I peeked past Lamont. No missing the big uncomfortable man who tried to stay out of everyone’s way, but ended up in the wrong place each time.

Curious, I joined him. “You wanted to talk to me?”

Relief flooded his features and he smiled. His pleasure at seeing me was a nice change of pace. Plus he reminded me of Cogon.

“Is there somewhere private we can go?” he asked.

“Sure. Come on back.” I led him through the exam room and to our sitting area.

He settled on the couch and I perched on the edge of the chair.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“I examined that bomb.” Bubba Boom shifted with unease, focusing on his hands in his lap. “I think I know who built it.”

“Why aren’t you telling Anne-Jade?”

“It’s complicated.” He laced and unlaced his fingers together.

“One of your colleagues?” I guessed.

He glanced up. “Yeah. And…it’s hard. He works with me sometimes. But…I don’t want him to damage any more systems.”

I waited, letting him work through the logic.

Taking a deep breath, he said, “It’s Sloan. He’s getting everyone in Sector F1 riled up and has been talking about forming a resistance and storming the upper levels.”

I’d never forget that name, but it seemed a little too convenient. “Sector F1 was rioting at the time.”

“Exactly. They planned it as a distraction.”

Which made sense, yet they didn’t know I would be in the ducts. “But I started the riot.”

“Yes, but how did Sloan know you were there?” he asked.

“He heard me in the shaft.”

“You? The Queen of the Pipes?”

“My tool belt banged the metal. I’m out of practice.”

Bubba Boom shook his head. His shaggy hair puffed out with the motion. It reminded me of when Cog had decided to grow his hair as long as mine—what a mess.

“If you had spent any time in the barracks, you would know it’s too noisy in there to hear anything, let alone a bump in the air duct. Sloan knew you were coming.”

“How?” I still wasn’t convinced.

“Jacy rigged the bag of mics he gave you with a little sensor, tipping Sloan off.”

The bag I no longer had. “Why would Jacy set me up? I was supposed to be helping him.”

He leaned forward. “Supposed to be? There you go. Jacy doesn’t take kindly to people who lie to him or double-cross him. He makes the Pop Cops seem nice.”

I scoffed. “You’re exaggerating. Jacy helped with the rebellion.”

“Of course. All so he can get more power.” His cheeks flushed, causing his freckles to almost disappear.

“No. He doesn’t even have enough people to maintain his information network.”

“Because they’re all afraid.” He sagged back against the cushions. “Why would I lie? I’m gonna tell all this to Anne-Jade.”

“Good.” Confusion tugged. I thought I could trust Jacy.

“You need to know Jacy isn’t your friend. He hoped the angry mob in Sector F1 would send you to Chomper.”

An icy finger of fear touched the back of my neck. I rubbed my cheek, remembering the fury in Sloan’s gaze.

Bubba Boom scooted closer to me. “Be very careful.” He rested his warm hand on my knee. “I know you’re confined to level three, but you shouldn’t stray from the infirmary. When I save someone’s life, I expect them to stay safe.”

“Which time? Helping to diffuse the bomb or rescuing me from the fire?”

He laughed. “Maybe I’m expecting too much from you.”

I swatted him on the arm. “Well, thanks for both.”

“Anytime. In fact, I think I should visit more often just in case you need saving again.” His hand inched up my thigh.

Oh no. Just when I thought I might have found a friend who wasn’t incarcerated or the head of ISF, I thought wrong. And I really didn’t need another person keeping track of me. I moved my leg away. “Don’t worry. As you said, if I stay close to the infirmary I should be fine.”

His good humor died. “I thought you and Riley…”

News traveled fast. “We did, but I’m not ready to get involved in another…friendship. Besides, with all the troubles and sabotages, it’s best if I just concentrate on helping Doctor Lamont for now.”

He studied me as if I was a complicated explosive device, seeking weaknesses. I resisted the urge to squirm. Instead, I stood and said, “Make sure you tell Anne-Jade about Sloan and Jacy.” I held my breath. Would he take the hint?

Bubba Boom ambled to his feet and grinned. “Okay. I’m willing to wait until everything is mended. I’m sure all these troubles will soon settle down.” He gave me a mock salute and left.

I collapsed back into my chair. My mind swirled. Between his accusations about Jacy and advances, I had no idea what to think. The thought of being close to another man… No. I couldn’t even contemplate it without my skin crawling.

Why could I run into a burning room, climb up sheer walls, diffuse a bomb and defy the Committee without hesitation, yet be terrified to admit my feelings for Riley? My own fear had really screwed up not only my life, but Inside’s potential for peace and harmony. I hoped it wasn’t too late for all of us.

The glass tube didn’t glow during my first sweep through the Trava Sector. I had covered about half of the Sector before I needed to return to the infirmary for my shift. Lamont had created a schedule in keeping with the intern ruse. It worked, except I spent my free time crawling through air and heating vents searching for an active computer.