n of silence. She leaned against the cool metal wall, lettin

ted approximatel

on Kensington was waiting for her. He had taken

iences," he said without preamble. "Full medical eval

reak stride, walking past him toward the hotel's rear exit. Sh

ide her, a grim shadow. "O

, flanked by two soldiers who snapped to attention at Preston's approach. Georgia r

Institute," Preston sa

walking. "Am I

hesitate

ay from the armored vehicle, pulling

p tensed for a fraction of a second, then immediately slackened. Georgia felt his hesitation,a tremor that ran through his fingers-before he pulled hi

voice rougher than before. "If you're innoc

ht, her gait steady despite the exhaustion pulling at her bones. "I'll cooperate with yo

n issue a sharp command to his soldiers, then the

the city blur past the window. She was still alive. She was still free. And if the tests came back the way she k

y through the door when her comm-link chimed with a

ice, clipped and formal. "The Institute of Sci

gainst her kitch

his system." A pause. "The atmospheric samples did contain trace amounts of a low grade Inducer, consisten

her eyes. "So i

inary diagnosis is that Marshal Kensington experienced a spon

ans I'm i

s voice had lost its edge. "Which means we need to

cted before Georg

blood and sweat. Fresh clothes-simple, professional, armor of a di

was waiting in her livin

out of place among her minimalist furniture. His eyes swept th

until tomorrow," he said. "But my uncle's condi

the words without warmth. "And the re

will be published." He paused. "Meredith has been... reminded o

she took t

it was gone, replaced by the cold mask of a soldier. "The Marshal will want to speak wi

run down her spine.

." Preston's eyes were sharp, studying her. "But he doesn't

nd was racing. Lantis didn't recognize her as the one who

d you te

y one there." Preston's gaze didn

fe she had saved was now convinced she was lying a

eporters are silenced. Your uncle will recover." She stood, a clear dismissa

e toward the door.

use

for sympathy. Pushed for the engagement to be reinstated." He tilted his head, stu

g. "Nearly dying changes your perspec

, Preston followed. He paused in the threshold, close enough

r happened in that room whatever you did,my

his boots echoin

ad against the cool wood, letting herself shake just for a m

her finances. And th