Page 32 of The Problem with Princes
“What happened to the driver that was in the car when that guy cut the brakes? I don’t see him here today.”
Tyrone watches out the window.
I try to focus on the horizon. If I squint, I can just barely make out the blue green of the Mediterranean.
“He was let go. There is really no way Sander can keep him. He fell asleep, which is why someone was able to get under the car in the first place.” There’s a hint of regret in his voice.
“We had no choice,” he says again, like he is trying to make me see reason.
I nod slowly. “I mean, I get it. Him not doing his job almost was a life and death kind of thing.” I lean forward and grasp onto a thin iron railing that encircles the car. “It kind of reminds me of an episode of the showSeinfeld. Have you ever seen the series?”
He nods, a slightly confused look on his face.
“There is this one where George buys a rocking chair for the security guard at the store that is owned by his fiancée’s uncle. As soon as the guy sits in the rocking chair, he falls asleep, and the store gets robbed.”
A soft, still confused, smile plays at Ty’s lips. “You’re comparing the guy cutting our brake line to an episode ofSeinfeld?”
I shake my head at him. He had missed my whole point. “No. I’m comparing your driver to the security guard who fell asleep on Seinfeld.” Is that right? I’m not sure the comparison really works out like I originally thought. I sigh, “Never mind. It wasn’t a great comparison.” I squint at him. “But just so you know, most of life can be compared toSeinfeld—so you should learn to see the parallels if you’re going to hang out with me for long.”
“I’ll begin my studies tonight.”
“Do you really think Sander would have discovered the brake line if I hadn’t told him?”
Tyrone bites his lower lip. “I do. This vigilance,” he motions to Sander who is pacing from one end of the tram to the other, his eyes darting in every direction, “this is fairly typical for Sander. But I think he feels like maybe he was getting a little lax and that is why the driver fell asleep—because Sander had not emphasized to him enough the importance of his job.”
“But it wasn’t Sander’s fault,” I hurry to defend him.
“I know. But he sees any failure with his men as his own failure.”
The tram jerks to a halt, and my heart leaps into my throat, until I realize we have reached the top.
Tyrone places his hand at the small of my back and my body jerks slightly as a small electrical current pulses beneath his hand.
He leads me out of the car and onto the dock platform, guiding me toward the railing at the other side. I slow my steps, pulling him back with me. I had seen this platform from the dock below; it is cantilevered out over the valley, the only thing holding it to the mountainside is some steel beams.
My feet stop, rooted to the platform.
“What’s wrong?” Tyrone comes to stand in front of me, his eyes growing more concerned as he studies me. “You look pale.”
I try to swallow, but my mouth feels like it does after the dentist, all packed full of cotton. I stare at the railing in front of us. It looks flimsy and a little too low to be safe.
Tyrone follows my gaze, but it only serves to deepen the creases already on his brow. “The view from up here is amazing. Do you think you can look over the edge?”
I can do this. I’ve been waiting for weeks to see this view. Granted, I hadn’t considered the height issue before. I swallow my fears and lift my chin. “Yeah. I’ll be fine.”
“You can hold on to me. I won’t let you fall.” I notice his hand flexes, as if preparing for the vice grip he is anticipating. Then he lifts it out to me. “Come on. I promise it’s worth it.”
I swallow, not sure whether I’m more afraid of the drop or of the way my heart hammers in my chest at the feel of his hand closing around mine. He walks slowly, only having to pull me the last few steps, to the railing. He reaches out a hand to the railing and gives it a good hard tug. It doesn’t even wiggle. “You see? It’s perfectly safe.”
I nod and try to forget that I am suspended over a very high cliff.
“It’s worth it, isn’t it?” He points straight down at the valley floor.
I release my hold on him and grab the railing with both my hands as I hesitantly lean over. “Jiminy Cricket, that is really far down,” I whisper. A trail can be seen intermittently through the trees. My breath comes out haltingly. “But you’re right. It’s really pretty.”
He chuckles lightly as he pries my fingers off the railing and leads me quickly off the platform. “Okay. Let’s get you to solid ground.” He looks down at the deep impressions of my nails in his skin.
I put my hand to my mouth. “Oh. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” I shove my hands in my pockets, trying to hide my weapons.
