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“YOU’VE GOT A VISITOR, Garr,” Sheila called from the door, leaning into the mess hall.
The Colonel looked up in surprise, pried away from the scraps of paper on the tabletop.
We don’t get many visitors here. Aubrey was intrigued, understanding his reaction. Our Hub isn’t exactly a tourist attraction.
Before Garr could respond, Sheila pushed the door wide open, and Enrico Torres took a tentative step into the room. He seemed ill at ease, and Aubrey recalled hearing about the mechanic’s reluctance to be associated too closely with the Hub. Garr stood, motioning for his long-time friend to join him at the table.
“You’ve never come this far into the tunnels before.” Garr shook his hand and they sat down, facing each other. The Colonel leaned forward, elbows on the scuffed table, studying the mechanic with probing eyes.
“I’ve never had a compelling reason to.” Enrico removed his weathered cap, twisting it nervously in his hands. “Until today, that is.”
Aubrey thought she could guess the reason for the heavy silence following his cryptic remark.
“Should we make ourselves scarce, Garr?” she asked, half-rising from the table and gesturing with one hand at Don and Sheila.
Garr cocked an eyebrow at his guest. “You must have an opinion. Is this a private conversation or not?”
Enrico glanced around the mess hall and relaxed in his chair with an audible sigh. “That won’t be necessary, Colonel. In fact, I’d rather all of you hear what I have to say.”
He glanced at Don, who’d just finished cleaning the cooking unit. “Would you mind closing the door, Don? I’d feel better knowing it was shut.”
Don wiped his hands on a towel, returning Enrico’s gaze as he shut the door.
“I thought you wanted everyone to hear what you’ve got to say.” Sheila stood at the foot of the table, arms crossed. She could look intimidating, when she wanted to.
“Yes, of course.” Enrico leaned back in his chair. “I’m just concerned about unexpected guests dropping in without warning. My reflexes are still good. All it takes is the sound of a door opening, and I’ll switch topics on the spot.”
“That’s over-kill.” Don tossed his towel on the counter behind him. “You don’t need to be paranoid. Not in this Hub.”
“Is that so?” Enrico didn’t sound convinced. He addressed Garr again, folding his hands in front of him on the table. “You’ve got a mole, Colonel.”
Don crossed the floor in two long strides, seizing a chair at the head of the table and reversing it before sitting down. He crossed his arms over the back of the chair and fixed an uncompromising stare on the mechanic.
“We already guessed as much, after the attack,” he said, his voice gruff. “You’re a little late to the party, my friend.”
Garr laid a hand on Don’s arm.
“The one thing he swore he’d never do,” he said, nodding at Enrico, “was to set foot in our Hub. He wouldn’t be here now, if there wasn’t something we needed to hear.”
Enrico nodded, stealing a nervous look at the door. “I’ve heard rumors. You’ve been warned to avoid contact with the other Hubs—they’ve been raided. They say you received an anonymous warning to that effect in your drop-box.”
“Your intel’s pretty good.” Don drew the words out, his drawl more pronounced than normal. “Who’s your source?”
Enrico shrugged sheepishly, looking at Garr. “I did some repairs at the Mission a few days ago. Uncle John and I had a chat. He filled me in.”
He leaned over the table, lowering his voice. “Were you also aware there’s been a new Tracker sighting in the area? A young man, about thirty years old, I’d guess. Medium build, brown hair with green eyes.”
Garr nodded. “Some of our people spotted him. We think he’s scanning for new Implants. The Hoarders seem to be intensifying their efforts . . .”
Enrico shook his head emphatically, raising both hands to interrupt the Colonel. He reached across the table, jabbing a finger at the scraps of notepaper in front of Garr. “Who do you think put that anonymous note in your drop-box? Just after I left the Mission, I saw him with my own eyes. “
Sheila raised an eyebrow. “A Tracker left the note?”
Don snapped his fingers. “To isolate us from the other Hubs. Divide and conquer—it’s an oldie but a goodie.”
Aubrey’s heart dropped. Was I followed? Am I the weak link after all? “We took every precaution, Garr. How could he find the drop-box?”
Enrico locked eyes with Garr. “You’re pawns in someone else’s game. If I were you, I’d find out whose.”