Page 134

“Oh, I do.”

I lean in.

“That’s why I’m not letting you touch her.”

Silence.

Heavy.

“What do you propose?” he asks.

No hesitation.

“She works with Ronan.”

I gesture.

“Off your network. On our hardware.”

Let that land.

“With me in the room.”

Immediate reaction.

“That’s unacceptable.”

“Then enjoy the next funeral.”

Silence.

Long.

Measured.

Finally—

“If she runs—”

“She won’t,” I say.

Absolute.

“And if you try to cage her again,” I add, “this gets louder.”

A long pause.

Then—

“Bring her in.”

44

Lark

Location: Secure Analysis Room — Government Facility

Time: Night