Chapter 20- In the Loop
Although Cooper was safe for the time being, Lydia’s workload doubled. The mole didn’t make any mistake to oust him or her. Lydia tasked Jando with watching Cooper’s room, despite a guard assigned there at all times, and Aidan with helping her tail Harper and Morella. If either was the mole, they kept cool under changing circumstances. Aidan never had anything new to report when they met for training each day. “Harper’s always cranky and Morella’s diligent with his rounds.”
Lydia ran herself ragged chasing any other lead she could think of, too. She didn’t bother with Barrett or Brentle. Barrett saw patients all day and only took smoke breaks every once in a while. Brentle stayed locked in his office with his inventions. Anyone else who seemed likely didn’t exhibit any strange behavior.
She soon expanded her search to anyone and everyone in the Center: the receptionist, who answered calls and welcomed the BEPs all day long; Gary, who listened to those within the Cave, or former Cave residents by phone for hours on end; the guards, who stood rigid at any forbidden area; the office workers, who surrounded themselves with mountains of paperwork; and the lab technicians, concocting chemicals and running experiments until nightfall. She grasped each and every straw she found, hoping against hope that one was a winner. But each one left her empty-handed.
Arthur and Sylvia spoke to none of the three about Cooper’s test. Rather, Lydia sometimes caught Sylvia checking on certain individuals, but nothing ever happened with them. It wasn’t until a few days after the test that Sylvia summoned Lydia to the holding cells. It was the first time she had spoken to her in days. “We need you to talk to Heather,” she said. “She hasn’t been very talkative lately. Maybe she’ll open up to you.”
“All right,” she said. “What should I talk about?”
They huddled away from the guard on duty and Sylvia lowered her voice. “Ask her if Whyte has any connections in the FBI.”
“Why? Do you think he has someone leaking information there, too?” she asked.
“That’s none of your concern.”
Lydia was taken aback and looked down. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“I know,” Sylvia said, patting her back. “The mill didn’t go so well. We’ll get you another practice mission soon.” She cut her eyes to the guard and added a fake smile. Lydia understood. Not here.
Sylvia dismissed the guard and took over control of the guard station. Lydia entered the hall of cells, confused as to why she’d been left in the dark. They had kept her apprised of everything so far, and they needed her to help find the mole. Is it because of the test? she wondered. Did they think she would open her mouth again? What made it hurt worse was that the order had to have come from Arthur. He knew why she had included Aidan and Jando, and Arthur didn’t trust her.
Then again, why let her interrogate Heather? If they really needed this information about the FBI, and they wanted to keep her out of what was happening, why not bring in another agent? Was there no time?
It suddenly hit Lydia. The FBI. Were they doing another transfer? It sounded ridiculous, but it might be possible. Not to mention that before they tried transferring Heather the first time, Arthur kept some of his plan hidden. No, that would be really stupid. He didn’t actually mean to soon attempt a second handoff to the FBI. Surely not after what happened last time?
A dull tapping interrupted her train of reasoning, and she realized she stood in front of Heather’s cell. Sylvia pointed at the door from the end of the hall and Lydia entered. Inside, Heather sat hunched on her bed, already handcuffed and masked. She lifted her gaze a little and leaned on the wall when Lydia sat down.
“No witty retort this time?” Lydia asked. Heather kept staring at the wall but scooted closer. Heather’s skin had turned to white wax, and her hair was an unkempt tangle. She tilted forward, as if sick. “What’s wrong? You about to throw up?” Lydia reached for her. “You look ready to fall down dead.”
“Wouldn’t that brighten your day?” Heather said, clearing the rasp from her throat. “If you’re going to ask about the FBI, don’t bother. I told her I don’t know. Maybe Whyte does, maybe not.”
“Well, is there anything else you can tell us?” Lydia asked. Heather’s torso leaned closer, almost toppling her. “You were spilling everything last week. What happened?”
“Heard a little rumor,” Heather said. “About some thoughtless idiot who, during one of her brain malfunctions, had to ignore my warning. She had to help some other idiot and now, if Whyte’s person finds out I said anything more, I’m dead. So if you see her, smack her silly and ask her what happened.”
“You know as well as I do that Whyte would’ve gotten to him,” Lydia said. “That smoke guy alone could’ve slipped past. Then where would we be?”
“So everyone should die for one kid?”
“No, but this person has hidden well so far. Even if we managed to capture one of Whyte’s people, they wouldn’t give up anything on Whyte or his mole, would they?”
“Perhaps. Perhaps not.” Heather sat back. “And a convoluted series of accidents is much better?”
“At least it might trip the mole up.”
“Unless they’re patient and levelheaded,” she said.
“Which they definitely would be if Cooper left without incident,” Lydia said.
Lydia felt that this was going nowhere, and Sylvia seemed to share the sentiment. The door opened and she poked her head in. “That’s enough. Out.”
Lydia dragged her feet to the door, and Sylvia retrieved Heather’s handcuffs and mask. “Has she been like that ever since?” Lydia asked.
“Yes,” Sylvia said. “You’re free to go.” Lydia didn’t have a chance to broach the subject of Cooper as Sylvia ushered her out. Lydia waved to the guard returning to his station and rode the elevator down to the first floor to visit Cooper.
She met Jando outside the hospital room. “Everything all right?” he asked.
“I’m not sure,” she said, opening the door. She stopped when it was cracked and saw more people within. Wren was seated next to Nina and Cooper while Morella stood by his bedside. Wren chilled Cooper’s soda until ice condensed on the surface, and Morella discussed swimming styles with Cooper. “What’s he doing here?” She asked Jando.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s come by a couple times.” She squeezed the door handle, crunching the metal into her palm. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” she said. “A little tired.”
“Hey,” he said, “why don’t we have another movie night this weekend? Unwind a little.”
Lydia eyed her roommate. While they were on speaking terms, Wren was still staying with Janice for the time being. The dorm bedroom was eerily quiet and lifeless most days. A little company would be nice, and it was a perfect opportunity to settle things. “Sure. This weekend.” She entered Cooper’s room.
“Hey, Lydia.” Cooper sat up straighter in his bed and welcomed her over. She sat beside Wren on the edge of the mattress.
“You look better,” she said.
“Better and stronger each day,” he said, lifting his arms. “I’ll be back in the water in no time. He was even offering to help me with physical therapy.” He pointed at Morella.
“Yeah, I was the swim team’s captain in high school,” Morella said. “‘Piston’ Morella of the Glendale Yellow Jackets.” He patted Cooper’s leg. “I could show you a couple of tricks.”
Lydia smiled politely with the rest. I’m sure you could, you slimy sack of—
“I’d better be going,” he said. “Got some lazy guards to check on. Take it easy now.” He left and Lydia relaxed.
“You’re getting physical therapy?” she asked Cooper.
“Yeah,” he said. “Barrett’s orders. She may let me get out of this bed soon. I should be fine the week after next.”
“And ready for his exam the week after,” Nina said.
Both twins looked at Lydia, their silent question
filling the air. “That’s good to hear,” Wren said, oblivious to the hidden worry. She nudged Lydia. “Isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is,” she said and faced the twins head-on. “I’m sure everything will be fine. You’ll be ready.”
They both sighed in relief. “Thanks,” he said. They chatted a while longer until Cooper grew sleepy and Lydia and Wren left them alone. They parted ways outside and Jando called to Lydia, “Don’t forget. You and me, movie night this weekend.”
“I won’t.” She gave Wren a reassuring smile and the girl caught on. Lydia headed to the Center’s front desk to observe the receptionist once more.
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