Madeline’s answer was patient. “You know why. She was the one who convinced them that they needed her. Clayne and Joe and Eric all know their way into Central Control, but only Nicole and Rod Loopes know how to run the computers. And Rod will be busy with Eric setting the charges. That leaves Nicole.”

Stephanie sighed. “I know, I know. I just can’t stop worrying about them.”

The lines on Madeline Lloyd’s face deepened. “Neither can I.”

Adrienne stood up. “It’s all this sitting around waiting with nothing to do. Come on, Madeline, let’s go for a walk.”

“You’re right.” She stood up. “Steph, do you want to come?”

“No, I think I’ll go up and join Shirley at the radio—see if she’s heard anything yet.”

“Shirley?” Adrienne echoed. “I thought Dawn Metcalf was on the radio tonight.”

“She was, but I think Shirley is worrying too, about Joe Jensen. She volunteered to take Dawn’s turn.”

“Okay,” her mother answered. “If you hear anything, call us.”

Stephanie, who had already started toward the creek, turned and waved. “I will.”

As she approached the clearing through the trees, Stephanie could see Shirley’s white sweater in the pale light of a quarter moon. She nearly called out to her; then she heard over the quiet gurgling of the water the murmur of Shirley’s voice speaking into the radio. Stephanie felt a sudden clutch of anxiety. Had something gone wrong that they were calling in so early? She quickened her pace, moving through the short grass of the creek bank as swiftly but as quietly as possible, so she could catch Shirley’s words. Shirley’s first distinguishable sentence froze Stephanie in midstride.

“Yes, Captain Oakes, that’s right.”

Captain Oakes? That was Travis! Stephanie stared at Shirley’s back and dropped into a crouch, inching forward to hear better.

“I will. If they call in, I’ll radio immediately. Yes, I’m positive about the target. Eric hasn’t given them any of the details, in case someone gets caught going in, but he did tell them what they were going to do. Joe said he’ll try to get clear and call you as soon as he gets the details.”

Stephanie reached down to the soft earth and pried loose a baseball-sized rock, then straightened slowly as Shirley finished. “Thank you, Captain. I’ll call in again if we hear anything.”

Shirley took the headset off and ran her fingers through her hair, then jumped and gave a startled cry when Stephanie appeared from nowhere.

“What are you doing?” Stephanie cried. “Charles!” she shouted. “Come up here—quickly!”

Shirley looked around wildly, her eyes large and white in the darkness.

“Move away from that radio,” Stephanie said, raising the rock high and starting forward. Then she tipped her head back and screamed again with all the power in her lungs. “Charles!”