Page 235

“Names that do not affect this investigation. Active locations. Families tied to operatives. Routes that remain secure. Contingencies unrelated to what happened to you.”

“And the mission?”

“He should see it.”

“The Ghost records?”

“The ones connected to the reproductive files, yes.”

“The compromised routing?”

“Yes.”

“The people who altered it?”

“If I can identify them.”

She nodded slowly. “So this isn’t really about protecting the Veil from Anik.”

“No.”

“What is it about?”

I looked at her.

“Giving him what he needs without making every living Ghost pay for what someone inside the structure did.”

Something in her expression eased.

“That I understand.”

I did not expect the relief that followed.

Then she added, “But if what Anik needs leads somewhere you don’t like?”

I held her gaze.

“Then I follow it.”

Talia moved toward the window.

I watched her stop several feet away and look down at the street.

For once, I did not join her.

Did not position myself between her and the glass.

Did not tell her where to stand.

Progress.

Small.

Insufficient.

But real.

After a while, she said, “When did you stop wanting to go home?”