The anger in the agent’s face was obvious. “We all have bosses that make decisions we don’t agree with. All I’m telling you is this: If you’re with me, you’re safe.”

He gave William a reassuring nod. “Take the west garage, Stan.”

Through the windshield William saw they were approaching a tall building, the flags of the world waving outside, the gray sign reading “Clifford Davis/Odell Horton Federal Building.” They turned and began to head down a ramp.

“Safest place in the world for you right now,” the agent beside him said. “We have agents awaiting—Jesus Christ!”

The driver swerved. William braced himself, seeing a white shape pull up dangerously close.

The SUV was only inches away, close enough for William to see the back seat window lower and a tiny face look out.

William’s heart leapt to his throat.

Even though the windows of the agents’ car were deeply tinted, he could see Lily looking straight at him. Through the dark windows, her black skin made her face almost disappear, with only the whites of her eyes truly visible.

The man driving the car began to lurch suddenly and convulse. The agent in the passenger side reached for the wheel and then began to shudder himself, his skin turning a putrid shade of yellow.

The car veered wildly, sliding with a painful crunching against a stone wall, over a curb and directly into the corner of the front of the garage.

William was thrown forward with such force that he landed between the two front seats, his head crashing into the dashboard.

His vision spun, squinting to see the driver’s face rest on its side, his eyes open, bloodshot. His cheeks were sunken in, his hair drifting from his head in clumps.

William felt a strong hand grab the back of his shirt, and the agent from the back seat yanked him, trying to force him into the back seat. “Stay with me, son! When I give the count of two, we run—”

The back door was thrown open, and Rudd was there, pistol raised. Over his shoulder, William could see Lily’s face. Her worried expression turned to one of anger, seeing the agent with his arm protectively around William.

No, Lily. No.

The girl blinked, her furious expression immediately fading.

“Don’t move, asshole,” Rudd said.

“He didn’t hurt me,” William said. “Listen—”

“Get down on the floor and cover your head. Now!” Rudd ordered. “William, let’s go!”

The agent’s grip loosened and let go, his hands up in the air.

Everything spinning now, William felt like he could throw up. He stumbled from the car into the opened door of the SUV, where Lily was reaching for him.

He slid inside, clutching his head.

“William, are you OK?”

He tried to focus his eyes, seeing Quincy’s face come into view.