The Gender Plan (The Gender Game #6)(74)

Mags shot me a curious look, clearly wondering where I was going with this. To be honest, even I wasn’t sure if it was worth a shot. But I had the kernel of an idea rooted inside of me.

“On average… three hundred and fifty feet, but in older parts of the cities, the manholes are spaced out a bit farther.”

“And the water in the sewers right now… can it kill me?” I wanted to double check. “Does it have any water from the river in it?” I watched Mags’ confusion disappear, and she made a face, as if she had smelled something rotten. I understood that look—but if I could get into the sewers, then I might be able to get us out of our current predicament.

“No, the sewers drain from the city into pipes that extend over the river. King Patrick’s father was adamant about not having any chance of the river getting into his system. As for the cleanliness of it… They had to flood the system with clean water from the building, while also preventing it from draining. However, the ratio of fresh water to… mmm… soiled water is about 93.7 to 6.3.”

I took a deep breath, setting my mind to fully understanding what this alternative path could offer and whether it would be worth it, and then checked my watch. We had thirty minutes before Ms. Dale hit her rendezvous. Amber had hit hers ten minutes ago, and Drew had been at his for twenty. My and Ms. Dale’s teams were the last ones, and we all needed to make it on time, or this mission was a no-go.

“Wait one minute,” I said into the mic. Turning to Mags, I looked at her, prepared to ask her a question, when she started speaking.

“I can’t swim,” she blurted out. “Papa never let me learn. So if your plan is to just have us follow the street down to cross, that isn’t going to work.”

I faltered. That had been my plan. However, I had overlooked the fact that not everyone in the group would know how to swim—or be strong enough swimmers under the dangerous conditions of the sewers. I was certain Alejandro was, but... Could Tim even swim?

I looked over to where Tim was crouched behind the trunk of the car. “Any minute, they’re going to send people out of the building,” I said. “They’ll try to flank us, come at us from both sides. We need to get out of here, and the only way to do that is down that street. Do you see any other options here? I really am looking.”

Mags hesitated, and then stood up and scooped the map into her hands. “C’mon,” she said as she darted over to Alejandro’s side of the street, moving over to her uncle.

The man standing next to Alejandro moved to one side as she shouldered her way into their line, looking up at the building, studying it. I moved in close to her, apologetically shoving the man next to Alejandro farther down, and looked over her shoulder as she considered the building and the map together.

“Okay, this might sound crazy, but could we use the sewer to get in under the building?” She lowered the map, and I blinked at her.

“I have no idea,” I said. “One sec.” I quickly transmitted the question to Thomas.

“Absolutely, but the entryway will be narrow and difficult to see,” he affirmed. “It would be very easy to miss in the dark.”

Mags smiled widely, a dimple forming in her cheek. “You and a few men get into that building and ambush them from behind,” she said. “We’ll get in a shootout with them down here to distract them, while you go take their advantage away.”

I found myself nodding approvingly. I liked her plan instantly—but I would need help. “Alejandro, Mags, get me anybody who can swim. Five is good, but ten would be better. Split the difference if you can. You’re going to need the manpower too.”

Mags nodded and darted back up the sidewalk to race across the street. I moved away from Alejandro, heading back down the darkened part of the street, out of view of the people who guarded the intersection, to the nearest manhole. The heavy metal lid was covered partially by a few charred pieces of rubber, and I squatted down, tossing them to one side. I slid my fingers into the slots on either side of the crescent emblem for Patrus emblazoned on the top, and then lifted the lid up a few inches, until I could catch the edge and slide the whole thing back.

I pulled out my flashlight and clicked it on, setting it on the softest setting. Dark water flowed only about eight inches below street level. I stared at it, trying not to think about what was floating by down there, and then pulled my backpack off. Reaching into the side pockets, I pulled out one of the waterproof bags Violet had given to everyone.

She’s cleverer than I give her credit for, I thought with a smile as I yanked my earbud, microphone, and gloves out and dropped them into the slit in the bag. Grabbing one edge, I pulled it hard, stretching the pliable fabric, and then folded it across the gap and around the odd bundle that my communication devices formed. The fabric stuck snugly against itself, sealing the entire packet. I inspected it, but the lines had almost disappeared, with one corner visible to make it easier to reopen with a stiff tug.

Tucking the packet into my pocket, I slid my rifle off my shoulders. It was too bulky for this job; it would have to stay with the team. I would have somebody collect and redistribute the larger weapons from my team of swimmers after we went down.

I was just wrapping up my pistol and extra ammo when I heard the sound of padding feet moving over. “There was movement on the first floor,” Mags said as she hurried around the car with a group of our people in tow. I counted six, including Harry, Cruz, and Alejandro. “Margot took two shots into one of the rooms, but she doesn’t think she hit anyone.” She gave me a thin-lipped, grim look.