Chapter 26 · The one in your hand

He smiled without humor. "The one in your hand."

Selena glanced down.

A slim black access token rested between her fingers. She had taken it from the inside pocket of his jacket when she searched him earlier. Kane had let her find it.

That was the part she hated most.

He could see it in the way her shoulders locked.

"You planted this," she said.

"I made sure you found it."

"Why?"

"Because it opens a file Victor buried under your command seal."

"What file?"

"The names of every officer he bought."

Selena's eyes sharpened. "You're lying."

"Then use the key."

"It's coded to your biometrics."

"No. It's coded to yours."

Her stare cut into him. "You expect me to believe Victor left a list of his own traitors where I could find it?"

"He didn't leave it for you. He left it for the person who would kill you."

The room seemed to tighten around them.

Selena lowered the pistol by one inch. "Explain."

"The file isn't a confession. It's bait. The first person who opens it gets flagged. Victor sees the access attempt, traces it to the command bunker, and sends a strike team. He wants you isolated.