I climbed the stairs two at a time, propelling myself forward by pulling on the railing. Two security guards were standing on each side of the door, and I showed them my badge.

“Hold up,” one said. “Is he expecting you?”

I sighed. “Call it in.”

“Is he expecting you?” he repeated, this time firmer.

“No, but he’ll want to see me. I have info he needs to hear.”

“You’re going to have to call Bianca,” the other piped in. “Make an appointment.”

“It’s time sensitive. Call it the fuck in,” I demanded. “Naomi Abrams. Right now!” I barked in my militia unit commander voice.

They both went for their radios, but only one alerted the other side of the wall of my presence. Before he could even explain or say my name, Bianca gave them the green light, and the door clicked.

The soldiers stepped aside, and I tried and failed to keep the petty grin off my face.

Bianca was standing, her blue blazer and matching pencil skirt hugging her thick curves. Peter wasn’t always in town, but when he was, Bianca always looked like a million bucks.

She gestured to the door with her outstretched hand, absolutely annoyed at my unannounced arrival. “He’s just through there, Abrams.”

“Thank you,” I said. I walked through his door, closing it behind me.

Peter was standing at the end of a rectangular mahogany table, pretending to be preoccupied with his bookshelf.

“I need your help,” I said. No time to waste, right?

Peter turned, unable to keep the emotion from his face. “Sure, whatever you need.”

His response stunned me for a second, and I stumbled over my request. “There is a group of wildfire fighters trying to keep the canyon fire from reaching the Complex. It’s less than ten miles from here. The Complex Fire Department is on it, and we’re securing equipment and personnel, but…”

“Yes?”

“Trex would like to take our team to evacuate the hotshots if necessary.”

Peter frowned. “Are they in trouble?”

“They could be. Peter, we don’t have time for this. We need a green light. From you.”

Peter thought about it for a few seconds.

“You said whatever I need,” I said. “I need authorization. These guys are my friends. They’re Trex’s friends. We have to make sure they’re not in danger.”

“They’re always in danger, Naomi, they’re firefighters.”

“Peter,” I warned. “I have never asked you for a goddamned thing. Make this happen.”

“Are you giving me orders?” he asked, perturbed.

I grit my teeth. “Fine. I’m calling in a favor.”

“A favor,” he repeated, an edge of curiosity in his voice. “How am I going to justify our security team leaving the facility during an emergency?”

“Trex is locking everything down as we speak. Peter…” I swallowed. “Please.”

“Evac only? No hero shit?”

“Yes.”

“I have your word. Straight there, straight back?”