1269_UgliesFreeBook

306 Scott Westerfeld
ages after my birthday. That’s why they suspected me.”
Dr. Cable shook her head. “I suppose I should have
been worried about you, out in the wild all alone. Poor
Tally.”
“Thanks for your concern.”
“I’m sure you would have used the pendant if you’d
gotten into any real trouble. Self-preservation being your
one skill.”
Tally sneered. “Unless I’d fallen off a cliff. Which almost
happened.”
“We still would have come for you. If the pendant had
been damaged, it would have sent a signal automatically.”
The words sunk in slowly: If the pendant had been damaged
. . . Tally gripped the edge of the table, trying not to
show any emotion.
Dr. Cable narrowed her eyes. She might not have
machines to read Tally’s voice and heartbeat and sweat,
but her own perceptions were alert. She’d chosen those
words to provoke a reaction. “Speaking of which, where
is it?”
Tally’s fingers went to her neck. Of course, Dr. Cable
had noticed the pendant’s absence immediately. Her questions
had been leading to this moment. Tally’s brain raced
for an answer. The handcuffs were off. She had to get out of
there, to the trading post. Hopefully, her hoverboard still
lay on the roof, unfolded and charging in the morning sun.
“I hid it,” she said. “I was scared.”