Page 116 of Jep

“Yeah, okay.” He backed out of the room, still shaking his head.

“Hey, Bailey,” Jep said. “One more thing.”

“Yeah?”

“Gardener is cuffed in her room. Don’t let her go. She’ll need to be questioned.”

“SylviaGardener?”

“She’s the only Gardener I know of.”

“Why is she in cuffs? What did she do?”

Jep pointed at his head. “Knocked me out.”

“Why?”

“Can you just make sure she’s taken into custody?”

“You know, before you came here, this place was orderly.”

“Orderly and full of traitors. Well done.”

“Who’s a traitor? Gardener? Jep, what?—”

“I’ll explain everything to Lawson.”

“Okay, but make sure you don’t go anywhere.”

“I don’t know that I could move from this spot even if I wanted to.”

After he left, Em wiped her face with her sleeve and sat back. “We saved a lot of people today, right? Jade didn’t give her life for nothing?”

“If Pearce had killed us, there’s no telling how many more people would have died. And when Gardener talks, we’ll save even more.”

“You think she’ll talk?”

“I’ll make sure of it. Your sister’s death won’t be for nothing. She’s a hero.”

Em let out a soft laugh. “That’s a nice thing to say.”

“It’s the truth. But Em, be prepared. The agency won’t look at her that way. They’ll pick her life apart to find whatever evidence they need to condemn her and anyone else who will shift the blame as far away from them as possible.”

“I know. But I don’t care what they think. I know what was really in her heart. Underneath all her pain and anger, she could still do what was right. I only wish we had more time to explore that.”

He tugged her close again. “I know.”

Chapter 26

“You sure youdon’t want to come in with me?” Jep smirked at Em as he tightened his vest. She rested her hand on the hard plate at his chest to confirm for herself that it would protect him.

“You know what would be funny?” she said, cocking her head to the side.

“What’s that?”

“If I said I was coming.”

“But you won’t.”

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