Noon.
The old library on Nowy Świat was a beautiful, crumbling building. The rooftop access was a maintenance door left unofficially unlocked.
I climbed the last flight of concrete stairs and pushed out into the weak winter sun.
The rooftop was gravel and pigeon droppings. The view of Warsaw's spires was indeed stunning.
Kasia was already there, leaning against the low parapet. She wore a severe black coat, her breath forming small clouds in the air. She looked pale, tired.
She didn't smile when she saw me. Her eyes held a frantic, trapped energy.
"Alex. You're here. Thank God." Her voice was a tight whisper.
"Your access?" I asked, getting straight to it.
"Gone. My corporate credentials were revoked this morning. 'Security review.' My personal devices are… silent. Like yours. I only saw your comment because I was obsessively checking your page from a public terminal at the central library." She wrapped her arms around herself. "He's everywhere. In the systems."
