Page 77 of Peak’s Code

"Wren.” Maeve forced herself to stay calm. "Are you okay?"

A tiny laugh came through the speaker. "You shouldn’t ask that because you might not like the answer."

"I need to know,” Maeve said.

"I'm alive." The words nearly broke her. Peak held up two fingers, and she knew that he needed her to keep talking to buy him two minutes. Maeve nodded almost imperceptibly.

"I found your message."

There was another quiet laugh. "I knew you would. Tide Before Dawn. You were always better at puzzles."

Maeve shook her head. "No, I had help." Her eyes drifted toward Peak, but he didn't look up from the tablet. His fingers flew across the keyboard, and she could tell that he was getting close.

"Wren,” Maeve whispered, "where are you?"

"I can't tell you,” Wren said.

"Why not?" Maeve asked.

"They'll know it was me." Peak silently held up one finger, letting her know that he still needed a minute. Maeve's pulse quickened.

"Wren.” Maeve breathed.

"I need something,” Wren said.

"What is it?” Maeve asked. She’d give her sister just about anything that she asked for.

"If—” Her sister hesitated. "If I don't make it⁠—”

Maeve's heart stopped. "No, listen to me."

"No,” Wren said. "You need to listen to me right now."

Maeve squeezed her eyes shut. "I can't."

"You can." Wren's voice became stronger. "You need to know this. They're not just taking women; they're building something."

"We know." Peak looked up sharply, and Maeve continued. "We found Bayview."

"You found Voss,” Wren said. It wasn’t a question, but a statement. Maeve looked at Peak, and he nodded. They were right—Dr. Voss mattered.

"Wren,” Maeve said. Peak silently counted down. He needed just thirty seconds, and Maeve's throat tightened. "What do I do?"

Her sister answered without hesitation. "Burn it to the ground."

Maeve frowned. "What?"

"The servers." Peak stopped typing, and his eyes met hers. Wren continued, "Don't save the data; destroy it."

Maeve's stomach dropped. "But there are thousands of files in there. You’ll lose the evidence,” she said.

"I know,” Wren whispered. Maeve could hear emotion creeping into Wren's voice. "But if those servers stay online, they'll never stop."

Peak whispered, "She's right."

The line crackled, and Wren's breathing changed. "They're coming."

"Wren!" Maeve shouted.