Chapter 16 Clear

• “Rules?” Clay stopped at the door that led back out into the hall. He turned around as the word hit him. Was Brice joking?
• “H.S.P.C. Rules, regulations, procedures.” Brice’s voice hardened. “You’ll get kicked out of training for fraternization with a superior. This is Keith’s rule to prevent favoritism bias. It comes from high up.” Brice sounded like he was reading from the H.S.P.C. manual, and Clay slowly shook his head. “If we get caught together, you’ll be banned from the program. I’ll be removed from my position for messing with a subordinate. This thing between us is over, and we can’t tell anyone about what happened on the top floor.”
• “Over?” Clay blinked in surprise as Brice placed his hands on his hips. The grader wasn’t joking. He meant every word.