Page 108 of Jep

She looked at Jep. Blood was matting the back of his head. It was too much. His body could only take so much.

“Em,” Pearce said. “Please don’t make me force you.”

She turned on him. “Pearce, you know me.”

“I know Gardener too. Longer than you. Please. I’ve got a job to do, and I’m going to do it properly.”

“Where’s Lawson?”

“He’s on his way back now. When he arrives, we’ll fill him in.”

Em looked back at Jep. “Once you know Jade is still locked up, we’ll come back?”

“Immediately.”

“Fine, then let’s make this quick.”

Chapter 24

Pearce unlockedthe door to the room where Jade was being kept, and they found her still cuffed to the table.

“See?” Em said. “I told you. Now can we go back to Jep?”

Pearce sighed. “We can’t.”

“Why? You promised?”

“I know.” He walked over to Jade and uncuffed her.

Jade watched him but didn’t speak, just rubbed her wrists once they were free.

“What are you doing?” Em said.

“I hate to keep you in the dark here,” Pearce said, “but it’s for your own good.”

“What are you talking about?”

“There’s a lot going on that you don’t know about. I need you to trust me.”

“Trust you with what?”

“I need you to take your sister and find somewhere to hide. Can you do that for me?”

“No.” Em’s head was spinning now. She’d lost track of the twists and turns and had no idea which way was up anymore. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“We don’t have time for this. Em, you’ve known me a while now. You know I would never do anything to put you in jeopardy. If you don’t go now, your sister could die.”

She looked at Jade, who quickly stood. “Are we getting out of here?”

Em’s heart warred with her head.God, you said to ask you if we ever need wisdom. I need it now.

“Go, Em.” Pearce said. “I’ll cover for you.”

“But where should I go?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He herded them toward the door. “You just need to go. Now.”

“How will I know when it’s safe? We can’t hide forever.”

---