He realized as he ran up those stairs that Burke and Nic were his paintings. Not to be burned, but to be nurtured for the glory of others. If he could help these great men to stand on his shoulders to achieve even greater heights, then his life would have meaning. He would have left his mark on the world. A mark that would affect generations to come. And it didn’t matter if those future generations ever recognized his influence. Knowing that he had left the world better than he had found it would be enough for him.

The SWAT point men reached the door to the thirty-third floor first. They used a snake cam to check inside for threats and enemy combatants. They gave the all-clear sign and picked the locks to the door. A moment later, the whole group traversed a hall and checked the half-completed rooms. The point men reached a closed door and checked again with the snake cam. Finding nothing but still cautious, the team went in hot and fast.

They had definitely found Kruger’s hiding spot. Equipment, computers, and weapons cases littered the half-finished space.

The SWAT team swept the room like a group of angry hornets, ready to sting, itching for battle. Carter heard several calls of “Clear” from various team members, until one called out, “We have a live one!”

Carter rushed toward the SWAT agent’s voice, Nic close on his heels providing protection and cover.

The redhead was propped against the wall in a small pool of red. Her eyes were glassy but still responsive. Her midsection oozed blood, but somehow, through sheer determination, the woman held on tightly to life.

She was unarmed, not that she would have had the strength to raise a weapon in her current state.

When Carter reached her, he immediately took her hand in his and looked deeply in her eyes. “You’re not alone. Kruger?”

“Gone,” she muttered.

“Where?”

Her eyes seemed to glaze over as she stared into the distance.

“The hostages. The ones you infected. Is there a way to help them?”

“I was a scientist. I was going to make the world a better place. Raise humankind to the next level of evolution and enlightenment.”

“I know, darling. Here’s your chance. How can I help the people infected with your bleeding virus?”

“I always thought I was a good person. Thought … right thing.”

“You are a good person. You can save the lives of a lot of people. What could be more noble than that? It’s not what we’ve done, my dear. It’s what we choose to do right now.”

She stared off a moment, but then said, “Bag. Large. Gray. Liquid-cooled. Beside the window and the gun cases.”

Nic didn’t need to be asked. He ran to the window and retrieved the bag she had mentioned. Bringing it back, he handed the bag to Carter, who opened it and showed the contents to the dying woman.

“Tell me how to help the hostages. This is the moment. Your chance to prove that you’re a good person.”