Code(30)

My heart threw in a few extra beats. “What do you mean? I’m giving you the coins right now.” I held out the pouch.

Chance made no move to take it. He studied me, expression unreadable.

Abruptly, Chance stood. “Keep your trinkets. I’m a multimillionaire. I don’t need a cut of your pathetic haul.”

I shook my head. “Chance, this is yours. We owe you.”

The wry smile returned. “Yes, you do. But I’d prefer different currency.”

Chance crossed back to the doorway and turned. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to prepare for tomorrow. A few weeks of high school, then I’m done with childish silliness forever.”

“You won’t take the coins?” I pressed.

“No. After all, I wasn’t there to find them, was I?”


I didn’t know what to think. Chance agreed we owed him, but refused a share of the spoils. Why?

“Instead of haggling over trifles, we will talk.” Again Chance’s eyes locked on to mine. “About many things. I have questions that need answering.”

Butterflies fluttered in my gut.

Did Chance know I’d manipulated him? That I’d lied to protect our secrets? What things had he “worked out” in the hospital?

Suddenly, I didn’t want to ask Chance about the Gamemaster, the fragmented cache, or anything else. I had a sinking feeling he was going to make my life much more difficult.

“Fine.” I rose. The others did too. “I guess we’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

“Let me show you out.”

Chance walked us to the door. We scurried out into the sunshine and headed for the gate.

“Wait.”

I turned.

“I’ve changed my mind.” Chance strode to my side. “I’d like one coin, please.”

“Just one?” I scooped a doubloon and handed it over. “Why?”

“Gold reminds me of you, Tory.” Ice-cold smile. “This coin will bring a twinkle to my eye.”

Chance thumb-flipped the doubloon, caught it cleanly, then disappeared inside without a backward glance.





CHAPTER 16





“What now?” Shelton asked.

I had no answer. Chance’s last words echoed in my head.

“We keep these coins for ourselves,” Hi crowed. “That’s what now.”

We’d nearly reached the city marina. Ben texted his father, who was waiting to ferry us back to Morris Island. But I wasn’t ready to call it a day.

“I’m going to Loggerhead,” I said.

“Why?” Shelton frowned. “Something at LIRI?”

“We need to examine the second cache,” I replied, “but don’t have the equipment. Kit will lend me a lab if I make up a reasonable excuse.”

I wasn’t as sure as I sounded, but had no other ideas. Plus, investigating the scorched cache might take my mind off Chance.

Shelton spoiled the effort.

“We gonna talk about what Chance said?” he asked quietly. “That last crack about gold, and twinkling eyes . . . It hit a little too close to home.”

I couldn’t agree more. Chance’s parting shot seemed like a challenge. A taunt. Or worse: a warning of things to come.

How much did he know? Suspect? What did he remember?

We descended to the waterfront. Tom Blue waited on the dock, Hugo’s motor already purring.

“Let’s work one problem at a time,” I said. “LIRI. The cache fragments.”

“Not me,” Ben said firmly. “I have a ton of homework, and can’t follow a whim all the way to Loggerhead. Waste of time.”

Thanks.

“How are we supposed to get there without Sewee?” Hi asked. “Swim?”

“My dad heads to LIRI right after Morris. Ride out with him, then take the evening shuttle back.”

“I’m out too,” Shelton said. “Mom’s been on my case about cleaning my room lately. I’ve gotta knock that out before dinner.”

I raised a hopeful brow at Hi. “Pretty please? We all know you’re king of the lab.”

Hi rubbed his chin, as if in deep thought. “Why do I feel like I’m being played?” Then he shrugged. “Sure. Why not? But I get to run the machines.”

“Deal.”




Hi and I walked through the glass doors of Building One.

“Oh great,” I muttered. Security Chief Hudson was manning the desk.

Deep creases appeared on Hudson’s forehead. He rose, carefully straightening his immaculate powder-blue uniform.

“State your business.”

“To see my father.” A beat. “That’s usually going to be my business, FYI.”

Hudson didn’t smile. “Is Director Howard expecting you?”

Annoyed with this routine, I gambled. “More than expecting. We’re late.”

Hudson’s gaze slid to Hi. “Both of you?”

“Both,” Hi said quickly. “He’s our dodgeball coach, and we’re working out some new defensive maneuvers.”

Hudson’s eyes narrowed. “Dodgeball?”

“District champs.” Hi pounded his chest. “I’m a gunner. The key is to reach the balls first, and then throw with a little touch of spin, so that—”