Jago and Theodora leave to canvas the area and check out the red tent behind the stage that’s obviously where Bianca and her team are prepping for the event. They return ten minutes later, reporting back that three guards are stationed in front of the tent. A minute later, Jaeger pushes through the crowd and approaches us, looking worse for wear. I can’t imagine what a toll this is taking on him.

“Quarry members are surrounding this place,” he explains. “My people haven’t let Bianca out of their sight.”

Still, fear courses through me. “He’s going to do it when she’s most vulnerable. When your Quarry members take a break.” Someone grabs my hand and squeezes it. It’s Levi, and I feel his immediate warmth. I squeeze back.

“I think we should talk to Bianca,” Maude says, making a decision. “Warn her even, if we have to.”

“I’m afraid I have bad news on that front,” Jaeger cuts in. “I did warn Bianca this morning. I got so concerned about her safety, it felt wrong not to tell her everything.”

“And?” I press as I’m jostled by a couple of rowdy folks dressed in Huxley for President hoodies.

“And she didn’t believe me,” Jaeger says, looking somber. “She thought it was a ploy to derail her campaign. To make sure she didn’t get up on this stage today.”

“She believes you’d lie to her like that?” I ask. “About something so important?” Bianca and Jaeger go way back. I’ve heard they were even an item once, before they married other people. It’s hard to believe Bianca wouldn’t listen to Jaeger about something life and death.

“What exactly did she say?” Pru presses.

“She said that even if there were a threat, she’s hired top-notch security. And with the Quarry as an extra layer of protection, she has nothing to worry about.” Jaeger explains. “She’s right. My people won’t let anything happen to her.”

But as I’m elbowed once again by the crowd—so thick now, it’s hard to even see through it to the stage—I get a very bad feeling. I can’t explain it or put my finger on it.

“Maude,” I say quietly. “Check his wrists.” I don’t know why, but a sickening feeling is spreading over me. My gut is telling me something’s wrong. Very wrong.

She looks at me. “Okay, but—”

“I think we should be sure. Don’t you?”

She nods in agreement, then pulls out the infrared light, grabs one of Jaeger’s wrists, and shines the light on it.

I don’t know why I’m so shocked that my instincts were right. There it is, crystal clear, in the bright morning light. The time stamp.

We don’t stop to think about what this means. We already know.

We rally.