"Okay." Abe stood. "Remember not to tell them anything about Michael."
"What if they ask?"
"Just tell them that you left the lab before he did so you don't know anything."
I really wasn't sure how I felt about lying to the authorities, and it must have shown on my face. Abe grabbed me up and cupped my face between his massive hands.
"We don't know who all is involved in this, Danny. Until we do, we don't trust anyone except my team and the geek squad. Understand?"
Not really, but I nodded anyway.
"We're just going to report that there was a break-in. If they ask where you were, tell them you hadn't gotten home from the lab yet."
"But Professor Bradley knows I—"
"Tell them that you were sleeping, and when you heard someone break in, you hid until they were gone."
"Why wouldn't I have called them while those guys were breaking in?"
This was why I hated lying.
"Your phone was on the charger and you were hiding in your closet. You called as soon as you were sure they left. I was already on my way here. I showed up right after they left."
"And who do I say you are if they ask?"
Abe grinned. "You can tell them I'm a close friend who's going to be moving in with you."
I blinked wildly. "You're actually going to stay here?"
"Best offer I've had in a long time."
"Oh." I wasn't sure what I thought about that.
I mean, I liked the idea. I'd have man candy to drool over every time Abe was home. Problem was, I'd have man candy to drool over every time Abe was home. I didn't think I'd be able to hide it from the intuitive man.
I was kind of screwed.
"Come on." Abe grabbed my arm and steered me toward the door. "We'd better go let them in before they get suspicious."
Right.
I made sure my computer was recording everything inside and outside my home. I felt a niggle of unease that I was recording cops, but I never knew when I might need verifiable proof of a situation.
"Wait." I ran back to my desk and grabbed the computer CD I'd made to turn over to the cops. I shook it in the air as I joined Abe. "Wouldn't want to forget this."
"You're sure there is nothing on there that shouldn't be on there?"
"No." I shook my head. "I filtered everything before I burned it to disk."
I went through the security procedures to open the door then stepped out into the basement, waited for Abe to step through, then closed the door and reengaged them. No one, not even the authorities—especially not the authorities—needed to know about my secret bunker.
Once we got upstairs, I had to tiptoe around stuff. I was a mix of anger and despair, and it must have shown on my face when I opened the door because the officer sent me a small smile.
"Daniel Jenkins?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'm Officer Curtis, and this is my partner, Officer Brody. You reported a break-in?"
