I pulled it out and opened the latch.

Inside lay the silver drive, cold and heavy.

I sat on the floor, surrounded by my ruined life, and held the drive to my chest.

My phone buzzed again in my pocket.

It was an unknown number.

I answered it, keeping my voice low.

“Eleanor,” a voice said.

It was Captain Merritt.

“I’m here,” I said.

“We have Harrington and Cross in separate holding rooms at the Fort Meade tribunal annex,” Merritt said.

“Did they talk?” I asked.

“Not yet,” Merritt replied. “Cole is demanding a civilian lawyer, and Cross is claiming diplomatic immunity through her liaison office.”

“They sent someone to my apartment, Merritt,” I said, looking at the slashed mattress. “The place is cleared out. They were looking for the drives.”

There was a pause on the line.

“Are you safe?” he asked.

“I have the drive,” I said, ignoring his question. “They missed it.”

“Get out of there,” Merritt said. “Albright is sending a detail to secure you, but it will take twenty minutes.”

“I don’t have twenty minutes,” I said.

I hung up.