Chapter 12
The door opened only halfway.
Popclaw stood inside, looking at Adam and Hughie like she had no reason to trust either of them. Her eyes moved to the work bag in Hughie's hand, then to Adam's cap.
"I didn't call anyone," she said.
Hughie forced a worker's smile. "Bryman Audio, building service check. We just need a few minutes because people complained about the system cutting out."
Popclaw did not move.
Adam stayed quiet and let Hughie talk. In the original timeline, Hughie had been the one who got them inside. If Adam spoke too much, the scene might bend in a direction he did not want.
Hughie lifted the bag a little. "If the system is fine, we leave. If it fails later, the building blames us for skipping the check."
Popclaw stared at him for another second, then stepped back.
"Five minutes."
"Thank you," Hughie said quickly.
They entered the apartment.
Adam kept his head slightly lowered as he walked in. The room looked ordinary at first. His senses still caught enough to tell him A-Train came here often. He ignored that and moved toward the computer setup.
Hughie looked around like he was trying to remember what M.M. had told him in the van.
"Could I get some water?" Hughie asked suddenly.
Popclaw looked at him.
"Please," Hughie added. "Long morning."
Popclaw gave him an annoyed look and went toward the kitchen.
The moment she turned away, Adam sat at the computer. His fingers moved over the keyboard. The system was not hard to enter. It was a home setup, not a Vought server. He opened the webcam access and began linking the feed through the small device Hughie had brought.
Hughie stood near him, trying not to look nervous.
Adam glanced at him. Hughie's eyes kept moving around the apartment. He was not just keeping watch. He was looking at the place connected to A-Train and trying not to show it.
Adam understood the feeling.
This apartment was not just a target. This was where A-Train's secret life touched the truth behind Robin's death.
Adam looked back at the screen and finished the connection.
At the same time, a thought settled in his mind.
This place was dangerous for more than one reason. If things followed the original story, the Boys would soon have Popclaw under pressure. Their faces could become a problem. Adam had already changed enough by standing beside Hughie.
'I should not come here again unless I have to,' Adam thought.
Popclaw returned with water.
Hughie took it with both hands. "Thanks."
Adam closed the last window and stood. "System looks fine from here. We should be done."
Popclaw looked relieved to see them leaving.
They stepped out of the apartment and entered the hall. Before they could move far, A-Train appeared in front of them.
Hughie stopped the moment he saw him. His body became stiff, and his eyes stayed fixed on A-Train's face.
A-Train slowed down as well. He first looked at Adam, then at Hughie. His gaze remained on Hughie for a few seconds.
"Have I seen you somewhere before?" A-Train asked.
Hughie opened his mouth to answer. Adam smiled before Hughie could speak. He took Hughie by the arm and led him away.
"Come on," Adam said. "We still have another job."
Hughie kept looking back. Adam kept him moving. A-Train watched them leave, then entered Popclaw's apartment.
Adam kept hold of Hughie until they left the building. Hughie did not resist, but his face had lost its color. Hearing A-Train ask that question had brought the moment with Robin back into his mind.
They returned to the van.
M.M. looked at Hughie as soon as they entered. "What happened?"
Hughie sat down without answering.
Adam took the seat beside him. "We met A-Train in the hall. I think seeing him brought Hughie's trauma back."
M.M. moved closer to Hughie and spoke in a steady voice. His eyes did not leave Hughie's face. "Hey, look at me."
Hughie slowly raised his eyes.
"You're out of there now," M.M. said. "Take a breath and don't let him pull you back into that moment."
Hughie took a breath and nodded, though his hands were still tight near his knees.
The monitor in front of them suddenly changed. The webcam connection Adam had installed came online, and the feed from Popclaw's apartment appeared on the screen.
Butcher leaned forward. M.M. also turned toward the monitor while Adam stayed beside Hughie.
On the screen, A-Train stood near Popclaw. He looked tense and kept talking about the race.
Then he asked her for Compound V. He did not lower his voice or try to hide the name from her.
Butcher stared at the screen in surprise. Adam had already told him about Compound V, but Butcher still wanted proof from someone connected to The Seven. Now A-Train himself had said the name while the camera was recording everything.
"She's got Compound V?" Butcher asked.
Adam did not look surprised. He already knew what they were about to see, so he stayed quiet and gave Butcher time to hear everything.
Popclaw refused. "No. Do you remember what happened the last time you took it?"
A-Train looked away.
"You ran through that girl," Popclaw said. "You told me what happened."
Hughie's attention snapped toward the monitor.
A-Train tried to calm Popclaw. "If I don't win this race, Vought will throw me out of The Seven."
Popclaw stared at him for a few seconds. "Then make us public. Tell everyone we're together."
A-Train immediately refused. "I can't do that."
Popclaw's face hardened. She turned away from him, then took out the Compound V. She held it before pushing it toward him in anger.
The blue vial appeared on the webcam feed.
Butcher stared at it. The confirmation he wanted was now right in front of him.
He looked at the others and said, "We need to get that Compound V."