The sun came up over the academy wall. It didn't look like a victory. It looked like a mess.
The reception hall was a wreck. The heavy oak tables were scarred. The stone floor had deep gouges where the Chimera had kicked. The smell of burnt resin and ozone still hung in the curtains.
I stood by the broken window. My hand throbbed. The swelling in my wrist made it hard to close my fist.
Pierce walked over. He looked tired. He held a mug of coffee like it was the only thing keeping him upright.
"The Watch took Halvern," he said. "And the bodyguards. They're in the city lockup now."
"And the Foundation?" I asked.
"Scrambling," Pierce said. "They're claiming Halvern was a rogue agent. A madman. They say they had no idea he was buying illegal resin."
"They signed the checks," I said.
"We know that. They know we know. But proving it in court takes time." He took a sip of coffee. "Time is what they have. Money, too."
"We have the ledger," I said.
