Michael’s flash of anger turned his face hot. He fumbled for the right words to throw back at her and she held up a hand to stop him.

“No, don’t,” she said. “You don’t have to respond. That was an unfair thing for me to say. We’ve cajoled you and manipulated you and confused you. I know that. You’ve had to unbury yourself from layer after layer of deceit, and go through things that no person should. I…”

She faltered, with a sudden tremble in her lips, then sat back in her chair, looking more flustered than Michael had ever seen her.

“What,” Michael said, emphasizing every word, “is…wrong…with…you? It’s like you have multiple personalities or something. I think you need help.” Part of him was being cruel, but he also actually believed it. Something was so…off about this woman.

Agent Weber stood up hesitantly, as if she were surprised to find herself in the hotel room with Michael. She looked at him, her face somewhere between confused and distraught, then walked away from the table, circling the kitchenette several times. The most obvious explanation seemed too…obvious.

“Are you a Tangent, Weber?” he asked.

She glanced sharply at him. A long moment passed. Then she shook her head.

“No.” She paced back and forth. “Though I can see why you’d think that. I know that I’ve been…erratic of late. Well, really, it’s when I’m around you. I just don’t know how to cope sometimes. I can’t believe I’m even saying this in front of you.”

Was it an act? Michael observed her, tried to read something in her face. But she genuinely looked torn up inside.

“Whatever,” he finally said. He considered bolting, but he figured guards were waiting outside.

Weber came back to the table and dragged her chair a little farther away from Michael. The sound of it scraping across the floor put his nerves on edge. She sat down, avoiding his gaze now.

“Michael, I…,” she began, appearing to struggle for the right words. “I need you to know that you’re coming with me today. One way or another, I’m taking you from here. Do you understand?”

Michael was thoroughly confused. That wasn’t what he’d expected at all.

Weber kept talking. “But I want to talk to you first. I’m so conflicted when it comes to you. I meant what I said earlier. I did program you.” Her eyes finally came up to meet his once again. “Do you believe me?”

He didn’t answer at first. He wanted to deny it, couldn’t believe he was sitting here, listening to her, allowing her to poison his mind with an all-new batch of lies and manipulations. But…he did believe her. Maybe some deep part of him could recognize its maker.

Sickened, he nodded, just once.