“It gets worse,” Ham said.
The room quieted, faces grim. Even Skeet’s.
“What am I missing?” Chloe said, sitting up.
“A couple weeks ago, your sister was on a train that derailed,” Ham said.
“I know. I was the one who contacted North?—”
“It was carrying refined obsidite canisters.”
“What’s obsidite?” Chloe asked.
“A mineral used in advanced AI applications,” North explained. “Also happens to be highly volatile when it comes in contact with air. Creates an explosion. But more important—it creates a dispersal pattern that could carry other compounds over a wide area.”
Chloe’s stomach dropped. “Like aerosolized poison.”
“Exactly like aerosolized poison. And although we secured nearly all of it, one canister was stolen.”
The room fell silent except for the hum of electronics.
“There’s more,” West said, not looking up from his screen. “Flight manifests show an Alexander Steele boarded a plane to Hawaii an hour ago.”
Ham was already reaching for his phone. “It’ll take us a hot minute to get out of here, but Dakota can get on a plane. If Martin’s heading there...” He hit speed dial, and after a moment, “Dakota, it’s Ham. We need you on a plane...”
Chloe listened to the one-sided conversation, her gut tightening as she leaned back into Skeet’s arms.
West grabbed a piece of pizza and snagged the packet of red-hot peppers. Opened it?—
“Oh my gosh.” Chloe sat up. “I completely forgot.”
She got up and headed to her room, grabbed her pack. Front pocket: a tiny spice packet. The spice packet Tobias had given her.
She carried it out of the room, holding it by her fingertips. “This is from the original contamination. If you need to develop an antidote...”
Ham stood up. “Let’s get a bag for that.”
Skeet was already off the sofa. He grabbed a napkin, and she set the packet on it. He folded it.
“Lethal stuff,” he said.
Ham nodded. “Good save, Chloe. Logan Thorne has been working on countermeasures for Martin’s weapons. He’ll need that sample.”
“Then I’m going stateside,” Chloe said. “I can give him this, plus Marko’s research files. And everything Dr. Tobias and I learned over the last six months. I remember all of it.”
“Chloe—” Skeet started.
She turned to him. “I’m going. This isn’t over. Martin’s still out there, and people are going to die if we don’t stop him.” She sighed. “And you have to go with your team.” She offered a thin smile.
He looked at Ham. “Permission to go to America.”
Ham’s eyes narrowed. “Get her home. Then get on a plane. We’ll meet you in Hawaii.”
“Skeet,” she said. “I can get on a plane by myself.”
He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah, no. Because who’s going to carry your luggage?”
She rolled her eyes. “Such a gentleman.”