Chapter 33: Decoding the Truth

The small, dimly lit clinic felt like a sanctuary from outside chaos. The retired doctor worked quickly, tending to the wounded man who had given Ava the USB drive. The tension in the air was palpable; everyone knew they were racing against time. Collins’s men would regroup and come after them again, so they had to move fast. Ava watched anxiously as the doctor cleaned and bandaged the man’s wound. She turned to Jess, who was setting up her laptop on a battered old desk in the corner. “How long will it take to decrypt the files?” she asked. Jess didn’t look up, her fingers flying over the keyboard. “Hard to say. It depends on the level of encryption. But I’ll get started right away.” Lucas stood nearby, keeping an eye on the entrance. “We don’t have much time. Collins will figure out where we are soon enough. We need to know what’s on that drive, and we need to know fast.” Detective Diaz was by the window, peering out into the dark street. “I’ll keep watch. If I see any movement, w