Lydecker watched the sleeping Renfro carefully, the knowledge that she was working behind his back planted firmly in his mind. He took a sip of the bottled water at his side; he couldn't start drinking at a time like this no matter how strong the urge to let himself be taken away by the alcohol.

Finally, she stirred and her bruised eyelids fluttered for a moment before slowly opening completely. She glanced around the room, then, seeing Lydecker sitting in the corner, froze. Then, she sighed contently and sat up in the bed.

"'Deck," she said, smiling broadly.

"What the hell do you think you were doing?"

"What are you talking about?"
"Taking X5-734 off of the premises without authority to go to some unknown place, is what I'm talking about."
"We had a problem that needed to be tended to. It was an emergency."

"Then how come I wasn't informed?"

"You were busy, I heard, with this Mr. Logan Cale. Now, 'Deck, who exactly is this man?"
"Quit trying to change the subject," Lydecker snapped as he leaned forward in the chair, cradling the bottle between his fingers.

"Trying to stay sober?" she mocked.

"Where's X5-734?"

"What?"
"Where is she? You were the only one brought back to Manticore. She was not."

"I'm not sure. Have your men checked the crash site?"
"Yes. They've only found one body and that was the driver's. If you have her somewhere, I swear…"

"Calm down 'Deck. I don't have the girl."

"And where in the world did you manage to get X5-452?"

"She brought me here."

"Bull-shit," Lydecker hissed, knowing how cunning and untruthful his adversary could be.

"It's the truth. Why don't you ask her yourself?"
"I'm working on that, but you're my main person now."

"Who's Logan Cale?"
"What was the emergency?"

"Logan Cale, 'Deck."

"The emergency."

Renfro paused for a moment before answering. She could tell Lydecker the truth. After all, what was the worst he could do? Attempt to kick her out of the Committee-again? She had friends in high places; he did not. Therefore, leaving Manticore was out of the question.

"I know where X5-656 is."
"You what?!" Lydecker cried, his voice rising to a high pitch. The bitch had to be lying now, no doubt about it. How in the world would she know where Tinga was? It was impossible.

"I know where X5-656 is," Renfro repeated.

"You lying witch," Lydecker hissed underneath his breath.

"You don't believe me? She'll be here in a couple minutes, fully ready for training."

"You brainwashed my kid?"

"She's not yours, 'Deck."

"She is so. You had no hand in her beginning. And now, you tell me that you've been hiding her?" He laughed hoarsely. "You're madder than I thought."

"You couldn't have handled her."
"I couldn't have han-. Then, how in the world did you?"
"I have my ways, 'Deck."

"Of course."

"Now, who's this Logan Cale person?"

"Who's told you?"

"Like I said, I have my ways."

"He could help bring down the others."

"How so?"

"He's gullible and willing to do anything to help X5-452. Apparently, they're in some kind of relationship together."

"And you're going to break their relationship up?"
"It already is."

"You were always the best at break ups," Renfro commented. There was a still pause before Lydecker cleared his throat and rose to his feet.

"X5-452 and X5-656 are mine," he told her.

"No."

At that moment, Lydecker's two-way radio went off. He lifted it to his mouth and responded, "Lydecker."

"Alpha Team, here, sir."

"Yes?"

"We've found X5-734."
"Where?"

"In the woods, sir."

"Bring her in, then."

"Sir, she's dead."