Chapter 37 - The Door
Steel barriers descended over every exit.
Eli showed no fear.
He walked to the center of the laboratory and placed his pendant inside the scale model of Raven House. Mara’s pendant began vibrating against her chest.
A projection appeared above the model.
It displayed hundreds of names, photographs and locations connected by lines of light.
Daniel recognized politicians, physicians, judges and corporate executives. Some were alive. Others had officially died years earlier.
“They’re replacement candidates,” Elias said.
Eli shook his head.
“They already happened.”
A red mark appeared beside every completed transfer.
There were thousands.
Project Palinode had not remained hidden inside a single laboratory. It had spread into hospitals, private clinics, military research centers and identity databases throughout the country.
Mara found her own name at the center.
Four completed transfers.
One pending.
“Which version am I?” she asked.
Eli answered quietly.
“The one who asked that question.”
Before Mara could respond, the barriers rose again.
Someone had overridden the lockdown remotely.
A voice came through the laboratory speakers.
Celeste’s voice.
“The Curator knows you opened the map. You have forty-seven minutes before every identity on it disappears.”
Daniel began copying the database.
Celeste continued.
“Do not take Eli to the authorities.”
May you like
“Why?” Mara demanded.
“Because the authorities are coming to collect their son.”
