Page 73 of No Going Back

Tyler stayed quiet, not mentioning he and Dex had already put pressure on Kramer to share. Hopefully the man kept his word.

Mackie and Scottie returned with the equipment at the same time Kelly got back with the laptop.

“Alright, let’s do this,” Mackie said.

They headed over to where the rescue squad were carefully removing rubble from around the hole. Mackie spoke with Max and together they cautiously climbed over the boulders. Grabbing the repeater from Scottie, Mackie leaned down and began feeding it through the hole. It immediately jammed.

“Fuck. No good. It’s catching on something.”

Tyler stepped forward, intent on getting up there and shoving it through himself. Dex put out his arm stopping him.

“Mackie’s got this, Ty. Let him do his job.”

Tyler was about to push past him, but Dex blocked him. “Tyler. Don’t. You go up there and dislodge that rubble, the whole thing could cave in, right on top of her.” The warning tone in Dex’s voice was loud and clear.

Tyler held up his hands in surrender. Dex was right. Mackie had it. The man was his best friend. Tyler had worked alongside him enough times to know he was the best man for the job. He was just frustrated at having to stand around waiting, not able to do anything.

“Max, can we move those two blocks?” Mackie pointed. “It will let me see what it’s catching on.”

Max studied the concrete. Finally, he nodded. Together they moved them off to the side. Mackie laid back down and attempted to lower the repeater again. This time, it eased through the opening. Tense seconds passed as everyone waited.

“OK, I’ve lowered it as far as it will go,” Mackie called out. “Hook it up.”

Scottie passed the other end to Kelly who connected it to the laptop to transmit the signal. Once connected, she dialed Sam’s number. Nothing. She tried Mira’s. Nothing.

“Push it lower, Mackie,” Scottie called out.

“It’s not moving any further.”

Tyler paced while Max joined Mackie. The two men spoke and then moved another boulder.

“We got it a couple of feet lower. That’s as far as we can go right now.”

Everyone held their breath as Kelly tried Sam’s number again.

Chapter 12

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