Boring. Even on a day with sex traffickers and undercover cops, I still had to take a European History quiz. Lame. Going to lunch now. Good luck catching the bad guys.

Jessie said thanks and didnt mention how glad she was that Hannahs day was boring. It was vastly preferable to the alternative.

Hows she doing? Karen asked, correctly guessing who Jessie was communicating with.

But before she could answer, her phone rang. It was Captain Decker. She answered immediately.

Judge Rhone released his ruling overturning the stay early, he said. It just came out. Im forwarding it to you and Detective Bray now. Are you in place?

Yes, Captain, she said, doing her best to keep her voice professional, despite the excitement she felt bubbling over.

Then get in there, he ordered.

Jessie hung up without replying. Her whole body vibrated with righteous determination. Finally, she had the go-ahead to take this bastard down.

Karen had already hit the gas. Jessie sent her pre-set text telling all the other units to execute the warrant, then strapped on her seatbelt and tried to remember to breathe.

*

Hannah was starving.

After she finished texting Jessie, she hurried to lunch. She was halfway to the cafeteria when Elodie caught her by the arm.

Whats up?

Change of plans, Elodie said. Rico wants to meet you now. Hes on the side street, waiting.

Why? Hannah asked, keeping her tone level even as she felt an unfamiliar pang of what she assumed was dread. I thought we were meeting at the same corner as yesterday after school. Isnt he worried about the cameras seeing him?

He wants to shake things up, Elodie said. And to be honest, he wasnt totally convinced by your sob story about your grandpa. He thinks you may be chickening out. This is your chance to prove youre serious. But you have to go right now. If you dont, he says to forget about it.

Can I at least go to the bathroom first? she pleaded.

Can she? Elodie asked, lifting up the phone shed been holding at her side this whole time to reveal that Rico was on the screen and had been listening in.

No, he said firmly. Youre in the car in two minutes or youre out.

He hung up. Elodie looked over at her.

Please dont screw me on this, she begged. If you work out, I get a nice commission. If you bail, I have to pay a penalty and its not cheap.

Hannah knew she didnt have time to waver. Even looking like she had doubts might make Elodie warn Rico off. She had no idea if one or both of the undercover cops had eyes on her amid the swarm of kids rushing to get lunch.