Page 116 of Gave Proof Through the Night

I can hear Zoe’s footsteps in the corridor and she says, “Talk to me. I’m already halfway to the trade-off point.”

“The vault has an internal mass scale. It’s measuring air displacement. I’ve got an automated lockdown counting down right now.”

“Oh no. The floor’s a scale. Suri, did you step on it?”

“No. My foot’s off the threshold. But the clock is ticking. Ninety seconds.”

“Don’t move,” Zoe cuts in. “Copy me, Suri. Do not step forward, and do not pull that door shut. Alarms auto-engage if it closes.”

“I’m aware,” Suri says, tight. “Standing very, very still.”

I take the first hallway I find, walking briskly but with the look of calm elegance. “Zoe, can you override this?”

“On my way back to the van.”

Then Ginger in her best French accent harasses the front desk.

I take another turn. Hobbs is somewhere behind me, closing in.

“Sixty seconds,” Suri says.

“I’m sprinting,” Zoe pants. “Just hold on.”

“Copy. Engine’s warm,” Dale says, entirely too cheerful.

Then, layered under it, a new voice. “Sir, you can’t park there.”

“I have to wait for my coworker.” Dale’s tone is instantly earnest. “Please, I’ll get written up.”

“Sir, there are no deliveries past ten.”

“Please? Just five more minutes. I’m sure she’ll be back lickety-split.”

Lickety-split?

The security guard lets out a sigh, like he’s not paid enough for this. “Okay, sir. Five minutes.”

“Oh, thank you. Wanna see a magic trick?”

“I’m good. Gotta go take my break anyway…” he trails off.

“You’re too friendly, Booboo Bear,” Tanya mutters.

“You love me.”

"Yes, I do, my Poochie Woochie.”

“And I love you, my Squishy.”

“Guys.” Suri’s voice is flat. “Trying to concentrate here.”

I take another turn. Then another. Now I’m wondering if I’ve lost the poor dolt.

“Forty-five seconds,” Suri says.

“I’m in, booting the tower.” A frantic clatter on the keyboard. “Come on, you piece of garbage, wake up.”

“Oh, there you are,” Dale says. “Security says we gotta move it out soon.”