Read Chapter 24: — TEN METRES OF ROCK

The first borehole reached the trapped group after six hours.

Air flowed.

Then water.

Then food, medication, batteries and a communication line.

Graham’s voice came through weak but unmistakably irritated.

“Stop wasting time talking to me and get the injured man out.”

Maya laughed and cried at once.

Daniel took the handset.

“Mr Bennett.”

“Mercer.”

“You sound terrible.”

“I’m sitting in a tunnel after an earthquake. Standards have slipped.”

The rescue estimate was another ten to twelve hours.

Graham developed a fever, probably from exhaustion and dust exposure. He refused to discuss it.

Daniel made him take medication through the supply tube.

“Since when do you give me orders?” Graham asked.

“Since you became trapped underground.”

A pause.

“Fair.”

Maya stayed beside the control point until Daniel forced her to eat.

At some point Daniel called Maggie.

He had debated whether to wait.

She answered on the first ring.

“How bad?”

She knew from his face.

“He’s alive. Rescue is progressing.”

Maggie closed her eyes.

“Let me talk to him.”

The request had to wait until the rescue coordinator allowed non-essential communication.

When the line opened, Daniel stepped away.

He did not hear what Maggie said.

He saw Graham’s face on the inspection camera.

For a man who had faced explosions, collapses, political crises and decades of difficult construction, Graham Bennett looked suddenly afraid.

Not of the tunnel.

Of the possibility that he might run out of time again.