Chapter 16

“If you can do it, I can,” Cole muttered. He tossed his backpack in first, then eased through the window, landing on his feet on the concrete floor. “What I wouldn’t give for a flashlight right now,” he told Bull.

Slinging his backpack over his shoulders, he put his fingers on the wall to keep him centered as he began to walk the perimeter of the room. From the window to the corner of the room was only a few steps. It took twelve careful steps to reach the next corner. By the time he got there, Cole’s eyes had adjusted to the darkness enough that he could discern the outline of a doorframe perhaps another ten steps away—and a dark shape in front of it. For a second he panicked until he realized it was Bull. “You almost gave me a heart attack,” he grumbled at dog.

There was a door, open and hanging by one hinge. Cole started to enter the next room only to find Bull blocking his way. “Is someone in there?” Cole whispered.