“Did you just threaten me, Connor?”
“Not a chance. I’m speaking truth to power. You see?”
“Now I do. This is all about power. That’s what they taught you to love. Since you’re speaking ‘truth,’ tell me about Nexus. Is he the one in charge? Did he supply you with the phantom drill?”
Trevor saw a crack in the smile. It retreated to mere smugness.
“He’s not what you think, Trevor. Nexus is a man of vision. He loves me. He wants the best for you. He expects you to cooperate with us. You’ll meet him, like I have. Bruv, he knows us. He’s been following our lives since we were kids.”
Not a single bit of that response went as Trevor predicted.
“Following? Why? What’s his real name?”
“We’ll understand when the time’s right. He promised.”
Of course he did. Still playing games.
Connor saw the world with a clarity to which he’d been conditioned. Trevor wondered how in ten hells to compete.
Short answer: He couldn’t. Not now.
“Who are you?” He asked.
Connor rolled the cigar between his teeth and paused for a beat.
“I’m someone you should envy. I’ve never been happier and more full in my life. I wake each day with purpose, conviction, and commitment.”
“Committed to what?”
“Improving the future. There’s no more important goal for a human being.”
“Where does love fit into your goal?”
Connor patted Trevor on the cheek.
“I’ll always love you, bruv. I’ll look after you. No worries. This will be the best time of our lives. I promise. The cudfrucking best.”
Connor hopped off the couch, tossed his cigar into the snuffer, and started toward the door.
“Great talk, Trevor. We’re on the same wavelength now. Yes? So, I have places to be. Lot of prep work.”
Trevor followed him.
“For what?”
“We’re not done yet. Oh, yes! Do me a favor. Call off your lawmen. They don’t want trouble, and I don’t want to make any. And remember.” He ran fingers across his lips like a zipper. “Not a word about Requiem. See you soon, bruv. I can’t wait.”
Alone and numb, Trevor stared at his water glass. He needed something stronger. The same question persisted.
What have you become, Connor?
Mau answered.
“The Enzathi explores your question.”
It was rhetorical. I didn’t mean it for you.
“You misunderstand. The Enzathi sees deep into the bag. It is intrigued by the unnatural construct of many layers. It follows.”
Trevor responded orally.
“What do you mean?”
“When the bag touched you face, the Enzathi transferred a fragment.”
“Wait. It’s also in Connor. Why?”
After Trevor heard the answer, he poured a double whiskey.
23
TREVOR WASN’T SURPRISED WHEN President Haas called him to her office two hours later. She returned to Amity incognito around the time Thomas was reported missing. Trevor made no assumptions, as most of his recent ones had been well off target. Yet this felt like an appropriate climax for today’s drama.
She wasn’t seated at her desk. Haas thanked her Chief of Staff and told him to go home for the evening. He objected to no avail.
“Cillian takes copious notes,” she said with a curt smile. “He intends to write my biography someday. He’s afraid of missing out on living history. We’ll see.”
“Days don’t get much bigger than this, Madam President.”
