Page 66 of Knight

My security sweep reveals nothing out of place, but I take my time before going into the storage shed where the generator is housed. It hums to life as soon as I start it, and lights flicker on through the windows of the cabin. Only then do I go back to collect Glitch.

She follows me to the door, waits while I unlock it, and then walks inside. The main room is sparse—table, two chairs against one wall. Single bed on the other. A door leading to the bathroom, and a small kitchen area. There’s a security box on the floor, and I go straight to that. The lid unlocks after I type in the six digit code, and I take out the higher spec laptop. The screen on this is bigger than the other one.

“First thing we need to do is deal with the police situation.” I set up the laptop on the table, and plug in the mobile internet dongle I keep for emergency use.

“How?”

“You need to talk to them.”

“Me?”

“They have an APB out based on that anonymous tip about a hostage situation. Plus, if they’ve checked, your phone records will show all those late-night messages between you and someone that appears to be me.” I adjust the webcam settings. “We need to get a handle on it, while we have a secure connection.”

I open up an internet browser and type in a search for the local police department closest to my apartment. Once I have that, it doesn’t take long to find the advertised number to call for any sightings of me or her.

“First you need to call and tell them who you are. Then they’re going to want to see you. You can offer them a video call, for proof of life to show that you’re safe.”

Her fingers twist in the hem of her shirt. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? What do I even say to them?”

“The truth, mostly. We met online. You came to my apartment that night. We were already gone before any of the explosions went off.” I check the video feed quality. “Let them see that you’re here by choice.”

“What if they don’t believe me?”

“Make them believe you.” I shrug. “Or don’t, and then they’ll arrest me for kidnapping, and you’ll lose any chance you had of finding your brother. Your choice.”

She’s still glaring at me when the call connects.

“H-hi. My name is Evangeline Porter. I’m told you’ve been looking for me.”

There’s a brief pause at the end of the line, and then a woman replies, voice sharp. “Ms. Porter? Are you safe?”

“I … I’m fine.”

“If you’re in a safe location, I can transfer you to Detective Penhaligan.”

“I’m safe. I think there’s been a big misunderstanding.”

I nod, and her shoulders loosen slightly.

“Ms. Porter?” A male voice replaces the woman. “Where are you?”

“Do you … are you able to video call? I’m okay. Everything is okay.”

“Yes, of course.”

I reach past her and tap the screen, which changes the voice to video, then step out of view of the camera.

The detective looks just as I expected him to—mid-forties, with a world-weary expression that sharpens when he sees Glitch.

"Miss Porter. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." She leans forward slightly, projecting calm. "I saw the news about Knight's apartment. We weren't there when it happened."

"Where were you?" His tone carries clear skepticism.

Her cheeks flush slightly. "We ... we'd already left. Together."

"At three in the morning?" The detective's eyebrow lifts. "And you expect me to believe you went willingly?"

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