Page 367 of Scars of Fate

“He’s already trapped inside,” Elise said.

“The backup biological seal may fail if he overrides Aegis,” Hawk explained. “The physical security shutters won’t.”

“How long will they hold?”

“Long enough for us to reach you.”

Lucas crouched beside the terminal.

“Camille, listen to me.”

“I’m listening.”

“The conduit will be dark. Tight. You may hear the operative moving on the other side of the wall. You cannot stop.”

Camille’s breathing shook.

“What if he finds me?”

“He won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“No.”

Lucas glanced toward me.

He remembered the promise he had made inside the aircraft.

Honesty.

“You’re right. I don’t. But Wynn will guide you every step.”

Camille whispered, “I trust her.”

I swallowed the emotion in my throat.

“Open the panel beneath the bench.”

Metal scraped over the radio.

“I see it.”

“There should be an emergency-access compartment beside it.”

Elise found the recessed latch and entered her attorney code.

A small door opened.

“The security card is inside,” she said.

“Give it to Camille.”

Elise began to cry.

“Camille…”

“I have to, Mother.”