Page 126 of The Lazarus Protocol

“Did you? Or did they just let you think you did? And your most recent call? Who do you think you spoke to when you were in Zurich?” Her sister shrugged. “It’s called subterfuge. You convince the asset to do what you want by giving them what they want, and a whole lot of promises you never intend to keep.”

“I’ll remember the voice.” Steph didn’t think she would ever forget it. “He had Dad. He has Dad.”

Vesper dragged a phone from her jacket pocket and tapped the screen. “This man?”

“This is about Adam’s team.” They were the ones in danger. Her father… She wasn’t going to listen to whatever this was.

Vesper held the phone out, and a man started talking. “This guy?”

Steph heard the voice, and her whole body went cold.

Adam shifted closer and looked at the screen. “A press conference, with Division Chief Thomas Kraus.” He looked at her. “That’s who you spoke to?”

Steph wanted to be sick.

“You’ve always known it wasn’t real. It was just easier to believe the lie.”

“I would’ve saved him,” Steph said through gritted teeth. “It wasn’t a lie.”

“He wouldn’t have done the same for you. He wouldn’t have even cared.” Vesper lowered the phone. “They’ve been lying to you since they recruited you.”

Steph backed up a step. She hardly knew what to say.

Adam shifted so his shoulder was in front of her, facing Vesper. “They can get agents the usual ways. Why go to this much trouble?”

He was guarding her. Or protecting her. That was what his stance meant.

And when she’d just found out she had been manipulated for years? Steph moved from behind him so she could face her sister on her own. “They wanted me to be like him.”

Vesper stared at her.

“They thought they could train me. That I’d have all the natural skill he does.” She winced. “Did.” She swallowed. “But I’m not the one they should’ve chosen.”

“You think I wanna be a spy? I make my own missions.”

“I think while we’re standing here talking about my sob story, Adam’s team is still out there.” Steph swallowed back the nausea creeping up her throat. “I don’t need a reason to do the right thing. It’s my choice.”

Vesper probably didn’t need the speech about good people being in trouble. As if she would even care.

Steph said, “You should leave.”

Her sister shook her head. “No chance. I’ll help you, and in return you give me the book.”

“We don’t need you,” Adam said.

“You don’t, but she does.” Vesper lifted her chin. “And our mutual enemy is also her enemy. Thomas Kraus has a stake in Earthnet. It took years to find the connection, but when I took that guidance chip, I found it.” She looked at Steph. “You want to get back at him for manipulating you? Then I’ll help you find Adam’s team. We take down Polaris—the four of us and anyone else who wants in. I kill Kraus.”

“Because you want the book?”

“Fair trade. You give me what I want in exchange for solving your problem.”

Steph shook her head. “Murder isn’t a solution.”

“These people aren’t going to stop. Earthnet is gearing up for something bigger than any of us has ever seen. Everything in that book will be a reality.”

Adam said, “We aren’t joining your cause.”

“Then I’m the only one going up against Polaris. The only one who knows what the world will become.”