“Jack?!” I burst out, in confounded exclamation. “He’s saved my life so many times, I couldn’t even count.”

  Patty and Elliott shared uneasy glances between each other.

  “He is, however, the latest addition to the team,” Beckman stated with an edge. “Lends cadence to the fact that things have suddenly gone array at every opportunity.”

  “What about Natalya?” I beckoned. “She’s not even here. She wasn’t there when we were attacked at the safe house either.” Suddenly, I realized my error, as the group shot narrow glances around.

  “What attack do you speak of?” Beckman said, turning rigid. “You claimed all was well, did you not?”

  “Well," I stuttered, unsure of how to proceed. I looked to Jack, who remained in his own world. “We went to the designated safe house and came under fire.”

  “By who?” Beckman asked, blinking the dryness out of his eyes, and squinting as if scrutinizing every word that was delivered by me.

  I gulped. "American agents. Rogue agents, I’m guessing,” I pondered aloud, feeling sweat start to drip down the side of my temples. I brushed it away with the back of my hand, which Beckman clocked, noting with a discerning eye.

  “Why weren’t we made aware of this situation?” Beckman cracked his neck in idle frustration.

  “We couldn’t reach anyone,” I snapped. “What were we supposed to do?”

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “My dear,” Beckman sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “There is no safe house.”

  My mouth hung open, unable to process the words that spewed from Beckman’s. “I don’t understand.”

  “We’ve never had a safe house.”

  “That’s not possible. There’s no way,” I shot back. Misaligned thoughts raced through my mind. How was that possible? Why would Angus know of it as well. None of this was making sense. I wasn’t going crazy after the loss of my Father. Was I?

  Elliott and Patty looked on bearing sorrowful expressions. Almost pitied gazes. Elliott rested a hand on Patty’s shoulder, who turned inward with some form of regret, as if they watched a car wreck in real time.

  I turned back to Jack, begging. “Tell them.”

  Jack’s held still, processing surprise with his crooked brow, but becoming more subdued by the moment.

  “Tell them!” I urged him, tugging his sleeve.

  Jack shook his head, taking in the events with brimming clarity. “So this was it, huh? All the signs. Misleading paths. Traps. This was the plan the whole time?”

  My brow furrowed with my own lack of understanding.

  “How do you mean?” Beckman said. “Speak plainly.”

  “Do you work for them?” Jack’s lip twitched. “Do you work...for Exodus?”

  “It will be rather difficult for you two to come out of this unscathed.” Beckman said. “There are many questionable actions that you have taken...or not taken, at times. Will any government be willing to overlook what you've seemingly played a part in?”

  “We haven't done anything!” I shouted back.

  Jack growled, his eyes locked on Beckman.

  “Perhaps the safest thing to do, would be to detain you both, for further questioning,” Beckman posited.

  Elliott and Patty hesitantly stepped back away from the situation.

  “C'mon guys,” I turned to them, pleading, “you know we're innocent!”

  “Don't bother,” Jack said, “they won't be of any help.”

  “What?” I looked back at him, and then to ashamed faces.

  “Perhaps detainment isn't the optimal strategy though,” Beckman continued. “Erasure, seems a more sound means, do you disagree?” He turned to Elliott and Patty, who held their heads down sheepishly.

  I held silent, my eyes bulging from their sockets in shock.

  “Have you been working for Exodus this entire time?” Jack held strong, speaking straight to Beckman.

  A faint and creepy smile crossed Beckman’s face. “No.” He breathed out with disturbed delight. “But they will work for me.”