Page 110 of The Lazarus Protocol

“She was working something connected to a doctor scooped up by Earthnet and coerced into working for them. She got burned because she was close.”

“Close to figuring out what they’re doing?”

“Near enough to know something wasn’t right. An agent like that won’t just let it go. They’re gonna dig till they get to the truth.”

“That the guy was kidnapped.”

“She was burned because Earthnet has eyes and ears in the CIA’s network,” Kyle said. “One of their employees was being manipulated by an Earthnet program. One that’s far more sophisticated than anyone even knew was possible.”

“The worm that got in Marina’s system?”

Kyle nodded. “It sounds like she warned them it’s there, but the damage is already done.”

Ash couldn’t shake the idea that something was wrong. “I need to get going. I’ve got a bad feeling.”

“That’s why I’m glad you waited.” Kyle’s expression darkened. “I passed those two drives to the Phoenix Network, and the photo you gave me of Vesper. She’s been on their radar as well, but they don’t get involved in that stuff. The AI on the drives was an older version that has some problems and was shelved—segregated into that server farm in Argentina so it didn’t infect anything else.”

“Okay.”

“Adam gave me another drive, which I also passed on. Earthnet got the security report and not much else.”

“Dangerous game you were playing.”

“It’s the job,” Kyle said. “And it’s supposed to keep all of us safe. But Earthnet figured out what was happening and came after you. Came after all of us.”

“The drones?” Ash had been injured before that, sidelined at the castle, but it wasn’t like him being there would’ve changed the outcome. Even if that was what he wanted to claim. “Vesper took Kai.”

Kyle shook his head. “Earthnet took him from her. I think they have Ice, too. I heard some chatter before I got cut off. They found a bug I planted in one of their offices. I think Earthnet is after the whole team.”

“They’re coming after us?”

“One by one.”

Ash palmed his phone and dialed Adam’s number. It went to voicemail before his friend picked up.

“I’m sure he’s good.” Ash swallowed. Tried another number. Dan. Noah. Jay. None of them picked up. “I’m sure they’re good.”

Kyle just stared at him, looking exhausted and like someone about to inform a person their loved one had been in a terrible accident.

“No. That’s not what’s happening.”

Kyle just stared.

Ash shook his head. “You hired us for the Phoenix Network.”

“And you thought Vesper was your biggest problem.”

“Why would Earthnet come after us like this? Just because we’re right?”

“They consider you a potential threat,” Kyle said. “Guess this is what they do to people who might actually be able to stop them.”

“Where’s that CEO guy, Bradleigh? I’ll sort this out.” Ash got all the way to the door before Kyle stopped him.

“They’ll take you, too. Unless you have someone to watch your back.”

“This is insane.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Kyle said. “The Phoenix Network will be behind you all the way. You know that.”