Chapter Four: The Door They Would Not Permit

Within half an hour, the rain became a slanted wall. By the time Xu reached the Harbor City Disaster Data Center, his trouser cuffs were soaked. The lobby, however, was brightly and unnaturally quiet. The night guard studied the photo Gu Wei had left, then slid the register back. “System malfunction. No public access tonight.” “I do not need the visitor exhibit. I need the East District gate’s live data.” Xu kept his voice level. “There may be backflow.” The guard did not change expression. “Sir, storms produce many rumors. Please do not interfere with operations.” Xu’s phone lit up. Gu Wei’s number. When he answered, he heard ragged breathing and one low sentence: “Not the front door. Old maintenance passage on B2. West ventilation shaft.