Chapter 29 · Diver Steps Out

Ethan jammed the maintenance door shut with his shoulder while the lock on Celine's skull flashed red.

"Tell me you brought the key," she said.

He held up a black data wafer between two bloody fingers. "I brought something better."

The lights above them blinked. Celine's vision broke into three layers: the narrow service corridor, a red system warning, and Mira Soh's face staring through every security camera in the building.

"Celine," Mira said through the ceiling speaker. Her voice was calm. Too calm. "Step away from Ethan."

Celine grabbed Ethan's wrist. "She's got control of the building."

"Yeah. I noticed when the elevator tried to crush us." He looked down at her hand, then back at her. "Let go."

"Not until you tell me what's on that wafer."

"Proof."

The word hit harder than the alarms.

Behind them, metal groaned. Something struck the other side of the door. Once. Twice. The lock display dropped from thirty seconds to twenty-seven.

Celine tightened her grip. "Proof of what?"

Ethan's mouth pulled tight. He had always done that when he was about to lie. Three years ago, she had found it funny.