By the time Wren returned to their room, Lydia hadn’t finished the letter to her parents, much less started one for Dariela or her other friends. “Did you hear?” she asked Lydia, bounding in and dropped her backpack.
“Hear what?” Lydia had been cooped up ever since Arthur had left, writing and exploring the room. There wasn’t much to the room, so she had occupied herself with the small television. It was showing some dumb thriller movie at the moment.
Before Wren could answer, a voice rang throughout the Cave via speakers up high on the walls. Lydia had spotted one in one corner of their ceiling. “Attention everyone. Attention.” Lydia shut off the television. It was a woman’s voice she didn’t recognize. “I’m afraid I have tragic news for you all. Kirk has been found dead this morning. We are currently investigating the situation, but we have lost a valued member of the BEP division today. Kirk was a strong, upstanding kind man who will be sorely missed by all of us.”
Lydia was already bolting out the door, down the stairs, and to the Center. Once inside, she demanded to know where Arthur’s office was. The stunned receptionist tore her eyes away from a wall-mounted speaker to tell her it was on the third floor. “There’s an elevator at the end of the hall.”
She dashed down the hall, dodging people idling to listen to the announcement. Please let them be okay, she begged. Please let them be okay. Lydia dove into the elevator and smacked the up button repeatedly. She hopped up and down nonstop the entire ride up. At the top, she rushed out, momentarily surprised by its white lighting instead of blue. She ran by the doors until she found Arthur’s. It was ajar, so she pushed it open. The announcement was ending. “Thank you for your time,” the woman broadcaster said, sniffling softly.
Arthur sat at his desk, papers thrown about on the floor. A lamp was knocked over and several books were on the ground. Arthur himself was breathing heavily. When the door creaked open, he glanced up and waved Lydia in.
“Yes, your parents are safe,” Arthur said. These words sent a flood of relief through Lydia. “Dilbert personally made sure. Nobody tried to come after them. The police are moving them to a safe house for the next few days until we finish our investigation. They’ll be monitored around the clock at work and at home.”
“Thank you,” Lydia said. It sounded strange to say that to Arthur.
“You’re welcome.”
Lydia moved for the door, stopped, and faced Arthur. “I’m sorry about Kirk.”
He bobbed his head, his mouth tightening. “Thank you.”
“Was it the Brigade who killed him?” she asked.
“We don’t know yet,” Arthur said. He stood up and ushered her out of the room. Lydia heard the door lock click after he closed it. He may have told her otherwise, but she suspected that Arthur was already fingering the Brigade. Who else would take down a BEP agent? Arthur had said the Brigade was targeting Mark, whom Kirk had been trying to reach.
Mark is in real trouble, Lydia thought. Strange as it was to do, she prayed for his safety.
Halfway Heroes Page 27
