Page 168 of Black Reign

Someone breached one of the most protected legacy systems in the Blackwell empire and touched the file of a man my father doesn't want to discuss.

Interesting.

My watch vibrates.

NULL.

For one irrational second, I think Vesper has returned.

She hasn't.

Only the offline status remains.

I look from her empty channel to the Beaumont file.

Two mysteries.

One woman I can't find.

One dead man I don't remember.

And Blackwell Europe waiting for me across the Atlantic.

I close Vesper’s evidence case.

Not solved.

Paused.

My father thinks I'm coming home to investigate ARGUS.

He's right.

What he doesn't know is that I now have another investigation running beside it.

Vesper knows who Ghost is.

She told me she isn't running.

Fine.

Let her stay hidden a little longer.

I spent years watching her disappear.

Now I know she wants to be found badly enough to stand at my table, wear my jacket, and leave her mouth on my glass.

I smile at the dark screen.

Game changed, Vesper.

You caught the Ghost.

Now let's see what happens when the Ghost starts hunting back.

7

London is raining when Vesper sends me another piece of herself.