Page 492 of Black Reign

“Of the database?”

“Entirely.”

Pierre sighs.

Clicks several keys.

The Lakeview system disappears.

Then he looks up at his father.

“Can I still talk to Preston?”

“Yes.”

“Encrypted?”

Xavier hesitates.

I nudge him.

“He's going to do it anyway.”

My husband looks at our child.

“Fine. But no illegal access.”

Pierre nods solemnly.

“Understood.”

Xavier turns toward me.

“He's lying.”

“Obviously.”

Pierre gasps.

“I heard that.”

“We know.”

He climbs down from the chair and heads for the door.

Halfway there, he stops.

“Maman?”

“Yes?”

“Preston said the girl has a secret.”

I glance at Xavier.

Xavier glances at me.

“What kind of secret?” I ask.