Chapter Three: The Stopped Clock

The flesh around it was blackened, but no blood flowed. Wen Qi had vanished. “How long?” Zhiwei asked. “Twelve minutes.” “My sister is alive.” He said nothing. “I saw her body. You were there.” Zhiwei pulled the knife free and held it against his throat. “Those four numbers unlock the cold room. Take me downstairs.” “What you swallowed was memory, not evidence. Memories can be edited. They can lie.” “Then tell me the truth.” “The truth is that your clock has stopped. If you go down now, you will give Wen Qi exactly what she wants.” An impossible emptiness opened in Zhiwei's chest. She pressed her fingers to her neck. There was no pulse. None at her wrist, either. She held her breath and counted to thirty without discomfort.