LOCKWOOD & CO.: THE HOLLOW BOY

12: A Mission For the Foolhardy Alone

I slammed the door shut, but there was a thud, and then someone yanked it open. I kicked at Lockwood as the car began pulling away at an alarming speed, but Lockwood tossed himself in and the door shut itself as the taxi swerved. I heard the faint alarmed calls of our team as the taxi sped away.

"Curse it, Lockwood!"

Lockwood flashed me a mega-watt smile. "We didn't finish what we started."

"Sandy Plains Boulevard," I called to the driver as I righted myself with dignity.

"You're glad I'm here, aren't you?" Lockwood had that maddeningly soft smile on his face.

"Don't push it."

"I know you, Lucy Carlyle. And I'm glad you're here."

I turned, my cheeks burning hot, and tried to punch that insolent Lockwood, but he just caught my wrist and held it. Gently.

"No," I admitted. "Your company's worse than a hog's."

I leaned in, not sure what the hell I was doing, and as Lockwood turned his head, I glimpsed the scene over his shoulder.

We weren't driving where we were supposed to.

I jerked away from Lockwood and tried the door to my left. It was locked. I turned to Lockwood and saw that he'd already tested his door. He was wrestling with the driver, and as the driver reared back, I gasped.

It was Sybil.

"You little—f!" Then I punched his nose. The taxi was driving back into busy northern London, and with a war behind the wheel, no one was exactly driving. The way we were going, we were going to set the criminal record soon.

I shoved Lockwood out of the way and grabbed Sybil's collar.

"You know how to run?" I asked.

And then I opened the driver's door and tossed him out.

I quickly shut the door, wriggled into the driver's seat, and pressed my foot on the gas. We zoomed forward and smashed the bumper into a ghost lamp.

I viciously wrenched the wheel—and it came off.

I looked at Lockwood sheepishly. Lockwood raised a dark eyebrow.

"I guess we're going to have to walk."

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I took an emergency trip to Apartment 41C.

"I'm dressing," I announced to Lockwood as I locked the door behind us and fled into the bedroom.

"What about me?"

I growled as I turned back. Lockwood had the innocent look of a shark. "You're good enough to make a tiger cry."

While I left Lockwood to ponder the figurative language I'd just said hastily, I threw on a silver gown that was tailored to rip off easily if the need came to. The skirt was wide and flowing, the silk folds concealing my clothes and rapier underneath. You couldn't suspect.

As I marched out of the bedroom, deciding to leave on my boots and putting nothing in my hair, I glanced out the window.

Then my head snapped back.

"What?!"

I ran over and jumped onto the kitchen counter, folding back a corner of the red velvet curtains. My eyes goggled at the sight.

Kipps, Godwin, Shaw, Flo, and George were high-tailing it towards this apartment complex. They were already at the door!

"Shoot."

Then I turned. Lockwood hadn't heard a single distressed syllable. He stood there bent over a small paper packet stapled together, one dark lock hanging over his forehead.

"Hey! Mister Handsome!"

Lockwood looked up, his eyes clearing. "Sorry, did you call me?"

I scowled as I jumped down from the counter. "Not you. They're coming, right now. We have to—hey!"

I snatched the papers out of Lockwood's hands.

"Nice drawings," Lockwood said pointedly.

"I hope you didn't see the last one," I muttered, stuffing the papers into a hidden dress pocket.

Lockwood looked at me. "Well, Lucy, you're as beautiful as ever."

"Don't even get me talking," I said, furiously trying to hide my blush. "We have to go. They're coming."

Lockwood yanked at my arm. "Why can't they come and help us?" he asked seriously.

I sighed. Since when did he care? "They can't come to Casper's party. And it wouldn't work, for reasons you don't understand."

Lockwood let go of me and crossed his arms. "Try me."

I began walking towards a wall covered in small paintings. "They're coming to the door, so I'll have to use the tunnels."

Lockwood's voice was dangerously quiet. "You?" I froze, my back turned to him.

I sighed. "Sorry, Lockwood, but…"

I whirled around as he lunged at me. I grabbed the pistol under the couch's pillows and smashed the butt of the gun across Lockwood's temple. He crumpled, senseless.

I heard the pounding of footsteps up the stairs echoing closer.

I tossed the gun away. "But this is a mission for the foolhardy alone."

End of Chapter 12