They stared at one another a few seconds longer, as if neither could quite believe the discovery they had just made. Then Callaway said, Wine cellar, breaking the magic, and they both hurried out of the room.

Harleys breathing was rapid and muffled in the confines of the stairwell. The light in the wine cellar was already onnot a damning clue in itself, but one that made their guess seem just a bit more certain.

Ill start on this wall, you start over there! Callaway shouted.

Harley, however, did not know what to look for. She pulled out wine bottles worth more than her car and searched behind them, finding nothing but empty space. She checked the casks seated in cubbies below the wine racks, thinking one might be empty, but they were all too full to move.

She stepped back, her frustration building. Thinking the passageway might be in the floor, she dropped to her knees and ran her fingers along the flagstones, searching for an edge she could lift.

Here! Callaway shouted.

Harley joined him at the far end of the room, where he instructed her to place her hand beside the wine rack.

Feel that draft? he said, his eyes dancing with excitement.

In answer, Harley grabbed the corner of the unit and tried to pivot it. The rack wouldnt turn, however. Then she noticed a greasy handprint on the side of the rack.

Thank God for Felixs love of Takis, she thought.

Placing her hand firmly against the handprint, Harley pushed. The wine rack pivoted, revealing a dark aperture about five-and-a-half feet tall and four feet wide. Numerous tracks of footprints cut across the dusty floor.

It occurred to Harley that the logical thing would be to go back upstairs and radio for backup. But what if that short amount of time was the difference between catching Felix and letting him escape?

Besides, Callaway looked just as eager as she was. You ready for this? he said, his mouth set in a grim line.

Harley nodded. Lets catch this psychopath.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

Harley led the way down the narrow tunnel as it burrowed deeper into the earth. She imagined how each of the victims must have felt as they were led through the darkness, shuffling against the ropes tied around their ankles. What lies had Felix fed them to keep them docile? Or had he told them they were going to die, just so he could see the terror in their faces?

Hold up, Callaway said, interrupting her thoughts. Looks like were going to have to make a decision.

The tunnel branched like a pair of nostrils. Harley pointed the flashlight down one tunnel, then the other, searching for some indication of where Felix had gone.