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“B-I, I think.” The USB light was still red.

“Binder. Binky. Binary.”

“Yes,” she said and typed in B-i-n. “Bin something. Bin …”

“Binocular. Bingo?”

Bingo. The light turned green.

“Not bin. I think it’s Bim with an M. Capital B-i-m.” She typed it in, wondering how she could retrieve the USB and put it back in her pocket or into her bra so someone—a good guy—could find it.

Piper thought of Ethan and then felt like by bringing him to mind, she might magnet him to her side. So she pushed his picture aside.

She was staring at the security screen.

“Bimbo,” the man said.

“Are you kidding me? It’s not bimbo.”

“Come on, lady!”

“You know what would have helped? Not shooting something into my body and making me think that I’m going to die.”

“You’re not going to die,” he said. “You’re going to put the code in. I’m going to give you the antidote.”

“Or maybe go ahead and give me the antidote because I can’t pick up my hands and the room is swimming. I can’t think.” Her mouth became slack as she tried to plead her case. “I’m not good to you dead. No one can get to the formula if I’m dead.”

In her fuzzy state, it seemed that clouds of white were filling the room as the air system kicked into high.

Powder went up her nose and caked in her mouth as she sputtered.

The man, even with his mask on, was coughing to clear his airways. He opened the computer room door.

And as he did that, Piper grabbed the USB, moving it to her pocket.

There was a pop, and the room filled with the acrid smell of melting electronics. Piper licked her hand—she was going to die anyway; might as well figure out what was in her lungs. Though, with the door open, the air was clearing.

“What’s happening?” The man leaned over to see the screen.

“There’s flour in the air. I guess the computer didn’t like it and shorted out. This computer is my age.”

“It’s on fire. Quick, put the password in!”

“Could I have the antidote, please?” Piper asked, then slid to the floor.

Chapter Thirty

Ethan

Ethan had been outside helping an elderly, wobbly couple to their car.

When he and Tango came back in, Jay shot him a look that sent a warning over his skin. “What?”

“Nothing,” Jay said. “I thought you were helping that couple. You didn’t leave them to wander the parking lot, did you?” He fixed his face in a plastic smile. “Bad joke. No, I was just wondering where the people are. Dr. Phillips is giving her speech soon, and the guests haven’t come down to her lab.”

“I’ll go up and see.”

Jack stood very still at the top of the stairs, his phone to his ear, looking around.