The red light on the recorder blinked steadily.
No one reached for it.
The conference room had fallen into complete silence after Sebastian’s voice disappeared from the speakers. Outside, the distant sound of boots echoed through the corridor. Whoever was approaching was moving with discipline, not urgency.
Nathan Cole looked at the recorder as though he had seen it before.
“I wondered when he would use it.”
Amelia turned toward him.
“You knew this was here.”
“I suspected.”
“You didn’t tell us.”
Nathan met her eyes.
“Edward instructed me not to.”
The words settled heavily over the room.
Damian stepped closer to the wall where the hidden compartment remained open.
“He trusted you.”
Nathan nodded.
“He trusted very few people after Jonathan Mercer disappeared.”
Lucas moved tow
