"Max was in a bad way when we found him." Suffice it to say, "First Aid must really be something if he can undo something like that."

Verity rapped her fingers on the countertop, sorting out her thoughts to a steady rhythmic sound.

"Ratchet," Verity looked back at him with a depth that conveyed the empathy she felt towards him that wouldn't come out in words, "I have the last copy of the Aequitas trials."