Page 109 of The Scarab's Game

“Did you grab the disc?” I asked, hoping for confirmation.

“Two taps again. I think that means yes,” Brie replied.

Will’s update came next. “The second wave of urban explorers is almost at the guard desk. Some of them are turning around because the first wave is passing them on their way out.”

Brie added, “People are posting about the armed guards on the message board. Although one guy did post about seeing a hidden door, which is attracting attention.”

“They’ll be at the guards in ten minutes. That’s Jayce’s window,” Will said. “Post instructions about how to open the door. That’ll keep more of them going forward.”

“On it,” Brie confirmed.

How long was Noah going to stand at the entrance to the storage room? And if he was there for the disc, what would happen when he found it missing? If he’d had to wait for the auction to end—which he was supposed to—we would have been long gone before he discovered it was missing.

The door behind Noah opened, and someone came out. Noah turned his back to me, engaging in conversation with the employee. Their body language told me they were arguing. The employee’s hands went up in apology, and Noah jerked forward, shaking his head vigorously.

I said, “I think Noah figured out we took the disc.”

Scarlett said, “Emmett, we need Jayce out of there. Now.”

Noah flung his hand out and spun around, storming out of the hallway. Eyes narrowed, he scanned the room.

I ducked, pretending to tie my shoe and shifting until I could spot him again. “Noah’s pissed. He’s searching, probably for me or Jayce. I don’t see Drew.”

Drew wouldn’t have abandoned his girlfriend. No doubt he was somewhere close, watching for his opening.

Noah approached a security guard, pointing at the storage room, then somewhere past me.

The guard touched his ear—engaging his comms—and nodded.

I stood, but stooped to ensure I didn’t stand out. The guard walked from the third giant room to the second. He met up with another guard, and they stopped in front of the ladies’ room entrance.

“Two guards have taken position in front of Jayce’s escape route,” I said.

Plan J3 transitioned to J5—the one where Drew risked himself to get Jayce out through the secret door.

Two women approached the guards, who pointed toward the third grand room, indicating where they could find another ladies’ room.

This was a problem. If Jayce tried to leave through the main door, she’d have to go through the metal detector again, and they might find the scarab or disc on her. Maybe we’d have time to use the water door before Enzo returned for Noah—ifhe was coming back.

Noah started up the stairs to Martine’s office.

I said, “Noah’s heading to the manager’s office, and the guards aren’t letting anyone pass into the hallway to the ladies’ room.”

Will said over comms, “The second wave is arriving at the guard post. It’s now or never, Jayce.”

Drew—where was he?—said, “Wow, sorry. I was looking for the men’s room.”

A gruff male voice responded to him, “How did you open the door?”

Drew said, “It just opened.”

I took my eyes off Noah for a moment to find Drew. He was at the storage room door, in someone’s face. He must have been covering for Jayce.

“Don’t touch me!” snapped Drew.

Jayce whispered, “I’m out.”

Drew stumbled away from the storage room as though someone had shoved him. After he cleared the area, he straightened his tux. “What’s the plan now?”

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