Evan whispered, “This was my father’s. You are the traitor, aren’t you?” Calder’s expression shattered in rage and grief. “He shouldn’t have meddled, the fool!” Calder said through clenched teeth. “He ruined everything.” The admission hit Evan like a blow. Calder wasn’t defending his father’s work. He had been trying to erase it.
The metal door of the unit rolled up with a violent crash. Armed operatives flooded in, weapons raised. Calder grabbed Evan, dragging him backward, desperate now. “If they get me, they’ll know everything!” he hissed. Evan felt the truth snap into place—Calder wasn’t protecting him, Calder had used him to get at the evidence against him.