The flashlight did not penetrate far through the cloud of dust, but Harley thought she remembered the way. She stumbled forward, pausing occasionally for fear she would discover Callaway had fallen behind. But every time she looked, he was right there behind her, his face drenched in sweat as he clutched the girl in his arms.

They heard another splintering crash behind them as more of the tunnel collapsed. The initial cave-in seemed to have started a chain reaction, each collapse undermining the adjoining supports.

Finally they rounded a corner and saw a bead of light around the cellar entrance. Mustering the last of her strength, Harley ran, slowing only to aim the flashlight at the ground so that Callaway could see the way. The earth shook. Dust billowed around them, blinding Harley just as she was about to reach the wine rack.

She clawed at the rack with her fingers, searching for the edge. Then at last she caught it and shoved the rack open, and the three of them spilled into the cellar as the tunnel collapsed behind them.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Harley had just begun to doze off when the hospitals waiting room door opened and Callaway emerged.

He was nearly unrecognizable from the night before. His skin had been scrubbed to a healthy shine, and he wore a fresh set of clothes that made him look like he had just stepped out of the pages of a catalog. The only sign of his near-death experience was the row of gauze-covered stitches on the side of his templethat, and the bone-weary look in his eyes.

Hows she doing? Harley said, glancing through the closing door at the long, immaculate hallway. Behind one of those doors slept a girl whose survival was a miracle. How long that miracle would last, however, Harley did not know.

Callaway thrust his hands into his pockets and sighed. Impact broke a number of ribs, fractured her tibia, punctured a lung. Doctors amazed she didnt asphyxiate.

Harleys smile was a mixture of pity and admiration. Shes a fighter.

Callaway nodded and sat beside her. The doctor said that, too.

Think shell pull through? Harley didnt just want to hear the girl had pulled through; she needed to hear it. Even though they had done their best, even though she could derive some comfort from the knowledge that Felix would never kill again, she felt that if this girl died in that hospital room, some part of Harley would die as well.

Callaway took a slow breath between his teeth. He seemed to be weighing his words carefully.

Doctor Fallon is…optimistic, he said. Short of any setbacks, she should be alright. He said shes lucky we got to her when we did.

Harley nodded, grateful for this piece of good news. They both stared at the floor. After several long moments, Callaway stood.

I dont know about you, he said, but Im starving. What do you say we get a bite to eat?