The stranger said, "I can give you information on Zane."
He leaned in, lowering his voice. "And I can help you make Axel disappear. He just went off to Mariana Land, right? All I need to do is pull a few strings, and he''ll nevere back. He''ll die out there, and no one will ever know."
Tarquin''s eyes narrowed, his expression going colder.
"News about Zane isn''t worth trading for my intel," he said tly. "And as for Axel..."
He leaned forward, his tone sharp. "Go ahead, try something. See if Axel gets hurt because of you. If anything does happen to him, I''ll make sure you regret it."
"When I find the real eighth-generation virus, I''m handing it right over to the government. We have nothing more to discuss."
There was a long silence on the other end before the mysterious caller spoke again.
"Kidding, rx. Axel''s not my problem-never was. Sorry for your loss, pal. But when you get your hands on that virus, I''lle see you myself."
The line went dead.
Tarquin listened to the dial tone, his brow furrowed in frustration.
Lowell was driving, ncing at Tarquin through the rearview mirror.
"Mystery man?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"Think he''ll try to hurt Axel?"
Tarquin shook his head. "He wouldn''t dare. We''re not the ones begging for help- he''s the one who needs something from us. If he steps out of line, he loses his shot at a deal."
Lowell hesitated, then asked, "Do you know where the eighth-generation virus really is?"
Tarquin''s reply was simple: "We''ll find out when we open the coffin."
Lowell took a moment, then tried again. "Tarquin, is your suspect... who I think it is?"
Tarquin looked up, their eyes meeting in the mirror.
He didn''t answer, but the silence was telling.
Lowell understood. He frowned, ncing at Tarquin with a look of sympathy. If it really was that person, how much would it hurt Tarquin?
The car fell silent, the tension thick. After what felt like ages, Tarquin''s phone started to ring again.
This time, it was someone familiar-Soren.
Soren had loved Elizabeth his whole life and had never married. A respected general, tough as nails, but gentle when it came to her.
Tarquin steadied himself and answered. "Soren."
"Tarquin, I''m at the foot of the hill. I want to go up to the chapel to spend some time with your mother. Let whoever''s on security know I''ming."
Ever since Elizabeth''s ashes were interred there, Tarquin had posted his most trusted people to keep watch.
"When did you get back?" Tarquin asked.
Soren sounded tired. “Just now. As soon as theard you''d found your mothers ashes wanted toe back but there''s been unrestat the border and I couldn''t get away."
s
"She''ll be buried with your father tomorrow. Once she''s in that casket, I might never see her again."
Tarquin knew how deep Soren''s
feelings for his mother ran-part et
love part friendship part family. Soren''s devotion wash any less than his father''s. s<fn230d> Latest content published on FιndNovel</fn230d>
"I''ll make the call now," Tarquin said.
"Thank you."
After hanging up, Tarquin called the security team and told them to let Soren through.
About half an hourter, he and Lowell arrived at the Hawkins Mansion.
The old family home was empty now, except for cleaning staff. No one from the Bradfords lived there anymore.
Usually, it was quiet as a grave. But not today.
The ce was buzzing with noise, inside and out.
In the chapel, a priest was reciting prayers. Qutside the main gates, Allegra Bradford was causing a
Re
scene with the rest of the family
crying and shouting. Reporters
crowded around, cameras shing.
s
To be clear, the others were quietly weeping. Allegra, though, was putting on a
show.
"Who do you think you are, opening Killian''s casket? How dare you let that woman through our door?"
"No one in the Bradford family ever recognized her! What right does she have to
be buried with Killian?"
"If you want them buried together, you''ll have to bury me first!"
Killian Bradford-that was Kendrick''s original name.
Tarquin stepped out of the car in a sharp ck suit, his face cold as ice.