The three knocks echoed through the chamber.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Anthony silently drew a small pistol from beneath his jacket.
Evelyn stared at him in surprise.
"You carry a gun?"
"I was hoping I wouldn't need it."
The voice beyond the iron door spoke again.
"There's no point hiding."
"We're not your enemies."
Mercer let out a quiet, humorless laugh.
"They always say that."
Benjamin tightened his grip on the notebook.
"What do we do?"
Mercer glanced around the chamber.
"There are only two choices."
"Fight."
"Or disappear."
Another voice came from outside the door.
This one was deeper.
More commanding.
"Evelyn Ashford."
"We know you have the Genesis archive."
"We're willing to make a trade."
Evelyn frowned.
"A trade?"
"Open the door."
"We'll return some
