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If they come again, we’ll be ready.

I leave Arthur and Taylor with the prisoners and head back toward the house. Will opens the side door before I reach it.

“She okay?” I ask.

“She called over the radio when she heard the shot. I told her we had the situation under control.”

“Did you tell her someone was injured?”

“No.”

I secure my weapon and go to the guest room. The hidden door is still closed. I press the intercom button beside it.

“Sage, it’s Sean.”

Several seconds pass.

The lock releases.

I open the door and descend.

She stands in the middle of the reinforced room, hugging her backpack against her chest. She has put on the wig, glasses, and baggy jacket again.

My heart breaks at the sight of them.

“Are they gone?” she asks.

“One escaped. We caught two.”

Her gaze moves over me. “Were you shot?”

“No.”

“I heard one.”

“He missed.”

“Did you shoot someone?”

“Yes. He’ll live.”

She absorbs that quietly.

“Was it Greg?”

“No.”

Her shoulders drop. I can’t tell whether she’s relieved or disappointed.

“They told us something you need to know.”

Fear returns to her face.

“What?”

“The man you hit with the pipe is alive.”

She stares at me.