فصل 35

35

Carl Vey

Hatch slammed his fist down on the table with delight. “Jackpot! This is too much. You’re telling me that Carl Vey is also alive?! And I thought Coonradt being alive was a mind-blow. That’s unbelievable news. Well played, Vey. Well played. From the very beginning he’s been orchestrating the rebellion from his grave!” Cassy closed her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks. She had just betrayed the one secret that had kept the resistance alive.

“Where is he?” Hatch asked. “Where’s Vey?” Zara turned back. “She doesn’t know. It’s their prime secret.” “Ask her who does know.”

Zara struggled briefly with Cassy’s thoughts, then said, “Dr. Coonradt. He’s the only one who knows.” “Then we’ll start with him. So, Cassy, where’s the rest of the resistance based? It can’t all be in France because we found one of their bases in Mexico and burned it down.” “Stop it!” Cassy shouted.

“There’s a ranch,” Zara said.

“I know. We attacked it. There’s nothing left.” “There’s another. The first ranch was called Time . . .” “Timepiece Ranch,” Hatch said.

“Yes. The second one, where the rest of the resistance is right now, is called Christmas Ranch.” “Clever. Where is that located?”

Zara closed her eyes for a moment, then said, “It’s on the east side of Zion National Park in southern Utah.” “Utah,” Hatch said. “Who would ever think to look in Utah?” He smiled. “Now, Cassy. Tell us everything you know about Christmas Ranch.” “I don’t know anything about it,” Cassy said out loud. “I’ve never been there.” “She’s telling the truth,” Zara said.

“Ask her who knows.”

Zara got up and knelt in front of Cassy, gently stroking her fingers through the sobbing girl’s hair. Then Zara slowly looked up. “Pretty much every one of the Glows but her.” * * *

When Hatch had finished interrogating Cassy, he smiled. “Beautiful. Just beautiful. Thank you, Cassy. You told us everything we need to know to end this nonsense for good. I’m so glad your friends were thoughtful enough to send you.” “I hate you!” Cassy screamed.

Hatch looked at her stoically. “Of course you hate me. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t. But I don’t hate you. You’re just a product of your upbringing. But I made you. You could say I’m your biological father. Or your god.” “You’re not a god. You’re the devil.” Hatch shrugged. “One man’s devil is another man’s god.” He leaned forward. “You might want to be more careful about how you judge others, since you just betrayed everyone you have ever loved. After we arrest Dr. Coonradt, I’ll be sure to let him know that it was you who led us to him.” “You’re sick,” Cassy sobbed.

Hatch laughed. “Guards, take her back to her cell. And see to it that she doesn’t try to hurt herself. I’d like to keep her around for a while.” Hatch stood. “I’ve got to go.” He turned to the guard. “Start bringing the Glows in one by one. Don’t bother with my Glows, just the ones who came here from the resistance. Start with Ian and Frank. Ian because he’s seen the most and Frank because he’s a detail man. I want Peters and Heinz up here interrogating them with Zara. I want to know everything about this Christmas Ranch by twenty-one-hundred hours. I want a complete map, schedule, everything. I’ll be back in ninety minutes.” “Where are you going?” Zara asked.

“I’ve got a date with a bottle of Karuizawa.” * * *

When Cassy got back to her cell, she was sobbing hysterically. McKenna put her arm around her. “It’s okay, honey.” “No, it’s not. Nothing’s okay. I’ve given away everything. Everything. I didn’t know they could do that. I never should have come. I’ve ruined everything.”