The Case for Freedom

Forty was like a statue, just staring. I suppose she thought that she was going to die where she stood. I knew better… he wouldn’t kill us yet. Not until he’d gotten the code from me, and he would likely use her to force me to reveal it.

“Now… you seem like a smart young man, so let’s cut to the chase before your team ends up getting minced out there. Give me the tablet, and the code, and I’ll let you go.”

“Right,” I drawled. “The second I give you anything, you’ll kill me. And your granddaughter, for good measure, I’m sure.”

I saw a flinch in the guards, but not the old man. It was interesting. “She told you, I’m sure.”

“Yes.”