“No. Caught. You didn’t see the petrified look on your face when you turned around. It was gone in an instant, but I’ll never forget it.” He smiled at the memory.
Hecouldsmile.Hewouldn’t be fed to Chomper if caught. “Is there a point to all this? My work shift starts in an hour.”
“My father had told me about a few uppers who tried and failed to circumvent various security systems in the computer network long ago. Domotor was rumored to be trying again before his accident and banishment to the lower levels. When you showed up looking for Domotor’s port, I guessed you know where he is and you’re helping him.”
“Why would I care if Broken Man is trying to bypass computer systems?”
Riley stepped closer. “If the other upper families regain control of Inside, then we can make life in the lower levels better.”
I studied his expression for signs of deceit. Broken Man had said the upper families wouldn’t want to help. Or did he tell me that so I would focus all my energy on finding Gateway? Riley seemed sincere and he already knew most of it. How much worse could it be for him to know?
“You’re right. I’m here to fetch Broken…Domotor’s port.”
“You’ll let me help?”
He managed to downplay his triumph. Impressive. I nodded.
“I’m monitoring the electrical usage for level four during the next shift. I can’t disable the motion sensors because it will be recorded, but I can hide the spike from your device.” He glanced at the little cleaning troll. “Smoke was coming out of it before. Will it work?”
“Yes.” Logan had repaired Zippy before I left.
“Good. I wasn’t able to find the code for the lock. How do you plan to get into the evidence closet?”
“I have another…ah…device.”
He raised his eyebrows, inviting me to elaborate.
“It’s better you don’t know.”
“As long as it works fast,” he said. He slid his hand into a pocket.
I tensed, but relaxed when he withdrew a port. He handed it to me.
“What’s this for?” I examined the white interface. The size and shape mimicked three molars in a row, but underneath a square-shaped metal piece stuck out. Small numbers had been etched into the metal box. It was hollow except for a line ofcopper pins. I guessed the bottom piece was inserted into a person’s jawbone to anchor the port.
“To exchange for Domotor’s. An empty spot will alert LC Karla. Do you know his ID number?”
“Yes, but what about the LC? She’s also scheduled to work the next shift.”
“All the high-ranking officers have a sixty-hour meeting in the control room. It lasts about an hour. She’s usually there.”
“Usually?”
“Wait to enter her office a few minutes past hour sixty. The computer lists the whereabouts of important people so if there’s ever an emergency they can be contacted. If she’s not listed in the meeting room, I’ll flash the lights in her office to let you know.”
“Do you always know where she is?”
“No. I only have second degree security clearance. The sixty-hour meeting and its attendees are general knowledge.”
General knowledge to the uppers. The scrubs hadn’t a clue, and what we did know was doubtful.
“Get in position now,” Riley said. “I don’t want to open the door until you’re hidden from sight. Just in case someone is out in the hall.”
“How come you’re the only one who uses this room?”
“It’s hard to find and has been forgotten. I doubt anyone is outside, but it never hurts to be too careful.”
I agreed with him, being extra careful should be our motto. Turning away so Riley couldn’t see my smirk—our motto, like we were a gang—I opened the heating vent and slipped inside, taking Zippy with me. Riley helped to replace the cover.
