Already too interested.
“Who?”
“I don’t know,” I reply. “But whoever it is… they’re expensive.”
I pull up the satellite feed.
“Protected convoy. High-level security. And then—gone.”
Lark steps closer. “Protected by who?”
“That’s the problem.”
I zoom in.
Enhance.
Stabilize.
The image resolves.
A woman.
Early thirties. Dark hair. Sharp eyes.
Blood at her temple.
Still conscious.
Still fighting.
And then—
The file header loads.
MILA VESKOV
Former Strategic Analyst — Classified Programs
Status: Presumed Abducted
The room shifts.
Subtle.
But real.
Jase goes still.
Aaron notices.
“That name means something to you.”
Jase doesn’t look away from the screen.
“Yeah,” he says quietly.
And there’s something different in his voice now.
