Jack emerged from Pepper’s bedroom, closing the door behind him. Despite the crazy stuff happening on this island, he stood tall and strong and confident. It might be selfish, but Elizaveta was very glad he was stuck here with her. She no longer trusted Nitro, not completely, Pita was a mess, and Jesus…well, he might control a boardroom, or a meeting with millionaire investors, but he was out of his element here. She knew him too well, could see past the brave front he put on. There was a sharpness to his eyes, a jerkiness to his movements, an uncharacteristic air of indecisiveness.

Elizaveta ashed out her cigarette, then went to Jack. “Where’s Rosa?” she asked.

“I put her in bed next to Pepper,” he said.

“She really likes you.”

“Because I’m so handsome.”

“Yes, you are handsome man.” This came off sounding sincerer than she’d intended, and he gave her an inquiring look. She cleared her throat. “I joke, Jack. Please.”

“Pepper says he’s cold,” he said…and was he trying not to smile? “He needs something warm, but there’s nothing in the dresser.”

“There was poncho in dresser there.” Elizaveta indicated Lucinda’s bedroom. “But Lucinda needs it.”

“That was all?” Jack said. “One poncho?”

“And some socks and underwear.”

“Where the hell are all Solano’s clothes?”

“Nitro says hermits probably only own one outfit.”

Jack grunted. “He has an answer for everything, doesn’t he?”

Elizaveta wasn’t sure whether he was being sarcastic, or whether he was implying something.

He lowered his voice. “What do you think…?”

She assumed he was asking what she thought about the fact Nitro had a pistol in his possession. “I don’t know, but—”

“What are you guys whispering about?” Pita asked, standing up. She glared at them suspiciously.

“Pepper’s cold,” Jack said. “He needs something warm.”

Jesus said, “What about the rug you’re standing on? It’s dry.”

Jack and Elizaveta glanced at the rug beneath their feet. It was green with a beige pattern, natty, sullied. But Jesus was right. It was dry.

“Better than nothing,” Jack told him. “Eliza, give me a hand.”

They moved off the rug, took a corner each, and folded it back.

Elizaveta blinked in surprise. “Yo-moyo!” she said. “What is this?”

4

Jack and Elizaveta set the rug aside and knelt next to the trapdoor they’d uncovered. Jesus and Pita hurried over, Jesus limping because of his injured ankle, both of them clamoring loudly at the discovery. A moment later Nitro emerged from Lucinda’s room, asking what all the fuss was about.

Elizaveta wasn’t paying attention to them. She was focused on the trapdoor. It wasn’t much larger than a manhole, square, and flush with the floor. A cord of rope nailed to the hatch opposite the hinges served as the handle.

Jack reached for it.

“Whoa, chavo,” Nitro said. “Maybe you don’t want to open that.”