The call came at 4:12 in the morning.
Director Hayes was already awake.
Sleep had become a luxury ever since Dorian entered the Presidential Estate.
Too many questions. Too many unknowns.
Too many enemies. His secure phone vibrated once. Only once.
The signal came directly from the forensic team assigned to examine everything recovered from beneath Parliament.
Hayes answered immediately.
"What is it?"
The analyst sounded confused.
And nervous.
"Sir... I think we found something."
Hayes sat upright.
"What?"
"A hidden compartment." Silence "Where?"
"The vault."
Hayes frowned.
"We searched the vault."
"I know."
The analyst hesitated.
"Apparently not well enough."
Thirty minutes later, the Crisis Operations Room was active again.
Sebastian arrived first.
Elena followed.
Magnus entered carrying coffee and skepticism in equal measure.
Dorian remained seated quietly near the far wall.
