29. A Coward

Charlie waited until Sky’s bedroom door closed behind her with a loud thud. Then, walked straight to River Foster’s office.

River raised an eyebrow. “Back already? I’d think Sky would want to stay longer.”

Charlie didn’t sit down. He was too tense and he wanted to get this over with.

“Someone tried to grab sky,” he said.

River’s eyebrow dropped.

“Explain,” he said, already moving around his desk.

Charlie explained everything. He kept things clean and straight. He laid it out like a report because that was how his mind worked when something went wrong. He told him about everything. The fog. The distraction. The fake uniform. The hand over her mouth. The alley. And how he fought the man to rescue Sky.

River listened without interrupting, jaw tightening a fraction more with every sentence.

When Charlie finished, the silence was sharp.

“Double security,” River said immediately. “Effective tonight. No more solo outings. Two cars minimum. I want a full audit of everyone who worked that venu