“It would be hysteria,” Noteworthy said. “I second Stendeval’s motion. Anything less would be irresponsible.”
“Agreed,” Virtua said. “I’ve seen what fear of the Rüstov does to people in this city. I’ve no desire to see it again.”
Chi pressed his fingers to his lips in silent deliberation. “We must be swift,” he said, raising his head after a moment. “Five days is hardly any time at all.”
“And who is swifter than the ZenClan ninjas?” Stendeval asked. Chi nodded in agreement. He was on board with Stendeval’s plan. “Hovarth?” Stendeval asked, turning to the Inner Circle’s last member. “What say you?”
The giant king of Varagog rubbed his beard. “I am unsure about this,” he said. “But until I am sure, I will stand with the Circle.” Hovarth rapped his knuckles on the table and nodded toward Stendeval. “Aye.”
Smart shook his head and stuffed his pocket holo-computer back inside his jacket. “Fools,” he spat. “Blind fools, all of you! Lucky for the people of this city, I’m not without my own resources. I have my own work… my own ‘channels,’ as you say. Know this: I intend to conduct my own investigation. The truth will come out,” he said, turning to look down at Jack with a hard stare. “I won’t rest until it does.”
Jack swallowed hard. You and me both, he thought. These days the truth was what kept Jack up at night.
MATT MYKLUSCH
has been obsessed with comic books and superheroes since he was five years old. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and family, where he is hard at work on the next book in the Jack Blank series.
The Accidental Hero Page 29
