by David Meyer
“Undoubtedly. I saw some drawings of his demonstration tunnel a few years back. They looked a lot like this one, albeit on a different scale.”
“Different scale?”
“The demonstration tunnel was just nine feet in diameter.” I looked up. “This one pushes fifteen feet.”
She frowned. “That doesn’t help.”
I shrugged. “You asked, I told.”
“I don’t need measurements. I need actionable intelligence, something that can help us find the Omega.”
She took a step backward. “Is all of this from Beach’s original design? Or was some of it added by the Sand Demons?”
I pointed to the nearest wall. “Those rails are definitely Beach’s. They’re running rails, designed to hold the wheels of his subway car.”
“Beach put his wheels on the side of his car?”
I nodded. “It gave him extra stability of motion.”
I pointed to the four-foot groove at the floor of the tunnel. “That bar is Beach’s brake rail. When the driver applied the brakes, the car’s weight would come down on its brake shoes. In turn, they would slide on the rail, causing the car to stop.”
She pointed at the metal bars lying on either side of the groove. “What about those? They stick out like a sore thumb.”
“They’re typical subway tracks.” I kicked one of them. “And since they connect to the other tracks, I think it’s safe to assume they were used to transport the Omega. But there’s no third rail.”
“Didn’t you say this was a pneumatic tunnel? Maybe the Sand Demons used compressed air to propel the Omega.”
“I don’t see how. The Omega weighed a ton. And its shape wouldn’t have created a seal with this tunnel.”
“Then how did it get past this point?”
My eyes traced the path of the tracks as they curved out of the makeshift tunnel and into the pneumatic one. “Gravity.”
“Gravity?”
“From the moment we left the Lexington Avenue Line, we’ve been walking downward. The Sand Demons could’ve steered the Omega onto the tracks and let her roll.”
“I suppose it’s possible. Of course, these tracks can’t go downhill forever.”
“Maybe not. But by the time the Omega hit an incline, it would’ve already built up some momentum.”
“I don’t know. Like you said, the Omega was heavy. It would need a –”
I held up a hand, cutting her off. “You wanted actionable intelligence. I gave it to you. Now, we can sit around and debate this all day or we can find out with our own eyes. I say we do the latter.”
I started walking north. A short while later, the tunnel opened up and I entered a large underground room. I halted and flicked my beam across the space. The light revealed decorative columns, an angled ceiling, and a partly tiled floor. The room remained unfinished. And yet, it still managed to radiate luxury and style.
“Nice digs,” Beverly remarked. “You know, with a little sweat, we could turn this place into an apartment complex.”
“Great idea. And without that nasty sun poking around, vampires would be lining up around the block to rent it.”
She smiled that dazzling smile of hers. For the first time in awhile, I got a good look at her. Her face was smudged with grime. Her damp tank top clung to her sleek body, showing me everything and nothing at the same time.
Damn, you’re hot.
She pointed across the room. “That looks like a platform. What do you make of those markings on the other side of it?”
“Indentations for another tunnel. Probably one going south.”
“That makes sense. Those other markings could be plans for a staircase.”
She stopped and looked around for a second. “Okay, so we can be pretty sure this is a platform. But if that’s the case, how did Beach intend to move a car once it stopped here? I don’t see fans anywhere.”
“He probably hid a steam engine and blower somewhere inside the tunnel. As long as the car stopped before the platform, it would be easy to get it moving again.”
“Yeah, that’s great, except for one little thing.” She put her hands on her hips. “It couldn’t stay in the tunnel. Passengers needed to, you know, exit and enter the car.”
“You’re assuming that the only way to exit a car is through the sides. And you know what happens when you assume.”
“I end up being right?”
“Not this time.” I grinned. “I bet Beach intended his cars to continue all the way into the next tube before stopping. Doors in the rear allowed folks to exit and enter. Then the fans started and it continued on its way.”
Walking past the platform, I continued to the next tube. Pins and needles poked my skin, keeping me in a constant state of anticipation.
After passing a few half-finished stations, we arrived at another, larger station. Markings on the wall indicated space for no less than three additional tubes. One of them would’ve run parallel to the one in which we stood. The other two looked like they were intended to branch off to the west.
“We’re near Union Square,” I said. “This must be where Beach planned to split his system into two lines, one to cover the East Side and one to cover the West Side.
“It looks like he never got a chance to build out the western tunnels.”
I shrugged. “I’m not complaining. Fewer places to search.”
We walked for another thirty minutes, passing a couple more half-finished stations along the way. Finally, we branched out into another wide-open area. However, this area looked quite different than the one under Union Square.
Two tubes? What were you up to, Beach?
“Interesting,” Beverly remarked. “This is the first time we’ve seen a second tube. Up until now, it’s been only markings. Beach must’ve drilled his uptown tube first and then swung back to drill the downtown one.”
I shifted my light from side to side, illuminating the two separate tubes. One of them, blocked by a large metal grating, continued straight ahead. The other tube veered off to the west. Strangely enough, the metal tracks at our feet followed suit.
I glanced at the other side of the platform. “Maybe not. See those markings on the wall? They look like plans for another tube.”
“Three tubes?” She cocked her head, confused. “Why would Beach plan for three tubes?”
“Maybe he planned to build another branch.”
“But wouldn’t he build four tubes then?”
“Yes.” You should’ve built four tubes, Beach. So why didn’t you?
I walked over to the two existing tubes and quickly studied them. Other than the grating, they looked identical. I shone my light into their recesses but was unable to see anything of interest.
“Which way do you want to go?” Beverly asked.
My ear caught a noise. Putting my head up against the grating, I listened closely. It sounded like water lapping against some sort of hard surface. “Let’s go this way.”
“But the tracks go the other way.”
“Someone blocked this one off for a reason.” My gaze hardened. “And I want to know why.”
With Beverly’s help, I untied a couple of long, metal wires that held the grating shut. Then I flicked my light into the tube and proceeded forward.
As I headed into it, it began to morph before my eyes. First, the paint on the bricks gave way. Then, the bricks themselves disappeared, leaving just a crumbling passageway chiseled through the rock.
Abruptly, I walked into a natural grotto. A deep, ten foot wide river cut across the floor in front of me. Its water flowed rapidly to the east, crashing loudly against the rear wall in the process.
Is this the same river as before? Or a new one altogether?
“Cy…”
Ignoring Beverly, I strode forward and stopped next to the river. “Beach didn’t know about the water. His tunneling shield must’ve broken right into this cavern. That explains the extra tube. He built it to circumvent the river.”
�
��Cy…”
I turned around. “What’s wrong?”
Her eyes were wide, her face frozen in a mask of fear. I followed her gaze to the far end of the grotto.
Something rose upward, out of the water, like some kind of demon from hell.
The alligator’s eyes burned red. They showed no concern. No emotion. Nothing but pure animalistic instincts.
Like how to kill.
And how to eat.
Chapter 48
More than thirty years of anger and angst. Thirty years with nothing to show for his troubles. Thirty years.
It was a long time to wait.
Jack Chase climbed over the broken wall and stepped into the passage. He’d spent half his life seeking the Omega and the Bell inside it. The search had cost him much…his health, his wealth, perhaps even his mental state.
For years, the Bell eluded his grasp. He’d scoured the world, paid off private investigators, and even leaked the existence of Red Mercury to the press. But none of it worked.
And then, in the blink of an eye, decades of secrets began to unravel. For the first time in thirty years, he knew he was on the right trail. The realization thrilled him.
But someone kept his excitement in check. Someone named Cyclone Reed. First, the bastard had turned Beverly against him. And now, Reed threatened to derail all of his plans. The very thought of failing so close to the end caused Chase’s stomach to churn.
Chase couldn’t help but admire the man. In just a few days, Reed managed to make more progress toward finding the Bell than generations of ShadowFire’s finest minds ever did.
But underneath that admiration, Chase felt a searing, intense hatred toward Reed. Reed was, after all, supposed to be just a little part of a gigantic project. But thanks to a little luck and incredible resourcefulness, he now threatened to destroy everything.
Chase grimaced. He hated thinking of himself as a follower. And yet, Reed continued to stay well ahead of him. The man had already discovered the underground river and penetrated Hartek’s laboratory. Now, it looked like Reed had tracked the Omega to the passage as well.
His nonstop success was exacerbating. Maddening.
Infuriating.
Chase clenched his fists. Rotating his body, he took his time examining the interior of the passage.
Temporary light fixtures had been installed on the ceiling, sending fresh light to all corners of the room. A set of rusted metal tracks ran through the center of the space. On one end of the tracks lay a device consisting of two large subway wheels that held up a small piece of wood. Pencil markings on the wood indicated that the existing tracks were perfectly spaced to accommodate the Omega’s specifications.
Chase walked to the far end of the passage. Portable lights, positioned on the ground, shone brightly on the wall. The beams provided extra depth to the etch marks. Chase examined the strange map of Manhattan. His mind raced, trying to understand its purpose.
“Your engineers completed their analysis. The lines on that map don’t correspond with any existing tunnel system, subway or otherwise.”
Standish’s voice rolled into Chase’s ears. Chase didn’t turn around, choosing instead to keep his attention focused on the map. “Did they run cross-patterns? Maybe we’re looking at a combination of different types of tunnels.”
“Some tunnels and pipes are close to the lines and some even intersect them. But nothing follows those routes for more than a few yards.”
“Maybe it’s a false lead. Cyclone could’ve drawn it to throw us off the trail.”
“It’s possible.” Standish shrugged. “But unlikely. The detail is stunning. It would’ve taken hours, if not days to complete. If Cyclone wanted to mislead us, he could’ve chosen a much simpler, easier way to do it.”
“Are we sure that he didn’t find the Omega in here? Maybe he discovered it and moved it.”
“Without a third rail?”
“Okay, so he didn’t move it. Can we at least prove conclusively that the Omega was stored in here?”
“Not conclusively. But it’s a safe bet. The engineers told me the tracks were barely used. However, pressure marks indicate that something heavy once sat on them.”
“So where’d the Omega go?”
Standish thought for a second. “Well, it seems clear that it was stashed in here at one point. And since Red Mercury never appeared on the global market, I doubt it was ever taken to the surface. No, I’m betting that it’s still down here somewhere.”
“So you think they dug out a new tunnel.”
“More likely, they stuck to their pattern. They found an existing, out-of-service tunnel and exploited it.”
“How do you think we should proceed?”
“Our best chance to is to locate Cyclone and Beverly. If anyone has the knowledge to find the Omega, it’s them.”
Chase sighed. “I don’t like it. I agree with you. But I don’t like it.”
“We have one other ace up our sleeve.”
“What do you mean?”
Standish walked toward the mouth of the passage and disappeared. A few moments later, he returned to the hole with Diane’s struggling body in his arms. He climbed into the room, walked across the tracks, and dumped her on the ground. “Cyclone has something we want.” Standish grinned. “We have something he wants.”
Leaning down, Chase removed Diane’s blindfold and gag.
She blinked and stared at him for a few seconds. “Who are you?”
Her gaze shifted to Standish. Her eyes popped open. “Ryan? What are you –?”
“Be quiet,” Standish said harshly. “Otherwise, your chances of survival go way down.”
Chase crossed his arms. “What can you tell us about Cyclone Reed?”
“Don’t know him.”
“Don’t lie to us.” Standish growled. “I saw you guys at the Explorer’s Society. I even followed him to your apartment.”
“You’re mistaken.”
Chase felt his anger grow. He wanted to slap her right across her pretty mouth. But he kept his temper under lock and key. “Ryan, please leave us for a moment.”
Standish shrugged and walked to the mouth of the tunnel. He stepped over the broken wall and disappeared from view.
Chase looked at Diane. “I don’t like having my time wasted. If you can’t help me, I don’t need you. And that means you’re expendable. Do you understand?”
Her face softened and Chase smirked to himself. He’d broken her.
Suddenly, she leaned back.
Her head flew forward.
Spittle landed all over Chase’s face.
Chase felt his heart darken and his self-control vaporize. His arm shot out and his powerful fingers wrapped around her neck. She choked and struggled but was no match for his strength.
He wrenched her to the side and smashed her up against the wall. “If you ever do something like that again…”
She gasped for air. “Go to hell.”
His hand flew to his waist and he removed a long knife. He brandished it for a second and then brought it close to her stomach.
“Jack!”
Chase didn’t move a muscle. “I told you to leave us alone, Ryan.”
Standish peered into the tunnel. “Your engineers found something that you need to see. They uncovered an 1873 proposal for something called the Beach Pneumatic Transit route. It’s an almost perfect match with the map.”
“Thank you, Ryan. I’ll join you in a minute.”
As Standish left the passage, Chase felt a surge of triumph. He stared into Diane’s eyes, enjoying the mixture of horror and powerlessness he saw. Abruptly, he whipped his hand to the side. She doubled over in shock and pain.
Chase slid his bloody knife back into its scabbard as he watched her collapse on the ground. She would live.
But not for long.
Chapter 49
“Get out of there!”
Vaguely, I heard Beverly’s shout. But I couldn’t move. I stood frozen to the spo
t, utterly hypnotized by what I saw in the gator’s eyes.
I was in danger. I knew that.
But everything seemed to move so slowly, so sluggishly. Try as I might, I couldn’t jerk myself into action.
The alligator pulled itself onto the shore. It stayed there for a few seconds, half-in, half-out of the roiling river.
Water sprayed on my face.
My brain suddenly awoke. My hand reached to my waist as the alligator lunged at me.
Grabbing my machete, I stabbed it at the beast.
The gator roared as the blade penetrated its thick skin. Its tail whipped to the side, striking me with tremendous force.
I crashed into the western wall and fell to the ground in a heap. My mind clouded. My body hurt everywhere. I didn’t want to get up. I just wanted to lie there. I wanted to let go of my pain and drift off to sleep. Maybe then, the nightmare would end.
Get up, you bastard. Keep fighting!
I tried to ignore the voice in my brain but it wouldn’t stop screaming at me. My head lifted off the rocky, uneven ground and I saw the alligator turn toward me. My gaze flew past its scaly face, its large jaw, and its gigantic teeth, all the way to the back of its head, to its eyes.
Adrenaline surged through me. I planted my hands on the rough ground and pushed myself to a kneeling position. My body protested but I shouted it down.
Loud bursts of gunfire filled the grotto. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Beverly crouching low, moving toward me. Her gun, angled to the side, recoiled abruptly with another ear-splitting blast.
“We’ve got to get out of here,” she called out. “Can you move?”
I spit out some blood and worked my mouth. “I…”
The alligator paused. Its jaw dropped and for a moment, I almost expected it to roar.
Suddenly, it lashed forward like a bolt of lightning. Before I knew what was happening, its humongous body vanished into the carved out tunnel.
I looked around.
My stomach shot up to my chest.
Beverly lay on the ground, unmoving.
I ran to her side. Her eyes were closed, her face covered with blood. Kneeling down, I felt her pulse. It was beating but not at a normal pace.
