Confrontation in the Tunnel

After Delacroix's botched execution, Paul Edgecombe, Brutus Howell, Dean Stanton, and Harry Terwilliger confront Percy Wetmore in the tunnel beneath the prison. They accuse him of deliberately sabotaging the execution by using a dry sponge. Percy feigns ignorance, but the guards know the truth. They force him to promise to transfer to Briar Ridge, a mental hospital, and threaten to expose his incompetence and cowardice if he does not. Percy, shaken and terrified, agrees. The confrontation establishes a fragile truce, but the guards know Percy is dangerous and unpredictable. The event also solidifies their resolve to take action to save Melinda Moores.