Beneath the Fallen City by Jamie A. Waters (chapter books to read to 5 year olds .TXT) 📖

Carl drummed his fingers impatiently on the table in the interrogation room while he waited. It was nearly an hour before Director Borshin and Alec entered. Director Borshin sat at the table across from Carl while Alec casually leaned against the wall and observed.

Director Borshin cleared his throat and said formally, “You’re being charged with accessing a Priority One restricted area. As you know, conviction of this crime will automatically bring your trader status into question, and a review will determine your continued eligibility.”

Carl was quiet for a moment before he spoke, “What area am I being accused of accessing?”

Director Borshin glanced down at his tablet before answering. “You were recorded accessing the Inner Sanctum earlier today without authorization. More charges may be pending upon further review.”

Carl looked at Alec. “You must be desperate to find her if you’re going to these extremes.”

Alec didn’t reply, and Director Borshin continued, “We’re prepared to dismiss all charges related to this crime for information on the whereabouts of Mistress Kayla Rath’Varein.”

“I’m sure you are, but I can’t help you.”

The alarm on the door beeped, and it slid open. Seara stepped into the room and glanced at Carl before turning to Alec.

“I believe there’s been a misunderstanding. I received the notification of their arrest, and I’m here to dispute the charges. They were in the Inner Sanctum at my request. I heard Veridian had returned to the towers and wanted to speak with him.”

Alec studied the woman for a long moment. “Are you prepared to make that an official statement, Seara?”

She inclined her head. “Yes, I am.”

“Very well,” Alec replied. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” He gave Seara a long look and then turned to Director Borshin. “Release them and take her statement.”

She gave him a curt nod, and Alec walked out of the room. Seara turned to Director Borshin. “Director Borshin, I’d like a minute alone with Trader Carl.”

Director Borshin acquiesced, leaving them alone in the room. Seara held up her hand before he could speak. “I apologize for any confusion. I must have forgotten to submit the notification of your visit.”

Realizing they were still being monitored, Carl forced a smile and stood. “No problem. It happens to all of us.”

Seara led him out of the interrogation room. “Director Borshin, I’m ready to give my statement. I trust you’ve released Trader Carl’s crew members?”

Director Borshin looked up. “Yes, Mistress Rath’Varein. They’re in the hallway waiting. If you’d care to have a seat, I can take your statement.”

Seara sat in the chair and darted a quick look at Carl, nodding toward the door. The meaning in her eyes was clear: she wanted him out of there. He had no idea what this was going to cost her, but she appeared to have control of the situation for the moment. Heeding her unspoken request, he headed outside to where Xantham and Veridian were waiting for him.

“Damn, Boss, that was a little too close.”

“Let’s go,” Carl replied, not comfortable with the listening ears around them. “I don’t want to talk here.”

Rina gasped at the sight of them and hugged Carl tightly. “I was so worried. You need to tell me what’s going on right now. Don’t you dare even think about giving me any of that nonsense about trying to protect me. OmniLab Security just arrested my son and searched my home.”

He hadn’t wanted to get her involved, but it was a little late for that. “You’re right. I owe you an explanation.”

She was quiet as he told her the entire story. When he finished, he said, “I’m sorry I brought you into this, Mom, but I’m trying to protect someone I care about.”

Rina sat down in shock. “This is unbelievable.”

Carl crouched down beside her. “I need to go check on Kayla and find out if she’s learned anything about removing the bracelets. We’re running out of time. They’re determined to find her.”

Cruncher paced the room. “I’m sure they’ve got surveillance all over the place, Boss. They’re going to be waiting for you to make a move.”

“Can you see if there’s a way to access the security system? I want to find out if there’s any way I can get out of here without them detecting me.”

“Yeah, I think we can figure something out.”

While Cruncher, Xantham, and Veridian began working on the problem, Rina pulled on Carl’s arm to get his attention. “I don’t think you should go, Carl. Let me go check on her. They won’t be expecting me.”

Carl looked at his mother in surprise. Although he was touched by the courageousness of her offer, he wouldn’t risk it. He already had to deal with one woman he cared about who was intent on putting herself in danger; he wasn’t sure his heart could handle another. “Absolutely not. I’m not going to drag you into this any more than I already have. If this goes badly, I won’t risk anything happening to you or Dad.”

She frowned. “I had a feeling you were going to say that.”

What he didn’t say was that if things went badly and he was exiled, he had more options than she did. But judging by the worried expression on his mother’s face, he didn’t have to say it. The threat was very real.

Carl offered her a reassuring smile before turning away to join the rest of his men in trying to access the security system.

Several hours later, Cruncher announced, “Boss, I think I’ve got it!”

Carl’s head jerked up. “What? How?”

“I’m not sure, but I used one of the tricks Kayla showed me with the security layers. There were some holes, and I managed to slip inside.”

Carl moved over to look at Cruncher’s screen. “You sure about this?”

“I can’t say for certain,” Cruncher admitted. “Kayla told me the security systems were similar in design.”

Xantham leaned over to view the screen. He ran his fingers over the tablet and entered some commands. He shook his head and clucked his tongue. “I’m not sure, Boss. It looks like he’s in clean, but I don’t have a good feeling about it. It’s a risk.”

Carl swore. “The longer we wait, the riskier this becomes. We have to be out of the towers in two days, but I need to get Kayla out sooner. She might have figured out how to remove the bracelets, but I won’t know until I speak with her. It’s too risky trying to contact her through comms.”

“Why not use me as a decoy?” Veridian suggested.

“What do you mean?”