Calder lunged for the case, voice cracking as he barked, “We need to destroy it—now!” The desperation in his tone shattered the final illusion. Evan realized the terrifying truth: the men outside weren’t hunting him. They were hunting Calder. And Evan had just helped the wrong man unlock his father’s precious secrets.
Evan backed away from the case, pulse thundering. Calder advanced slowly, palms raised as though calming a frightened animal. “Listen to me,” he whispered. “If they get this, you die. I die. Everyone connected dies.” But his eyes betrayed him. He looked too frantic, hungry, and focused on the documents behind Evan.