asked Niki. “If Joseph left a note?” “Don’t think about trying to find the tunnel. We pressed our luck just driving to Tatysh,” Pytor said as he stopped in front of the produce warehouse. “I’m ready to grab at straws.” “The checkpoint officers you saw were puppy dogs compared to the pit bulls we’d see on the Mayak perimeter. We’d both be dead within a hundred meters of the first wall.” “You’re the one who wanted to get medical records two days ago.” Pytor got out of the car. “The medical offices aren’t in the main compound, but even getting them is a stupid pipe dream.” He slammed the door. A fish tumbled from the stack. Pytor turned back and opened the door. “I’m sorry, Niki. People are dying and I know why, but I can’t prove it to anyone who matters. I don’t mean to take out my frustrations on you.” “I understand. I can’t ask you to do more than you have. It’s not your fault I failed. You need to get back to Katrina.” A tear slid down Niki’s face.
