Page 74 of Boxed In

Chapter 11

Luke kept his gaze trained on Olivia’s face. “The only way I can see getting out of this is to split up. If you go into the hallway and get his attention, I can come up behind him.”

“Split up,” she murmured, obviously considering the implications. “Okay. But how do I get into the house without going through this doorway?”

He walked along the cave wall, running his hand along the roughened surface. “We can make another exit—here. That should put you in the hall.”

“Just like that—make another exit?”

He answered quickly, “It’s possible, if you believe it can happen.”

“You mean—this is like Neverland? Or maybe the Wizard of Oz?”

Luke silently shared the references with Zabastian. “I guess you could put it that way.” He laughed, then felt his expression turn serious. “It could be dangerous. I mean—that guy is sitting with a gun in his lap. He could shoot you.”

“Then he loses an informant. He has no idea where to find the box.”

“True,” Luke agreed. But he still didn't like it.

“Why can’t you go farther back in the cave and open a doorway outside the house,” she asked.

“Because the cave is inside the house.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s just the way it works.”

She sighed. “Then you’d better open the alternative way out.”

Hoping he wasn't just blowing smoke when he'd told Olivia to have faith, he ran his hand against the stone wall. After a few moments, he felt it give way slightly.

The solid rock started to thin, and as he stroked the rough surface, he began to see through, into the hallway of the house where they’d been hiding.

The area was clear, but his chest tightened as he thought about the danger to Olivia. “Are you sure?”

“It’s our best chance. What do I have to do?

His voice was strained as he spoke around the lump in his throat. “In a minute, you can step through the wall and go quietly down the hall. Then you call out—like you’ve been somewhere else, and you just arrived back at the house.”

“Okay.”

He reached for her and pulled her to him, clasping her tightly, and she clung to him for a long moment, then pushed away and turned back to the cave wall. It was almost totally obliterated now, and they could see into the upper hall.

“Is this Luke’s plan—or Zabastian’s?” she murmured.

“Both of us. We’re working together.”

He watched her clench her fists, then step through. He could still see her standing there, and he wanted to keep watching—to make sure she was safe. But he had to get into position behind the Poisoned One. Hurrying to the cave entrance, he pulled back the pelt.

“Luke? Are you still here, Luke?” Olivia called from the end of the hall.

As the man jumped to his feet, gun in hand, and charged toward the hallway, fear surged through Luke. He wanted to shout a warning to Olivia. But he knew surprise was his best advantage. Saying a quick prayer for success, he reached through the opening and set down the box before throwing himself at the man’s back.

The Poisoned One heard something behind him and half turned. But it was too late for the attacker to make it all the way around. Luke tackled him, throwing him to the carpet before he reached the doorway.

The guy cried out in surprise and went flat on his face, but he recovered quickly, twisting around so he could get his weapon into position.

The two of them struggled, each using the martial arts training that they’d been taught.

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