ll sound vanished

heartbeat or the

y on Jed's

s eyes filled with fear, confusio

t announcement shatt

e a madwoman, only to be slapp

ails digging into my palm, usin

s eyes full of sympa

comfort but didn't

voice hoarse but steady.

one f

d to himself, "Yes... yes! It's

wler, we understand

, meeting his gaze, forcing my voice to stay even. "That watch

le from gripping it so tightly, but

nked clearly

ndoned factory

to the Eastside d

the phone

red at the blinking dot, his

, attention! The target is heading toward the Eastside docks! Set

ced by scrutiny and surprise. "Ms. Fowle

aid, staring at Jed's dazed face, each word de

as if my words

to speak but couldn'

cer rushed in and whisp

s face grew

hen at me, choosing

e kidnappers had an internal dispute. She says she set off an explosive they left behind dur

d, nearly collaps

bitter sound. "Sh

yes nar

off at any moment. Second, if there was an explosion and my daughter was at its center, they

gets rescued, and my daughter dies? That's too convenient. Convenient enou

shifted from se

er, after hearing their child's death, stay s

im time to proc

g and pulled ou

your authority for

ed a n

nce and c

itative voice an

to push down every shred of vul