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DMA had figured that the tunnel entrances were in the middle of nowhere and just boarded them up. Worst case, they might have backfilled the tunnels with rubble. In which case, I’d need to come up with a new brilliant plan.
    Kieran and I arranged to go out there Saturday night. I left a note for my parents saying that I was staying over at Jake’s house. As long as I told them where I was going, and had my cell, they never seemed to worry. A fringe benefit of my responsible “nice guy” image.
    I’d been putting off telling Kieran about adding Jake to our team. But I didn’t have a choice now. Jake and I arrived at Kieran’s house together. When Kieran opened the door, he looked at Jake, then turned to me.
    â€œIt’s not a slumber party, Bex. What the hell is he doing here?”
    â€œNice to see you too, Kieran. It’s such a pleasure,” said Jake. It was obvious what he really meant.
    â€œJake’s coming with us,” I said. “We need him.”
    â€œYou told him?” said Kieran with disbelief. I nodded. Kieran swore and stomped away from the open door. Jake and I looked at each other, then entered the dark house. There was no sign of Kieran’s dad this time.
    Kieran was pacing back and forth across the living room.
    â€œWhat the hell gave you the right to tell him about our plans?” said Kieran.
    â€œIt’s my plan,” I said. “And it’s my call if we need extra help. Jake is good. The three of us can cover more ground than just you and me.”
    â€œWe don’t need him. We don’t need anybody else.”
    â€œWhat’s your problem?” said Jake. He lowered himself into an armchair. He looked absolutely cool and calm. Jake was a rock. “You worried about your money? Because I don’t want any of the take. I’m just here to back up Bex.”
    â€œWhat the hell? Are you serious? You’re here for your BFF? What are you, in kindergarten?” snapped Kieran. He’d stopped pacing now. “And, no, it’s not about the money. I don’t give a crap about the money. Bex is the only one who seems to really care about that.” He spun to face me. What the hell did that mean?
    â€œLet me break it down for you,” Kieran said. “I don’t know if you figured this out, but we’re committing a crime. You get that? We are breaking into a ‘secure facility.’ And then stealing stuff. We’re criminals. And criminals don’t invite their besties along for the ride.” He pointed a finger at me. “You and me are the entire team, end of story.”
    I shook my head. “Not anymore.”
    â€œBex, grow up, leave your buddy here behind and join the big leagues!” Kieran said, eyes bright with anger.
    Jake looked at me calmly from the armchair. It was up to me. For the first time in a long while, the decision I had to make was clear. I dropped down into the other overstuffed armchair, facing Jake.
    â€œHow about I break it down for you, Kieran?” I said. “You said you can’t get in there without me? I don’t do this without Jake. It’s that simple.” Kieran just stood there, chest heaving.
    â€œSo, you want to try this alone?” I said. “Or do you want some help?”
    Kieran looked like he was about to explode, go mental on me. But he held it together and took a deep, ragged breath.
    â€œFine. Whatever,” he hissed. “Just get me in there.”
    Kieran drove fast, slaloming between cars on the highway. The glow of the city was behind us, the dark city limits ahead. The DMA site was less than forty-five minutes away from the city center. But it felt like I was heading off the map, away from everything that I knew.
    I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Asha.
    I’ll make everything all right again, I texted. Promise.
    I hit the Send key, then put the phone back in my jacket pocket. The rest of the ride, I