Kade crouched down to Mannie’s level, and that’s when he saw it.
A thin wire, stretched at shin-height, went across the entire ramp leading down to the pit where the platforms were affixed. Kade couldn’t see what was on the end, but trip wires seldom had good surprises. He doubted balloons and confetti would rain down if he’d triggered it, which meant…
“You may’ve just saved my life,” he said.
“You bet your sweet ass I did,” Mannie said, a shit-eating grin on his face.
“My ass is pretty sweet, but you’re not the type I want looking at it,” Kade said. He looked down the ramp toward the platforms. “Do you see any other booby traps?”
“Nah. Just this one.”
“Well, if we can’t go through, we’ll go over,” Kade said. Getting to his feet, he carefully stepped over the wire, then looked at Mannie, who looked right back at him. It took Kade another second before he realized the problem.
Mannie was too short to get his leg over, but too tall to try and crawl underneath the wire.
“Hold on,” Kade said, holstering his gun. “I’ll lift you over.” He reached for Mannie, who held up a finger in warning.
“Tell anyone about this, I’ll castrate you in your sleep,” he warned.
“Like I’m going to fucking tell anyone,” Kade retorted. “Now shut up and lift your arms.” He hefted Mannie over the wire and set him on his feet. He grunted with the effort. Mannie was solid, all right. “You should lay off the fast food there, buddy.”
“Fuck off.”
“That shit clogs your arteries, too—”
“You were the one snarfing down Mickey D’s,” Mannie said.
“I had a Diet Coke.”
“Like that makes a difference.”
They’d arrived at the foot of the platform and both fell silent, staring upward.
“You see any other way than the obvious to get to her?” Kade asked.
“Nope.”
“That’s what I thought.” Heading for the pole underneath the platform, Kade started up.
“Wait, what’re you doing?”
Kade glanced down. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m saving the girl.”
Mannie yanked on Kade’s pant leg. “Get back down here. I’m better suited to do that than you.”
“Why is that?” This oughta be good.
Mannie stared at Kade like he was crazy, then his expression cleared. “That’s right. You don’t remember anything from last night.” He pointed at his own chest. “I’m a tightrope walker.”
Kade paused in his climb, glancing skeptically over his shoulder. “Bullshit.”
Mannie drew himself up to his full height. “Why? Because I’m a little person?”
“Um, yeah. I thought that was obvious.”
Mannie rolled his eyes. “Get your ass down. I’ll go.”
Kade thought about it, then shrugged. If the midget wanted to play the hero and said he walked ropes for a living, who was he to argue? He jumped down, landing solidly on the floor.
“Be my guest,” he said.
Mannie skittered past him to the pole, muttering under his breath, “Judge me by my size, do you?”
Kade hid a grin.
Mannie was up the pole in about half the time it would’ve taken Kade, then discarded his shoes once he reached the platform. Getting down on all fours, he tested the rope, gauging its elasticity. Kade watched as Mannie stood, then began walking across.
The rope wasn’t terribly high, but if he fell, it wouldn’t be pleasant. Kade walked below him, trying to appear nonchalant. Mannie paused.
“Please tell me you’re not going to try and catch me if I fall?” he asked. “I know what I’m doing.”
Kade snorted. “Great. Like I’d be able to catch your short, lumpy ass anyway. Just get across will ya? These strobe lights are giving me a headache.”
Mannie resumed his journey, as did Kade. It would totally suck if Mannie fell, but he wasn’t about to let the little guy break his neck doing this shit.
It took longer than Kade would have liked, but faster than he could’ve gone himself. Finally, Mannie reached the opposite platform and Kade relaxed just a bit.
“Is she conscious?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Mannie responded. “But I can’t get the ropes off her.”
“I got it. Don’t move.” Kade stepped back and flipped open his switch blade. Eyeing the wooden pole, he held the knife by the tip. With a quick flick of his wrist, the knife whipped through the air, coming to an abrupt stop, it’s point buried in the pole about six inches above Mannie’s head.
“Holy shit,” Mannie groused. “You could’ve warned me.”
“I did. I said don’t move. Now get her up and let’s get out of here.”
He heard Mannie talking quietly to Liz. Kade glanced impatiently at his watch and took out his gun from its holster. His hand felt too empty without it.
“Hey, there’s a door up here in the wall,” Mannie said. “Should I open it?”
Shit. God only knew what was behind it. On the other hand, if someone was waiting, they’d had plenty of time to attack while Mannie had crossed that rope and they hadn’t.