Thanks to Nina's slick moves, they finally got what they wanted. Valerie couldn't help clapping as they stepped outside. "Those improv classes you've been taking definitely paid off!"
Nina proudly waved her phone. "Damn right! Gotta get creative when you're desperate. If we'd just relied on the two of us, finding Francis would've been like searching for a needle in a haystack."
Valerie checked the time—somehow, the whole day had slipped by. She'd sneaked out in the first place, and now it was time to head back. "Nina, I’ve got to go. Ryan doesn’t want me involved in this. If I’m late and he finds out I snuck off, he might lock me down tomorrow."
Nina sighed dramatically. "Ryan's got you on a tight leash. But what can you do? That agreement of yours ties your hands. Go on, get back befor
