“Do you have the diamond wire?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Do you need back up?” His voice held a nervous edge.
“I'll take Zippy.”
“I'd be happier if you took a dozen armed people along.”
“And I'd be happier if the Outsiders decided to leave us alone.”
“Point. Be careful…please.”
“I will.”
The problem with using a diamond wire to aid in my escape became apparent right away. Wires ringed the bars covering the air vent to Logan's cell. Wires that I assumed would set off a loud alarm if I sawed through them.
I had made a silent approach just in case Logan had company. It was interesting how fast my ability to crawl through the shafts without making noise had returned. Either that or just the amount of time I'd been spending traveling through them had sharpened my skills.
Logan sprawled on his back on the thin mat. His cell was a mirror image of mine. I called his name when I was certain he was alone. He jerked and scrambled to his feet.
“Trella, don't touch the?—”
“Bars, I know. I noticed the wires.”
He slouched against the wall and rubbed his face. “I think I'm stuck for good this time,” he said in a tired voice.
He didn't appear to be injured, but I knew what the Outsiders were capable of. “What happened?”
“My keepers made a surprise visit,” he said. “I didn't have time to hide all my toys. They were strewn all over. I guess I shouldn't have been so relaxed about them. Another mistake caused by over confidence.”
“Another?”
He waved a hand. His right one still covered his eyes. “The whole Outsider fiasco could have been avoided.”
“How?”
“If I had kept track of all communications, I would have spotted Hank's link to the Outsiders.”
“Why didn't you?” I asked.
“Privacy. I didn't want to spy on the Committee members or others.”
“Exactly Logan. You didn't want to be like the Travas and Pop Cops, monitoring all our activities. You're not to blame.”
“I'm not helping either,” he said. Clearly miserable, he massaged his temples.
“Did you meet the Outsiders?” I asked.
He straightened, dropping his hands. “They're here?”
“Only a couple. I've met them both.”
“You? When?”
“Long story. I'll tell you later. First, we need to bust you out of here.”
“How? The heating vent has the same trip wires. All you have to do is touch them and they'll set off the alarm.”
