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I’d be imprisoned in my own safe house.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jessie
I walked all night, picking my way through the woods where bushes, fallen branches, and roots threatened to trip me in the dark. The foliage succeeded twice. Once, I did a full face-plant in the mud. Although the storm had passed, taking the rain with it, everything remained wet, and soon, I was soaked to the skin and shivering.
Forward progress was slow and halting, the fallen timber and brush forcing a circuitous path. I could see neither the road nor the city lights through the trees, so, every so often, I’d have to dart into the open to check my location.
The city lights never seemed to get any closer.
After hiking for several hours, I finally caught sight of actual buildings and recognized the domes of Jericho. I was headed in the right direction! With a burst of energy and hopefulness, my pace quickened. It was too soon for Stadler to be in the office—if she intended to be there at all—but Kari would be. I would convince her to wake the president and let her know I needed to meet with her on a matter of planetary security.
As the city loomed, the woods thinned and then disappeared, leaving me exposed by land and air. Few people were awake yet, but the few hovercars zooming overhead caused me to flinch. However, it wasn’t the vehicles I could see I needed to fear; it was the one I wouldn’t be able to see until it was too late. I rushed toward the city, feeling like Maxx was hot on my heels.
I avoided the main thoroughfare for the less-trafficked arterials. If I’d been abducted in broad daylight from a parking garage, I could be nabbed off the street just as easily. I had to assume my good boss had been warned. I figured he and Maxx would be less likely to look for me on an offshoot than the main promenade.
Finally, I reached the sprawling Jericho complex. The main entrance wasn’t open yet, but I wouldn’t have used the public rotunda anyway. Instead, I wove around to the rear staff entrance of the executive wing.
Out of sight of the guards, I stashed the stunner in the bushes. I hated to let it go, but I’d never be allowed inside with any kind of weapon. Flexing my cold, cramping fingers, shivering, soaked, and muddy, I approached security, relieved to see a familiar face. The guard widened his eyes. “What happened to you?”
His graveyard shift lasted until morning light, so I often encountered him on the days when I came in extra early. “It’s a long story, Joe. One that involves losing my ID badge.”
He motioned to a reader. “Scan in with a thumbprint.”
I pressed my thumb to the screen.
CANNOT READ.
My heart thudded. Did Garrison deactivate me?
“Um, I think maybe your thumb is too dirty to get a good read,” he suggested.
I wiped my hand on my pajama pants and only succeeded in getting muddier.
“Here.” He produced a handful of wet wipes.
“Thanks.” I scrubbed my thumb and then wiped both hands. I tossed the dirty paper cloths in the basket Joe held out. Then I took a breath and pressed my thumb to the reader.
ID CONFIRMED. ACCESS PERMITTED.
My knees wobbled from relief—or maybe the five-hour hike through the woods.
As I passed into the building, Joe shoved another handful of wipes at me. “Here. Your face.”
That bad, huh? But I didn’t doubt it. “Thank you.”
My wet, squeaking footfalls echoed in the vacant building as I hurried to the elevator. Again, I used my thumb to activate it. In the reflective door, I could see mud smudged my face and caked my wet, limp hair. The filthy, sodden pajamas clung to my body. Using Joe’s wipes, I gave a cursory swipe at my dirty face; I had more important matters to worry about than my appearance. As soon as the elevator let me off at the president’s floor, I sprinted to her office.
I burst in. “Kari—”
She wasn’t in yet.
“Who’s that?” President Erika Stadler emerged from her office and blinked at the sight of me. “Jessie, my word, what happened to you?”
“Thank goodness you’re here.” My voice shook with relief. “I have to talk to you. It’s an emergency.” Because of the retreat, I half expected her not to come into the office at all. Her presence spoke to her dedication.
“Of course, of course. Come on in.” She stepped aside so I could enter. She shut the office door. “Have a seat. I was going to have some coffee. Can I get you a cup? You look like you could use one.” She moved to the coffee dispenser inside an open cabinet.
