Pierce gave a slow nod. “You have my word, provided your secret does not endanger my officers.”Simon looked once more at the mark from a life he had buried. “I recognise it because I once commanded the soldiers stationed inside that bunker.”Pierce stared at him without speaking. The former fish seller standing before him had not merely fought in the continental war. He had commanded a military facility so secret that Arranguare’s modern executives did not know it existed.Pierce’s mouth had gone dry. Julian’s countdown continued behind them, but the commissioner heard only the wind between the unfinished buildings.“You commanded that bunker?” Pierce asked. He studied Simon’s face as if expecting the quiet man before him to become someone else. “That facility was abandoned after the continental war.”Simon checked that Edgar remained behind the police barricade. Marcus and the officers were gathered around the command unit, beyond hearing distance. “It was abandoned ten years ago, b

Less than fifty minutes remained on Julian’s countdown when Simon ordered Marcus to take Edgar away. Edgar stood beside the armoured vehicle with his wrists cuffed, his face was pale beneath the cold morning light.“Return him to Arranguare headquarters,” Simon instructed. “Place him inside the secure boardroom and keep guards at every entrance.Marcus accepted Edgar’s confiscated phone from the evidence officer. The device remained sealed inside a transparent evidence sleeve. “What happens if the kidnappers send another message?”“Preserve everything they send,” Simon replied. “Do not answer them, and do not allow Edgar to touch the phone. I need him alive when Pierce and I return.”Marcus looked from the sealed phone to the wartime survey inside Pierce’s vehicle. “Where are you and Commissioner Pierce going? If you are sending me back to headquarters, who will continue searching for Julian?”“We are heading to the abandoned processing centre in the northern district,” Simon answered

Simon counted twelve armed men inside the chamber. Four of them carried pistols, while the others held electric batons, gas canisters and heavy restraints designed for dangerous prisoners.Their leader noticed Simon studying them and laughed. “Counting us will not help you, Mr Chairman. Place everything on the floor and kneel before somebody becomes impatient.”“If your master wants me helpless, why are your men afraid to approach?” Simon asked. His attention moved between Julian and the nearest gunman. “Twelve trained mercenaries should not require this much encouragement.”The mockery disappeared from the leader’s face. “My master wants you alive. That is the only reason bullets have not entered your body.”A mechanical hum started as narrow vents opened overhead. A faint vapour began curling slowly through the grilles. The leader raised a control device. “The gas will weaken your body and steal your senses. Surrender, or collapse helplessly before Julian’s eyes.”Two men fitted mas

Cassar had grown older, but the years had not weakened the authority in his voice. A scar ran from his left temple to his jaw, dividing a face Simon remembered without it.Simon clearly remembered General Cassar before the scar, standing over a battlefield map while younger officers waited for his approval. Cassar touched the damaged side of his face. “You left me beneath a burning command post.”Simon remained still. “You chose your fate.”Two soldiers entered behind him with rifles raised. A red light appeared on Julian’s chest from a concealed firing position above the chamber.“Step away from the restraints,” Cassar ordered. Simon carefully followed the red beam towards a narrow concealed opening high in the wall. The shooter remained invisible behind reinforced glass. Julian noticed the light and stiffened. “Do not move for me.”Simon kept watching the opening. “Stay still. Trust me now.”Casser held up a small control device. “The shooter above us does not need to see your face

Romeo Benjamin’s name struck the deepest part of Simon’s anger, but he did not allow it to control him. The red light on Julian’s forehead reminded him that Cassar had chosen every word carefully.“You expect me to believe Romeo ordered those deaths simply because you said it?” Simon asked. His hands remained at his sides, although every part of him wanted to cross the chamber.Cassar pushed the metal case towards him. “I expect you to decide whether proving me wrong is worth Julian’s life. Place the Star Stone inside the case.”Simon examined the open case inside the underground chamber. Its padded interior held a circular fitting shaped for the Star Stone, proof that Cassar had prepared the exchange before Julian was taken hostage.“If Romeo gave the order, show me the evidence,” Simon replied. “Tell the hidden shooter to lower his weapon, and perhaps I will listen.”Cassar glanced towards Julian. “You are not negotiating from a position of strength. Your employee is bleeding, my so