Chapter 109:
Arthur Sterling's house is quiet.
Quieter than it was the last time. The fountain's still running in the front yard and the columns are still white and the gate still opens when the nurse buzzes us in.
But the house feels smaller. Dying.
Arthur Sterling is in his bed now. Not the wheelchair by the window. The bed. He's got oxygen tubes in his nose and an IV in his arm and a monitor on his finger and a nurse in the corner who doesn't look up from her book.
"Mr. Sterling."
His eyes open.
"Vance." His voice is a whisper. "I was wondering when you'd come back."
"We need to talk."
"About the Committee."
Kael's quiet.
"You know."
"I know." Arthur's mouth curves. "I started it."
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We sit down.
Arthur Sterling doesn't have the strength to sit up. He just lies there wi
