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39 Roland
Roland opens the envelope that Hayden has just handed him, and reads the note inside:
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID. ILL MAKE YOU A DEAL.
MEET ME AT THE FEDEX JET.
The note isnt signed, but it doesnt have to be. Roland knows who sent it. Connors the only one with nerve enough to blackmail him. The only one stupid enough. The note sets Rolands mind spinning. I know what you did. There are quite a lot of activities Connor could be talking about. He might know that Roland has been sabotaging the generators so he can blame the Admiral for outrageous living conditions. Or he might know about the bottle of ipecac he stole from the infirmary while pretending to flirt with Risa. He was planning to use the stuff to spike the drinks, create a puke-fest, and then blame the Admiral for giving them all food poisoning. Yes, there are plenty of things Connor could have found out about. Roland puts the note in his pocket, showing no emotion, and glares at Hayden. "So youre Connors messenger boy now?"
"Hey," says Hayden, "Im Switzerland: neutral as can be, and also good with chocolate. "
"Get lost," Roland tells him.
"Already am. " And Hayden strolls away.
It burns Roland that he might have to bargain with Connor, but there are worse things. And after all, bargains and subterfuge are a way of life for him. So he heads off toward the FedEx jet, making sure he takes a knife with him—in case theres no deal to be made.
40 Connor
"Im here," Roland calls from outside the FedEx jet. "What do you want?"
Connor remains hidden inside the hold. He knows hes only going to get one chance at this, so hes got to do it right. "Come inside, and well talk about it. "
"No, you come out. "
Nice try, Connor thinks, but this is going to be on my terms. "If you dont come in, Ill tell everyone what I know. Ill show everyone what I found. "
Silence for a moment, then he sees Rolands silhouette as he climbs into the hold. Connor has the advantage now. His eyes have adjusted to the dim light of the hold, and Rolands have not. He leaps