The upload progress bar began to crawl. *1%… 5%…*

“It’s too slow,” I whispered. “The files are too large.”

“The connection is routed through a secure satellite,” Ryker said. “It will take two minutes.”

Outside, a voice boomed through a megaphone.

“Ryker Steel! This is the Chicago Police Department! We have a warrant for your arrest! Open the doors and surrender the children!”

The voice was distorted by the rain.

I looked at Ryker. He was standing by the window, his arms crossed over his chest.

His face was a mask of stone.

“They don’t want the kids,” Ryker said. “Gideon wants them dead or hidden. If they take them, we will never see them again.”

“We can’t let them in,” I said. “But if Marco shoots, it’s a massacre.”

“Marco won’t shoot,” Ryker said. “But the steel shutters on the doors will hold for at least five minutes.”

He walked over to me and placed his hand on my shoulder. His touch was warm and surprisingly steady.

“Focus on the file, Tessa,” he said. “Get it sent.”

I watched the progress bar. *45%…*