Williams had left Joachim behind at the bend in the tunnel when the little man had stopped in front of the wooden door on the far side of the cave. The boy was being helpful, and any suspicion that he was leading Williams into a trap had disappeared when he’d quickly stopped and pointed to the badge in his lapel. It had started to glow red. The boy had whispered urgently that it was a summons from the enemy and he could not turn it off, stepping back into the dark with both hands pressed tightly over his breast; the badge and the light had faded away with him. Only when Joachim was completely hidden did Williams move.
He walked forward, making sure to avoid the puddles and the gaping holes in the cave floor, and had nearly crossed to the other side of the cave when the little man had whip
