Freyr nodded through Vreta’s unexpectedly thorough description of his work. “So, that’s what you were doing at the compound, checking out the facilities?” She had so many questions, she couldn’t contain them any longer. “What do you think brought them there? I’m probably not supposed to tell you this, but the Skinners were going to plant an explosive device in one of the office blocks. That thing, along with others, abducted all of them and their bomb. Just like something took my baby and my husband...” Freyr looked at the floor, experiencing pure sorrow. But she didn’t cry. It must have been the pill she took, bearing the brunt of her grief. 

“Do you think they’re connected?” Freyr turned her whole body suddenly so she was facing him. “I just don’t understand why they’d take my family and then use my husband’s face. It’s like they wanted to goad me! To get a reaction from me somehow... And now the Skinners have gone too, it doesn’t feel right at all. The Cradle has reacted negatively to us before - corrosive algae that spreads from the Border and rots buildings for example. But never anything so advanced, so malicious.” Freyr stared into Vreta’s face, unsure what she was expecting. Comfort? Advice? “What happened in the warehouse, when that thing was talking to you. What did it say again?”