“Why is that important?” Avery asked.

“They’re both dead.”

Avery glanced back at her, surprised.

Desmond turned the information over in his mind. There was definitely a larger picture here, a connection he couldn’t quite make.

“Conner also asked about my mother. She’s a genetics researcher at Stanford.” Peyton paused. “They wanted my CDC password. They drugged me. I think they got it.”

Peyton recounted the rest of her time on the ship, being thorough, which Desmond appreciated. When she was done, he continued his story, describing how the police had appeared at his door just as he had called Peyton. How he had spent the next few days evading Berlin’s security forces while decrypting messages he believed he had left for himself. How the codes had led him to a reporter for Der Spiegel who had agreed to meet Desmond at a cafe on Unter den Linden.

“The reporter said I was an informant. I had told him that I was going to provide proof that would expose a network of corporations and scientists working on the largest experiment since the Manhattan Project. He said the project was called the Looking Glass, and that I had told him it would change humanity forever.”

“Makes sense,” Avery said.

“How?”

“You told me you were planning a major move to try to stop the completion of the Looking Glass.”

Desmond studied her, wondering if she was telling him the truth. Was she really his ally and confidante?

He was about to question her, but Peyton asked, “What happened to the reporter?”

“Conner’s men took his fiancée hostage to get to me,” Desmond said. “It worked. They interrupted our meeting and captured me shortly after. I think it’s safe to assume the reporter’s out of play.”

“What is the Looking Glass?” Peyton asked.

“I don’t know. He didn’t either.” Desmond looked at Avery. “Do you know?”

She glanced back at him. “No. I never found out.”

Desmond sensed she was holding back. Was it because Peyton was there? Or was there another reason?

“Did I know what it was?” Desmond asked.

“Definitely,” Avery replied. “In fact, I believe your work was essential to completing the Looking Glass. Your piece was the last component they needed.”

“Conner suggested as much, when he questioned me on the ship,” Desmond said. “Both he and the reporter told me that there were three components: Rook, Rendition, and Rapture. Conner said I had been in charge of Rendition, but I have no memory of it.” He paused. “I have seen all of those names, though: they’re companies my investment firm, Icarus Capital, funded.”