Chapter 1282
Tarquin was calm as ever. “Killing people’s illegal. I don’t kill p>
He shrugged. “No one’s stopping them. If they make it out alive, well-that’s up to fate p>
Bernard shot him an approving look.
That’s how a real man does it-tough when he needs to be, but never crossing the line.
“As long as you don’t break the law, we’re good p>
“But what if someone actually makes it down? How can you be sure they won’t blab p>
“I can p>
“Oh yeah? How? Those guys were scared stiff, but you can’t count on them to forget everything p>
Tarquin shot back, “How did Gerald manage to stay in touch with the outside world p>
No cell service up here in the mountains. Phones were useless.
Howard’s custom wristbands worked like walkie-talkies, but only inside the mountain. No contact with anyone offsite.
And yet, Gerald somehow kept supplies coming and always knew what was happening back home. That meant he had some way of getting messages out.
Bernard asked, “You need to reach someone on the outside p>
“Yeah, I do p>
Bernard didn’t hide it. “You’ll want the signal tower. It’s got reception and a phone -call, text, whatever you need p>
“Couple ridges over, not far p>
“Can we go now p>
“Sure, I’ll take you. Let’s move p>
Bernard’s first impression of Tarquin hadn’t been great, but once Tarquin set foot here, they’d counted him as one of their own.
If Elysia and the kids had brought him, he wasn’t an outsider.
Bernard led Tarquin through the woods. Pretty soon, Bernard started griping. “Can you pick up the pace p>
Tarquin just blinked.
He was trained, sure—but to Bernard, he moved like a lumbering turkey.
Bernard couldn’t hold back the sarcasm. “You’re slower than Evan, for crying out loud p>
The old guy forgot that Evan had grown up on this mountain. Tarquin hadn’t. Evan knew every rock and root. Tarquin was just trying not to trip.
After the teasing, Bernard gave him a few pointers. “Here, watch me. Step like this p>
Tarquin followed along, eager to learn.
Getting coached by the guy who’d once kicked seven rival dojos in a row? That was an honor.
He owed this to Elysia and Evan, no doubt.
So the two of them made their way toward the signal tower, Bernard teaching as they went.
They finally stopped at a roaring waterfall. The water thundered down the rocks, filling the air with mist.
Tarquin asked, “Is the tower behind the falls p>
Bernard gave him a look. “What, you
efine
think this is a movie? Behind the waterfall’s just solid rock. Where would you put a tower p>
Tarquin shrugged. TV had made it seem possible.
“We gotta cross the river. You scared?” Bernard asked.
Tarquin shook his head. “Not at all. We swimming across p>
Bernard rolled his eyes. “Are you for real? Even Elysia’s got more sense! That water’d sweep you
next state.” Content bel
Tarquin
st took the hit. Only two
people had ever called Elysia
smarter than him-Bernard,
Elysia herself.
“So, how do we get over?” Tarquin asked, eager to learn.
Bernard glanced at his wristband and tapped a few buttons. Suddenly—
*CLANK*—a massive rock beside them split open!
Four steel cables shot out, anchoring themselves into crevices across the river.
The cables pulled tight, forming a makeshift bridge-complete with footboards and handrails.
Bernard grinned at Tarquin. “That’s how we cross p>