I sent Sloane and Julian through the kitchen's old delivery exit while my mother and I went back toward the records basement. Julian objected. I understood why. He had spent years seeing me as someone who stayed near him by choice; now every decision looked like evidence that I had been assigned to his side.
"We need the original ledger," I said. "You need to get to the transmitter."
"And you?"
"I'll follow."
"You said that once already."
"I'm still here."
His jaw tightened. "I'm not leaving you."
"You can't protect me and make a broadcast at the same time."
"I wasn't asking permission."
"I know."
I took his hand and pressed a small key into his palm. "The old weather station. Use the sea path. The door code is your birthday."
He looked down at the key, then back at me. "You kne
