The cops nodded.
Hammer pointed at the basement door with his flashlight. “Let’s get that thing off its hinges, give’ em some room to work.”
Two firemen entered the kitchen with a couple of emergency lights on stands and started setting up. Another fireman swung in a cord running from a generator outside.
Cooper’s dad, and the others with him, were back in little more than a minute hauling two air tanks and other gear. Immediately Rill screwed a regulator on the tank valve and cranked on the air. Mr. MacKinnon slid a mask over his face, and started down the stairs—like he was going to go down for a look even before he had air.
“Ready,” Rill said. “Take it.” He hustled down a couple steps and helped Coop’s dad shrug the tank assembly over his shoulders. Mr. MacKinnon quickly buckled the waist strap in place and added a weight belt over it.
Rill handed him a diver’s flashlight even as Coop’s dad rushed down the steps again.
He was going in without a dry suit.
The water had to be cold. But Cooper’s dad didn’t hesitate. He put the regulator mouthpiece in place, took a deep, Darth Vader-sounding breath, and disappeared under the black waters.
A giant mushroom of bubbles broke the surface, and for a moment, a dim light from the flashlight glowed—then nothing. The light faded. No more bubbles.
The firemen switched on the emergency lighting, making Lunk squint and lower his head.
Rill was already halfway into a dry suit. Another fireman readied the second air tank.
Lunk watched in silence. It looked like these men were breaking more than one safety regulation. Risk a lot to save a lot. There was definitely a lot at risk here.
Hiro dropped on her knees and clenched her hands in front of her. Her lips moved, but Lunk couldn’t hear a word she said.
She’s praying. And obviously not ashamed to do it—even in a room full of cops, paramedics, and firemen. She had guts, but her prayers seemed pointless. The way he saw it, God fell asleep at the switch or something. He missed his cue. Was slow on the draw. If he was going to rescue Coop, he was doing too little, too late.
One by one the paramedics and cops in the room bowed their heads as well. Were they actually praying—or were they showing respect?
Lunk couldn’t be sure. But the room grew very quiet. It didn’t look anything like a rescue scene. Not to him. It looked a lot more like a funeral.
CHAPTER 82
Hiro heard the bubbles burst and echo in the stairwell. She darted past Hammer and rushed to the basement entrance as Cooper’s dad surfaced—alone.
Her heart dropped into an abyss—one with no bottom in sight. Mr. MacKinnon pulled the regulator from his mouth. The dive mask couldn’t hide the fear and pain etched on his face. “N-need b-bolt cutters. They’re chained.”
Rill nodded to a nearby fireman. The fireman ran from the room.
Chained? She wanted to scream. And he said they’re. Coop and Gordy were both down there. What kind of animal chained them in the basement and left them to drown? She wanted to run. Get away. Escape. Die.
She felt Detective Hammer’s hand on her shoulder. He squeezed once—probably just to let her know he was there. That he understood.
Cooper’s dad put the regulator back in his mouth. His whole body was shaking.
“Go,” Rill said. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Cooper’s dad nodded and ducked back under. Rill seated his mask, handed one of the other firemen his safety line, and turned on his dive light. The fireman hustled back with the cutters and handed them to Rill. Instantly Rill disappeared into the flooded basement.
Gordy’s dad slumped to the floor, his back against the wall.
The room went silent again. It struck Hiro as odd that nobody had asked Cooper’s dad the obvious question when he’d surfaced. Are they alive? Nobody asked—because everybody knew the answer.
CHAPTER 83
Cooper kept his eyes open. It was like trying to see in a cave—only this one was flooded. Had he really seen a light—felt a hand on his leg? Or was he hallucinating—getting loopy like Gordy? Maybe the light was that tunnel some talked about seeing—those who died—and followed the brightness to heaven, but came back somehow.
And if he did see a light … where did it go? If it was heaven—he’d gladly follow the light. Especially if an angel stood at the other end with a beach towel. Didn’t they realize he couldn’t follow? Not with the chain shackled to his ankle.
Lights? A hand? Angels carrying beach towels? He was losing it.
My name is Cooper MacKinnon. I live in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gordy is alive. He had to keep his mind working. He couldn’t see Gordy even though he was right in front of him, but they were still standing together on the washer lid. He gave his cousin another squeeze. Hang in there, Gordy. Hold on.
He wished he’d written more on the wall. Not just the kidnapper’s name. But something to Mom. Dad. Mattie. And to Hiro. So much he wanted to say to her. But the walls weren’t big enough. And there hadn’t been time.
His whole body felt rigid. Every muscle tight. The shivering hadn’t stopped. Which was a good thing, right? That had to mean hypothermia hadn’t won. Not yet.
Still no light. If it was the fire department, why did they leave? If it was Tyler King making sure he wouldn’t talk, why didn’t he pull the snorkel out of his mouth and finish the job?
He must have hallucinated. The cold was putting his brain on ice and it wouldn’t take long for the rest of him to follow.
A flash of light. He saw it—indirectly. He tried to angle himself for a better view, but the moment he did water leaked into the PVC snorkel.
He coughed, choked, swallowed fast and coughed again until the water cleared and he could breathe again. He took several gasping breaths. Gordy squeezed him. Just knowing he was there—and still alive—gave Cooper some comfort.
The light grew brighter. But that light … heaven—or hallucination? My name is Cooper. My name is Cooper. My name. My name is—
A hand grabbed his and squeezed. Cooper gripped back. Definitely not Tyler King. And not Gordy. Then the hand was gone, and strong hands gripped the leg with the chain.
Cooper heard the chain chinking and rattling. The sound of metal on metal. Strange, how sound carries underwater. Somebody was definitely trying to get him free. Thank you, God. Thank you.
The extra movement made it tricky to keep the snorkel steady. Water seeped in, Cooper coughed and gagged again, struggling to keep control. He heard Gordy doing the same.
He felt a tug on his leg, then the weight of the chain disappeared. He was free. FREE. He let go of Gordy and grabbed at the joist over his head to keep his snorkel in place.
The hand was back on his hand—pushing something into it. Metal. Roughly larger than his fist. A regulator!
The hand guided Cooper’s finger to the purge valve and pressed the button. Air bubbles shot out with force.
Okay. He could do this. Just pull a switch. Cooper took several deep breaths of air, held it, and spit the snorkel out of his mouth. In one quick move, he chomped down on the rubber mouthpiece from the regulator, just like his dad had taught him, and he exhaled sharply—forcing out any water.
Cooper took a ragged breath. Air. He exhaled and gulped in another breath. And another.
His rescuer put an arm around him and unbuckled Cooper’s belt, loosing him from Gordy. Everything was blurry, but Cooper could see two separate lights. Another rescuer was freeing Gordy.
Holding Cooper close, his rescuer eased him off the washer. Together they drifted to the floor and sort of bobbed and hopped their way across the basement like an astronaut walking on the dark side of the moon.
Darkness and shadows all around him. An eerie glow just ahead. The stairs—blurry but unmistakable. With one arm around Cooper, the man led him right to the stairwell and began his ascent. Cooper’s feet found the stairs, and with legs like lead, he tried to climb.
He broke the su
rface, squinted in the light, and spit out the regulator.
The room exploded in cheers.
Strong hands lifted him up the last few steps and into the kitchen. Water drained out of his soaked clothes. He stood there on shaky legs and wiped his eyes.
Suddenly Gordy was beside him, the insulation hanging from him in soggy strips. Uncle Jim was there, holding him tight and rocking back and forth.
Relief coursed through every vein and artery in Cooper’s body. He looked behind him to his rescuer. Dad! Cooper threw his numb arms around him, hugging him as tight as he could.
A man in a diving suit stepped out of the water and lifted his mask off his face. Cooper recognized him.
“You again,” Mr. Rill said, grinning.
“Give us some room.” One paramedic wrapped a blanket around Cooper’s shoulders. A couple others started ripping off Gordy’s insulation, untying the cords.
Hammer picked up a scrap of insulation and one of the cords. He gave Cooper that look of his. Head cocked back and to one side. A bit of a squint. “Brilliant.”
Hiro pushed through the crowd, her cheeks as wet as Cooper’s. She didn’t say anything. Didn’t look like she could. But her face said everything on her heart. Or maybe her ability to read thoughts had rubbed off on him somehow.
Lunk stepped up behind her—looking at Cooper like he’d just seen a ghost. He almost did. Lunk put a hand on Hiro’s shoulder, and she smiled up at him.
Hammer stepped in close. “Cooper. Are you up to answering a few questions?”
Cooper nodded.
“Did you get a look at the kidnapper? Can you describe him?”
“I know e-exactly w-who he is,” Cooper said.
The room went silent. Hammer took off his glasses. His eyes—intense.
With everyone listening, Cooper said, “He works at the Global Gamer. Tyler King. W-wears a s-silver ring on his right hand.”
Hiro sucked in her breath. “He offered to put Gordy’s picture on their website.”
Hammer looked excited. “Can you describe the ring?”
Cooper pulled the blanket tighter around himself. “It has a s-skull on it. A skull wearing a crown. D-deathking.”
Hammer’s eyes were on fire. “I know him.” His jaw muscles tightened. “You’re sure.”
Cooper nodded. “A-absolutely. Said this was some k-kind of g-game to get b-back at you.”
“Okay.” Hammer clapped Cooper on the back. “Well, I’ve got two words for King. Game over.”
CHAPTER 84
EPILOGUE
Cooper sat with Hiro, Gordy, and Lunk at a picnic table in Cooper’s backyard. Tables and benches formed a loose circle around The Getaway.
Frank Mustacci stood alongside Dad and Uncle Jim at the propane grill, flipping burgers. All week his marquis sign at Frank’n Stein’s ran the “Welcome Back Gordy Special.” A monster shake, two large orders of fries, two Chicago-style dogs, and a pile of napkins for five dollars. The diner had been packed—and after Gordy had been released from the hospital, he’d been there every day. Lunk had been right with him—acting as Gordy’s bodyguard. Except for a deep cough and a stuffed-up voice that sounded like a head cold, Gordy acted normal again. Frank had made it his personal mission to “fatten Gordy up” after his ordeal.
Detective Hammer strolled over to Cooper’s table, his plate piled high with chips and a burger. He set his food down, fished around in his chest pocket, and pulled out what looked like a photo—but Cooper couldn’t be sure.
“Here it comes,” Hiro said. “Another lecture about the dangers of us taking matters into our own hands.” She smiled at the detective. Hammer tilted his head to the side. “Actually, I wanted to tell you how impressed I was with the detective work you did.” He took a step backward. “But I can see I’m interrupting here.”
“Not so fast,” Hiro said. “I’m listening.”
Cooper grinned. Hammer definitely had her figured out.
The detective shrugged. “It was good work. You three concluded the kidnapper was local, that the van was in one of the garages, and you didn’t quit.” He paused. “I could go on, but I don’t want anybody to get a big head.”
“Yeah,” Lunk said. “Like Hiro.”
Hiro slugged Lunk in the arm, which only made him smile.
Hammer flipped the photo down on the table. “Got a souvenir for you, Hiro.”
A mug shot of Tyler King.
Hiro’s mouth opened slightly. “You got him?”
“Oh yeah.” Hammer smiled. “Holed up in the Motel 6 near Arlington Park. The Deathking might have gotten death row if Coop hadn’t pulled a MacGyver with that insulation.”
Hiro looked totally confused. “MacGyver?”
“An old TV show,” Gordy said. “About a guy who used whatever he could find around him to get out of dangerous situations.”
“Oh.”
“See?” Gordy nodded. “Who says TV is bad for you? It could save your life.”
Hiro ignored him. “Wish I’d been there to see you slap the cuffs on him.”
“Someday you’ll be slapping cuffs on the bad guys yourself,” Hammer said. “I have no doubt.”
Cooper pictured her reciting the Miranda rights. She already had them memorized.
“And for you, Cooper.” He reached back in his chest pocket and set the “king ring” on the table.
Just the sight of it made Cooper’s stomach twist.
Hammer eyed Cooper. “You took on the Deathking—and lived to tell about it. I figure you deserve some kind of trophy.”
Cooper wasn’t so sure he even wanted the ring. But when he thought of it as a trophy, a reminder of how God helped him in such a powerful way, he kind of liked the idea.
Hiro snatched it up and studied it. “Won’t you need this for evidence?”
Hammer shook his head. “Not anymore. King’s lawyer handed us a full confession in exchange for some leniency with the sentencing.”
The news of the confession came as a relief to Cooper. Hopefully that meant he wouldn’t have to testify in court.
“King’s motive,” Hiro said. “Was it really all just a game to him? Trying to prove a point?”
Detective Hammer took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It was a little more than that.”
He paused, like he was trying to decide just how much he could say.
“Let’s take all names out of this,” Hammer said. “I’ll just tell you a story, okay?”
Hiro nodded.
“Imagine a high school senior,” Hammer said. “No dad at home. And the kid is smart. Really smart. But he starts using his brains to do stupid things. Stealing cars. Breaking into houses. And he gets caught.”
“By a brilliant detective,” Hiro said.
Hammer smiled. “You’ve heard this story, I see.” Hammer hiked one leg up on the bench. “And this brilliant detective busts him—right there at the kid’s high school.”
“Where all his friends can see him,” Hiro said. “How embarrassing.”
“Oh yeah.” Hammer gave a half-smile. “The brilliant detective does have a way of making punks look really, really stupid.” He paused like he was remembering the scene.
“So the kid is hopping mad at the brilliant detective,” Gordy said.
“And it gets worse,” Hammer said. “The kid’s girlfriend had no idea what her boyfriend was into—so she dumps him. Later the kid begins to realize how his police record will limit his college choices.”
Hiro’s eyes lit up. “So the student wants to show how smart he is, and make you look stupid at the same time.”
Hammer held up one hand. “He wants to make the brilliant detective look stupid. This is just a story, remember?”
“Payback.” Lunk nodded. “That motive works.”
“That it does,” Hammer said. “That it does.”
Hiro turned the ring over in her hands. “A skull wearing a crown. Creepy. I’m surprised he let you take it.”
“Spoils of
war,” Hammer said. “He tried to hide it at first. Tried to make it disappear, in fact.”
Cooper leaned forward, wanting him to give more details, but not sure he should pry.
“Nicely done, Detective Hammer,” Hiro said. “Where’d you find it?”
Hammer looked like he was hoping she’d ask. “Remember that hotel room where we found him?”
Hiro nodded.
“We found the ring in the toilet.”
“Eewww.” Hiro dropped the ring on the table. “Ew, ew, ew.” She held her hands out like they were contaminated.
“And I don’t think he’d flushed that thing in days.”
Lunk and Gordy nearly fell off the bench laughing.
Hiro stood and reached into her pocket with her thumb and one finger. She pulled out a pocket-sized bottle of hand sanitizer.
Cooper figured she just might use up the whole thing. More people started to mill around the table, like they knew this was where the fun was.
Lunk left the table and came back a minute later with two yellow wiffle-ball bats. He set them on the table. “As long as we’re giving gifts, I have a couple of things to hand out.”
“Oh, great,” Hammer said. “I don’t believe I’m seeing this.” Lunk handed one of the concrete-filled bats to Gordy. “Stay safe.”
Gordy picked it up, bounced it a couple times in his hands as if to test the weight. “I love it. But I don’t think I could have pulled it out quick enough to stop him from grabbing me.”
“If he’d have seen this on your bike, he wouldn’t have tried.”
Cooper smiled. It looked like he wouldn’t have to work so hard to help Lunk fit into the group.
“And this one”—Lunk handed the second bat to Hiro—”Is for you.”
Hiro scowled. “I do not want a concrete-filled bat strapped to my bike,” she said. “Or anywhere else for that matter.”
Lunk shrugged. “Well, I’m tired of you borrowing mine.”
Hammer leaned back and laughed. They all did. Except Hiro. She sat there pretending to look mad.
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