My eyes blurred as tears filled and toppled over and down my cheeks. “Just … at least tell me how he is. What he’s doing. You said he’s going through treatment. Is he okay? Is he in a hole somewhere? Just give me that, Peter. You owe me that.”

Peter sighed then gestured for his bodyguard to leave. Once the door closed, Peter leaned back in a more casual position. “What is Zeke doing … let’s see. In the last report, he’d completed his training with flying colors. He’s not in a hole for Christ’s sake; he stays in the best living quarters in Deep Echo aside from science, medical, and brass quarters. He has his own room, which is more than I can say for the rest of the fire crew and DE security. He’s a hard worker, but he talks about you a lot. He was unhappy after seeing you and asked to be let out. Since finishing the training, he spends his time redesigning the fire suppressant and plan in Deep Echo. They put out a significant mechanical fire in zone Sub6-B. He collapsed shortly after, but,” he said, holding up his finger in response to my expression, “since then, he has gone through several treatments with doctors Patel and Cohen. They’re not easy, but manageable. They start at noon and are finished within the hour. It’s not the torture you’re imagining, Naomi. His heart has already begun to show significant signs of repairing itself, and after the final treatment—which Dr. Patel says should be soon—Zeke’s heart will be programmed to continue to repair itself on its own.

“Dr. Patel wasn’t certain he’d be able to return to full-time duty as a hotshot, as it’s one of the more physically intense employments, but he will get his life back. If I haven’t convinced you we belong together by his release, well … you have my word. I’ll leave you both alone.”

I stood. “I’ll play the game, but your word is worth nothing to me.”

“What if I told you for every hour you spend with me, that is one less hour of Zeke’s contract he must fulfill?”

I scanned him from head to mid-section, disgusted. “Still not worth it.”

“Naomi,” he called after me.

“Have a good afternoon, Senator.”

Bianca watched me leave, seeming suspicious.

Once I reached the bottom step, I wiped the tears from my cheeks and smiled.

The locker room was empty when I returned. I began to radio Trex to find out his location, but the door opened, and Bianca peeked through. I heard a click, then she stepped in.

“What is that?” I asked, gesturing to the small black rectangle in her hand.