Free Until It's You by C.B. Salem Page B

to the people on our list. Fordelli might be a challenge, but everyone else I’ve already met. I talk to them and see if I can throw them off. Then we can run a Recall when I’m done if we want to do more analysis.”
    Landon looked at her skeptically. “Sounds dangerous for you. What’s my role?”
    Kristina grimaced. Now was not the time for macho shit. “Get anything you can get set up as far as pharms go, for starters. Fill in details, figure out ways to test people, that kind of thing. I’m kind of worried about exposing you too much around them because...you know...that’s what they want.”
    Landon’s jaw tensed, but he nodded. “That'll work for now. There’s also the matter of your brother, of course.”
    A pit formed in Kristina’s stomach. It wasn’t that she’d forgotten, but she had managed to keep it out of mind while she was working. She hated the near-helpless feeling it gave her to wonder whether he was okay. If he wasn't...it didn't even bear thinking about. He had to be alright.
    “I’ll find him,” she said. “Whoever is responsible for this other stuff is responsible for him. I’ll find him."

CHAPTER 6
    It had taken fifteen minutes via bus to get to the Western Brown Line station. The deep blue sky towered over her as she waited for the train. Contrails from the direction of O’Hare slowly faded into wisps and then nothing. The horizon was blocked by a series of buildings that held still as they ever did.
    She shook her head and looked down at her comm. It had been half an hour since she had left Landon at the apartment and headed out for her office building. She still didn't have a concrete plan. Just the idea that she needed to talk to people. She would figure it out on the way down.
    A thought occurred to her. Pressing her lips together, she tapped out a quick message to Anna.
    It’s K. Can you meet me outside building in 30 min? Front entrance.
    She hit send. If Anna wasn’t available, it wasn’t the end of the world. There was still the pass from her bag. The problem was using it would expose her slightly if someone was waiting to be alerted by the security system. Not super likely, but technically possible if someone was connected enough. Which, given what had happened on the news stream this morning, seemed like an option to entertain. Definitely possible enough that it didn’t hurt to see if she could get herself checked in as a guest.
    Her comm buzzed in her pocket. Anna had responded.
    OMG WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?
    Kristina’s heart fell. Of course Anna would be freaked out by her silence since yesterday. She should have given her a call like she'd given Kevin. At least this morning, after she'd found out Landon had talked to his assistant. Biting the inside of her lower lip, she tapped out a quick reply.
    Sorry. Will explain. But I’m fine. Can you do it?
    Another few seconds.
    Ok. Make it 40. This better be good.
    Kristina smiled. She was looking forward to seeing Anna. It had only been yesterday that she’d seen her, but it felt like forever with everything that had happened. The whole world felt like a different life.
    Thanks. Stand at front entrance.
    She put her comm back into her blazer pocket and craned her neck, looking for the train. It was on its way, its fluorescent blue-white headlight shining even with the sun out at the front of its crystal bubble glass frame.
    People on the platform began to shuffle forward, some walking away from the middle in an attempt to get to board one of the train cars at the end, which were usually less crowded. Though, at this time of day and this far north on the line, that really shouldn’t be a problem.
    Something, someone, pulled on the edge of her vision, pinching at the edge between forefinger and thumb. She gasped.
    Closed her eyes and brought her hand to her face. What the hell was going on? Was this the pharm again?
    The train approached. She felt it more than heard it until it whooshed past just a foot in front of her