Chapter 49

The meeting room within Parker Industries smelled of stale sweat and cold iron. Tension lay over the long wooden table like a physical weight, thick enough to choke the air. On one side sat Caleb, his fingers drummed a rhythmic, aggressive beat against the tabletop. Opposite him, Michael remained perfectly still, his expression a mask of weary authority. Noah broke the silence first. He leaned forward, his movements deliberate and unthreatening. "We checked your presumed kills, Caleb,"...