Firo lets the panel swing shut behind them. No way to go but forward now, and he starts feeling along the wall as he walks. “This takes us through the wall and into the alley outside. After that, it’s not too far to Alveare. That’s where the others should be.”

“Just stay close and don’t make any trouble, all right?” A smarter gangster might simply ditch Carlisle, but Firo doesn’t even consider it. He doesn’t wonder why this guy who’s plainly not from his world is here; he just thinks that Carlisle will probably get lost without him.