Chapters (160)

Charlotte, Peyton thought. Lin detailed her proposal to Peyton, then looked her daughter in the eye, waiting for her response.

Peyton nodded. “All right. I’ll do it.”

They rose and began walking away from the bodies. Lin spoke quietly.

“There’s something else. A month ago, someone located the Beagle. I don’t know how; I can only assume the location was somewhere in the most classified Citium files. Perhaps Desmond found it and told Avery. Or maybe she found it herself.”

“How do you know?”

“Rubicon sent a US Coast Guard icebreaker, the Healy, to find it. Conner sank the ship. I still don’t know where it is. I need you to ask Avery for the location.”

“Why?”

“Because of what’s on it.”

“Which is?”

“A conversation for another time, Peyton.”

They walked in silence again, Peyton deep in thought. Like a compass returning to true north, her mind always drifted back to Desmond. She feared the answer to her next question, but she had to know.

“Desmond’s not here, is he?”

“As I said, Yuri’s a survivor. He wouldn’t set foot on this island without an escape plan. And he wouldn’t leave without Desmond and Conner. They possess Rendition and Rook, both of which he needs.”

“What will they do to Desmond?”

“They’ll try to help him regain his memories.”

The thought terrified Peyton. “I’m going after him.”

Lin turned to her daughter. “There are greater forces at work here.”

“Not for me, there’s not. You want the coordinates of the Beagle? I want Desmond back. You’re going to help me. And you’re going to tell me exactly what’s going on.”

Her mother smiled. “Now that’s the young lady I raised.”

Chapter 135

When Desmond woke up, Conner was sitting on the bunk across from him. He knew instantly that he was on a ship. A submarine, he would have guessed.

Conner cocked his head, but didn’t speak.

Desmond’s arm and leg hair were singed. Minor burns dotted his body, but he was okay. He looked his brother in the eyes.

“You pulled me out, didn’t you?”

“I did what you wouldn’t do for me.”

“I tried, Conner. I was five.”

“I was three months.”

Desmond sat silently, hoping some of the anger would drain away. “Where are we going?”

Conner smiled. The hideous scars contorted on his face. “We’re going to finish this. You’re going to help us.” He stood and walked to the hatch. “Get some rest. You’ll need it.”

In the passageway, Yuri was waiting.

“Don’t worry, we’ll reach him. Thirteen years ago, I helped him rehabilitate you. You had lost your way, just as he has lost his. Together, we’ll save him. And we’ll complete the Looking Glass.”

Chapter 136

Peyton was sitting in Avery’s tiny hospital room when she awoke.