Page 32 of Hollow State

Maybe Gus could locate someone inside the government willing to listen. Someone who could look at the files Darwin had taken from Hyperion and understand why he’d run. Someone who could stop the warrants, the searches, and the lies before another person died.

But if Gus had a person like that, he would have used them months ago.

Turning himself over to Finch wasn't an option. Not after today. Not unless he wanted to die. Becoming expendable was a dangerous place for Darwin to be. He no longer held any value unless he could prove what Finch had done.

So far, that seemed like an impossible task.

Darwin bent over and picked up a small rock. "Something's gotta give." He tossed it at a tree.

Crack.

Wynn shouldered in close to him and rested her hand on his biceps.

He jerked his arm away.

"Hey. Just checking on you," she whispered, taking a step back.

"I'm sorry." He stuffed his hands in his pockets, wishing he had the strength to reach for her hand, but he needed emotional and physical space.

"It's alright," she said. "You've been through a lot today. I'm here when you're ready."

A low vibration rattled his chest. He lifted his gaze toward the sky, searching for the chopper.

“Coming up from the southeast.” Scout pointed.

"We need to move out," Coulter said.

Quinn grabbed the map from the front seat of one of the SxS vehicles and unfolded it across the hood. “I think it's best if we split up.”

Neve stepped beside him. “Agreed.”

“Why would we do that?” Darwin moved closer. "Isn't there safety in numbers?"

The helicopter grew louder as it did a grid search heading in their direction.

"Yes, but we don't know if there's anyone on foot, and we need to get Kane back to the bunker," Neve said. "Splitting up gives us an opportunity to play offense and defense at the same time."

Quinn pointed to a narrow line on the map. “Scout, Darwin, Kane, and I in one group. We'll stay under the thickest cover until we reach the old logging route while Wynn, Zadie, Coulter, and Neve track the helicopter.”

“I don't like this plan.” Darwin shook his head.

"It's the best option." Wynn accepted a rifle from Coulter and slung it across her chest. “It looks like the helicopter is making a southwest pattern.”

"From that last pass it appears more west than south, which is in our favor," Coulter said. "But why west? That leads to the ocean."

"My ex-wife's family has vacation property on Vancouver Island," Darwin said. "It's possible they think I've contacted her."

"Would you?" Coulter asked.

"If I were desperate, I might." Darwin looked toward the ridge, and the helicopter appeared for half a second through a break in the clouds, little more than a black shape above the trees.

“The chopper is too close for comfort,” Coulter said. “We need to go.”

Zadie waved the tablet. "Gideon's got our coordinates, and he's gonna try to ping the chopper and mess with their system remotely."

"That should be fun." Neve jumped into one of the SxSs. "Let's roll, everyone."

Darwin raced to Wynn's side and caught her just before she climbed into the SxS. He took her by the forearms and stared into her deep blue eyes. “Be safe. I need you to make it back to the bunker in one piece."