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Cutting.

That lands harder.

Because it’s true.

Because if they had it—

They wouldn’t be here.

They wouldn’t be guessing.

They wouldn’t be trying to take control ofher.

Briggs lets out a low whistle.

“Damn…”

The agent’s jaw tightens.

“You’re making assumptions.”

“I’m making observations,” I correct.

I step closer to the table.

Tap the screen once.

“If you had the intel,” I continue, “you wouldn’t need grandpa.”

Another pause.

Longer this time.

Then—

“He was a potential source,” the agent says.

“No,” I reply. “He’s a fallback. We handed the flash drive over. We cleared the warehouses. But that isn’t what was important; you need them to find what no one has. The maps.”

That lands.

Because now we’re getting somewhere.

Because now he knows I see it.

I glance at Aspen over my shoulder.

She’s watching me.

Trusting me.

Waiting.

Good.

Because this is about to change everything.

“Tank knew he was compromised,” I say.