Harleys attention, however, was on the trickle of dirt spilling down from overhead. It ran in rivulets, occasionally dislodging small chunks. She did not know how far below ground they were, but she knew it was far enough to bury them all alive.

Be careful! she cried, stepping forward. The ceiling is about to

As Callaway hefted a particularly large stone, his body rocked back with the weight and his shoulders brushed the wall. It was not much of a disturbance, but it was enough to cause a cascade of earth to spill down on him.

Harley covered her face in the crook of her arm as a cloud of dust exploded through the tunnel. When the dust had settled enough for the beam of the flashlight to pierce it, Harley saw Callaway sprawled on the ground, almost completely submerged.

Harley rushed forward, calling his name. Just as she reached him, however, she heard a sound behind her that chilled her to the bone. It was a metallic click, the kind a seatbelt might make.

Or a bullet being chambered.

So nice of you agents to join us, Felix said in a falsely pleasant voice. We were just about to finish up here.

Harley looked down at Callaway. His face was twisted with pain, and blood ran from a gash on the side of his head where a stone had struck him. He groaned softly.

Felixs voice dropped all pretensebecoming cold and detached, his English fluent. The voice of a killer.

Drop your weapon, he commanded.

Harley almost told him she was unarmed, but she stopped herself. There was no need to disillusion him, at least not yet.

Instead, she decided to play along.

Why? she answered, keeping her voice as level as she could. So you can shoot me and leave us all here to die? She nudged Callaways elbow with her shoe. Wake up, she thought, wake up! She didnt want to do this on her own, not when so much was at stake.

I can make it quick, Felix answered.

Like you made it quick for those girls?

Felixs cold laughter sent shivers down Harleys spine. How had he hidden his true nature so well? How had she not suspected him the first time she laid eyes on him?

Callaways eyes fluttered, then cleared as he stared up at Harley. She could not read his eyes there was too much shadow but he was present, at least. That was something.

Then she saw the stealthy movement of his left hand, like a snake sliding through the dust. He was reaching for his gun.

Harley cleared her throat. She had to keep Felix talking.

Tell me something, she said to Felix. Did you come back to watch them?

Felix remained silent.