[At the end of each chapter, Mikleo checks on the notes, adding his own details, scratching out and correcting some of Sorey's, which of course leads to a handful of debates (heated and otherwise) over the validity of certain points. Thankfully it's not a lengthy book - young adult mystery fiction! short but meaty - and Mikleo is an experienced reader, so it isn't too long before they're a good ways into the book. Mikleo's getting tired, but the extended debate session is only serving as fuel for his energy pyre.]
"'What I have yet to deduce,' muttered James, growing increasingly irritable, 'Is how the killer came to know that we had found the location of the secret chamber?' Sebastian's only response was a quiet hmmm, and it was easy to see the gears working overtime in his head. 'Interesting,' he finally said. 'It occurs to me that we would have discovered it much sooner had you not been spared from your unfortunate fall the other day.' 'You can't possibly mean-' Abruptly, his words were cut short by a tremendous crash. Sebastian lunged forward, tackling his partner to the ground just in time to miss being shot. They rolled as one behind a crumbling pillar, and James chanced a peek as they heard the sound of a rifle being reloaded. Sure enough, standing in the doorway of the only known exit of the ruins, was-"
[Mikleo stops. Sets the book down. Slides it along the desk towards Sorey. His expression is an unflappable mask of calm.]
no subject
"'What I have yet to deduce,' muttered James, growing increasingly irritable, 'Is how the killer came to know that we had found the location of the secret chamber?'
Sebastian's only response was a quiet hmmm, and it was easy to see the gears working overtime in his head. 'Interesting,' he finally said. 'It occurs to me that we would have discovered it much sooner had you not been spared from your unfortunate fall the other day.'
'You can't possibly mean-'
Abruptly, his words were cut short by a tremendous crash. Sebastian lunged forward, tackling his partner to the ground just in time to miss being shot. They rolled as one behind a crumbling pillar, and James chanced a peek as they heard the sound of a rifle being reloaded. Sure enough, standing in the doorway of the only known exit of the ruins, was-"
[Mikleo stops. Sets the book down. Slides it along the desk towards Sorey. His expression is an unflappable mask of calm.]
Read it.