Page 42 of Crocodile Tears
“I’m moving as fast as I can without sacrificing stealth for speed.”
“Your stealth technique needs work, but your tactical awareness is better than expected.”
“You’re too kind,” I say dryly.
I follow him toward another corridor intersection, where he pauses to examine the area beyond with a compact mirror that he produces from yet another pocket of his tactical vest.
“Two guards at the main laboratory entrance.”He adjusts the mirror angle to get a better view.“They’re positioned to monitor the primary access routes but not the secondary entrances.”
“There are secondary entrances to the laboratory?”
Cal grins with obvious satisfaction.“There are always secondary entrances if you know how buildings are constructed.”
He leads me through a door marked “Authorized Personnel Only” into what appears to be a service area for the building’s fire suppression system.Pipes and control valves cover the walls, and the air carries the metallic smell of pressurized water systems.
“Fire suppression access points connect to all major laboratory spaces.”He navigates between the mechanical equipment with practiced ease.“Building codes require multiple entry points for emergency response.”
I arch a brow.“You know building codes?”
“I know a lot of things that don’t appear on dating profiles.”
We reach a maintenance panel that he opens with another specialized tool.Behind the panel is an access corridor that runs parallel to the main laboratory wing.The space is cramped and poorly lit, but it provides a route that bypasses the guard stations.
I follow Cal through the narrow corridor, trying not to think about the various pipes and electrical systems that surround us.The occasional sound of voices from the laboratory areas confirms we’re moving in the right direction.
“How do you know about all these building systems?”I ask while navigating around a particularly low-hanging duct.
He pauses at an intersection of maintenance corridors.“Military training includes urban operations and building infiltration techniques.You learn to see structures differently when your survival depends on finding alternative routes.”
“That’s surprisingly practical knowledge for civilian life.”
He snorts.“Most of my military training has surprisingly practical applications for civilian problems.”
We reach another access panel that Cal opens to reveal the back of my laboratory space.The familiar sight of the research equipment and computer terminals fills me with relief and determination in equal measure.
“This is it.”I step through the access panel into the laboratory where I spent the last three days working under duress.“Everything I need to destroy is in here.”
Cal positions himself near the main entrance while I move toward the computer systems.“We need to work fast.Every minute we spend here increases the risk of discovery.”
I begin the systematic process of data destruction, starting with the most sensitive genetic information.“I’m not leaving without destroying this data.They have genetic profiles of specific military personnel and enough research to continue the project without me.”
He checks his watch while maintaining surveillance of the hallway.“Extraction protocols don’t include extended sabotage missions.”
I transfer research samples to a chemical bath that will destroy their cellular integrity.“Then your extraction protocols are inadequate for scientific emergencies.”
The computer systems require several minutes to complete the data destruction process.I work methodically through each database while Cal maintains his position at the door, occasionally making hand signals that I now interpret as variations on “hurry up.”
“You’re surprisingly thorough at demolition,” he says while I purge the systems.
I look up from my systematic destruction with obvious satisfaction.“I’m thorough at everything I do.It’s one of my more attractive qualities.”
Cal’s expression suggests he finds my approach to sabotage both impressive and concerning.“You’d make an excellent saboteur.”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
“It’s a compliment with concerning implications for our future dating prospects.”
I pause in my destructive work to stare at him.“Our future dating prospects?”
