Page 14 of Hollow State

“Clearly. Cargo doesn't complain," Wynn muttered.

Kane glanced at Darwin. “You’re the doctor. Explain to her that I’m capable of sitting in a seat without being restrained for air transport.”

“We’re traveling through mountain roads in an SxS," Darwin said. "We all need to be fastened in so tight it's impossible to breathe."

"That wasn't helpful." Kane turned his head.

Coulter opened a secured locker and removed a handgun. He checked the magazine and chamber before offering it to Darwin.

Darwin had been a decent shot when he'd been in the military. Not great, but he did well enough at target practice. However, he’d rarely had to shoot his way out of anything. The few times he'd seen combat, he’d been too busy patching people up to worry about the bullets flying over his head. “You think that’s necessary?”

“Everyone who leaves this bunker should be armed.” Coulter pushed it farther in his direction. "It's rare we leave this place and not need firepower."

Darwin set the medical case on the passenger side and accepted the weapon. The weight was familiar, though he hadn’t carried one in years. He checked it himself before securing it in the holster Coulter handed him.

Wynn watched from the driver’s side. “You good?”

“Rusty, not helpless.”

“I didn’t say you were," Wynn said.

“No, but you were thinking it.” Darwin laughed. It wasn't the only thing he was rusty at, and he hoped he wasn't helpless at that, either.

“I was thinking you spend most of your time holding a syringe," she said.

He smiled. “Both require a steady hand.”

Coulter closed the locker. “One of them usually involves less paperwork afterward.”

"You're a funny man." Darwin climbed into the passenger seat and secured the medical case between his feet. Wynn tugged at her harness.

Neve rested one hand on the roll cage. “Quinn will take you through the first section and will stay in contact with you for as long as possible. After that, you’re on your own.”

“We’ve traveled alone before,” Wynn said.

Neve’s gaze moved to Darwin. “He hasn’t.”

“I made it here alone.”

“That you did,” Coulter said.

The door at the far end of the vehicle bay opened, and Quinn drove in on another SxS. He wore dark civilian clothes, his police jacket folded on the passenger seat.

Stopping alongside them, he killed the engine.

Darwin turned in his seat. “Did you get your sister all settled?”

Quinn rested one hand on the steering wheel. “She's adjusting to her new surroundings and hates it when I hover.”

“I think all brothers do that,” Kane said from the back.

The corner of Quinn’s mouth lifted, though it didn’t last. “She says it's an annoying trait.”

“My brother used to tell me I was uber annoying.” Darwin laughed. “But just let her know that we're here if she needs us.”

“I appreciate that." Quinn nodded. “It's time to roll.” Quinn started his engine again and pointed toward the tunnel. “Stay close. Once we’re clear, I’ll take you south before doubling back toward the service road.”

“Understood." Wynn fired up the SxS.