Page 125 of The Lazarus Protocol

“We’re the only ones left apart from Ice. The program didn’t know where he was.”

That didn’t fill her with confidence. “You’re the only ones left?”

“We are.”

She shook her head. “It doesn’t want me. I’m not the focus. You and your friends are.”

“She’s right.” Vesper put a hand on her hip. “Earthnet doesn’t care about her because the CIA had her handled. Much as it pains me to say, that actually makes her the best person to go up against them and get your friends out.” She pinned Adam with a stare. “If you go after them, Polaris will see you coming from miles away.”

“It won’t see us?” Steph asked her sister.

“Don’t get any crazy ideas. I came here because I knew you were in danger. Not to join some ragtag team ready to take down the big bad evil and rescue the damsels in distress.”

“So now all of a sudden you give a crap about me?” Steph shook her head. “I’m supposed to believe you feel some kind of family loyalty to me?”

“Everything I’ve done is to save you. To make you stronger. To teach you that you can do whatever you put your mind to,” Vesper said. “What’s so hard to understand about that?”

Steph couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “I don’t want anything to do with you and your twisted logic. Or your idea of family.”

“Sorry for trying to help you. Isn’t that what sisters are supposed to do?”

“You and I have never been family.” Steph turned to Kyle. “Adam asked if you could find them?”

Both men looked like they were trying not to smile.

Steph put her hands on her hips. “Well?”

Kyle smiled. “Yes, ma’am. I can find a tracker Ash has on him.”

“And you think Polaris didn’t notice it?” Vesper asked. “They have access to everything. They know everything. Steph isn’t going anywhere near them, at least not without me.”

“They don’t know this,” Kyle said.

Steph decided to be peacemaker. “Then it’s settled. The four of us go…wherever it is they’re being held.”

Vesper turned to her. “And go up against an army of security guys Earthnet has assembled there? And a computer program that can anticipate your every movement? You’re suicidal.” She paused. “Give me the book, and I’ll take down Polaris.”

“So that’s what this is.” Steph shifted away from her sister. “You just want the book.”

“Everyone wants the book,” Vesper countered. “Far better to have it in my hands. You know exactly what I’ll do with it, after I use it to disrupt Polaris.”

“Lot of assumptions you’re making about what the book can do.” Steph lifted her chin. “You haven’t even seen it, let alone read what’s in it.”

“Only because you aren’t willing to give up your one bargaining chip.” Vesper glanced at the two men. “I’m guessing you didn’t tell them you have the book.”

“It’s the only thing I have that can save Dad.”

“So why didn’t you immediately turn it over to the CIA in exchange for his freedom?” Vesper glared. “Maybe because deep down you know Dad’s been dead for years.”

Steph took a stumbling step back. “You lie.”

Vesper just stood there. “I wouldn’t lie to you about that. You knew, you just didn’t want to believe it.”

“You don’t know that. You haven’t seen him!”

“The CIA covered it up the way they cover up everything,” Vesper said. “Adam knows that better than anyone. He’s dead, Steph. Dad is long gone.”

“I spoke to him.”