairwells, but if he had he’d have then tried to reach his father to reassure said father that his only child was alive, well, and victorious. At that point, we’d destroyed our equipment. Meaning Christopher would have come down to find us and make sure his father was okay. He didn’t come down and he’s had plenty of time to do so. Therefore, he’s captured.” Or dead. Chose not to say that aloud because I refused to believe it.
“I agree with my partner,” White said. “Caution needs to be our watchword, as rare a watchword as it is for us.”
“Yeah, slow and steady, emphasis on slow. And weapons out, too. Figure we’re going to have to shoot someone soon.”
“Haven’t you shot enough people tonight?” Jeff asked. “I mean that seriously.”
“Are Cliff and the remaining Crazy Eights still alive? Yes? Then, no, I have not killed enough people yet.”
We reached the doorway and Siler grabbed my shoulder just as my music changed to “Electric Worry” by Clutch. “Don’t take another step and don’t touch the door handle. Anyone.”
“Okey dokey. Why not?”
“I think the handle’s wired and, if I’m right, it’s wired to send enough current through it to stop someone’s breathing, if not kill them.”
CHAPTER 78
“HYPERSPEED WOULDN’T AVOID the threat,” Tim said. “You still have to make contact with the door to open it, no matter how fast you’re doing it.”
“Figure the voltage and current both are high to account for A-C speed,” Siler said.
“A-Cs recover fast, so I’m betting Christopher’s still alive. But that means he’s definitely a prisoner.” And we had to open the door without getting knocked out or killed ourselves. “So, we need to either disconnect the electric feed or use a form of insulation between our hand and the door handle.”
“I don’t think we can disconnect from this side,” Siler said. “At least, not without risking getting hit with the current or being discovered.”
“Insulating materials it is, then.”
White moved me and Jeff back. “Three of us are still wearing gloves. I also have no rings on. Benjamin doesn’t either, but his skills are more vital right now.” Jeff opened his mouth to argue, but White shot him a very parental “because I said so” look. “He’s my son, Jeffrey. And yes, I understand the risks.”
“Make sure the insulation on your gloves wasn’t stripped off when you rescued me.”
White did the check. “Ah, good call, Missus Martini.”
Siler took his gloves off and gave them to White, who pulled this pair on over the ones he already had on. Super strength was helpful here, because the gloves did not actually fit well this way. But they were finally on. “Silent entry, and speak softly once inside,” Siler warned us all.
White handed Jeff the rolling bag, took a deep breath, let it out, then moved at hyperspeed and opened the door.
That there was indeed electrical current flowing was evident from the sparks that flew off the handle. But White didn’t go down.
The rest of us ran through the door, Siler grabbing White on his way in. Thankfully, White’s hand released from the doorknob.
We’d entered what really looked like what you’d expect a broadcast studio to resemble. Algar shared the theme from WKRP in Cincinnati with me. Started to wonder if he was feeling alright. “Feel Fine” by Augustana came on. Okay, he was just entertaining himself at my expense, so, business as usual for me and the King of the Elves.
This place was more filled with things than the other floors we’d hit, too. Lots of walls, desks, equipment I knew nothing about, the usual stuff I’d expect to see that might or might not be something a real broadcaster used but that every TV show or movie insinuated was part of a studio setup.
This particular studio was packing special extras—it came complete with dead bodies of the people I assumed had been working in here.
What didn’t belong here were buckets of water. They were strewn everywhere that I could see. Not that I could see that much. As with so many places, this was a maze. On the plus side, the higher we got, the less floor space there was to cover, so we had that going for us.
“Everyone be on alert,” I said softly, as White massaged his hand. “Nerida the Water Bender is up here.” Meaning she was around to drown or electrocute anyone who made it through the door. Really tried not to worry about Christopher and the guys who’d come to check on him, but found it hard to do.
Siler checked the bodies. “No entry wounds, but signs of electrocution, so Kitty’s right and we’re in a hell of a lot of danger.” Considering this was the first time since we’d entered the Burj Khalifa that Siler had expressed serious concern, felt myself get a tad tense.
Considered what our options were while The Eagles’ “Take It to the Limit” came on. “Let me lead.”
“Not just no, but hell no,” Jeff said, optimistically using the growly man voice, which worked on me as it always did when we weren’t in bed, which was not at all. At least he growled it quietly.
“I have no idea who else is here, but I can guarantee that Nerida is, and I can also guarantee that she thinks she can beat me and wants a chance to prove it.”
“She can beat you by electrocuting you,” Tim pointed out.
“She lost to you on the train,” White additionally pointed out.
“Not in her mind. In her mind I guarantee that fight was a draw. And she wants to beat me. As in, she wants to win and have me know she’s won. That requires more than just shooting someone dead. Which means we’ll all have more time if she sees me first than if she sees any of you first.” They didn’t look convinced. Went for an explanation that might get through. “She was pals with Stephanie as far as I could tell.”
Siler nodded. “Yes, they were friendly.” He sighed. “I think Kitty may be right.”
“My wife is not going to be our shield,” Jeff snarled. He was still keeping quiet but had to figure bellowing was on the horizon.
Heaved a sigh of my own. “Jeff, what do you think I was doing while you were at the restaurant? Hanging out getting a pedicure?”
“That was when I wasn’t with you.” He looked worried, upset, and protective, meaning I couldn’t be mad at him for trying to throw himself in front of me.
“At least you’re cute when the caveman comes out. A lot of people are depending on us right now, not the least of which being your cousin and my best friend. You can accept that we’re going to do things in the way that gives us the best chance of success or survival, or I will have Nightcrawler do to you what I did to you when we first met and you were being a fatalistic jerk.”
Jeff winced. “I don’t need my head bashed, thanks.”