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"She got your prisoner released," I replied, glancing toward Daniela "Didn’t she?"

Mrs Perkins made a tsk sound under her breath "There’s no need to take a confrontational tone, Tess We’re all friends here" She stepped forward and trailed the flat of the knife blade alongelse?"

I nodded, as htful," Mrs Perkins declared, stepping back On the other side of the room, Henry stared at her, his jaw cla happen to you, he’d said roughly, his body less than afor this," Daniela said, holding up the USB drive she’d taken from Priya There wasn’t an ounce of tension in her voice--nothing but the barest hint of challenge

She’s not afraid of theainst her

There was a plan Daniela and I had a plan--but the reason I’d put my life in her hands, Priya’s life in her hands, was that I’d thought that our goals were aligned

I’d thought she--and her child--were in danger

Mrs Perkins took the drive froed it in A sequence of nu code appeared on the screen

All eyes went to me

"It has to be decrypted," Daniela spoke up on ainst a nearby table as she did "Would you expect anything less?"

She’s on my side She is She knows the plan She’ll stick to it

"For your sake, Tess," Mrs Perkins said, her gaze lingering on my face, "let us hope it’s decrypted quickly"

The sound ofin h-pitched whistle

Daniela eased herself off the table The moment Mrs Perkins attention was drawn to Daniela, I bolted

Out the door, into the hall

I made it two feet, maybe three, and then I was slammed into a wall I heard a crack My jaw My teeth bit into hly, htly behind my back that my shoulder threatened to dislocate My eyes teared up My vision blurred I blinked

Mrs Perkins stepped out into the hall She took her tiun