Page 106 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

“I think you’re telling me just enough to keep me here,” Sabre said. “And not enough to actually help you.”

Bay didn’t respond.

“So, we’re going to try something different.”

Another pause.

“I’m not going to ask who you are,” Sabre said. “Or who sent you. Or who you’re trying to protect.”

Bay’s eyes narrowed, confused now.

Sabre’s voice stayed calm. “If you walked out of here right now, where would you go?”

Bay blinked, thrown off balance. “I wouldn’t,” she said automatically.

“That’s not what I asked.”

“Somewhere no one’s looking,” she said finally.

“Like where?”

“Not here.”

“Would you stay in the city?” Sabre asked.

A quick shake of Bay’s head. “No.”

“Would you leave the state?”

A pause. Then, quieter, “Maybe.”

“What name would you use?”

Bay looked up, eyes sharper now. “Why does that matter?”

“Because it tells me how long you think you can stay hidden.”

Another silence.

Bay looked down at the table. “Not mine.”

Sabre absorbed that. “Would you use one you’ve used before?”

Bay’s head snapped up. “I don’t know. You said you weren’t going to ask that.”

“It’s a different question.”

Bay looked away.

Sabre shifted again, keeping her tone casual. “What would you do first?”

No answer.

“Get money?” Sabre pressed.

A slight nod.

“From where?”