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Seconds trickled by as aited I took a closer look at the poles and recognized Cyrinthian symbols etched into the dark wood I hoped they didn’t represent a deadly trap for trespassers, and edged closer to the building, as if it ht offer more protection Shelton pounded on the door, his patience clearly running low

"Open up, Bruce I know you’re in there!" Shelton shouted

The door jerked open A balding man with a sizeable paunch stood there, face contorted with anger I looked down and saw the e pistol in his hand

Chapter 14

"Holy cornballs in paradise," Shelton said, backing away, hands held in surrender "Take it easy, Bruce"

"Take it easy?" the rowl "You nearly costto the authorities"

"Nottoward the compact staff he kept in a holster on his side "You know ?"

"Because you’re scuun

Shelton’s hand went back up "Look, Walter toldI was bad for business You knoouldn’t jeopardize hed "Reot him out of the trouble he was in with those loan sharks? I put myself on the line for you Think about it,from his face He blew out an explosive breath and lowered the firearm "I still don’t like the fact Cyphanis is all up in your business, Shelton If I’ to you--"

"Then let us inside before someone notices," Shelton said

"I should make you and whoever the hell this kid is leave"

"This is Justin Slade," Shelton said

"Oh, now you’re really trying to get me in trouble," Bruce said "Isn’t this the same kid recked the Grand Melee?"

"I didn’t wreck anything!" I protested

"Forget all that," Shelton said with a sigh "Bruce, what if I told you I could get that nephew of yours out of Russian prison?"

Bruce’s forehead crinkled "How in the hell could you do that?"

Shelton shrugged "I have my methods You help us with this, and I’ll deliver him to your doorstep"

I felt my own forehead wrinkle at Shelton’s boast What nephew? What Russian jail? I didn’t want hiet hius inside He closed the door behind us, and led us down a hallway to a large rooes of the city and a nu above a console

"What is this place?" I asked

"Overworld Transportation Authority," Bruce said, a proud note in his voice "We enforce restrictions on rand wave, " carpets, flying cars, and other obvious ical means"

"And you’re the only one who monitors all this?" I asked incredulously

He"I rotate shifts with a few others" His eyes locked onto Shelton "You’d better not be lying about ive me a picture of his prison cell"

"I don’t have a picture of his cell," Bruce said "How in the hell would I get that?"

"It’s a noet an ASE inside?"

Bruce gave him a dubious look "I’ll ask hiet hiood? Don’t you need a layout of the place?" Bruce narrowed his eyes "And don’t think you can go blasting in withfor interfering with noms before you can count to three"

Shelton held up a hand "Let e"

Bruce twisted his lips "Fine I hope it isn’t a ood"

The other ly nodded "What do you want in return?"

"I need the tracking data froo"

"You need what?" Bruce’s eyebrows rose in unison "If you’re tracking Cyphanis again, you’d better think twice Even gettingthat tyrant breathing downhim," Shelton said