Chapter Forty-Three
Damien opened the Patrol’s rear hatch inside the Queens warehouse so Aviary could inspect the crates stacked snugly inside. She picked up a ration pack and weighed it in her hands.
‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I mean, I didn’t think you’d get this much.’
‘Amazing,’ Jay said. ‘We know.’
‘I have someone you need to meet,’ she said. ‘Come inside.’
Cars thrummed on a freeway overhead. Grace was standing deeper inside the factory, beside Calvin. Damien thought he spotted a flicker of relief on her face when she saw them. Had they not returned, she’d probably have made her own exit. She was quite capable of doing so.
Jay was checking his watch. ‘Clock’s ticking. Where’s your so-called army?’
‘It’s a pleasure to meet at last,’ a new voice said. It was warm and rich like stro
