Qui sighs. "I don't think it will come to that, but if it does, you'll need to run. In the unlikely event that you need to make a break for it, I've made sure the east hallway outside the conference room isn't being actively patrolled. Run to the end of the hall and break through the window at the end. There's a fire escape that will take you down to the parking lot. A dark blue SUV is parked underneath the one broken street lamp. It's unlocked; keys are in the glove box."
"You really thought of everything," you say, impressed.
"I just hope you don't need to use it," Qui says with a nod. "But it's good to know the option is there."
"What if Corliss comes after you when you present your evidence?"
"If the Council takes her side? Then I'll have to join you. I'm not without influence outside Ottawa. There are other cities that will take me, different identities to assume. It's not even that difficult once you get used to it."
"You make it sound so easy," you say. "Practical, even."
"It's anything but," Qui says soberly. "But necessity is the mother of invention, after all. We all do what we have to do to survive."
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