Chapter 74
RJ
The first message we get from Clara has me shouting for Walker. He sprints into my room, both of us staring at the simple word.
Hi.
“Oh my god,” Walker whispers. “Write back. We don’t know how long she has.”
Are you okay?
I hold my breath, and then more words appear on the screen.
Mostly healed. And thanks for the hand-off. We’re good on that front. How are things there?
I freeze. “What do I say?”
Walker yanks the keyboard away, typing a response instead of talking.
We’re good. Jansen’s getting some help, but that’s a good thing, so don’t worry.
“Don’t tell someone not to worry. That makes them worry more,” I growl, yanking it back.
I add my own explanation.
That was Walker. And really, Jansen’s good. He’s where he needs to be, and soon he’ll be the one stealing my keyboard to talk to you.
Walker glares at me. “That’s not a lot better.”
Her response stops our squabble.
I don’t have much time, but we’re being let out tonight. Orchestra Hall.
Got it. We’ll be there.
I don’t have anything for you.
It doesn’t matter. We’ll be there.
I can practically see her, a small grin on her face as she accepts that she’s wanted. That just seeing her is worth any barrier, any danger.
Got to go. Love you. Both of you.
My heart stutters, the emotion so big I can barely think. Walker takes the keyboard, his glance weighted.
Love you too, princess.
Then she’s gone, my chance to respond with it.
Fuck. I love her so much that I can’t seem to make the words come out, either my mouth or my fingers. But I need to find a way. I know she knows, but the words are important, maybe more important than actions at this point.
With a sigh, I check my unlisted message board which shows a visitor a few minutes ago, so at least she read the coded updates before she had to sign off.
I wish I had more of an update for her. We’ve gotten access to about half of the devices on the Westerhouse estate’s network. And in a few more weeks, I should have access to the other half.
Bank accounts, calendars, security codes, I’ll collect every one until we have everything we need to take that devil down.
I just wish I had it all in hand now.
