“I believe I was supposed to warn her that she was in danger of being kidnapped, which is exactly what happened in Kenya. I think they wanted her to see the outbreak first, but mostly they wanted to take her so they could use her as a tool to get to you. For just the reason you stated: leverage. If you’re right, and you hold the key to stopping them, Peyton becomes the key to stopping you—and thus ensuring their success.”

Just then, Desmond wondered exactly how far the Citium would go to get to William. Would they have deliberately let himself and Peyton go, so they would lead the Citium to William? Had the escape been a ruse?

He checked his radio. Avery should have checked in by now. Something was wrong.

Desmond stood, but he was too late. The door was already open. The rifle that breached the threshold pointed at him first, then moved to Peyton and William.

Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Avery didn’t take her eyes off William. She pointed the rifle at the center of his chest. Her voice was commanding, devoid of emotion. “Step away from her.”

William held his hands up and slowly moved away from Peyton.

Desmond saw a man ready to give his life for his daughter’s without hesitation.

“He’s on our side, Avery.”

She sidestepped, moving between Desmond and William, as if ready to shoot either. She stole a glance at Desmond, then at the corkboards that were covered with articles, pictures, and names of Citium organizations and projects.

“What is this?”

“Thirty years of research,” Desmond said. “The key to stopping the Citium.”

“He’s my father,” Peyton said.

Avery cocked her head. “Okay… Didn’t see that coming.”

She lowered the rifle.

“How’d you find us?” Desmond asked.

“Tracking dot on your clothes.” Avery smiled. “Not my first rodeo.”

“Very clever.”

“I figured if you were in trouble you wouldn’t be able to radio me, and calling you would only reveal my presence.”

They told Avery what they had learned, and Avery quickly summarized her experience with Rubicon, for William’s benefit. He listened quietly, then asked her who ran the Rubicon program.

“I don’t know. I was recruited by a man named David Ward.”

“Are you in contact with him?”

“No. Phones are down. The websites I used for digital dead drops are too.”

Desmond could read William fairly well—Peyton had certainly inherited some of his mannerisms—and could see that he was skeptical. Desmond knew time was running out—for Peyton and for so many others. They needed to make a plan, and quickly.

“Okay,” Desmond said, “let’s try to put it all together. We know the Citium released the virus. We know they have a cure. Let’s assume they’ve manufactured a stockpile.”

“Controlling the cure would effectively give them control of the world,” Peyton said.