Down to the Wire Read Online Free PDF

he told anybody outside the ranch who asked about it.
    He gave TL the skin-colored device. “Why do you want my tracker? Did it malfunction?”
    “No. You don’t need it anymore.”
    Wirenut grinned. “Does this mean that I’m a full-fledged Specialist?”
    TL chuckled. “Yes, you’re a full-fledged Specialist.”
    I loved when TL smiled and laughed. It made me all cozy inside. He didn’t do it enough. He seemed too focused and serious most of the time.
    He held up the device. “Do you remember what I told you when you first put this on?”
    Wirenut nodded. “Yep. You said, ‘Understand that your public education is part of your training. It’s socializing; learning to lie to others regarding your past, current situation, and future. Each of you will wear a detection device for monitoring. Everything you say and do will be recorded. You will wear this until I feel confident you’ll do fine without it.’”
    Wow. How unbelievable that he remembered every single word.
    Wirenut leaned back and folded his arms, looking very full of himself. “How was that?”
    TL shook his head, like he did every time he had no clue what to do with Wirenut. “Nicely done.”
    “Thank you very much. Feel free to applaud.”
    TL’s lips twitched. “All right, all kidding aside. I took GiGi’s device before she left on her mission to Ushbania.”
    Wirenut sat up. “Does this mean I’m going somewhere?”
    TL held his hand up. “I’ll tell you what I told her. You’ve proven to be adept at your cover. You’ve gone about your day-to-day activities smoothly, naturally, and without a second thought. You’ve seamlessly merged into this world. But what I’m most impressed with is that you’ve had a lot of temptation. Not only around here, but at school. And not once have you given in to the mischievous urges that drove the Ghost.”
    Wirenut grinned, obviously pleased TL recognized that.
    “The old Frankie would’ve been sneaking around the ranch at night, trying to break into restricted areas. I know you wouldn’t have stolen anything. You would’ve just tied a yellow ribbon and gone on your way. But the fact that you haven’t tells me you’re ready to move on to the next stage of your training.”
    Wirenut grinned again, and I could just visualize the happy dance going on inside of him.
    TL stood. “Follow me.”
    We left the conference room and headed down the underground hallway.
    As we passed Chapling’s and my computer lab, TL nodded to it. “Later on this evening, GiGi will show you around her lab.”
    Wirenut and I exchanged surprised glances (more on my end than his). In a few hours, Chapling’s and my computer lab would no longer be a secret. It sort of bummed me out. I liked having something just mine and Chapling’s.
    We stopped at a door ten feet from my lab. “This will be your studio,” TL said to Wirenut, stepping to the side. “Do your thing.”
    Oooh, neat. I was about to see inside another one of the mysterious locked doors. Wirenut must be ecstatic. Okay, now I couldn’t wait to show him the lab.
    He scrutinized the steel door and then tapped it with his finger. “Four-decibel, hollow echo. Double-reinforced. Lined with…” He tapped it again. “Glass. Interesting. Counter-sunk hinges.”
    Leaning down, he studied the lock. “Triple-plated. Imbedded.” He sniffed. “Copper wax. Rigged with a laser crawler.”
    He got down on his knees and put his ear against the door. “Bottom left quadrant. Tsss. Tsss. Tsss. One-second electrical surges. A dom sensor.” He held out his hand. “I need my tools.”
    David extended a triple-folded leather pouch.
    Wirenut took it from him. He closed his eyes and rubbed it between his hands. He brought it to his face and inhaled. “Oldleather, oil, and metal. It’s been a long time since I’ve held this. I never imagined I’d miss an old pouch so much.”
    He spread it open on the tile floor beside him. He slipped out three wrenches, some silver