“It is,” Drake agrees. “But it also really isn’t.”
My stomach drops.
“I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have much time,” Drake explains. “They’re keeping her in an induced coma. They’re saying it’s to help speed up her recovery, which is normally typical of a head injury…which this isn’t. The family is starting to ask questions. They want to see her. They want answers.”
I close my eyes. I groan.
“I think they’re going to pull the plug on her soon.”
“When?” I ask.
“No idea. Could be today…tomorrow. You should have a few days, but it’s hard to say for sure.” He sighs.
“Dammit,” I mutter.
Wren is staring at me. I can see the fear in her eyes. She can’t hear what Drake is saying but she knows the gist of it.
“You’re out of time, Grim,” Drake says. “I know security around the vaccination facility was crazy, but it’s died down a bit. It’s still crawling with guards, but not as many as before.”
“That’s good news.” I scrub a hand over my face.
“They’ve put a tarp over the roof, so access should be fairly easy,” Drake tells me. “They’ve set up a tent in the parking area so shifters can still get their vaccinations. The actual building is mostly empty during the day. Just guards patrolling. They’re focusing mainly on the storage facility for the vaccinations.”
“How many are there?”
“I don’t have exact numbers for you,” Drake says. “It would be suspicious if I went there, since I have no reason to.”
“Have you heard anything about Wren’s phone?” I ask, although I already know the answer.
“Not a word,” Drake admits. “They haven’t started cleaning up or begun repairs on the building yet. They’ve mainly been focused on finding you and on keeping the building secure. I’m pretty sure they will start soon, in which case they might end up finding the phone. Another reason to go in now.”
I run a hand through my hair. “Our time is up, then.”
“I’m afraid so. At least, if you want to save Sally by getting the word out, now is the time,” Drake says. “I’d recommend going tonight. There are fewer guards. More shadows to hide in.”
“It’s going to be difficult,” I say.
“There’s a chance you’ll be caught,” Drake agrees. “I won’t lie to you about that. Security might be lighter, but it’s still there. And if they catch you breaking into the facility…” He doesn’t finish the sentence. He doesn’t have to.
“I have to do it,” I tell him. “There’s no other choice.”
“Grim—”
“If I’m killed,” I interrupt, “it’ll be up to you to eventually find the phone and expose the truth. Can you do that?”
There’s a long pause. “Yes,” Drake says finally. “I’ll make sure the truth comes out. One way or another.”
Wren makes a small sound. When I look at her, her face has gone pale.
“Be careful. Please. We need you alive, Grim. I don’t want to have to tell your mother that you didn’t make it,” he says, reminding me of the gravity of the situation.
“I’ll do my best,” I tell him.
“That’s all I can ask,” Drake says. “Call me after. Let me know you’re okay.”
“I will.”
I end the call.
