The guard left.
Raj unfolded the paper.
Read it.
Then paused.
Nish noticed.
"What?"
Raj read it again.
Then slowly handed it over.
The commander scanned the page.
His eyebrow rose.
"This is new."
The report came from one of the outer sewer exits.
An old maintenance hatch near the industrial district.
According to the workers stationed there—
Somebody had emerged from the hatch three nights ago.
Nobody thought much of it at the time.
People occasionally used maintenance routes.
Then the witness description arrived.
Tall.
Muscular.
Covered in injuries.
No shirt.
Eating bread.
Several loaves of bread.
At once.
Raj immediately knew.
Nish immediately knew.
The witness had even included an additional note.
"The individual appeared to be arguing with himself."
Raj nodded.
"Definitely Andre."
"Definitely Andre."
The commander continued reading.
The witness had attempted to stop him.
The unknown man responded by asking for directions.
The worker gave directions.
The man thanked him.
Then immediately walked the wrong way.
Raj covered her face.
Nish folded the report.
"So."
"So."
"He made it out."
"He made it out."
The room became quiet.
For several moments neither spoke.
Then Raj looked toward the city beyond the palace window.
The industrial district.
Manufacturing district.
Warehouses.